Marc Gasol’s debut in Girona, his last service: rejecting elite basketball to boost talent

The return of Marc Gasol Spanish basketball had numerous analyzes. The most critical bet on a loss of form that prevented him from being in competitions of maximum demand such as the NBA or Endesa League. The most romantic saw his decision as a gesture of passion and gratitude for the club that he himself founded and presides over today. Time, at least after the Catalan’s debut at Basketball Girona, has proved right to those who observed his return as a detail towards humble basketball.

Marc Gasol announced that I was going to play in the team on November 25. “I really want to play, you can’t imagine it. If everything goes well, it will be on the 3rd when I make my debut,” he acknowledged that afternoon. That is to say, the pivot was going to be one more of Girona in just one week of training. The December 3If nothing went wrong, it would remain a historic day for the competition, for the club and for national basketball in general. The best forecasts were fulfilled and Gasol was able to play against him Levitec Huesca.

The Fontajau pavilion was filled. The fans flocked to see the debut of the interior, NBA champion and legend of the Spanish team. Even some of his peers like Rudy fernandez took advantage of the broadcast of the game by the OTT of LaLiga Sports to follow the start of the Marc’s new life. All eyes were on him. And, far from disappointing, he delivered in the best possible way.

The superiority displayed by Marc Gasol did not stop at all. The ex of Lakers the match ended being the second player with the most minutes on the floor. Throughout the little more than 21 that he was on the court, the interior had 16 rebounds, scored 19 points and signed 39 PIR credits. In addition, he received seven fouls and did not miss a field goal. A perfect afternoon that, as expected, was also reflected in the 89-47 that Basketball Girona inflicted on Levitec Huesca.

Marc is still in shape

Marc Gasol’s physical condition has been questioned on several occasions in recent months. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where the interior did not finish looking its best version, were the last trigger for criticism. At 36 years old, there were those who saw him completely evicted from basketball and with retirement as the only way out. In part, that path was traveled by a Marc who he gave up playing more with Spain. On the contrary, he also reaffirmed his intention to say goodbye to basketball in other circumstances.

Acting with him Girona Basketball, with hardly any training sessions with the team and reflecting his good competitive pace, confirms that Marc still has a lot to give. And, in addition, the value of having joined the project of your own club increases. Far from opting for the elite as another player would have tried, Gasol chose from the outset to give back to the city everything he gave him in his day. The most obvious example is that of having rejected Barça, who probed his incorporation, to go play LEB Gold with his ‘disciples’.

In the same way, and in view of both his performance in the debut with Girona and the Barça proposal, Marc seems to still have the physique to be part of the national team. For this reason, the decision to make way for the new generation of Spanish basketball after Tokyo is so important. One last favor from Marc to the sport that has given him everything.

Star showcase

The signing of Marc Gasol mainly benefits a Basketball Girona who will enjoy it both in the pavilion and in the rest of the matches. However, it is also a boost for a category like LEB Oro which, unlike its counterpart Second division football, does not have as much impact or as much following. This, taking into account the need to discover new national talents, makes Marc’s arrival the ideal showcase for young people.

The duel against Levitec Huesca, in fact, has already left an image that could be repeated in the future. The Huesca team summoned Aday Mara, 16-year-old inside and 2.18 meters in height that coincided with Marc for a few seconds. A rare and practically fleeting coincidence, but one that has already allowed Mara, one of the great pearls of national basketball, to become known a little more. Likewise, the player of 19 years Aitor Etxeguren He was also able to cope with the 36-year-old veteran.

As if that were not enough, the importance of audiovisual content is also noteworthy. Marc’s debut, summarized in a video shared by the Spanish Basketball Federation, went viral within hours. And it is not for less considering the statistics harvested. Thus, a couple of days after the game that summary has more than 100,000 views only in the social network of Twitter.

LEB Oro has a perfect opportunity to increase its following. And Marc Gasol, thanks to his arrival at the competition, can be the loudspeaker of those precocious talents who want to become a Gap in the national elite in the midst of a crisis of Spanish players. A perfect combo that Marc, as he hinted in his presentation, can last more than a year if his physique allows it.

[Más información – Marc Gasol, el presidente y jugador que quiere cambiar el baloncesto desde la LEB Oro]

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