MEX - Former center Llamas hails Gutierrez

MEXICO CITY (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Brooklyn Nets playmaker Jorge Gutierrez's ascension to the NBA has confirmed something that is very important for Mexico.

The national team will have a very capable guard at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

With Gutierrez, the Mexicans have a fighting chance of surviving Group D in Gran Canaria and advancing to the next phase of the competition.

The national side's former center, Horacio Llamas, said of Gutierrez: "He plays in a position that is very competitive, not only in the (United) States but in Europe.

"He showed he is able to help his team with his defense, and he showed that at the (2013) FIBA Americas Championship."

In Venezuela's capital of Caracas last summer, Gutierrez averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while also, as Lamas pointed out, playing good defense.

The World Cup has come too late in the national team career of Lamas, who last played for his country at the 2012 Centrobasket Championship for Men.

The 40-year-old, who recently served as an ambassador for the Trophy Tour in Mexico, will work as an advisor for his country at the World Cup.

All of his experience with the national team - which dates back to 2003 - should come in handy.

Lamas, who had a stint in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, is hoping the team can progress from the Group Phase.

The scouting of Mexico's players will be thorough, with their Group D opponents Australia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Angola and Korea eager to take away their strengths.

"As players, everyone should have the mentality of improving day by day," Lamas said.

"All the players that feature at a World Cup, you know them, their strengths and weaknesses and in a World Cup, they would know how many steps you take."

Lamas says should not be any secrets.

There are plenty of games on television and the internet for coaches and players to study opponents.

Scouting systems are also scientific and help coaches prepare for teams.

"There was a system in the NBA when I was there that was implemented and you could see how many times you bounced a ball from one side to the other side and how many times you took a shot from outside and you scored a basket," Lamas said.

The onus, Lamas said, is on each Mexican player to work on his weaknesses and bring something to the tournament that may catch opponents off guard.

"Everything has already been studied, but the key is to improve yourself so that you surprise your rivals," Lamas said.

FIBA