The Kebab Krossover 2

[by Kris SANTIAGO] - Merhaba! The second installation of my Kebab Krossover for Turkey 2010 is now online.
Again, I compiled some of the news surrounding the participating countries and players right below. Enjoy!

The U.S. sending fresh faces to Turkey, namely guys like Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and David Lee. Unfortunately, the Miami Heat-trio of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have chosen South Beach over the Bosporus. Otherwise it would have been great to have them there.

Lithuania is falling apart these days.
The federation told the media, that they are going into rebuilding because they are going to host the European Championships, but to me, it looks like the lack of motivation coupled with the lack of money made a lot of the touted stars pass on the opportunity to play.

Brothers Darjus and Ksistof Lavrinovic as well as Arturas Jomantas, Marijonas Petravicius, Rimantas Kaukenas and Sarunas Jasikevicius won't be with the team and Ramunas Siskauskas, Darius Songaila and Zydrunas Ilgauskas retired from the national team.
That leaves the Lithuanians with Linas Kleiza and Robertas Javtokas as leading players while Donatas Motiejunas should be using the World Championships as a stepping stone to his rising career.

Serbia's coach Dusan Ivkovic is currently trimming down his roster. Luka Bodganovic, Mladen Jeremic and Zoran Erceg are out and 16 players are still practising.

Several players are absent for Russia - So far. Kirilenko could be forced to sit out due to his previous injuries that he sustained during the last season, as the Utah Jazz are unwilling to let him go to Turkey right now, being afraid, that he might be returning later re-injured again.

Brazil's Leandrinho Barbosa and Turkey's Hedo Turkoglu are reportedly switching teams, and another talented Brazilian is joining the NBA:
Tiago Splitter signed with the San Antonio Spurs, while French Ian Mahinmi might be leaving the same team for Dallas soon.

Russian center Timotey Mozgov should be popping up in the roster of the New York Knicks next season. A surprising move for many, this young gun might develop into a star in a few years.
If he's going to join Russia in the World Champs though has to bee seen.

The Turkish duo of Semih Erden and Ömer Asik signed both in the NBA as well. Together with Hedo and Okur, they form the Turkish NBA fraction next season.

Spaniard Rudy would love to be home again to join Ricky Rubio.

The Ivory Coast names its pre-selection for Turkey.
The 24 players fighting for a spot in the roster are: Charles Abouo, Wilfried Aka, Pape-Philippe Amagou, Brice Assie, Ibrahim Cisse, Souleyman Diabate, Remi Dibo, Patrick Konan, Guy Landry, Desire Gabou, Jonathan Kale, Jean-Philippe Koffi, Kouassi Konan,. Stephane Konate, Mohamed Kone, Fred Kounkorgo, Herve Lamizana, Namori Meite, Ismael N'diaye, Jonathan Ouegnin, Soumahoro Issife, Eric Tape, Michael Toti and Guy Serge Touali.

Not considered were: Ousmane Cisse (Eastern Illinois), Patrick Herve Gnagbo (CB L'Alfas del Pi, Spain), Sanko Camara (CO Souffel, France NM2), Jourdain Allou (Navarro College, USA), Vassy Banny Leander (Montana University, USA), Jean Amenou Baptiste (SUNY Orange, USA), Arnaud Dahi (WAC, Morocco), Affeli Serge, Frejus Zerbo (Pro A Gravelines, France), Abdulai Jalloh (Springfield Armor, NDBL USA), Guy-Joel Moulare (St.Helena, Sweden), Mamadi Diane (CB Penas Huesca), Spain)

The Head-coach of Angola, Luis Magalhaes called up the following 16 players for the first stage in Cabinda: Miguel Lutonda, Carlos Almeida, Felipe Abrao, Felizardo Ambrosio, Joaquim Gomes, Yanick Moreira, Olimpio Cipriano, Domingos Bonifacio, Leonel Paulo, Divaldo Mbunga, Eduardo Mingas, Roberto Fortes, Miguel Kiala, Paulo Barros, Simao Santos and Valdelicio Joaquim.

Lebanon is heading into preparations as well. They have chosen to face opponents like Japan, Philippines, Iran and Syria among others. The downside might be, that the Tab Baldwin-led team is only playing one tournament with real WC contenders like Argentina, Turkey and Canada just three days before the World Championship begin.

Neigbours Jordan are suffering currently due to visa problems and the lack of finances.
Also, their German-Jordanian center Jamal Al Maaytah left the team and won't return.

Puerto Rico won the Centrobasket 2010 in the Dominican Republic over the host country by the score of 89-80. "Pulpo Paul" knew that already before.

As always, Carlos Arroyo was instrumental in securing the title once more. Newest addition Renaldo Balkman of the Denver Nuggets played a pretty good tournament and should be a lock on the power forward-spot due to his premier rebounding skills as well as his strong defensive play.

That's all for this week's Kebab Krossover - More to come within the next weeks!

I'm out like predictions of seafood.