He left it there, there he returned. With Spain he stopped. With Spain He returned, leaving that dark place to which his mind took him. From the NBA to Zaragoza, with thousands of people filling the Prince Felipe Pavilion attending a return expected for six months and 17 days. Went back Ricky Rubio. And Scariolo’s team was left without giving him the victory which he would have liked so much on his return because he lost to Latvia at home (75-79).
The El Masnou point guard had not played a game since April 23 of last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a play-off duel against the New York Knicks. Then, Ricky gave up basketball, the sport he is passionate about and adores. That’s why, when he stepped on the parquet floor, while it was presented with lights, sound and American scenery, he was excited. He looked at the sky, touched his heart and felt a prisoner of nerves, as if he were a rookie.
And it was. Ricky came out in the starting quintet of the Spanish team, which faced the modern and choral Latvia, a daring team that plays fast and dynamic basketball, with excellent success in the outside shot: four triples scored from six attempts in the first quarter, forcing Scariolo to request a timeout because the score invited concern (11-21).
Ricky Rubio in a defensive action in Spain’s duel against Latvia at the Príncipe Felipe Pavilion in Zaragoza. / EFE
In those moments, Ricky was watching him from the bench because Scariolo wanted to protect him. Just five and a half minutes of activity. After that long journey (“I have never felt alone,” confessed the El Masnou point guard) fighting against that mental health problem, he appeared in the starting five and spent five and a half minutes on the court: an assist to Xabi López-Arostegui , one rebound, three shots, zero points, a personal foul and Spain’s game passed, yes or yes, through his delicate and magical hands.
From less to more
The match moved between the Latvian success and the inaccuracies of ‘The Family’, everyone pending Ricky’s every move. How he received the ball. How he threw it away. Of his feints. Or the movements of him looking at the basket. He started the first quarter and didn’t finish it. The second finished, dgiving another great assist for Pradilla to fly in a dunk with a vindictive air, after seeing his start in substitute clothing. It wasn’t the only magical pass.
It caused a Latvian foul. And he scored his first two points after more than six and a half months away from the courts. They arrived thanks to two free throws
Shortly after, already in the final moments of the second quarter, he detected Pradilla again with another pass almost without looking at him. He doesn’t need it. The ball almost always listens to Ricky. And more after so long. She longed for him. And he missed her a lot. In Zaragoza both met again, which Spain was grateful for, which improved after an irregular start to the match.
Ricky Rubio, in an attacking play for Spain against Latvia at the Príncipe Felipe Pavilion in Zaragoza. / EFE
Then his first points arrived. Both from the free throw line. He caused the previous foul. And he caused a foul in the Latvian attack. All in just a few seconds, which reinforced his figure and authority in the game. Minutes in which he became the tactical and emotional owner of the Zaragoza night, putting Spain in the game at half-time: 37-40.
The connection with Pradilla
That excellent end to the second quarter was, however, marred by the erratic start to the third, already with Ricky as the starter, where Latvia once again opened a gap, causing Scariolo’s anger. Nothing they had talked about in the locker room was seen on the court.
The Ricky-Pradilla connection had to be reborn so that Spain did not see Latvia take too much distance. Although when he saw the third foul he went to the bench hurt because his 0 of 6 shooting was torturing him. Product, as is logical, of the lack of activity of the El Masnou point guard, 10 months away from the hardwood. But Scariolo activated and toughened his team’s defense to get back into the game until the tie was tied (57-57).
And everything remained to be resolved in the fourth and final episode of Ricky’s return. He was on the bench when the match was handled within maximum equality.
Ricky played 20.13 m, scored 11 points (six from free throws), distributed five assists and committed three personal fouls
Five minutes from the end of the match, Scariolo ordered him to enter the track, where he alternated brilliant moments (reliable at the beginning in the free throw, with six of nine) and erratic in shooting of all types: 1 of 7 in two-point shots and 1 of 4 in triples, which ended up hurting Spain’s options. But putting, yes, value the personality of the El Masnou point guard…
Hot seconds, seconds in Ricky territory. Although Latvia left Spain on the shore, there is no greater triumph than seeing them again on a basketball court.
The Spain-Latvia record (75-79)
Spain (75): Ricky Rubio (11), Xabi López-Arostegui (10), Joel Parra (0), Juancho Hernángomez (8), Pradilla (14), Abalde (3), Brizuela (16), Claver (5), Díaz (1) , Sebas Saiz (7), Alocén (0) and Yankuba Sima (0)
Latvia (79): Bertans (1), Cavars (6), R. Kurucs (9), Lomazs (18), Zoriks (6), Grazulis (13), A. Kurucs (0), Leimanis (2), Silins (4), Steinberg (7), Strautins (2), Tima (11).
Partials: 14-23; 23-17; 20-17; 18-22
2024-02-22 21:48:24
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