Life to the rhythm of Ricky, his smile, his basketball, his ambition, is usually wonderful.

The full Ricky of Spain, the one who dominated the world in China, the one who now shoots 3-pointers with the confidence of the killers.

Spain is in the quarterfinals but, most importantly, it is happy.

He showed it against Argentina and must corroborate it on Sunday against Slovenia to grab that first place in the group that calms the waters towards the medals.

Campazzo's blows of rage, his torn shirt of impotence, are the best summary of the duel in Saitama, 15 years after that triple missed by Nocioni, still several protagonists on the floor. Argentina still has a loophole to advance, beating Japan and hoping not to be the worst third. But, despite his self-esteem, that basketball that made him so great no longer works for him. He cannot find it and against Spain, Ricky and his defense, it was not the most opportune moment.

A Spain, aware that his true final is on Sunday against Doncic - even losing both, his qualification for the quarterfinals was not in danger too much -, he found himself facing a scratching opponent. Not only are there too many pending accounts -25 defeats in 28 games, including the final of the last World Cup ...-, it is their own fragile situation, without Argentina looking much like China, humiliated by Slovenia at the start.

So he had no choice but to remove at once that competitive character that made them fearsome. Even though his basketball is still far from being what it was, as if Oveja Hernández had lost his magic. At dawn, each divided ball was Argentine, with a defense that was like putting a cushion on the face of Spain. All this, together with the inspiration of Laprovittola on his first official day as a Barça player, made Scariolo twist the gesture (3-12).

Then, very early, Ricky emerged, who, definitely, is another with Spain, like that child who smiles again when he returns home. His entire game is amazing, but especially the offensive confidence with which he moves. With the self-confidence of the pure shooters, he chained 11 points in a row, three triples, to put things in order (16-15). Although, at his first breath on the bench, Campazzo responded to stretch the rope again (18-25). That duel of great bases was starting to heat up like a volcano.

But the second quarter everything changed, as if Scariolo had pressed the defense button. After a triple by Llull that was a touchdown, suddenly Argentina cost a life each basket. His possessions were running out without really knowing what to do. And, to top it off, Willy came out, who is known to have few holes and is very hungry, to do more damage. The halftime honk was now a relief for the South Americans.

On the return, Willy was still on the court and Abrines opened the second half with a triple. Spain prevailed without remission, despite the efforts of Laprovittola. And the strange game of Marc Gasol, who accumulated losses as a youth, determined on impossible roads. Although everything was forgotten when Ricky uncovered his genius again. He scored his fourth triple (of five attempts) and a two plus one to the last hoop -which also meant Campazzo's fourth- which showed the confidence with which he handles himself in these Games, at the same level or more than in the past World. Only a distraction from Abrines on the horn prevented the total Argentine blackout.

But Argentina, in which Gabi Deck's unrecognizable performance drew attention, was like a boxer sounded in the ring.

He just needed the ultimate combination to make him kiss the canvas.

And it would not be long in coming.

Before long, he was thinking about his duel against Japan, despite Campazzo's rage.

The fifth triple Ricky dedicated to Juancho, in the front rows of the rostrum, with whom he shares the happiness of the great guys.

He was going to stay within one of his career records (six, in 2017 against Orlando).

But there was that: 26 points, five assists, four rebounds ...

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