Gaby’s growth is as silent as it is exponential. From that impact in China 2019 to today being an elite figure. The analysis of Silvio Santander, Hernández’s assistant.
From World Cup surprise to Olympic figure. From supporting actor in ACB to NBA player. Things have changed a lot for the Colonia Dora native since his impressive performance in China. On one side of the court, while the World Cup semi-final against Serbia was taking place, the legendary Kobe Bryant laid his eyes on the jewel from Santiago. Amazed, he consulted Manu Ginobili for him. To this day, the Mamba would not need to ask, because the monkey is already part of the league that he knew how to dominate and of which he knew every detail.
Tortu arrived at the historic 2019 contest as an important piece in Sergio Hernández’s system, but no one imagined the magnitude that his presence would have on the National Team scaffolding. Without a doubt, that tournament was his takeoff, averaging 13.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.1 steal. The very high level of Gaby would move to the Real.
In his first stage he responded to that of an apprentice, a role player, one more of Madrid’s long rotation. But after his explosion in the eastern country, the forward took hold, becoming one of Pablo Laso’s favorites and, especially after Campazzo’s departure, taking the team’s post with Edy Tavares, the pivot of Cape Verde. Since the beginning of the last season, in September 2020 and until the beginning of April 2021, he played a total of 52 games between ACB and Euroleague: he averaged 9.4 points, 3.8 recoveries and 1.3 assistance in 23 minutes. With great efficiency: 54% from the field, 37.3% in triples and 84.7% in free play. He toasted until the last moment.
“Compared to the World Cup in China, this moment finds Gaby with another season of ACB and Euroleague on top, more this year that has been a kind of duality for him, competing both in Europe and in the NBA”, Silvio Santander, assistant to the National Team, points out, who saw from Argentina how, on the night of April 29, Gaby put on the OKC jacket for the first time. The 1m98 and 26-year-old forward took the opportunity to begin to adapt to the game, the culture and the language, get to know his teammates, and earn the respect and consideration of the technical staff, showing that his could be a fruitful investment. Having participated in 10 games, he finished with averages of 8.4 points, 48% from the field, 4 rebounds and 2.4 goal passes in 21 minutes.
In the best league in the world, he knew how to deploy the same range of resources as on the other side of the ocean, turning coach Mark Daigneault and GM Sam Presti into witnesses of his efficient impudence. With a powerful first step in the penetration, effective mid-range shooting, very good rebounding ability, and low-post and mid-post fundamentals, Tortu completed an interesting presentation in the NBA world that suggests that OKC will surely guarantee his set. His game off the ball is intelligent, his three-point shot on a firm footing is increasingly reliable, and the goal power he has in his hands is extraordinary, being able to attack both from the front and back to the basket, and even eventually occupying the basket. pivot wing position. The surprise factor is a fundamental intangible in its game because, although it sometimes pretends to be harmless, it is capable of destroying a defense in the blink of an eye. And precisely, in the defensive aspect, his physical bearing and leg speed make him capable of containing both a perimeter and an interior player. In short, no matter how, when or where, Tortu solves, just like that.
Santander complements the technical analysis arguing that “He will arrive in Tokyo with more filming and more established in things that he does really well, such as the game without the ball, his defense, his understanding of the game and running the field. It seems to me that the fact of having gone through the NBA will surely raise his self-esteem and confidence to continue developing his game. To all this, let’s add the physical rest with which he will arrive at the Olympic Games, since his last official match was on May 16. And in a factor that is usually not taken into account too much, such as the emotional and psychological, it is important to comment that, after a long time, you are being able to enjoy a few days in your beloved Colonia Dora, meeting again with family and friends, a vital issue in the Gaby’s head and heart.
“Obviously, playing with a team with a consolidated base like Real Madrid and going on to play in one that is in full transition like Oklahoma, makes him experience new situations that, after all, are like miles traveled. Surely, he will transfer this baggage to the National Team with the wisdom of the experience gathered ”, said the coach of the league champion. Beyond his great leap, he hardly seeks to impose his leadership on the selected from the verbal, because he simply is not that type of leader. Probably, he will continue pulling the car from the attitudinal, with the example, the simplicity, the temper and the tranquility that characterize him and transform him into the player that he is. Because the santiagueño plays as he lives.
Unlike two years ago, Gaby’s virtues are known to the whole world. The Olympic Games have fewer and better teams, and our rivals will surely have taken note of each of their qualities, so the scenario is different. However, Tokyo will host a Deck at a formidable moment in his career, greatly enhanced in relation to his World Cup intervention. In addition, on the bench is Oveja and an excellent coaching staff that will seek to make the most of the former Quimsa and San Lorenzo. After all, we must trust a player who always gave and will give even more than what he has for our National Team. And to take it easy, this is just basketball, Chango …
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