The European champion and again favorite, Micic’s Anadolu Efes, Larkin and the entire troop, left the WiZink Center scared (77-56, minute 36) despite the fact that the final makeup hid him a lot (82-69), a reminder that reaching the top is difficult, but staying is very hard. It is only the beginning of a long journey of continuous biting, where before he already showed his ability to dribble and accelerate, to change rhythm, to go from less to more. Madrid was better at everything, he needed a triumph to confirm him and he came out applauded, with the fans very excited in a Palace that must take flight after the break. And he will do it with a basketball of rhythm and strength, of passing. Larkin gave it his all (21 points, 6 assists and a PIR of 35) and the answer was in groups: between Heurtel, Yabusele and Tavares, 43 points and 58 credits. And more: only 48 conceded by the rest of Larkin’s teammates.
Defense, rebound and counterattack, or failing that, high rhythm, a more classic formula than that of the famous soft drink, the one that launched Madrid from the first European Cups and then the National Team, and the one that was erased from the map in the 90s basketball with infuriating possessions at the then 30-second possession limit. A formula that Laso’s Madrid relaunched, with the modern addition of triples, rapid shooting; although in recent times it was kept in the drawer. So far this year there has been a quorum: this Real is more robust, stronger behind, more rebounding. And so far in the League we had seen the defensive version, this Thursday, in a great duel, with a Final Four rank in the continental premiere, we saw what that defense can transfer to the condensed attack in a fantastic first quarter.
Real annulled Micic and the rest of the Turkish exteriors (except Larkin, who entered two minutes before the start to weather the storm: 12-0) and took their pivots off the map, without giving up an offensive rebound and assaulting the rival hoop. Poirier relieved Tavares and Yabusele was stronger inside and more accurate outside and, when he sat down (24-13), Laso articulated a trident of forwards, capable of all four acting on time, with Abalde and Taylor, although it was Rudy who he paired with Singleton. Under this format, the gap opened to 21 points: 41-20. Heurtel, on the bench in every fourth start except the last one, went from a scoring display in the first (10 points in a run) to spreading the game in the second. The greatest passer of the kingdom was Yabusele, a game of pivots, and a good reading in the transitions. Good appearances by Llull and priceless work by Hanga.
He was not the hungriest Efes, with a full belly after finally embracing the Euroleague, although he will whet his appetite soon with exercise. That desire was indeed in Madrid, the desire to start well, to reconnect with its people in Europe a year and a half later, and the desire to answer the open discussion with Efes after that unpredictable playoff five months ago. There was a change in the blue attitude around the dressing room, more harshness, more fouls, more concentration, but Real countered it with play, with Yabusele, Williams-Goss (still a bit indecisive when shooting) and, of course, with Tavares, well supplied and colossal on the rebound, intimidating (63-42). Larkin, however, did not want to kneel so soon and launched volleys of talent to which was added the new one, Petrusev (MVP of the Adriatic League, 21 years and 2.11), enormous class in the continuation towards the rim. Insufficient and isolated amid the rebounding gale (42-18). An unappealable triumph, of those to present candidacy.