There will be a Spanish presence in the playoffs. In fact, a large presence if we take into account the number of players who are going to play in the final phase. Of the six Spaniards in the NBA, four of them will compete in the playoffs for the title. Usman Garuba will not be there, who has already finished his season with the Rockets who have been the last in the NBA (20-62) nor will Ricky Rubio, in the dry dock after being injured with the Cavaliers (who have been left out in the play-in) and later be traded to the Pacers. Serge Ibaka (Milwaukee Bucks), Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies), and the Hernangómez will be in the final phase. Both Juancho (with the Jazz) and Willy (with the Pelicans) will play in the playoffs. A good presence that we review player by player:
Serge Ibaka
He started the season injured, went through the G League and was transferred in the February market, where he changed the Clippers jersey for the Bucks. He is, in principle, the Spaniard with the most ring possibilities, one that he already won with the Raptors in 2019. On the Bucks, Ibaka has brought experience and strength to the second unit and has earned praise from his coach, Mike Budelhonzer, and team star Giannis Antetokounmpo. He has averaged around 7 points and more than 5 rebounds in 19 games, 2 of them as a starter. He spends an average of 17.8 minutes per game on court. He is facing a great opportunity to win the title with a Bucks that have finished third in the Eastern Conference (51-31) and that they will play in the first round against the Bulls. In case of winning, their rival in the semifinals would be the Celtics or the Nets. Big words.
Santi Aldama
Drafted 30th overall by the Jazz and immediately traded to the Grizzlies, Aldama has had a placid rookie year despite not getting much minutes. Specific, They have been just over 11 per game (he has played 32 games, none of them as a starter) with 4 average points. Of course, Aldama has been part of and has been integrated into one of the most talented young squads in the NBA and has been part of one of the sensations of the season. The Grizzlies have finished second in the Western Conference with a record of 56-26, equaling the entity’s record achieved in 2012-13, the year in which they reached the Conference finals with that legendary team from Grit and Grind. His presence in the playoffs will be laughable, but he has produced good performances when Taylor Jenkins has given him minutes and has starred in some play to remember. His last game, the one that closed the season, was against the Celtics. He finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. There is quality, there is no doubt about that.
Juancho Hernangomez
Difficult year for him. He had a derisory participation in the 2019 playoffs with the Nuggets, but made his debut in the final phase under the guidance of Mike Malone. At the moment, his future is uncertain and he has passed through the Celtics and Spurs before reaching the Jazz in the same season. His belonging to a loose team has allowed him to have minutes and chain several games as a starter, and it is possible that Quin Snyder will use him at certain moments of the series against the Mavericks. The problems between Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have exploded in recent dates, but Luka Doncic is out (at least for the first few games of the tie) and the Jazz have a chance to go through. We will see the leading role of Juancho. In the summer his future will be decided.
Willy Hernangómez
After going through the Knicks and Hornets, Willy will debut in the playoffs with the Pelicans. He has averaged 9 points and 6.8 rebounds and has not played a single minute in the play-in, but he has had a good season after securing a three-year contract last summer. 29 points against Joel Embiid, the best score of his career, and intermittent participation in the rotation (50 games, 8 of them as a starter), depending on losses and the rival. His defense is still a pending issue, but his offensive production is fantastic for his minutes on court (just under 17 on average). The conclusions for him are positive and all that remains is to wait for him to debut in the final phaseone more achievement in his sports career.
