Nico Laprovíttola, Barcelona figure, and a separate duel against Real Madrid in the Final Four of the Euroleague

Of being chopped of Real Madrid to shine on the sidewalk in front (and at a very high level). Argentine shooting guard Nicolás Laprovíttola is going through perhaps his best version of basketball at Europe’s highest level, now in the range of Barcelona. And this Thursday he will face his former team, under the direction of Pablo Laso, in one of the semifinals of Euroleague Final Fourin Belgrade.

His extensive international career and being selected as the Most Valuable Player with authority, for his leadership of Joventut de Badalona in the 2018/19 season, prompted him to be signed by Madrid.

At the same time as he comes to “White house” who at that time had some of his positions: Facundo Campazzo, Sergio Lull Y Carlos Alocen. That may be your first hurdle.

“Lapro“he showed up, on most of the teams where he was, like the stall owner. One of his common characteristics is that he feels he is more comfortable living on the ball. He is not the base generator of those who do good to others. He scored and scored, but it wasn’t easy to share the ball. His biggest criticism (including me) was his exaggeration nagdridribol. And since his main goal was to convert, that was the reason he wasn’t considered for the “1” position. He did not show his legs, but he did show his wrist.

The signing for Barsa surprised everyone. Be the people of the Catalan club. Many did not close that union. The change is remarkable. It came from not being to the taste of Laso in Madrid and from not having good dynamics to fall into the hands of demanding Lithuanian coaches sarunas jasikeviciuswhich certainly proved to get the best of him.

As it did? First, adapt it to the defense system. It is directed to bring the rival to a corner of the field (by the lines) and thus close the penetrations, along the rounds. In other words, a collective defense. It was worth it, but he tried and that’s what he got in his minutes.

Obviously, Barsa prisoners work together a lot, which is in situations of pick and roll They protect him more than Madrid did. They explode along the penetration lines of opposing bases. They don’t expose it.

But the most important change is his position on offense, as Nicolás flaunts elegance as a “2” shooter and not as a point guard. For that, in a completely different style, he makes his former basis Nick Caathes. As an assist, the Greek-American has the pass as his first option … as well as the pass as his second. And if he has no other choice, then he will launch. it’s in “Lapro“It came from phenomena, as well as the damage of great base-assistance Cory Higgins.

To shine and fit this gift to the Barsa, its members have qualities that conform to the virtues of a “2” that doesn’t run without a ball and, therefore, eliminates quick sense attacks. This transition system as the first offensive weapon resigned when he was on the field. But it fits in with other variants, having large people inside who need the ball, such as Nikola Mirotic posted, and “5” was born as the first internal offensive option, Brandon Davis.

Playing inside and out was extremely helpful to the Argentine point guard and his Lithuanian coach, which added to the concepts of direct blocking and ball in hand. The usufruct is consistent and its slow launch and “from Saturn” with distinctive purpose and at crucial moments of the game allows you to get decisive points and not waste. For one thing, they chose him as a member of the Spanish League’s perfect quintet.

On the other hand, the same is not the case with the National Team, as our team needs easy points, based on the lack of support from the senior people and Campazzo, in his dizziness, is leaving the rest on the open court.

The semifinal between Barcelona and Real Madrid (Gabriel Deck will say that was there) was a game of eternal rivalry, but with special spices. Nicolás Laprovíttola will have the opportunity to show Real and his coach that despite not running and not reversing it -which is less athletic-, it is enough for him to show in another position that with his wrist and personality he can be on the great European level.