What was repeated before the Cup like a mantra, that Jasikevicius’s Barça had the measure of Madrid, was shown again, in his own way, in the Granada final (3-10 with the Lithuanian on the bench). Laso and his players rebelled against fate with a magnificent defensive plan, which has more merit because the previous week the team was broken, without legs. To carry it out they had to raise the physical bar a lot, which allowed them to pick up the pace and erase the rival from the field for almost a quarter and a half and maintain the lead for more than three at the cost of great wear and tear that took its toll on attack . Barça recomposed itself, matched the pulse of strength and won by talent, Jokubaitis’s (9 decisive points in the fourth quarter) and that of the MVP Mirotic. Other times it was Laprovittola and Kuric, even the now injured Higgins, with a different pattern although the same essence: the superiority of the culé perimeter.
Preeminence behind, that of a Barça outside line capable of better defending rival shooters and game makers, and supremacy with the ball in their hands, which was verified in the second part: 30-46. If any of the triples by Llull, Abalde or Taylor had gone into the last quarter… Or if Deck had hit the layup with 23 seconds to go, then there might have been extra time. Madrid was able to win, they put up a fight and showed their character. A round of applause and a lesson for the future: there are always alternatives. But with everything, it also showed its weaknesses for which he was beaten again (1-4 this course). Since September 2020, Real have won two Super Cups and Barça have been ahead of the Whites in the other tournaments: with titles in the two Cups and in the League they finished, and with runner-up in the Euroleague.
To the lasism who has dazzled basketball since 2011 has been identified for his speed and scoring, for his creative freshness in attack. Just what is missing right now. Of that initial team, only Llull and Rudy remain, increasingly in the role of veterans. They cannot be required to be figureheads, nor is it convenient for them. It would be unfair. So, yes, you have to claim signings, an external rearmament, although we must also look for those who can take a step forward in the current squad. Alocén, injured, will not be able to at the moment and all the fingers point to Abaldedirector of urgency in the semifinal and the Cup final. That indeterminacy between point guard and shooting guard-forward may make the process difficult for him. And among the veterans, Heurtel he can offer more, but he lacks the legs from before the injury.
Bring back Williams-Goss
Williams-Goss was the piece called to make the leap in quality. He has lacked continuity, his own and that of the coach, and he has plenty of respect for the stripes of his teammates. If you are going to be kicked off the team, let it be with your boots on. The Cup cut to keep Thompkins (Deck, undisputed) looks like a direct torpedo to his waterline. It will be necessary to see if he recovers from that blow and how Laso manages it. The rest of the outsiders, whatever, have the level to help Madrid win, and to continue at the club (Causeur and Taylor end their contracts in June, as do Llull and Rudy). taylorwithout going any further, mentioned by all as possible disposal in summer, He has been Madrid’s best player in the Cup with fabulous defensive displays. The problem is that Madrid needs that and needs even one or two first spades even more, electric break and rip basses, game generators and point makers. At least one point guard and one shooting guard to rebuild a line full of great complements, some by veterans and others, like Taylor, because that was always his role.
Shane Larkin, Dzanan Musa…
The Cup gives the starting signal for some signings. Madrid has been linked to Shane Larkin, a profile that fits like a glove to the needsand for which there have been previous attempts, but which some sources on the market do not just see white due to its high cost. There are even those who point to Armani Milan as the perfect candidate for the future. As a power forward, The interest in Juancho Hernangómez is total if the NBA releases him. And by Dzanan Musawhich has come to the fore, there have already been contacts, however, the player and his representative could decideafter the fiasco of the NBA and Efes, consolidate for another year the level shown in the Breogán River before returning to a large. Life lesson.
Madrid’s roadmap is defined to alleviate its shortcomings and enhance its strengths, many; but the end of the season is far away and unknowns remain to be cleared up.
Flurry of casualties after the Cup
Due to Alocén’s serious knee injury, pending surgery, Rudy’s problems in the adductor muscles of the left leg are addedaggravated by having forced in the Cup, Causeur’s injury to the right hipthat they will have two or three weeks off, and the foreseeable absence of Hanga at the next engagement after he left left ankle and knee in a clash with Calathes. It remains to be ruled out after the pertinent tests that the Hungarian forward suffers a more serious injury, although, in principle, it does not seem so.
Of the four, two for sure and the other two could also be absent this Thursday 24 in Kaunas against Zalgiris (7:00 p.m., Dazn) before the weekend break due to the stoppage of the selection windows. Gone are 14 games played in the last month, impossible to manage with the maximum demand. The next commitment will not be until Friday, March 4 on the CSKA field, where Madrid hasn’t won since December 2008. The eight days between Kaunas and Moscow will serve to recharge his legs and mind. The League will return on Sunday 6, at the WiZink Center against Baskonia.
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