Opposed yesterday afternoon, at the Kindarena in Rouen, to a modest team from the Netherlands to launch their preparation for EuroBasket 2022 (September 1 to 18), Vincent Collet’s men showed the face of a calm team and confident, but clearly still in the run-in, like this first half in slow motion. In the end, a victory of 24 points and confirmed certainties, but also areas of work and progress identified for the rest of the preparation matches.
Here are the points to remember from this first meeting.
Vincent Poirier, quiet strength
Moustapha Fall injured in the thigh and forfeited for the EuroBasket, Vincent Poirier approached this preparation in the role of the indisputable lining of Rudy Gobert on the post of pivot. In 17 minutes of play, the Real Madrid player came close to double-double, with 11 points (4/6) and 8 rebounds, to which he added 3 steals. He finished with an evaluation of +18, the best of the game tied with his teammate Rudy Gobert and the Dutchman Yannick Franke.
Holder during the international window of July, the “Pear” returned to its usual role last night, in a shadow player register.
A role he occupied last summer during the Olympic Games, but also and above all during the past season with Real Madrid, where he played as a relay for another pivot, a reference in Europe, the giant Walter Tavares.
« During the July window, I started, I had more balloons. Here I am in the role of rebound gatherers, screen setters. It is quite another thing. But I’m good in both roles. It has always been my game to play in the spaces and in the creation of other players” he said after the game.
During a short stint, Vincent Poirier was associated with Rudy Gobert in the racket. A configuration with two real training pivots that is rare in the French team, but which Vincent Collet had already used during the last Olympic Games, and which worked rather well. In particular, the image of this successful mid-range shot of the first out of “pick-and-roll”, while the second made himself available in the “dunker spot”.
« It’s not really in position 4. It’s more like two inner fixation points when we’re together. We work on him in training to have this option. This allows me to play in the perimeter, with my little shot. It’s another version of my game added Vincent Poirier on this subject.
Elie Okobo keeps his foot on the accelerator
Building on a very successful 2021/22 season with Asvel, both in Betclic Elite and in the EuroLeague, the Bordelais are continuing their momentum this summer. In form in July, during the international window (8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3 assists in two matches), the new Monaco player signed another good performance yesterday afternoon.
First rotation of Vincent Collet in the first quarter, Elie Okobo played 20 minutes, for 8 points (2/3 on shots), 2 rebounds and 4 assists. Always very aggressive towards the circle, like his 4/4 on the free throw line, he offers his coach a different profile on the 1/2 positions. Indeed, while Thomas Heurtel is a creator and manager and Frank Ntilikina shines with his defense on the always impeccable man, the former NBAer stands out for his talent as a pure scorer, able to make his way to the circle. with ease.
Today it seems very difficult to imagine that the final group which will play the EuroBasket at the end of the month is not made up of Elie Okobo.
Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert assume their status
Respectively captain and co-captain of this group, and therefore leaders on and off the field, Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert assumed their status, and without much surprise shone. The first finished top French scorer with 15 points, and was the instigator of his team’s awakening after the break, thanks in particular to three consecutive award-winning shots. The second, as always, made his law in the racket, compiling 12 points and 9 rebounds.
But beyond the respective individual performances of the two friends of the 1992 generation, we especially remember the agreement displayed by the two players, who sought each other a lot, especially on “pick-and-roll”.
« It’s a natural role for me [celui de leader et capitaine], but it is shared leadership. […] We have known each other since we were 13, there is a lot of experience between us. So I try to find it a lot. It’s a connection that’s been working for a few years now. » explained the back of the French team on his complicity with Rudy Gobert, who of course shared the same feelings.
« It’s always a pleasure ! We’ve been playing together in the French team for 12 years now, so obviously there’s a connection. Now it’s up to us to try to lead this team as high as possible » added Wolves’ new pivot.
A defense and an external address still far from the account
If the essential was assured with a big victory, all was not perfect in the match of the French team.
First, the collective defense, which was particularly passive in the first half, especially during the second half of the second quarter. While the Blues had signed a first break at +12, they lowered their guard, leaving their opponents to return to only six units at halftime.
Blame it on missed rebounds and therefore second chances offered to the Dutch, but also and above all on a defense on “pick-and-roll” at times laborious, which left too large intervals. Author of 21 points, including four winning shots, the rear Yannick Frankie has particularly benefited.
Overall, France raised their tone considerably during the second half, but we will have to be careful not to repeat the same start in defense on Friday against Italy, an opponent of a different caliber than the Netherlands. Bas, who bothered France in the quarter-final of the Olympic Games.
The other big collective concern was the external address since the French team finished the match at 8/28 at 3-pts! Many failures, despite many good positions, which we will put down to the lack of rhythm: after all, it was the first match for Vincent Collet and his troops since the Olympic final last summer.
It was not detrimental against the Netherlands, but we will have to do much better against Italy.
