Hello everybody! I'm galicae, and I'm here with yet another european update. This year has been terrific for the Rockets, what with them being relevant again and getting a star in free agency, and so everyone forgot the favorite pastime of TDS: discussing rookies, picks and potential trades.

One of the most prominent (and most overlooked) assets the Rockets have is Sergio Llull, the 6'3 combo guard from Spain. Llull is currently still employed by Real Madrid, and is proving to be one of the most important parts of the only team fit to challenge Barcelona's domination of spanish competition. Only yesterday (2.7.2013), he led Real players in scoring and made decisive plays down the stretch en route to an eventual 2OT loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey quarter finals.

Llull missed a potential game-winner three with the clock running down in regulation, but made a clutch three to get Real back in the game late in overtime, and got Real within one with an impossible transition three-pointer in the waning seconds of second overtime. Here's a recap video for your viewing pleasure, and a written recap from the Real Madrid official site.

While isn't gonna be coming over any time soon (he resigned with Real until 2014), Llull, now entering his prime, is proving himself to be a consistent player that can produce under pressure, a valuable commodity in any contender. He has shed the "promising youngster" label, and is competing at the highest level of european play. I know he's under contract, but man, would he be better than Douglas...