ESP - No doubt for Scariolo on Sergio Rodriguez

MADRID (Olympics) – Spain coach Sergio Scariolo isn’t sitting around wondering if he’s made the right decision about the make-up of this year’s Olympic squad.

The biggest change has come with return of Real Madrid point guard Sergio Rodriguez.

In a sense, the choice of the 26-year-old Rodriguez was easy because the only player from last year’s squad not to feature this summer, Ricky Rubio, suffered a season-ending knee injury in March.

Like Rubio, Rodriguez is a point guard.

Scariolo believed that Rodriguez, who played for Spain at the 2006 FIBA World Championship and EuroBasket 2007, was ready for a return after watching him play this season for Madrid.

The playmaker’s dazzling yet composed performances in the Liga Endesa play-off finals confirmed he was the man to replace Rubio.

"I haven't had any doubts regarding this list,” Scariolo said.

“The play-offs confirmed my ideas more than bringing doubts.

"Sergio has reinforced my ideas.

“I already kept an eye on Sergio when we (Olimpia Milano) played against Real Madrid twice in the Euroleague.

“I realized that Sergio had taken a step forward in maturity, control, defensive effort and since then (October), I continued to follow his performances closely.”

Rodriguez might have been in the Spain squad a lot more in recent times if he had not taken the decision to leave for the NBA after the 2006 World Championship.

His career didn’t take off in America as he’d expected while playing for Portland, Sacramento and New York, and the limited playing time led to his exclusion for Spain.

At no time did he ever give up on returning to the national team, though.

Leaving the NBA for Real Madrid before the 2010-11 campaign paved the way for his return.

Madrid lost to Barcelona, 3-2, in the finals but Rodriguez was a bright spot throughout with his decision-making, passing, dribbling, shooting and even defense.

"I have been waiting for this news for a long time,” Rodriguez said.

“I have worked hard and to be always in the national team is a matter of pride and maximum satisfaction.

“I hope to help the team.

"Scariolo has asked me to be there and I am going to be 100%.

“He wants me to adapt as soon as possible.

“I have already been in the national team and in this situation and I am looking forward for this to start.”

Rodriguez knows how difficult it can be to reach the Olympic podium.

"There are many great national teams and it is a tournament of a very high level,” he said, “where there are many candidates for the medals.

“We have a great team and we will see but it will be complicated."

Another name to appear in the 13-man squad is the Valencia Basket fan favorite, Rafa Martinez.

The 30-year-old shooting guard is one of the best at his position but remains an outsider to make the team.

His appearance in London hinges on the fitness of Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Fernandez.

"Rudy Fernandez and Juan Carlos Navarro are crucial players and we are worried about their condition,” Scariolo said.

“Rafa is a player that can be in the team.

“He has already proved that in previous preparations.”

Navarro, Rudy and Serge

Navarro, the EuroBasket 2011 MVP, has been troubled by injuries since Lithuania.

He did not play in all of the post-season games for Barcelona and was not the dominant factor that he normally is when in the line-up.

"Navarro has struggled throughout the season,” Scariolo said.

“In the play-offs, he hasn't been able to give his best because of his condition.

“We hope that with some rest and a specific preparation, we can have him. He is a pillar of the national team.

“He would be the first to tell us if things will not go as planned. It's a medical decision and that of the player, the coach has nothing to say on this matter.”

As for Fernandez, who had a back operation that cut short his NBA season with Denver, Scariolo said: "Things are going to plan. Rudy hasn't had any training contact sessions.

“He will begin to train with us from the start. We still have nine days for our first training session. He can continue to recover.

“We will decide what is the path for him to be ready."

Scariolo says there is no doubt about the appearance of Serge Ibaka in a Spain shirt for the second summer in a row.

Ibaka, who had five blocks in the first half of Spain’s win over France in the EuroBasket 2011 gold medal game, is now competing in the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder and they trail the Miami Heat, 3-1.

"We will give him a couple of days more to rest,” Scariolo said.

“He is a player whose physical ability is impressive."

FIBA