ROSS 6,5 – He has the advantage of never wanting to give up, and in fact once again his prices increase after half-time even if Moretti is already miles away when he restarts the engines. He tries for himself – 12 points – and for the others – 9 assists – despite the fact that empty passes are certainly not encouraging like the two consecutive turnovers from throw-ins or 0 out of 4 shooting. In the end, however, Brase always manages to squeeze positive gusts from him. And without him the comeback would have had no traction.
WOLDETENSAE 5.5 – The fact that he is the best of the Italian patrol is not significant: this time he gives the impression of not getting the choices right on the field, of not having the confidence and cheek shown on other occasions, even recently. Seven points, useful for rebounding because he takes 8 but also with 4 turnovers on his conscience. He didn’t completely convince us.
DE NICOLAO 4.5 (THE WORST) – This time he fails to hide the most worrying flaw, that of the lack of heavy shooting. One out of six (the one who scores is the first, then only empty volleys) with the aggravating circumstance of the net error on the shot of the possible draw. And when it goes like this, it’s hard to hold on to defensive grit or diligence in playmaking. Among other things, Denik’s contract is about to expire: it’s too early to talk about it, however these references are certainly not the best ones to put forward in negotiations.
BOOKS 6 – He hits a triple, does no damage in dribbling and in the ball lap, has the courage to try and put his body against anyone. Less protected than an illegal laborer: the referees manage to whistle a foul half a meter from the opponent. It’s right that the boys go through the ranks, but that doesn’t help them or the teams that field them.
FERRERO 5 – Three errors from the bow, two of which are colossal, 1 out of 2 for free throws: he gives the impression of having run out of those infallible ammunition which he has made abundant use of for so many matches. He urges a new supply, because from the bow the captain can be the factor that breaks the bank. But if he doesn’t score, his contribution drops as well as playing time.
The comeback stops on the most beautiful, Openjobmetis defeated in Pesaro
BROWN 8.5 (THE BEST) – Minutes, long minutes, as ruler of the Game. Always the right choice, always the perfect timing, always the ready aim and the hand loaded. He hits from outside, earns free throws and converts them up to 30 points in 31 minutes played. All with the usual test of sacrifice in defense, without any hesitation in marking people 10 kilos and 10 centimeters heavier than him. A dam, unfortunately isolated: they should all defend like him at least on the man, other than 101 points conceded.
MVP Confident also for the readers of our #directvn with an abundant 73% of the votes.
CARUSO 5 – Perhaps for the first time this season, Willy ends the game without ever giving the impression of being decisive. Just a big flash, a block on Abdur Rahkman, which however came after a 0 out of 2 on free throws. For the rest, little cabotage in an area where the ball arrives with the dropper and I put it in a single rebound that ended up in his hands. In the final two mistakes that cost him dearly, a step infraction and a wrong shot from very close range: we give him the benefit of the doubt about the refereeing decisions, but even the last shot remained in his barrel.
OWENS 5 – In the evening in which he grabbed 9 rebounds, never so many since he’s been in Varese, however he gives the impression of being a fish out of water. Let’s call him “tissue paper”, both for the weight in kilograms and for the impact on the game: beyond some actions in which he scares the shooters by threatening to block him, he is unable to make himself useful either on one side of the field or on the other . And his good rating (17) is nullified by the plus-minus of -15.
JOHNSON 8 – We can make just one comment: the nervousness that emerges in the second quarter – coincidentally the one in which he doesn’t score a basket – and breaks out in the third when he catches a technical foul that could have been decisive. For the rest, however, he deserves applause like “before La Scala”: he challenges every direct opponent, always choosing the right moment to attack him, playing without fear, dragging Openjobmetis into the comeback with the lights off. Seven rebounds, 8 of 11 from three. A lion. What a player.
