On the month of June, 1992.
Michael Jordan brought the first final game of 1992 to Chicago Bulls by hitting six back to back three pointers against Portland Trail Blazers.
The best statement was going to be made by David Halberstam, the very famous American journalist and historian:
“It was like watching a killer on the court an assassin who comes to kill you then cut your heart out.”
On the month of May, 2019.
CSKA and Nando De Colo, have faced considerable amount of criticisms during the regular season. All Final Four predictions was pointing the same outcome. The semi final game’s possessor should have been the same, Real Madrid, for sure.
The Spaniards, as expected, was the dominant end for the 30 minutes of the semi’s. On top of it they literally owned Fernando Buesa Arena with their passionate crowd behind, cheering non-stop. On the contrary of many basketball fans who thought the game was already over, Nando De Colo trusted the opposite. He was not interested in his team’s trailing by double digits more than three quarters in a four quarter game. In the end they were just numbers for him!
He was going to make his mark by hitting 12 of his 23 points in the last eight minutes of the game. It was an epic performance and stellar acting that helped CSKA to advance to the final.
That day, watching Nando at Fernando Buesa Arena had everyone feeling like, he is an ice cold assassin, coming to rip Real Madrid’s heart out as Halberstam described Jordan.
The foundation of the Jordan metaphor was encouraged by De Colo’s cold-blooded, unbending and challenging character.
This script was neither the first nor the last for Nando De Colo.
How many games he held no fears and did not accept the outcomes?
How many times he took the final shot’s responsibility without shaking?
How many games he helped his team to make a comeback and win?
If we try to count we would have to sort the entire EuroLeague calendar of CSKA. Which is why the answer of these questions should have been “countless.”