The Game of All Times

Yugoslavia's NRA star Vlade Divac said he would play for his country one more time, at the forthcoming World Cup in Greece. Almost instantly, the Yugoslav basketball federation announced it would build a dream team of our own, capable of beating the undefeated and undisputed world champions - USA. Six months ahead of the World Cup, basketball fans in Yugoslavia are in a trance-like state as Europe prepares for what should be the game of all times. Does Yugoslavia stand a realistic chance of beating dream team IV?
The day after international news agencies announced that Vlade Divac would play for Yugoslavia in Athens, the editor of the Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo, Jordi Roman, said the following in his column: "Athens will be the basketball centre of the world next summer. More importantly, it will probably witness the best game ever played in a World Cup. Yugoslavia is coming to Greece with its own dream team, to challenge Grant Hill and company in what should be the most spectacular World Cup final ever. Only 20,000 people will be lucky enough to see this final live. If you are not in Greece on August 9th, don't miss this one on television.

The euphoric feelings in Yugoslavia, which followed Divac's message, are not all that unfounded.  European basketball fans are obviously hoping that the Yugoslavs can at least give the NBA stars a good run for their money. On the other hand, we seem to be expecting victory with growing confidence although our dream team is yet to be formed. Apart from Divac, the other "disputed" recruits of the Yugoslav dream are still to confirm their participation in the "beat USA" operation. At least we have something to hope for and dream about, as sport and what it offers once again proves to be the only bright side of life in these parts.

There isn't a shadow of a doubt that USA are hot favorites to win the World Cup once again. However, many people hope that they can and will be beaten. Vlade Divac says he has a gut feeling that he and his mates can beat dream team IV. If the Atlanta Olympic games final is anything to judge by, Yugoslav hopes are certainly well founded. In that game, a US dream team, arguably much stronger than the one elected to play in Athens, was held at bay for 30 minutes by the spirited Yugoslav side, which went down 95-69 only after its pillar Vlade Divac fouled out. Provided that Yugoslavia can put together its own dream team, this is what the players' match-ups would look like:

Sasa Djordjevic and Gary Payton:  Djordjevic (age 30, height 188 cm) now plays in Spain for Barcelona. He averages 19 points and 4.1 assists in the Spanish league, as well as 15.6 points and 4.1 assists in the European Champions league. Had a brief spell with the Portland Trailblazers. Although plagued by injuries in the last year or so, Djordjevic is a team leader and a born winner.

Gary Payton (age 29, height 195 cm) is one of the best point guards in the NBA. A regular starter for the Seattle Supersonics this season, he averages 38.5 minutes, 19.4 points and 8.8 assists per game. He played against Djordjevic in Atlanta, scoring 2 points to the Yugoslav's 13.
Prediction: Slight advantage for USA.

Sasa Obradovic and Terell Brandon: Obradovic (28, 191) plays in Rome, Italy, averaging 14.4 points and 2.8 assists per game. He is a reliable substitute for Djordjevic.
Brandon started 40 of the Cleveland Cavaliers' 50 games this season, averaging 35.9 minutes, 17.3 points, and 7.7 assists per game. He is also a reasonably good three-point shooter (23 for 69).
Prediction: Advantage for USA.

Predrag Danilovic and Allan Houston: Danilovic (28, 200) is the best European shooting guard. He is the leader of Kinder Bologna, hot favorites to win the Italian championship and the European league. He averages 22.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in the Italian league, as well as 17.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in the European Champions league. He played for the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks in his two NBA seasons.
Allan Houston (26, 198) is a physical player much like Danilovic. Always a starter for the New York Knicks, he averages 16.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Prediction: Advantage for Yugoslavia

Predrag Stojakovic and Grant Hill: Grant Hill (26, 203) averages 35 minutes, 16.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the Detroit Pistons. He is strong and exciting, but isn't the "new Michael Jordan" although many people want him to be. He missed the final against Yugoslavia in Atlanta through injury.
Stojakovic (21, 203) is one of the most talented young players in Europe. He plays for PAOK Salonica of Greece, averaging 23.4 points and 4.3 points per game. His average in the European league is 21.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Stojakovic is a great shooter.
Prediction: Advantage for USA.

Zarko Paspalj and Kevin Garnett: Paspalj (31, 207) won the Greek national cup with Aris Salonica this season, although the club is in dire financial trouble. He averages 20.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He is very experienced and still very quick on the ball.
Kevin Garnett (22, 211) leads the Minnesota Timberwolves with 9.3 rebounds per game, he also averages 17.8 points and 4.1 assists. He is a player with many talents.
Prediction: Advantage for USA.

Dejan Bodiroga and Glen Rice: Bodiroga (25, 204) leads Real Madrid and the Spanish league with 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He averages 15.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in the European league. Bodiroga is versatile and talented, with a NBA future.
Glen Rice (31, 203) is the spearhead of the Charlotte Hornets. He won the MVP award at last year's All Stars game. Rice is a lethal shooter, he averages 22.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Prediction: Advantage for USA

Vlade Divac and Vin Baker: Divac (30, 212) averages 38 minutes, 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Charlotte Hornets. Currently injured, this is his 10th NBA season. He has a vast experience and many talents.
Baker (26, 211) leads the Seattle Supersonics, the team with the best record in the NBA this season. He averages 22.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
Prediction: Advantage for Yugoslavia.

Zoran Savic and Chris Webber: Savic (31, 205) is having a great season along with Danilovic in Bologna. He averages 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in the Italian league, 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds in the European Champions league. Savic is a die-hard player, capable of guarding any forward.
Webber (25, 208) leads the Washington Wizards with 21.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He is a great offensive player.
Prediction:  Advantage for USA

Zeljko Rebraca and Christian Laettner: Rebraca (25, 211) has quickly become one of the best European centres with a certain NBA future. He averages 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds for Benetton Treviso in the Italian league, as well as 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in the European League. He blocks many shots.
Laettner (29, 211) played for the first U.S. dream team in Barcelona although he was still in college at the time. He averages 34.9 minutes, 14.8 points and 7.4 rebounds for the Atlanta Hawks.
Prediction: Advantage for Yugoslavia

Dragan Tarlac and Tom Gugliota: Tarlac (25, 212) was drafted by the Chicago Bulls a few years ago, but still plays for Olympiakos Piraeus. He averages 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in the Greek championship, as well as 11.6 points and 7.7 points in the European league. Found his form quickly after a long absence through injury. Tarlac is strong and has good skill on the ball, he is also very experienced.
Tom Gugliota (29, 208) leads the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Kevin Garnett, averaging 20.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He is a high quality centre.
Prediction: Slight advantage for USA.

It is quite apparent that the U.S. team is individually stronger. However, most of these match-ups would be very tough, as the Yugoslav team has been together for years. If Yugoslavia can put this team together, everything is possible.
Vladimir Stankovski

The Greeks are playing dumb

Dragan Tarlac and Predrag Stojakovic are Yugoslavs with Greek citizenship, playing as Greeks in the local league. They have never played for Yugoslavia because they would automatically become foreigners in Greece if they did. The Yugoslav basketball federation has asked the Greeks to reconsider their status, but officials of the Greek basketball federation told Vreme that they know nothing about the case. Off the record, they told us it was very unlikely that Tarlac and Stojakovic would play for Yugoslavia.