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Nikola Mirotic took away the trophy for the best player in the finale, but without the magical trance of Rokas Jokubaitis in the last quarter he would not have been able to do it. The Lithuanian, only 21 years old, broke the game with nine consecutive points that forced Madrid to play against the last moments of the match. Two crazy minutes in which he first added a triple that gave his team the first advantage of the night, and then two baskets with an additional shot. Actions full of energy and confidence. The two qualities that definitively make this player that the NBA has tied for him.
The Knicks did with their rights in last summer's draft, although they preferred to open the door back to Europe for him to finish forming.
The base did not find a better place than under the friendly arm of Jasikevicius, the coach who had given him the alternative at Zalgiris as a youth player and who has become a key player in this Barcelona. “I'm going to call him kid, because he's very young. He has been very good. I cannot say that he has surprised me, because I see him training every day and he is what we have all seen tonight. He today he has given us, at a key moment, his points and his energy. I think Rokas is one of the best youngsters in Europe and we have the privilege of enjoying his game and his passion, which is incredible. I, who am already 30 years old, when I see the passion he has, makes me want to do the same. He is a warrior and today we took advantage of that to win the match”, explained Mirotic, the MVP of the final, who wanted to share the credit with the young Lithuanian.
Last summer, Jasikevicius convinced the Barça board to make a place for Jokubaitis despite the fact that there were two contrasting point guards in the squad, Calathes and Laprovittola. Assuming the Knicks didn't have him, they called him up and his defense and energy have been key in many games this season.
Jokubaitis, who won the final with 12 points and three assists, was one of the happiest after the match. He celebrated his first title in style, helping Kuric cut through the net of the basket and showering his mentor in the locker room. Full happiness for him, convinced that he is in the best place to grow before making the leap to the NBA that is only a matter of time, although he has no prize. Good news for Barca.
