A roster cut to ribbons. Their star, Mike James, announced his departure the morning of the game. The future beyond this summer is uncertain at best. Yet AS Monaco not only refused to bow but looked commanding at times on Friday. FC Barcelona found out the hard way that there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal as the Roca Team advanced to the Euroleague playoffs.
There on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
AS Monaco showed up with only 10 players dressed for this game. One of them, Mike James, had confirmed earlier on Friday what was already long expected. This was his last season in Fontvieille.
James and the rest of his colleagues knew that 3,700 people were counting on them. They did not disappoint. Even a mighty fightback by FC Barcelona wasn’t enough to deny them a place in the Euroleague playoffs.
The Natural came to play
Anyone questioning the commitment of Mike James had their fears put to rest quickly. His first make under pressure, 3 minutes into the game, showed that he had a point to prove. Midway through the frame, he made a three under even heavier pressure.
Yet the early going was oddly calm. The opening 5 minutes saw the teams commit just 3 fouls between them. The tension that might be expected from a Euroleague elimination game simply wasn’t there yet.
The energy truly kicked in after the first media timeout. The 3,700 fans inside knew this may be their last big one at home in Euroleague for some time. They were determined to keep the dream alive. FC Barcelona felt that on the scoreboard, trailing by 12 after 10 minutes.
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Terry and Mike
This column isn’t the first time I’ve given a game the Dylan Thomas treatment. It is the most surprised I’ve been by one of the sources of inspiration. Mike James, who turned creator for the bulk of the remainder, brought in the star of the second quarter for AS Monaco.
A steal by James led to a fast break that culminated in a well-worked team move for a Terry Tarpey three. Tarpey had been out of action of late so his explosive arrival caught people off guard.
That was especially true for the next James to Tarpey play. A steal by the Natural was hurled at Tarpey who finished off with a big dunk. Tarpey would add another tip-in score in the quarter to complete his night’s work. It was a short night’s work but a stint that went a long way towards punching his side’s Euroleague playoffs ticket.
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Surviving the surge
Considering they led 49-35 at the half, thanks to another Mike James dime (this time to Daniel Theis) at the buzzer, you’d be forgiven for thinking AS Monaco were home and hosed.
Xavi Pascual was awfully calm in his pre-restart interview and you could see why quickly. FC Barcelona went on a tear and managed to cut the deficit all the way down to 5 points before the Roca Team woke up.
Once more, it was Mike James who was on hand to remove any doubt. With his side up by 6 with 2.22 to play, he found Jaron Blossomgame in the right corner. That three was sufficient to keep the Blaugrana at bay. AS Monaco, once again, are in the Euroleague playoffs.