Joventut Badalona Has Arrived: Why the Penya Can Dream of a BCL Title
The celebration at the Olímpic was about more than one trophy. For Joventut Badalona, Sunday’s 101-87 demolition of Barça was a statement that this season could be about something much bigger.
Forty years after its previous Supercopa Endesa triumph, Joventut lifted the trophy in front of a packed home crowd, completing an unbeaten weekend with victories over Baskonia and Barça. The manner of the final, however, is what should have the rest of Europe paying attention.
And then there was Nico Laprovittola.
In his return to Badalona, the Argentine guard delivered one of the most spectacular individual performances in Supercopa history: 31 points and nine 3-pointers against his former club. Across the tournament, Laprovittola averaged 29 points and 8.5 assists, earning MVP honors.
That is the kind of player who changes the ceiling of a team.
But Joventut’s biggest reason for optimism may be that Laprovittola wasn’t doing it alone. Ricky Rubio orchestrated the offense with 10 points and eight assists in the final, while Emir Sulejmanovic added 19 points and Eli John Ndiaye 14. Joventut also showed the defensive intensity and ball movement required to close out Barça when the game tightened in the fourth quarter.
That combination — elite shot creation, veteran leadership and a supporting cast capable of making winning plays — makes the Basketball Champions League an intriguing target.
There is no guarantee that a September trophy translates into European silverware. The BCL is a long competition, and Joventut will face different styles, hostile road environments and increasingly high-pressure games.
But the message from Badalona is already clear.
Joventut Badalona aren’t entering the BCL simply hoping to make noise.
After Sunday, they have every reason to believe they can make a run at the trophy. Even more after Ante Tomic’s return.
Article written by Gratian Cormos, journalist, book writer at www.amazon.com/author/gratian and life coach
Image credit: Joventut Facebook
