Published: 24 July, 2009, 20:25
Edited: 24 July, 2009, 20:25
Russia has been dealt a major blow ahead of the European Basketball Championship, with the news that star players Andrey Kirilenko and JR Holden will miss the event.
There may still be roughly six weeks to go until the European Championship gets underway in Poland, but Russia's players are certainly being put through their paces. A grilling three-hour training session awaited David Blatt's men, with the American saying his side will be in great condition for the finals.
High fitness levels may give the Russians a timely boost, especially as they will be without franchise player Andrey Kirilenko and point guard JR Holden.
The loss of Kirilenko is obviously crucial, as the Utah Jazz forward didn't want to be considered for the squad personal reasons. Blatt, however, believes Kelly McCathey, who won a call up to the Russian squad, could prove to be an effective replacement.
However, given Russia's chronic lack of top-class point guards, the absence of Holden could prove to be just as costly.
With such an inexperienced squad, a lot of responsibility will fall on the broad shoulders of Viktor Khryapa. Following an unhappy spell with the Chicago Bulls, Khryapa was back to his best last season with CSKA.
However, the power forward feels no extra pressure, given his importance in what will be a very young and inexperienced team.
The countdown continues to Poland, and Blatt's squad will certainly be well prepared to defend their title. But much of the coach’s hopes rest on the ability of a new generation of players to emulate the likes of Kirilenko.