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).
2008 – Pre-season
Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers visited Barcelona for a pre-season game and got a close 108-104 win.
Kobe scored 28 points, but Juan Carlos Navarro was even hotter and finished the game with 34 points.
2010 – EuroLeague Final
Juan Carlos Navarro was part of the 2003 Barcelona team which won the first ever EuroLeague title of the club. However, he had scored just five points in the final against Treviso.
This time, against Olympiacos in Paris, he was the leader of the team and proved it with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, getting the MVP trophy of the Final Four. Barcelona got an easy 86-68 win.