By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
A stunning performance by Tomas Satoransky helped Barcelona force the overtime against Valencia, with a buzzer beating 3pointer of his own, but it was not enough to bring the victory for the Catalans. However, the Czech player has to be proud for two specific reasons.
First, because he broke his personal record for most assists given in a game. His previous one was 11, versus Valencia as well, in 2014. His team, Sevilla, had then been defeated 87 – 84.
But there is also another unique aspect of Satoransky’s new brilliant output. Which is that?
Why, it’s simple. No other player in Liga Endesa has combined 17 points and 12 assists in a game, for 12 years. Yes, you read that right. The last time, someone had this numbers, was in April 2004. It was Elmer Bennett, then, one of the most legendary pass-first point guards, not only in Spain, but Euroleague in general, that also scored 17 points and dished 12 assists in a game. And here comes the quite interesting coincidence. Bennett had these identical stats also against Valencia, leading Real Madrid to a 92 – 83 win.
In days of.. “old” however, more players had managed to produce 17 points and 12 assists in a single game performance of the Spanish Championship. During the 1990-1992 period, 9 players wrote this combination in their statistical sheet: Salva Diez, Fede Ramiro, Jose Luis Llorente, Jose Angel Arcega, Javi Perez, Rafa Jofresa, Jose Luis Diaz and Nacho Suarez.