“It is team always competes.” It was a phrase that should not lead headlines or motivational messages, but It was launched by Sergio Scariolo, national coach, who always has a clear idea of what to say. Spain faces the most complicated battle, one in which individual talent He is not on his side and is once again measuring himself against the NBA wall to be or not to be in a competition. On this occasion they are those of the unknown (not so much anymore) Bahamas (8:30 p.m.). If you win, to Paris. If you lose, there are no Olympic Games.
But, As Scariolo says, Spain competes. He knows how to get out of trouble. It happened against Finland, when he uncovered his triples he took the team to the limit. The defense woke up, Alberto Díaz and Rudy Fernández pitched in and Willy Hernangómez put the finishing touch on the attack. “Here we all go down into the mud,” claimed Santi Aldama. That was the same Spain as always. Although, of course, the usual players who dominated freely in Europe are no longer there. The time has changed.
Here we all go down into the mud
Bahamas is a total and absolute danger. They tend to disconnect and against Lebanon they slowed down and caused excitement among those in the Middle East. Faced with the rush, their stars increased their pace. It is its style and Spain knows that it has to live on that razor’s edge. “Sometimes you’re good, other times you’re bad. You have to stay strong, keep going with energy, fighting and pushing. “It’s what we like,” said Lorenzo Brown. It is perfectly applicable to Caribbean people. “We are trying to stay ahead on the scoreboard from the beginning of the games, who are being very physical. I think we are holding up well there and managing to set the pace of the game. Then maintaining that intensity for as long as possible is our challenge,” confessed Eric Gordon, one of the Bahamian leaders.
We are trying to stay ahead on the scoreboard from the beginning of the games
And how do you beat the Bahamas?
That is the question. “Everything to lose in individual talent,” Scariolo recalled. But it has secrets. One will be Lorenzo Brown as an executor, showing it with 11 points in the second quarter against Finland. Another is the interior duo, Willy Hernangómez and Santi Aldama. They must fight Ayton, fill them with fouls. And his continued presence in attack, with Barça’s interior appearing as a reference for the semifinal and the great Canary Islands tournament. The question will be whether Juancho Hernangómez, who warmed up against Finland, can be useful for Scariolo.
On the other hand, Bahamas will always have talent, physicality and three-pointers. It is a major rival, the one that most resembles an NBA team with the United States or France. AND Spain’s last step. But ‘La Familia’ knows how to compete on days like this. The Games are facing the most difficult battle of all.
