• Semifinal. Accounts pending between Spain and Australia
  • Spain: Ricky's obsession

There is a recurring question these days of crossing through China to Marc Gasol. Whether in Guangzhou, in Wuhan, in Shanghai or now in Beijing, where the team landed Thursday at noon. Either at the end of a meeting or at the start of a press conference. "How are you physically?" The pivot, always with the same poker face, dispatches the question with a laconic answer. "Well, here we go." Without going into details.

Does not like. Because giving details would mean explaining the immense effort he has made to be with Spain this summer of the World Cup. For fulfilling the word given. They tell a story that speaks clearly of Marc's commitment. When, around the end of March, President Jorge Garbajosa undertook his usual trip to the US to go round with the NBA players, he was more than surprised at his dinner with the Medium of the Gasol. Starting the usual prolegomena to expose the importance of the tournament, how necessary his presence was, the Raptors cut dry: «Press, let's talk about something else. I will go to the World Cup for sure.

Nothing changed its course, not even the ring. Not even the tremendous effort made at 34 years old. Not even what the muscles squeak at this point. This Friday, against Australia (10.00, Four) , look for the greatest rewards. The final of the World Cup. The gold that would finish an absolutely insurmountable year for Marc. Although the minimum objective of his presence in China is already fulfilled. Take a ticket to Tokyo and play the last tournament with your brother, the Games together is for the family as big as a title.

The season with more minutes

But the show takes its toll. It is assumed. Marc is short of fuel, how could it be otherwise in a season that meets for him today the match 114. He played 79 regular league, with a transfer to Toronto in between. More 24 playoffs to the ring and that heart attack final against the Warriors, like never before. A total of 3,171 minutes NBA , the highest number of his career after the 2012/2013 season, the pre-Eurobasket of Slovenia, in which he played 3,405 with the Grizzlies (reached the final of the Western conference).

«The night of the Rua in Toronto we have already returned home. Because we knew it was an atypical summer and had to make the most of it. To rest and to see the family, because on July 26 we were already starting to train again to prepare for the World Cup. From 19 to 26 it was my holiday week . Then I had some space, like that of Pau's wedding », I had in the meeting with THE WORLD in Guangzhou. He was only on the court in four clashes of the preparation (the previous Ningbó tournament was lost due to gastroenteritis), but so far in the World Cup no player of the team accumulates more minutes (165) on the track, well ahead of the following , Ricky Rubio and Rudy Fernández. He could not even have a break in the first phase, where the bad dawn of Spain did require more of him than he entered into the plans in matches that a priori should have been more comfortable.

Marc is essential, you just have to see his deployment on the track, his defensive command, the influence it causes on the rivals. But their numbers are below those of other colleagues: it is the fourth in valuation of Spain, behind Ricky, Claver and Juancho. He averages 11.3 points , has been hit with problems since triple (3 of 18) and has not caught any offensive rebound in the World Cup. Of course, he has distributed 13 assists in the last two games. And with him on the court, it is when the selection looks best: he accumulates a balance of +82, only surpassed by Ricky in this aspect.

It is true that the great Chinese night of Sant Boi is still awaited, what better than in front of the fearsome boomers, who have an interior game of kilos and talent (Bogut, Baynes, Landale) . «They are very complete. They have very good pivots, a lot of size in the five and in the four with the headline. Although then Landale play more outside. It is a team of the best that has been seen in the championship, ”Scariolo analyzed last night.

As it happens in the NBA, Marc is one of those who always leaves statistics aside. «Sometimes you will be more successful in the scoring and other times you have to lead the game, attracting the opponent or with blocks, and always marking from the defense. You have to rely on defense, ”he took stock on Wednesday, before leaving for Beijing. Yesterday, Pau, from Barcelona, ​​came out of criticism: «Whoever criticizes him should make a reflection. Spain has won all the matches and is in the semifinals. Marc, without a doubt, is one of the leaders. It provides solidity, at the level of play and defense. It is something that may not appear in the statistics. And it is fundamental ».

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  • Spain
  • Marc Gasol
  • China
  • Ricky Rubio
  • Rudy Fernandez
  • Sergio Scariolo
  • THE WORLD
  • Barcelona
  • Australia
  • NBA
  • basketball
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  • Basketball World Cup 2019
  • Spanish Basketball Team

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