The Spain of Lorenzo Brown and Santi Aldama: “We have to go to the Games no matter what”
Espain is two steps away from Paris after solving, without major difficulties due to the physical disadvantage of the second match, the group stage of the Valencia Pre-Olympic. The team has Finland or Poland on the way, and then (if everything follows a normal course) the powerful Bahamas will arrive. There the seriousness will be measured.
Among the secrets of a recognizable Spain is a connection that changes names, but not style. Lorenzo’s Brown, dominant point guard who sets the pace, and a big man. He changes Willy Hernangómez, somewhat irregular during the tournament, to Santi Aldama. It works, they make differences and the Canarian interior takes off. His 24 points against Angola mark his career high.
Aldama is a boy who does everything
“It’s a boy who does everything. Score, rebound and impact on both sides,” Brown himself confessed. Numerically it is not as brutal as in the EuroBasket, but his step is what makes the difference. “We all have a goal and we are focused on the Games,” repeats the brand new Panathinaikos point guard. It is their duo that is beginning to make a difference, and that is looking for a complex pass through the infernal Pre-Olympic.
Leadership is something that comes naturally
In the case of the canary, the change is notable. It can be called leadership. “It’s not something you demand. It comes naturally with the player. We are a very united group and there is more cohesion than since last year,” adds Aldama. He already closed the last World Cup on a high note in the elimination against Canada, and now the role is even more important if possible. “I learned what I had to do. What things worked well and what didn’t. What I had to do on both sides of the court,” she says.
But something more is needed. Despite the lack of individual talent, avoid repeating mistakes. “We must not enter into consecutive sequences of errors,” said Scariolo. And highlight figures who may be somewhat obscured, like Willy Hernangómez. “We have to get this out no matter what,” said Alberto Díaz.
