Spain has six representatives in the NBAIt is not a low number, but perhaps the statistics are the worst in memory. Only one player has had a real role and his name is Ricky Rubio. The rest have been injured, transferred and even playing in the Development League. There are reasons to think that there is an end to the cycle after the name Gasol did not sound on the public address systems of the pavilions. Here’s a look at how each of us is doing this season:
Ricky Rubio
We have already said that it was the best of ours by far. He started out as a backup for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but as soon as he became a starter he put the team in the Play-Offs. He ended up averaging 13.1 points and 6.6 assists until a bloody knee injury ended his season. They traded him to the Indiana Pacers in a symbolic trade because they won’t play for that franchise for a minute because he’ll be a free agent this summer.
JUANCHO HERNANGOMEZ
Since last summer they have not been able to go worse things. Minnesota barred him from the Olympics due to an injury that no one ever found out. Then they transferred him to Memphis where he did not make his debut. He later went to Boston for barely any opportunities in the shadow of Jayson Tatum. The ‘greens’ sent him to San Antonio and he barely lasted three weeks. He is now in the Utah Jazz with the worst averages of his career: 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in six minutes of play.
WILLY HERNANGOMEZ
The Pelicans center is a free verse. He plays when his coach thinks he can have an impact on the game or doesn’t line him up at all. His averages of 8.5 points and 6.6 rebounds in just 15 minutes tell us about one of the most efficient players in the NBA. In those figures there is a trap and in New Orleans knows this because he doesn’t defend at the level expected of a center. A ballast that seems difficult to get rid of at 27 years old.
Serge Ibaka
Injured for much of the season, he reappeared with the Clippers who decided to send him to play with the defending champion, the Milwaukee Bucks. In the team led by Antetokounmpo, averages 5.7 points and 5.8 points, being by far his worst statistical season ever. It is true that right now he is at 21 minutes per game and that this role should grow in the face of the Play-Offs.
USMAN GARUBA
The Real Madrid youth squad has barely played 105 minutes throughout the season spread over 15 games. He was sent to the affiliate of the Houston Rockets where he has been able to show some of the potential that made him the first round of the Draft last season. Garuba is in the worst team in the NBA and has not yet managed to gain a foothold. Complicated future.
SANTI ALDAMA
The Canarian center is out of the rotation of some Grizzlies that use him for the minutes of the garbage. He has played 27 games with an average of 4.8 points. Opportunities will become even more scarce as the season progresses, since Memphis is fighting to be seeded in the Play-Offs. Perhaps the best thing that would come to him would be a season in the Development League.