The greatest progress was expected from Russian Andrei Kirilenko, who in his debut and last seasons had proven himself in Utah in the best possible way, and after the departure from the team of its long-time leaders and true symbols - Karl Malone and John Stockton - was expected to become the leader of the Jazz. The former CSKA Moscow forward is not disappointing so far. Moreover, the renewed Utah roster, in which Kirilenko is the key figure, has made many specialists talk about itself with its results. Utah was predicted a sharp decline, but it continues to win, though it does so significantly less often than before. But the decline did not happen. And this is the main success of Kirilenko's team.
The Russian himself is the most stable player on the team, and in a number of indicators, the most useful. In the NBA, he ranks 41st in playing time (first on his team), 44th in rebounds per game (second on the team), 46th in points per game (second on the team). And although it is still too early for the Russian to compete with many aces of professional basketball, his progress cannot but delight.
Given that European basketball (or rather, its representatives) are gradually winning more and more playing time from the Americans, and are also increasingly becoming leaders in various statistical indicators, Kirilenko's desire not to drop the honor of the Russian basketball school is very timely.
Keeping pace with Andrei is NBA veteran, Lithuanian Zydrunas Ilgauskas. But in principle, his stats are inferior to Kirilenko's (the Lithuanian is perhaps better in terms of points per game - 16.2 against 15.9), and in Cleveland Ilgauskas is not the symbol of novelty and future hopes that the Russian is considered to be. However, the Lithuanian is very respected in overseas basketball for the stability he has shown for more than one year, and for his high level of play over the same period. And he is a solid player of the starting five. And that is a very serious achievement in the NBA.
Another Lithuanian, Darius Songaila, left CSKA Moscow this summer (one of the best clubs in European basketball, by the way) for the opportunity to try his hand in the NBA. It is hard to say how things will go for him in his current team - Sacramento - or any other, but one cannot ignore the confident debut of the Lithuanian basketball player. Especially when comparing his stats with those of our League veterans - Potapenko, Stepania, or Medvedenko.
Of course, Darius still has more than one season to prove his worth, but he has taken the first step - often the most important - in the right direction. In a number of statistical categories that are very important for rookies in the overseas league, he is third among ours - after Kirilenko and Ilgauskas. In the nine matches he has played, Songaila has never made the starting five, but in the match on November 14 against Toronto he spent 26 minutes on the court, scored 14 points, made seven rebounds and five assists. If things continue this way, he can count on a promotion.
In this regard, one cannot ignore Kiev native Stanislav Medvedenko. In the star-studded Lakers company, where such aces as Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Karl Malone play, the Ukrainian basketball player is unlikely to be assigned the role of the man who finishes the team's attacks. There are other, more star basketball players for that. Stanislav, judging by television broadcasts of matches with his participation, is trying to refute his status as a "workhorse" and break into the circle of the chosen ones. But the famous coach Phil Jackson does not allow any discrepancies in his tactical plan. If Medvedenko does not like the role assigned to him, let him not perform it. But he will not be given any other role either. So the Ukrainian forward does not take to the court in the current season. And every time - with the wording "by the coach's decision".
Things are no better for another Ukrainian basketball player - Vitaly Potapenko. The NBA veteran has long ceased to be a starting player, contenting himself with occasional appearances on the court. But it seems he is fine with that. Consequently, any day now one can expect Potapenko to end his NBA playing career. Although...
Let us single out the Georgian trio as a separate block. Despite their different lengths of NBA experience (Stepania has been playing there since 1998, Tskitishvili since 2002, and Pachulia appeared this summer), their current achievements are almost identical. Perhaps Stepania is a little different in a number of indicators. However, given his experience in the League, it was only natural for him to stand out. And considering that the last season spent in Miami was the most successful for Vladimir in his overseas career, Portland would be right to count on a continuation. But so far the Georgian center is warming up and waiting for an increase in playing time (compared to last season it is half as much).
Nikoloz Tskitishvili is also far from his last year's numbers. They are, on average, almost twice as bad. And the Georgian legionnaire of Denver should think about it. But his fellow countryman Zaza Pachulia has nothing to be upset about yet. Not all basketball players making their NBA debut managed to win over coaches and specialists from the very first matches. Although the Georgian could have taken an example from Songaila himself.