By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
For the last couple of weeks and with the NBA free agency approaching closer and closer, it looked like Facu Campazzo had embarked on something like a “farewell tour” in EuroLeague for Real Madrid. He’s been locked in on a mission that was perhaps enhanced by the fact that the sand in the hourglass of his stint with the Spanish powerhouse was running out.
It started in Kaunas against Zalgiris with his first season double-double (19 points, 10 assists) that propelled his team to its first truly big, statement-like win of 2020-2021; a result that sounded the charge for a turnaround after a 2-4 entrance. It continued with four more victories and was completed Friday (22/11) with one more pure playmaking clinic by the Argentinian guard in what was his last EuroLeague appearance with the “Blancos.”
Campazzo unfolded his passing charisma from early on, dishing out nine out of his season-high-tying 12 assists in the first half as Real Madrid routed Fenerbahce Beko 94 – 74 at home. It was another spectacular offensive display by the Madridistas and another game which bore Campazzo’s signature all over it.
From the opening plays, Campazzo, who also had seven points and three steals, set the pace for what would conclude in a second consecutive blowout triumph for his team in a EuroLeague clasic, after the rout over Maccabi Tel Aviv: Impressive hockey passes that caught the opposing defense off guard, slashing drives to the basket that forced the of several opponents before he served the ball to the open man, attention and patience to find his teammates at an ideal situations to score and some classic pick n’ roll dishes.
He played 29 minutes overall and was on the floor during the first 13 minutes of the second half up to the point when Real took its biggest lead in the game, 79 – 53.
Fenerbahce, that was without injured star Nando De Colo and suffered a last-minute blow with Jan Vesely (illness) was unable to hold back the storm that was brought upon them by Pablo Laso and his players.
Laso will count on his starting point guard and his more trusted floor general for one more game. “I know it opens today,” Laso said on the NBA free agency during the post-game presser. “We are playing against Manresa on Sunday and Facu is going to play against Manresa.” From Monday, Campazzo can sign an NBA deal and, right now, the Denver Nuggets are the clear favorites to acquire him.
While Campazzo was dropping dimes all over the place, Alberto Abalde finished with a season-high 17 points, Jaycee Carroll dropped 15 points, Anthony Randolph scored 14 and Edy Tavares had 13 points and six rebounds.
For Fenerbahce, that closed its double-game week with two losses, Danilo Barthel scored 22 points while Lorenzo Brown had 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.