Pure “La Bomba”: Ten amazing games by Juan Carlos Navarro

17/Aug/18 14:40 August 17, 2018

Aris Barkas

17/Aug/18 14:40

Eurohoops.net

Hated by his opponents, beloved by his fans and the best scorer and shooter of Spanish basketball ever. Juan Carlos Navarro is one of a kind and he has the games to prove it.

By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net

When you are playing basketball for 21 years, it means that you really got game. And Juan Carlos “La Bomba’ Navarro was one of the deadliest scorers to ever appear in European basketball.

Together with his friend Pau Gasol, he created the renaissance of Spanish basketball. They dominated on the junior level and they did it again on both sides of the Atlantic. Contrary to Gasol, Navarro preferred to return to Europe, even if he proved during his one season in Memphis that he belonged to the NBA.

He made the right choice for him. No other player has achieved what he did with the jersey of Barcelona and he retired as the all-time leading scorer of the modern EuroLeague era. What makes him great? Just watch…

2006 – EuroLeague

Juan Carlos Navarro recorded a EuroLeague career-high of 32 points leading FC Barcelona Winterthur over Zalgiris Kaunas, 86-85, in February 2006.

This road game remained his best performance in the competition.

2006 – FIBA World Cup

With Greece beating the USA in the semifinals, Spain had a chance for the gold. However, with Pau Gasol injured in the semifinal, anything seemed possible.

Juan Carlos Navarro scored 2o points and the Spaniards dominated on the way to an easy 70-47 win and to the top of the basketball world.

2007 – NBA

After ten years in Barcelona, Juan Carlos Navarro joined Pau Gasol in Memphis. And he proved he could ball, making 8/9 threes against New Orleans and scoring in total 28 points off the bench.

Despite his performance, the Hornets won the game in overtime (120-118).

2008 – NBA

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James, Juan Carlos Navarro had one more amazing performance in the NBA.

He scored 26 points and dished four assists. Once again the Grizzlies were beaten in overtime (132-124).

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