NBA: The best Garuba since November asks for a step in the NBA

It is not an easy year for Usman Garuba. The Spanish of the Houston Rockets came out, like most of his teammates, reinforced by the EuroBasket as a defensive piece of the national team’s gold. But he has no direct translation in the NBA, in which he goes unnoticed in a terrible season for his franchise. Personally, in defense he more than complies. But he asks for something more in attack. It is his great duty, the one that will consecrate him directly in the league. It is a clear plan and Garuba begins to fulfill its part by assuming more responsibilities to consolidate itself.

Against the mediocre San Antonio Spurs, Garuba starred in one of the best matches of his career. 11 points, with three triples (3/3, 100%) and no failure in free throws (2/2 TL). His best performance since November against the Dallas Mavericks when he scored an NBA career-high 12 points.

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For Garuba it is mandatory that he close the course assuming more and better. The environment is anything but propitious, as the Houston Rockets are the worst team in the NBA (14-49) , the locker room has burned ‘war’ veterans like Eric Gordon and there are no green shoots despite the fact that Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., their perimeter, s are talented and brazen. But his game is not good for winning basketball games. In the midst of all this, Garuba has to seek leadership and grab more spotlights in addition to the ever-present defensive players.

The mission is to convince Stephen Silas. In the rotation, Boban Marjanovic has more minutes (11 to Usman’s nine in the last clash), being older and with less ceiling than the Spaniard, in addition to working better when they join the Real Madrid youth squad with Alperen Sengun. The Spaniard gives defensive pressure and the obvious progression in shooting is a reality, but he has not finished taking the step in the rotation.

And the future? Los Rockets, of course, will finish the course as one of the worst records and in search of that ‘jewel’ of the Draft, Victor Wembanyama. He would change everything, starting with the fact that he is Garuba’s direct competitor in the interior positions (although the Frenchman’s position is another mystery, everything must be said). Besides, James Harden does not hide his predilection for the city and may be close to returning. There are several factors that open a different horizon. Garuba must take the step to be noticed in a team that wants to compete again. Even if the Rockets don’t show it yet.