Maledon shines in the resurrection of Real Madrid

The Real Madrid Basketball has regained the path of good feelings after a season start that had sown doubts among the fans. The match against Partizan Belgrade in the Euroleague was dominated from start to finish, with a collective display that reaffirms the correct direction of the project under the orders of Pedro Martínez. The key pieces of the Madrid team functioned in sync, and although names like Edy Tavares, Theo Maledon, and Facu Campazzo grabbed the spotlight, the real key lay in the shared play.

The metamorphosis of Maledon under Martínez's command

One of the significant changes brought by Pedro Martínez to the Madrid bench lies in the redefinition of roles for players who were already part of the squad. While Luwawu-Cabarrot continues to be a regularly mentioned piece, the most striking transformation has been that of Theo Maledon, who has experienced a notable rise in his performance level. The Frenchman has skyrocketed his competitive capacity, and much of this qualitative leap is directly due to the tactical adjustments implemented by the Catalan coach since his arrival.

During the previous season, under Sergio Scariolo's command, Maledon functioned as a playmaker from the mid-court. The French point guard shared a lineup with another playmaker and was often sought after in the advanced stages of possession. However, since Pedro Martínez took charge of the white team, the player has progressively transformed into a more pure and direct point guard. The new coach's playing model demands aggressive playmakers, and Maledon has taken the keys to the team naturally, proving he was ready for this qualitative leap.

Dominance in transition against the Serbs

The Real Madrid Basketball overwhelmed Partizan Belgrade in the first half of the Euroleague match thanks to a devastating arrival game. The Madrid team harshly punished the Serbs through pick and roll in transition and penetrations executed in the first seconds of possession. In these moments of fast play, Theo Maledon, with a much more penetrating profile than Facu Campazzo, allows Pedro Martínez's men to access the paint with a frequency that makes the game start to click from the first minute.

Alongside the French star of the Madrid team usually plays Nick Smith Jr., the American point guard responsible for generating advantages when the team cannot transition. In static play, Maledon's relevance decreases considerably, which paradoxically makes his contributions more noticeable when they occur. This tactical duality, where the Frenchman shines especially in high-tempo moments, has allowed Pedro Martínez to have a versatile tool that adapts to different contexts of the game.

Partizan Belgrade as a new level test

Although Partizan Belgrade did not represent the best example that Maledon is destined to reign in the Euroleague —as he has delivered even brighter performances in previous matches—, he did demonstrate again that he is the new owner of the control for the Madrid outfit. The victory against the Serbian team constitutes a turning point after the initial defeats and reaffirms that the adjustments made by Pedro Martínez are having the desired effect within the squad.

Shared play as a true strength

Beyond the individual names, what has truly allowed Real Madrid Basketball to regain confidence is the collective functioning. Edy Tavares, Facu Campazzo, Theo Maledon, and the rest of the team have acted as a single organism, understanding the attack and defense timings that Pedro Martínez demands. This shared basketball, where there is no single savior but a set of pieces that fit perfectly, is what sets winning teams apart from those that only have sporadic moments of inspiration.

Pedro Martínez's technical direction has enabled players with defined roles under Sergio Scariolo to find new ways to contribute without losing their essence. Maledon has not ceased to be a point guard, but now he is one in a more aggressive and penetrating style. Campazzo maintains his capacity for shared play, but in a system that allows him to shine at different moments. Tavares continues to be the defensive and rebounding strength he has always been, but now in a context where the team flows more naturally.

The victory against Partizan Belgrade in the Euroleague represents much more than three points in the standings. It symbolizes the restart of a project that had begun with doubts and now seems to find its true identity under the guidance of a coach who knows the European competition well and knows how to bring out the best in his players. The Real Madrid Basketball has found its path, and Theo Maledon, transformed into a pure and aggressive point guard, is one of the most visible symbols of this transformation that promises to bear fruit in the coming games.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Maledon brilla en la resurrección del Real Madrid