Discover the tops and flops after the card of the Blues against Italy (100-68) Tuesday, in Montpellier.
The matches follow each other and are not alike for the French basketball team. And this even if the Blues faced the same Italy which gave them so much trouble last Friday, with a victory snatched after extra time in Bologna (77-78 ap). This time, there was no photo and the Tricolores counted up to 36 points in advance to win 100-68 in Montpellier on Tuesday, for their third preparation match for the Euro (1st- September 18). Solid in defense, inspired in attack, Vincent Collet’s players made short work of Danilo Gallinari (11 pts) and others.
TOPS
Okobo at the right address (and not only)
Elie Okobo is fine, thank you for him. The statistics speak for the new Monaco player, with 18 points (highest scorer of the game) at 6/7 on shots, including 4/5 from afar, with 4 assists, 2 fouls caused (2/2 on throws) and 1 rebound in 19 minutes. “Elie continues to play fair. Beyond his remarkable three-point address, it is above all his choices that interest me. It’s important because, in creation, we have a deficit with the absent. It is therefore important that others take over“Judge Vincent Collet, at a press conference. Coming off the bench, the French champion was strong on Tuesday evening. “I have matured, I have gained experience at the highest level in the field. I manage to alternate the game for me and for others. I am also making the defensive efforts recommended for a European championship. I will continue to progress, I have experienced players around me and I learn every day. I try to bring some of my left paw“, smiles the interested party. A bit much. 18 points is his personal best in Blue.
Knock like at home
Thomas Heurtel is gaining momentum. Born in Béziers, the former Real Madrid player felt at home in Montpellier. He entertained the audience and had a full game with 13 points and 6 assists. All while not leaving the dog’s part in defense. All good. “Thomas is one of the attacking leaders and he shows that he can also bring us a lot defensivelyCongratulates Okobo. “He made a brilliant match in the picks“Said the national coach for his part. “It wasn’t so bad! Creating the game for others, that’s what I’m asked to do, and it went well tonight. They put in. I was able to find my teammates and they found me too. I had more rhythm than in the first two matches. After two months of vacation, it’s starting to come back. I felt a little better“, Analyzes the main interested party, in full light Tuesday evening.
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The Blues recite their basketball
Only three days have passed since this victory in the snatch of Bologna (78-77 ap). Three days that the Habs have obviously used to go upmarket. Admittedly, Italy was not at the level displayed on Friday evening on home soil, but France clearly raised their tone defensively. And in these conditions, it is necessarily easier to find shots, to run, to shine. This is the DNA of this team. On the rebound, it was also better than in Italy. “The main improvement is in the attacking game“, However, notes Collet. And to continue:The training sessions were mainly dedicated to improving offensive continuity from Bologna. We were often stopped and we lacked this continuity before. It was much better tonight. That’s what allowed us to have a lot more open shots. And we also had much more success.»
Fournier and Gobert hold their rank
Cold as an ice cube in Italy (3 pts), Evan Fournier regained his luster in Montpellier, returning 4 of his 6 award-winning shots and finishing with 13 points. He also got his hands dirty defensively (2 interceptions), especially against Simone Fontecchio, maintained at 4 small points after his card at 24 units three days earlier. Lead by example. Overall, the Italian exteriors were put under glass in this part. In terms of example, Rudy Gobert (10 pts, 4/4, 6 rbs) also held his rank. Solid aprons.
FLOPS
M’Baye is still not there
Individually, the Blues have generally all brought their stone to the building. We should mention Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (10 pts, 4 rebounds), Vincent Poirier (9 tps, 2 rebounds), the impacting Gerschon Yabusele (7 pts, 4 rebounds, +/- to +25) or even the good return of Théo Malédon (8 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 wts) … Only one real false note with Amath M’Baye, who did not shine in his offensive expression. By dint of drawing, he forced more and more, even throwing himself into the mouth of the wolf as on this dunk attempt countered in the second half. No point, 0/4 and 3 ball losses for him in 13 minutes, with a negative evaluation (-1) and a small +/- to +5. He still took 3 rebounds, delivered 2 assists and made 1 block. Light… “It can happen in this kind of game. We have to move on to the next match, he will work. We would like, but not everyone can be at their maximum“, slides the national coach with leniency. After three matches, we are still waiting for the first points of the strong winger of Anadolu Efes Istanbul in this phase of preparation.
(Small) slack
We said it, collectively, not much to throw away at the Blues on Tuesday evening. You really have to scratch to find negative points at the end of this Italian ride. One can, as Rudy Gobert said, cite “little moments of relaxation“, as at the end of the first period. Laurent Foirest spoke about it during the break on beIN SPORTS (see below). There were also a few shots left en route to finish at 24 of 32.”It’s a little better (than last Friday), but we haven’t worked on it. It’s just that players focus better individually“, analyzes Vincent Collet.
Howard didn’t score any points
The size of the gap allowed the tricolor staff to give everyone the opportunity to show themselves, like Terry Tarpey (1 pt, 5 rbds, 3 pds, 12 mins), who “did exactly what can be expected of him. He clearly scored points“, as coach Collet said, noting that being part of the “players who play to be the last selected puts additional pressure in the way of understanding things. He was totally in the register that we wish him“. Mam Jaiteh (8 pts, 2 rebounds) also increased his statistics late in the game. William Howard, he was unable to take advantage of his short 5 minutes of playing time on Hérault soil, with 0 points, 2 faults and a negative evaluation (-2). Perhaps he will have the opportunity to show himself on Thursday (8:30 p.m.), during the second match in Montpellier, against Belgium.