The heating in the loneliness and silence of Saitama SuperDome, with Juancho Hernangomen present, distributing balls and encouragement to his companions, supposed two things at a time. A challenge to Wolves, the franchise that possesses its rights and that also prevents you from playing these Olympic Games. But also a sample of the power of this human group, which goes beyond what happens on the court. Juancho, at the moment, follow and will continue in Tokyo, making the rest laugh, sharing confidences and Olympic adventures.
That "cheerful boy", as he later defined the chacho, of which everyone spoke in the postpart. That character that so much helps. That who grabbed the legacy of guys like Ricky Rubio, already in the third games of him and because he could not in London. The base is that 17-year-old girl who climbed McDonald's burgers to the rooms, which now becomes serious on the track, the one that calls the door so that no one will stick the sheets when it comes to the important, winning .
It was Ricky's match, but he is no coincidence with Spain. The MVP of the World Cup, who hesitated even in attending this tournament and that has since lived two seasons of contrasts in the NBA, is again at the level of those days in China. He showed him during all the preparation -except the deployment of him against France in Paris, with 17 points in the last four minutes - and has revealed it to the first change. Everything that happens on the track is, in one way or another, product of the mind of it. And, lately, also the points, which was not what he most accustomed during his race.
Precisely because after being transferred to the Wolves against His will at the beginning of the season from a team in such growth as the Suns, who have just played the finals, Ricky has not had a year so exultant. For these performance contrasts they asked Pau Gasol, who had an answer, as almost always, right, right. "But Ricky this of the 20 points and nine assists do it a lot in the NBA. And Fournier [Sunday's executioner on Sunday], 30-point matches also have a few. I do not say that they are excuses of the Americans, but I think That those players may have a more important role here and that's why they are able to play at such a high level. It is also true that playing for your country is a very big motivation. "
Before Japan was flagrant when Ricky was or not a court: 27 difference points. He also left precious actions before the premises, as a penetration of those who seem juggling. Now they touch two bones opposite, nothing less than campaigzzo on Thursday and Doncic on Sunday. For Scariolo it will remain the cornerstone of him. He confesses it in public and in private the Italian, Ricky was always the base of him. And, now, in combination with Sergio Rodríguez, even more dangerous.
I worry, yes, your absence. That two-sided Spain that was allowed to see against Japan. "The second unit, we have to improve more at the level of intensity, hardness and concentration. We have to maintain or raise the level of the headlines, especially in the following parties," Pau asked.
By the way, the coach, visibly tired, had a convincing message at a press conference for the FIBA, an organizer of the Olympic Tournament. He did not wait for the questions. "We have to respect our players. They have taken 25 minutes since the game has finished until they have put their legs on the ice. That is extremely dangerous. The protocols must be changed", denounced on waits, also eternal for the press.
Date Of Update: 26 July 2021, 14:00
