Mesmerizing Gasol, Curry catch the eye of famous football managersMIES(2016 Rio Olympics) - Some athletes put on such riveting, awe-inspiring displays in big games that they become points of reference in other sports.
One admirer was Rafa Benitez, the Real Madrid football manager, who
referred to Gasol in one of his press conferences when talking about the
importance of his own leading player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking after Gasol had led Spain into next year's Rio de Janeiro Games with a 40-point, 11-rebound and three-block performance.
Another football manager, Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola, likened
one of his players to the USA's Curry following a fantastic effort.
Curry made headlines around the world last season in the NBA playoffs
when he fired the Golden State Warriors to its first title in 40 years.
Bayern forward Robert Lewandowski drew the comparison after he
entered a Bundesliga game on 22 September as a substitute with Wolfsburg
leading 1-0.
He scored five goals in nine incredible minutes to give the German giants a famous win.
"When Robert Lewandowski scored five goals, I thought of Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors," Guardiola said.
"Because Curry can hit a string of three-pointers when he is on fire. So I think Lewandowski is our Stephen Curry."He then connected on 98 of his 232 attempts (42.2 percent) from behind
the arc in the post-season, which ended with a Golden State NBA Finals
triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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