Live Event #6
Palau Olimpic
The Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto is rated as the top domestic basketball league in Europe by the governing body of basketball in Europe (ULEB). Historically, like in football (soccer), the league has been dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid, which can be credited largely to the revenue created by their respective football teams. The team that is recognized as arguably Spain's most important club is Joventut Badalona, an independent club based in Badalona, a smaller city situated just outside of Barcelona. Joventut's Youth Academy has produced many of Europe's top basketball talents including Rudy Fernandez (now with the Trail Blazers) and Ricky Rubio (more on him later). Aside from the Spanish born players, the rosters are filled primarily by Slavic players and Americans who weren't able to stick in the NBA. The caliber is play is not to the level of the NBA but the basketball is fundamentally sound and entertaining.
The game was of no real importance in the way of the standings (Barcelona is in 1st, Joventut in 14th) but the two teams have been rivals for many years. There was also the matter of Ricky Rubio, the 20 year old Spanish point guard who left Joventut in the summer in order to join Barca. Much has been made about Rubio, who drew comparisons to Pete Maravich and Steve Nash when at 17 he joined the Spanish Olympic team for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and was chosen for the prestigious Mr. Europa, awarded to the best European basketball talent (other winners' include Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Toni Kukoc, and Drazen Petrovic). The following season he entered the NBA Draft and was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's rejected multiple offers to join the Timberwolves and he remains in Spain where his flaws become more apparent. The fact is, he cannot shoot, which hinders his ability to succeed in the NBA. If anything he could be compared to Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, another point guard that struggles shooting but is effective in so many other facets of the game that his potentially fatal flaw is overlooked. The one thing that struck me watching Rubio in person was his high basketball IQ. He read the floor extremely well, cutting down passing lanes for tipped balls and steals and making smart decisions with the basketball. As an on ball perimeter defender he's not quite as effective as Rondo who is the best defender of point guards in the NBA. Rubio may not reach the ridiculous expectations that were levied upon him when he was drafted but whenever he decides to join the NBA he can still be a reliable point guard, especially on a team with multiple offensive options.
Like Camp Nou, the Palau Olimpico de Badalona was barren of any sort of activity that would divert eyes away from the game; it's not like there is no corporate advertising, actually there are a large quantity of adverts that surround the basketball court and each team carries a sponsorship in their official name: Regal and DKV (both insurance companies). The Palau seats 12,000 people and nearly every seat was filled in time for tip off. Led by former Memphis Grizzlies guard Juan Carlos Navarro. Joventut made things more difficult, challenging Barca in the second and third quarters but Navarro hit two decisive threes down the stretch that helped Barca hold onto a 68-65 victory.
Three different sporting events over three days; Barcelona is quite the sports town. My father and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. There is plenty to do for lovers of food, sport, sun, art, and people. Now we move to London, England for a massive Premier League weekend. Saturday we will be at Stamford Bridge for Tottenham and Chelsea and Sunday at the Emirates for Manchester United and Arsenal.
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