The Barça changes, in part, the structure of the team. Although Sarunas Jasikevicius maintains a good part of a hard core of players who reaped a magnificent season last season, both the losses and the additions do not leave anyone indifferent. The Blaugrana coach seems to be betting on having an even more offensive team.
In the change of ‘cards’ it allows the march of Hanga, Claver, Pustovyi or Westermann, with a clear defensive profile, and sign Jokubaitis, Sanli, Laprovittola and Hayes. The four have a more scoring game and, in general, Barça lose centimeters in the changes. The fact that Jasikevicius likes to bet on more versatile and mobile players is reaffirmed to the detriment of larger ones.
Demolishing artillery
Barça will have a spectacular perimeter. The losses in the base position of Heurtel, Westermann and Bolmaro will be improved with the arrival of Jokubaitis and Laprovittola. For now, the team will have three guarantee bases. It seems that nobody wants to go back to their old ways and that they end up playing with a single point guard and some guard to help in the direction, as has happened in recent seasons. Calathes will undoubtedly be the helm and leader of the team.
But the youth of Jokubaitis and Laprovittola’s experience they are a perfect complement. The Argentine knows what this game is about and, in difficult situations, he has enough coolness to choose the best option. You probably won’t have many minutes, but you are used to these rotations by now. On the contrary, the young Lithuanian will be an important player.
More physical than Calathes, with an excellent 1×1 and 2×2, good outside launch and, if necessary, he can always have two minutes. Hanga’s march to Madrid it is still one of the great surprises of the summer. It is clear that Jasikevicius did not quite fit. In fact, he did not have many minutes in the final stretch of last season, but his loss continues to surprise.
Nor was Claver to Saras’ liking and, in the blink of an eye, Barça were left without a big three. The recent signing of Hayes aims to alleviate this deficit. We are facing another ex from Zalgiris and, therefore, in the orbit of the Blaugrana coach, who can be said to have excellent numbers. He is not a tall player, but he is physical, and he plays preferably in front of the basket. He is a ‘gamer’ like Higgins, he generates a lot of game, solvent in the 1×1, and who is indifferent to penetrate or shoot from outside.
In the last Euroleague he fired the same shots of two as of three and with a similar percentage of 44%. A guarantee of points, but used to playing almost 30 ‘per game. If we add to these three incorporations triple specialists like Abrines and Kuric, an all-rounder like Sergi Martínez, a Calathes brain and the omnipresent Higgins, the result marks a devastating outdoor game.
Inner solidity
Inside, Saras has only made the change from Sanli to Pustovyi. A former Efes with a lot of experience who will provide less intimidation than Pustovyi, but more offensive ability and possibility of opening the field. An important aspect to, for example, pose problems to Tavares. Sanli has a good hand at 3-4 meters, and he’s great at 2×2 continuations. Something that with the Blaugrana exteriors can be a real mine.
Barça is almost obliged to have a ‘ceiling’ in the squad, and Sanli can be a great complement. However, and as it happened at Efes, he will not be a man of many minutes, but his rotations will always add up. Waiting for the final decision of Pau Gasol, the rest of the inside game remains the same. If Pau does not continue, the great beneficiary will be Oriola. The one from Tàrrega has already amply demonstrated his character and involvement with the team. Its speed and versatility go well to the cheerful spirit that Saras prints.
For his part, Davies will be, again, the undisputed piece in the position of five. Aggression, defense, rebound and presence when the ball burns. The Blaugrana coach, when push comes to shove, always has him on the track. He is the prototype of a tall player that Saras idealizes for her team and that she also had under her command at Zalgiris. Another key to Barça’s success will be Mirotic’s performance. It is not necessary to remember the intermittences he had last year and the doubts he showed in many of the decisive games. If he does not behave as a benchmark, it will be difficult for Barça to qualify for the Euroleague.
With a plethora of Mirotic, those of Saras are candidates for everything. Let’s hope that the summer has been a shock to the Montenegrin. It should be said that, for his part, Smits is giving a valuable relief to Mirotic. A player who entered without making noise, but who has ended up winning the rotations that Jasikevicius gives him.
Extra pressure
The Blaugrana management, despite the club’s innumerable financial problems, has been able to maintain and expand a winning squad. Saras has made a team to suit her. Both the exits and the incorporations have their approval.
Now, in the dressing room, there are many players he knows, or has had at Zalgiris, and who knows how far they can give him. Little more can a technician ask for. Without a doubt, the team this season, and of course Jasikevicius, will have extra pressure to win titles. We are waiting to see the performance of this exciting Barça.