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Juancho and Willy, Willy and Juancho, another pair of Spanish brothers, world champions, fundamental in the golden team that toured China for two unforgettable weeks at the beginning of September. A 16 returned with the Cup in their hands, gold around their neck and an indelible smile. They celebrated in the streets of their Madrid and without taking too long, they set sail for the United States. You to Denver and I to Charlotte ... to the harsh reality of oblivion.

In a season that was intended to be a turning point for both of them, the one that would finally boost their careers in the best league in the world, with the vitola already forever in the world feat with the national team, the Hernangómez are in the middle of Calvary. Each with its circumstances, both at the bottom of the bench and the rotations of the Nuggets and Hornets . Between the two, just nine games played, only four that were not 'garbage minutes', although Juancho's weekend opens a path to hope.

In the fourth year in the NBA of the brothers, with 25 and 24 years respectively, their precarious situation opens doubts about their present, but especially their future. And the scenario of a return to Europe is no longer such a disposable option.

The return does not enter Willy's plans, whose contract in Charlotte expires at the end of the season . Then he will be a free agent and he will be able to listen to offers, but if the trend continues, a year in white would not help his aspirations. Of the 14 games played so far by the Hornets, in nine of them Willy has not even played a single minute. And of the four he played, only one was significant: against the Wolves, the second of the course, he was 16 minutes on the track (six points and six rebounds), that day was low due to injury Cody Zeller.

This Monday, after five nights of racing in oblivion, Willy returned to the track: five minutes , with the game already resolved for the Marc Gasol Raptors. It gave him time to contribute five points and three rebounds.

Back to Europe?

Because the paradox of the greatest of the Hernangómez is that in his team there is no dominant pivot that closes the doors. Zeller, a hard-working center, is the owner. And Bismack Biyombo , defensive expert with an exaggerated contract of 17 million dollars, the second option, always. For now, Willy can stand without raising his voice, because James Borrego urges him not to throw in the towel. But by the head of the former Real Madrid round and the option of trying to force a transfer before the closing of the market in February, in search of a place with more options.

In the first 10 games of the course, just 19 minutes was on the field Juancho, although the last two have been pure vindication for the middle of the saga, which a few weeks ago chose not to extend his contract with the Nuggets to be, also, agent Free in summer. But Mike Malone, who always praised him, seems to have finally opened the door of the court, varying his eaves rotation and leaving Malik Beasley and Torrey Craig now behind Michael Porter Jr and the Spaniard.

If on Thursday he already played 19 minutes in the victory against the Nets, on Sunday he shone with 15 points (four of five in triples) in the triumph in Memphis, where he monopolized praise.

"He is one of the best teammates I have had. He leaves the bench to cheer since we are all in the game. He is always speaking, even if he does not know how to speak English," joked Jamal Murray , one of the team's referents. Waiting for events, the door to Europe is not completely closed in Juancho's mind. "It's hard when you work hard. It's hard, I've been waiting for the opportunity for four years. I know how things are, how hard it is to get to the gym before, leave later, keep working on your game and not have the minutes you want. It's difficult to be happy from the outside, knowing that I can play and help the team win, "he said these days in the 'Denver Post'.

The attitude of the Hernangómez brothers is striking. Neither glimpse of indiscipline or rebellion, aware that their fate will only change if they maintain faith and work, if they do not fall into the temptation to think about the speed of time. Even at the bottom of the bench, but always with a good face to the teammate - Juancho's personal connection with Nikola Jokic , the star of the Nuggets, is extraordinary, as was Willy's with Kemba Walker, now in the Celtics-, ready in case that opportunity presents itself. Although they are what almost nobody: world champions of basketball.

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