Anadolu Efes defeat Lokomotiv Kuban in preseason: Dario Saric shines, team depth emerges

At the Gloria Cup night, the stadium was quiet like an unfinished poem. But on the court, Anadolu Efes showed they know how to tell their story with the ball. The 85-74 preseason victory over Lokomotiv Kuban was not just a result – it was a whisper of the coming season. From the start, Efes deployed diverse offense. No longer dependent on a single star; eight players scored 10+ points, like a choral ensemble. Dario Saric led with 15 points and 4 rebounds – telling numbers, but behind them was his intelligent off-ball movement, stretching the opponent's defense. That is smart, quiet basketball. Alongside Saric, Knight impressed: 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. He was a catalyst, both scoring and playmaking, like a silent conductor. Malcolm, Yusta, and Russell also joined the double-digit scoring list, showing Efes' bench depth was well prepared. Tactically, this is only a preseason game, so any conclusions about Efes' true strength are speculative. However, the offensive balance is a positive signal. They don't need a star to carry the team – they have a collective ready to share the load. Next, Efes will enter the VTB Cup against Zenit and UNICS, followed by the EuroLeague opener against Barcelona on September 24. Those will be real tests. But with this performance, fans have reason to hope. The Gloria Cup night had no spectators, but I swear I heard them sing – the ghostly applause of a summer ablaze.