By Alex Madrid / info@eurohoops.net
After his ACL injury, Sergio Llull has been out for a long time. We had to wait for 258 days, 19 hours and 41 minutes. Enough to have missed the player who still is the ACB and EuroLeague MVP.
Pablo Laso said he is “the best player in Europe” after the third game of the series against Panathinaikos. Someone like him deserves a tribute.
It hasn’t been an easy decision to make but Eurohoops brings you the five best moments of Real Madrid‘s star.
5. NBA Global Games
More than a decade ago, Llull came to Madrid from Manresa. After 11 minutes with the white shirt, Llull would achieve his first title: an ACB league conquered in the Palau Blaugrana. A few months later, Madrid would play against an NBA team for the first time in a long time: Toronto Raptors.
Sergio Llull was 19 at that time and he didn’t have an important role in the team but he was the key in the victory. His nerve, his speed and above all, his 17 points began to attract attention.
The Madridistas will remember what happened nine years after that much better. Pablo Laso’s team got an extraordinary overtime win against Oklahoma City Thunder. That five extra minutes came after another clutch three made by Llull. The point guard would end the game with 22 points and several ‘mandarinas’ to close the second, third and last quarter.
4. Montepaschi de Siena, when he made his first clutch shot
At this point, we all know what a ‘mandarina’ is thanks to Sergio Llull and all began in 2010. Ettore Messina‘s team needed a win against Montepaschi de Siena by 8 points in order to cover the point difference and get closer to the first position of the group in the EuroLeague Top 16.
With five seconds left and five points up on the scoreboard, Sergio Llull would take the responsibility. The guy from Menorca would slip, he shot from the three-point line and despite getting fouled by Romain Sato, he made the shot.
3. Copa del Rey MVP
No one can deny that the “Incredible” Llull feels really comfortable playing in the Copa del Rey. In the 2011/2012 season after 19 years of drought, Madrid would take the title at the Palau Sant Jordi. It was the first trophy of the Laso era and the second in the career of Sergio Llull. Also, the Spanish international was named MVP of the tournament thanks to his 23 points and five assists in the final.
However, despite the fact that this trophy changed everything -Barcelona just couldn’t be defeated by “los Blancos” before this turning point – the way they conquered the Copa del Rey in Vitoria gives to the moment an even more special touch. Two overtimes took Real Madrid to the final, in which Madrid won just by two points against Valencia Basket.
Although he already had a great tournament, his performance in the final gave him the MVP. Llull finished with 22 points, scoring the last 10 of his team.
2. He loves playing in La Fonteta
When Llull is playing against Valencia Basket magical things happen. Maybe that’s the reason he scored his best ‘mandarina’ in an area known for its oranges.
Sergio Llull has made two amazing triples at the buzzer in La Fuente de San Luis. After the victory which was the result of one of those two shots, Real Madrid was just one win away from the finals of the ACB. That season would end with the Whites winning all the trophies.
In a game which was decided in overtime, Llull nailed a huge bucket with Nemanja Nedovic hanging from his wrist. Pablo Laso’s team recovered the home court advantage in the series and was back on track to win the championship title.
The other victory in the Fonteta was less decisive but much more spectacular. In a game between the first and third best team in the ACB, Llull managed to tie the game with a layup and 3.9 seconds remaining.
Luke Sikma inbound the ball and Antoine Diot made a huge shot that was going to give the victory to Valencia Basket. Or it seemed so. Llull froze the stands of La Fuente de San Luis with a spectacular full court shot from 21 meters.
1. His shot in Malaga
If you made it to this point, you knew this moment would be included. He wasn’t the MVP of the Copa del Rey and he did not have his best game either. Sergio Llull scored 9 points in that final against Barcelona, but two of them will be remembered forever.
With one minute left in the Martin Carpena, Real Madrid was dominating the final. Pablo Laso’s team was winning 75-68 and had the title in his pocket until, in the blink of an eye, the Blaugrana side changed the game. Brad Oleson completed the comeback with a spectacular goal foul after being fouled by Ioannis Bourousis.
Nikola Mirotic gave the ball to Sergio Rodriguez who run the floor. The legend began when ‘Chacho’ found Llull in the corner. The rest is Spanish basketball history.
* Bonus. Sergio Llull returns
258 days, 19 hours and 41 minutes. That’s the time that Llull had to wait to enter the court again. The Madridista created a different aura in the gym during Game 3 of the EuroLeague playoffs. Real Madrid fans didn’t go to the gym in order to watch a playoff game, they to welcome their star, their legend.
Sergio Llull answered as only he knows. The point guard scored 8 points in two minutes to show that he is back for good.