Spain NT 2021 Olympics

[Kings]

Friendly Games

03/07 Spain 88 Iran 61
05/07 Spain 96 Iran 53
08/07 Spain 86 France 77
10/07 Spain 87 France 79
18/07 Spain 76 USA 83


Olympic Games

26/07 Spain 88 Japan 77
29/07 Spain 81 Argentina 71
01/08 Spain 87 Slovenia 95
03/08 Spain 81 USA 95

[Straight forward]

Still very good NT. I think Rodriguez presence still give a lot for this team. Probably Rudy and Lull still makes the team and brings vets presence, but I think they should find ways to bring Alocen to the roster, he would provide athleticism and energy from the bench. Something what this ageing Spanish NT starting to lack. Besides, Spain will need an answers in 2022, 2023 stretch as I'm sure Rodriguez, Lull, Rudy will retire after this season and Abalde and Brizuela are not long term guards solution for Spain in a long term. Rubio and Alocen should be the cornerstones in the next Olympic cycle. Obviously Garuba should be in, no brainer. His energy is incredible and he's relentless. Overall it might be too old NT abit, too many vets, but they can still provide. I wouldn't want to meet them in the 4finals (Kaunas tournament winner will end up with Spain in the same group along with Argentina, Japan).

Those would be my picks:

Rubio, Rodriguez, Alocen
Abrines, Lull,
J. Hernangomez, Rudy
Garuba, Calver
M. Gasol, P. Gasol, W. Hernangomez

[ChuckDiesel2]

Spain is just so damn impressive as a basketball nation. Even though y’all are some of most theatrical floppers who ever who ever flopped on a court, you’re the worthiest opponent and I hope to see you in the gold medal game.

[reamily]

Worthiest opponent to beaten always by Us..the spain defense works in anywhere in the world outside usa..

[DunkOnYa]

Worthiest opponent to beaten always by Us..the spain defense works in anywhere in the world outside usa..

Well, that's why Spain is number 2 in the ranks...because it works with everyone but the US.

[ChuckDiesel2]

They've also given the US better games than anyone, two of them for the gold medal.

[reamily]

They've also given the US better games than anyone, two of them for the gold medal.

Better games.. its always a matter that they always in "control"..and like what I said the names, these are guys that were there since 2006-2008..

[Darrell Armstrong]

Better games.. its always a matter that they always in "control"..and like what I said the names, these are guys that were there since 2006-2008..

I don't know if that's what you have in mind, but the only real standouts from 2006-2008 are Pau Gasol, who was the star of the team back then and now is trying to pull a Luis Scola for his last major tournament; and Rudy. Sergio Rodríguez and Marc Gasol were in the roster in 2006, but were nothing more than fillers. They were unproven teenagers back then. Same as Ricky in 2008. Although injuries and foul problems forced him into major minutes in the final game, he was the 3rd-string PG. He really didn't became a leading PG until much later in his career.

Let's see who makes the final roster, but after the gold in 2019 I think we should show some restraint and patience with the old fellas who prefer to start slow.

[DunkOnYa]

So we lost Juancho in the first game against France. A separated shoulder will prevent him from flying to Tokyo.

He's a player with shooting and physicality used to NBA defenses. Baaaad for the NT.

[Darrell Armstrong]

So we lost Juancho in the first game against France. A separated shoulder will prevent him from flying to Tokyo.

He's a player with shooting and physicality used to NBA defenses. Baaaad for the NT.

He was going to be one of the starters, and his versatility will be sorely missed. On the other hand, this is an opportunity for newcomers Abalde and Garuba to start growing into important pieces for the future. Abalde was impressive against France, very happy to see him coming through.

[Darrell Armstrong]

All right, so only a few days for the Games to begin, and the NT has arrived safely to Tokio. Finally Juancho was cleared to participate, which is indeed great news as long as he doesn't force the issue. We will need him once we reach the final round.

Some media outlets are highlighting Spain as one of the gold medal contenders, and it's easy to see why. We have been able to carry the core of the World Cup winners, while making improvements all over the roster. I'm happy to say this is one of the first NTs you cannot single out any one player as a bench warmer. They may or may not earn minutes given matchups or role overlap, but everyone here is able to make a positive impact.

This is the final roster:

Ricky Rubio - Sergio Rodríguez
Rudy Fernández - Álex Abrines - Sergi Llull (also 3rd PG)
Juancho Hernangómez - Alberto Abalde
Víctor Claver - Usman Garuba
Pau Gasol - Marc Gasol - Willy Hernangómez

I particularly enjoyed the PG rotation in all the exhibition games. Ricky has been able to kick into MVP gear whenever the games got tough (against France and USA), and Sergio has had very good minutes, pushing the pace and getting buckets. The C rotation is also quite solid. Marc is obviously not the same dominant player he was in 2019, but if he can provide a few minutes of genius here and there, that's enough. Pau is an incredible good shape considering all he's been through. And both can be rested because Willy is ready to mop up minutes. He contributed against France and Team USA, and coach Scariolo has said more than once he's trying to give him as many minutes as possible.

Abrines and Abalde also gave quality minutes in the exhibition games. Both showed their ability for knocking down threes and nice effort in the other side of the ball.

Let's see what happens, but maybe this is the year Gasol can retire having achieved his ultimate goal.

[eal]

I feel a few too many players in the Spanish squad are in decline due to age. I consider the French team to be the better European challenger.

[Darrell Armstrong]

I feel a few too many players in the Spanish squad are in decline due to age. I consider the French team to be the better European challenger.

We've been hearing that prophecy for years. I clearly remember when France beat us in the 2013 Eurocup semifinals. That was going to be the changing of the guard, and the defeat in 2014 was the proof that the new power in Europe had overtaken old Spain. And you know what happened the very next year in Paris.

Some day the prophecy will become true. It's impossible to remain at the top for years on end, and it really looks like this will be the last battle for some veterans (the Sergios, the Gasols, Rudy) before riding into the sunset. But, come on. France will be the top contender when they earn it. Losing games against Japan and Spain doesn't award them any points.

But I give you this. Of all the teams in this tournament, France may be the worst matchup for Team USA. That's not going to help much if they keep losing against less glamorous, but more focused teams like Argentina.

[Darrell Armstrong]

Well, this is it. In a few hours the last game of this wonderful generation may have played out. They may retire on a bittersweet note, failing to reach their hefty goal. But at least they will go out swinging, fighting with giants. One last chance. We may end up short like all the four attempts before. But one game has still to be played, and hopefully it won't be the last.

[ChuckDiesel2]

Really good documentary series on the Spanish NT of the past 20-25 years for those who haven’t seen it. “La Familia” on Amazon Prime. In Spanish, subtitles available.