Jean Montero has signed some Euroleague ‘playoffs’ of historic dimension and no one doubts that his name belongs to the elite of European basketball. The Dominican point guard, barely 22 yearswas the great protagonist of the classification of Valencia Basket for the first Final Four in its history, leading a memorable comeback against Panathinaikos after lifting a 0-2 deficit.
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Its impact was so decisive that He has just been crowned MVP of the Playoffs, a recognition that definitively confirms his emergence among the best players on the continent. “We have to maintain that mentality: we have nothing to lose”said the player after sealing his place in the Final Four.
We have to keep that mentality: we have nothing to lose
Montero’s figures are impressive, but His influence on the game went far beyond statistics. He closed the series with an average rating of 26.8 credits, 18.6 points per game, 5.8 assists and extraordinary percentages: 73.1% on two-point shots, 42.3% on three-pointers and 81.5% in free throws. In addition to assuming offensive responsibility, since generated more than 21% of Valencia’s points in the eliminatory.
The competitive soul of Valencia
The Dominican also became the competitive soul of the team. “If we compete, enjoy ourselves and keep in mind that we have nothing to lose, I believe we can beat anyone”said Montero, reflecting the confidence he has conveyed to the group throughout the series.
If we compete, enjoy ourselves and keep in mind that we have nothing to lose, I believe we can beat anyone
Far from sinking with the 0-2 with which the series started in favor of the Greeks, Montero revealed that the locker room kept faith intact. “After the second game everyone was still very positive. Winning in Athens was not easy, but in the locker room we constantly repeated: ‘Yes, we can do it,’” explained the point guard, who led the Valencian reaction in the third game to keep his team alive.
Historic performance in the fourth game
The performance that turned the tie into legend came in the fourth game. With Valencia forced to win again in Athens, Montero signed one of the most impressive individual exhibitions that are remembered in the recent history of the Euroleague: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals for a rating of 45, the highest ever recorded in a playoffs since the implementation of the current format in 2004-05.
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The Dominican later explained that everything flowed naturally on the court. “I was making threes, layups, free throws… everything. My rhythm was very good and I was just enjoying it. Every time I enjoy playing basketball, it is very difficult to stop,” he confessed after a simply enormous performance.
Every time I enjoy playing basketball, it is very difficult to stop
In the decisive fifth game he once again showed that his impact does not depend solely on scoring. Although finished with 12 points, Montero conditioned the game from the opening jump with rebounds, assists, blocks and defense, guiding Valencia towards an incontestable 81-64 that sealed the historic pass to the Final Four.
Third distinction of the season
The Dominican’s season was already outstanding after conquering the Rising Star award and enter the Best Quintet in the Euroleague, but these playoffs have served something more important: they confirm that Jean Montero is no longer just a promise for the future, but one of the most decisive and spectacular players of current European basketball.