By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Team USA coach Gregg Popovich had the best to say for the Spanish national team and the way they play following the preparation game between the two sides. USA beat Spain 83 – 76 in their last prep game before traveling to Tokyo for the Olympics.
“Coach [Sergio] Scariolo is a good friend. I just have to say he’s got them executing as well as they’ve ever had,” Popovich said. “Even though a couple of guys are a little bit older. They really understand how to play basketball. It’s a beautiful game when you watch them play. I’m not just trying to make him or their team happy. They deserve so much credit for the way they read situations and the answers they have for what you might do defensively.
Offensively, they are totally unselfish. The post up guys do a great job.”
Popovich also commended Spanish great and former two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol, mentioning how he remains dangerous despite being well past his prime. Gasol played under Popovich on the San Antonio Spurs from 2016 to 2019.
“Of course, Pau is not the Pau of old but he’s still a competitor,” Popovich said. And he still has great hands and he’s still a great passer. He gets big under the net on the block. He’s a load because he has all those skills. I’m sure they’re happy he’s still playing.”