Eurobasket / Final
Without Barça players and only one from Real Madrid, Spain bathes in gold thanks to a block of players far from the star role in their clubs
The ACB League is the basketball competition with the lowest number of national players (29%). “It is a situation that worries us and that we must take into account. It makes the road very difficult, “said Scariolo during the qualifying phase for the Eurobasket. The loss of relevance of the Spaniards, some overpaid due to their scarcity, is also reflected in the number of minutes played. The stars of the teams come from abroad and the now European champions, most of them, have to make do with a secondary role.
For this reason, with only one player from Madrid (Rudy) and none from Barça, this Eurobasket has accentuated the vindication of the average level of the ACB in general and of the national players in particular. Including the Paulí, Dani Díez, Salvó, Fran Guerra, Alocén, Dani Pérez, Juan Nuñez, Sima, Puerto, Francis Alonso, Arteaga, Barreiro, Bassas, Colom, Sergi García, Rodrigo San Miguel, Guerrero, Beirán, Llovet, Tyson Pérez , Rabaseda, Yusta… those who saw an award in being international during the windows, did their homework and now do not have a medal, but they also deserve their recognition.
the silent killer
15.2 points and 7.6 assists
Double-double in the final with 11 assists. Base of the ideal quintet. /
He barely looked at the basket at the beginning of the concentration. He respected the hierarchy, he wanted to please and he has achieved it by understanding that he required his services to take certain shots, at least while Ricky Rubio is absent. The American has done it with taste and success. Like the two triples in the last quarter against Germany or the 12 points in extra time against Lithuania. The sixth best passer in the entire tournament and member of the ideal quintet (with Schroder, Antetokounmpo, Gobert and Willy) despite the discomfort in his shoulder leaves an outstanding flavor on the track after his controversial nationalization. The ideal base for teams without clear references (Red Star, Unics) and a guarantee for the medium term. He has hired a Spanish teacher and he already knows how to play pocha.
Minister of Defense
5.7 points and 0.9 steals
Keys also his ten points in the semis and his eight in the final. /
He wanted to leave basketball at the age of 14 due to the condition of his knees due to growth. At 18 he debuted in ACB and a decade later the great reward arrives. She unsuspected until three weeks ago. Of those fixed on the windows, she was one of the first discarded due to physical problems that did not prevent her from starting the preseason with Unicaja. She was going to watch the Eurobasket “from her living room” until she became the emergency resource in the face of Llull’s injury.
From there to being decisive without scoring – that robbery of Larkin, that attacking foul on Sabonis, those 8 minutes without Schroder scoring… – with contagious energy, a unique tactical disposition and moving defensive work. Not forgetting his scoring ability. 10 points in the semifinals and 8 in the final. More lucid than with Unicaja, dragged down by its waning cycle in recent seasons.
The reliability of the ‘combo’
4.9 points and 1.4 assists
Match in the final. /
Another who overcome adversity is served because of injuries. His ability to play as a base and escort have been very helpful as a thermometer of the fluidity of the ball circulation. Reliable in the outside shot, he was crowned with a great final. He has started in the starting lineups to help raise the ball and act as third helmsman. Much more important in the group stage, swallowed up by the irruption of Alberto Díaz, without scoring in the round of 16, quarters and semis until his 13 points and 4 recoveries last night.
gunpowder
7.9 points and 1.6 assists
He unblocked matches like the one against Montenegro. /
Match unblocker. A microwave. Superb their first half against Montenegro (16 points) after the painful defeat against Belgium. Great final appearance against Finland. Lots of personality, capable of creating his own shots and scoring them. The same thing he has been doing since his debut at Estudiantes and his settlement in Malaga. One of the few that he works as a stiletto in his club. For this reason, perhaps the most surprising thing was the change in his attitude at the defensive level. Always noted for his cheeky basketball, he has assumed that to become one of Scariolo’s regulars he must work behind.
More than a plugin
5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds
Regulate the whole championship /
Their preparation matches were not at all flattering. The broken foot suffered in Tokyo weighed him down last year but he has been able to turn it around, show his exciting future and respond to Scariolo’s confidence. He is the player with the third most minutes on the squad (22.9 min), with good offensive resources, a faithful day laborer closing the rebound, notable in many aspects, outstanding in a few. At 25, the man from Getxo has many summers left with the national team.
the spiritual engine
7.6 points and 43.2% in triples
Superb from the triple and in the defense of the weak side /
His seventh continental medal, the eleventh with Spain. Only her commitment is praiseworthy. spiritual engine. Pure gasoline to see him on the ground fight each ball. She rested as a precaution against Turkey, but her role in each match has been decisive. Starting with the defense, with his five steals against Finland (and the anger at the break), and ending in attack. His 41% in triples have been a balm for a team that has had a hard time scoring from beyond the arc.
Undoubted commitment and work
3 points and 2.3 rebounds
Very solid defensively. /
From being one of the important men of Joventut at only 22 years old to squeezing every minute to the fullest. Solid defensively and performing well against Finland with five straight points and pairing up with Markkanen at times. Costume animator with his music.
Glue and hero in the end
12.8 points and 5 rebounds
He grew in the final with 27 points, 7 triples and a PIR of 30. /
It was losing ownership with Pradilla and beginning to be more important. MVP of the final with a PIR of 30. Despite his inconsistency in the triple (yesterday they all entered) and lack of confidence to bounce, he has been the glue of the group when they hit steep ramps. Solvent in the annotation, in the rebounding work in attack and in his connection with Garuba. The new signing of the Raptors, his fifth franchise in a year, has risen to fame in America for starring in the movie ‘Claw’, in which he goes from playing on the street to the NBA and Adam Sandler is his agent .
The heir of Felipe Reyes
5.8 points and 2.7 rebounds
Good debut in a championship. /
He has dazzled Scariolo by the firmness of his steps. Born in this century, like Parra and Garuba, he had the personality to inherit Pau Gasol’s 4 and earn a starting position. With no minutes in the last quarters, he represents the generational change and has a footwork and character to attack stronger and higher interiors. Rudy’s roommate, from whom he can learn the idiosyncrasies of being a captain.
The 20 year old beast
4.7 points and 5 rebounds
Stoppers to Schroder, Wagner, Okobo and Fournier. /
He arrived with physical discomfort in his ankle, but the work of the physios in his set-up has been fantastic. He falls a little inches short at center, but he makes up for it with physical exuberance and passing and jumping ability. Blocks Wagner, Schröder, Okobo and Fournier in the semifinals and final. The boy from Azuqueca de Henares who amazed in the lower categories of Madrid is very fierce on the parquet. If he improves his shot, he will have a long NBA career. He was the subject of many jokes in the locker room for drinking 12 liters of water every match day.
MVP and “star” of the team
17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds
Best player of Eurobasket 2022. /
Scariolo told him that he was going to make him a “star” and he is on his way. MVP of the tournament as Spain’s top scorer and rebounder. The real leader. A great finisher at the rim and very skilled in the low post, he also has a good wrist to shoot from distance. He returns to the NBA physically fit and confident looking to jump on a train that may be his last.
A fleeting meritorious
2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds
He took advantage of his few minutes. /
The least used piece by Scariolo, about five minutes per match. A good stretch against Turkey and an important basket against Germany in the middle of the blackout in the second quarter. Of the best during the windows, he earned the citation. He emigrated from the ACB due to the lack of opportunities and dazzles in Japan.
