Fran Vázquez is making a sensational season with FC Barcelona. In the last gameday against Pamesa Valencia he dominated both painted areas and was the key player and the MVP in a comfortable victory over the locals by 61-80.
In 25:54 minutes of action, Vázquez scored 17 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, blocked 4 shots and completed his stelar show with four terrific dunks. On the negative side, Fran only added one missed shot. His stats were 7/8 from the field and 3/3 from the line.
But it is not only about the stat sheet. His work inside the paint was incredible, below the rims... and above them. He is completing a great season, reminding of the young player that brighted in Málaga and Canarias, and who was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 11th pick overall in the 2005 draft.
In Valencia he beat the rival centers and used his improved athleticism to fly over the rims with an impressive quickness.
His progression is being incredible during the last year, after having two horrible and a half seasons. Once drafted by the Magic, he decided to stay in Spain to play for Akasvayu Girona, a team that offered him a better contract. But the team and the player didn't play as well as expected and he left the following summer to Barcelona.
There he was coached by Dusko Ivanovic, who gave him few playing minutes. It wasn't until Ivanovic was fired and Xavi Pascual replaced him when Vazquez exploded again and restarted his progression where he left back in 2005.
Now he is making his best season in the ACB with averages of 9.8 pointss, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 16.2 in the efficiency ranking. Those are his best numbers in hs still young career so far. We are enjoying the best Fran Vázquez. A different player, who plays above the rim.
