Giorgi Kharshiladze

Giorgi Shermadini, an ageless wonder

Giorgi Shermadini never surprises to amass the expectation. He is just that good. Well into his thirties, Shermadini stays true to his self-dominant self and continues to bury the opposition.

He stays in the starting line-up of Tenerife and, well, he is very good. In the last game, ACB league battle against Barcelona, Shermadini destroyed the Spanish giant. The (still) center of the Georgian National team, Giorgi collected 20 points, while making all of his 8 field goals. Add in 3 rebounds, couple of dimes and Shermadini was a co-star of the game with another old but gold veteran: Marselinho Huertas (19 points, 15 assists).

Shermadini is a modern day europivot with some much needed experience and some grit. He posts up. He comes at you. He waits and waits and waits, until defender frees up the lane or gets sleepy near the rim, Shermadini just dazzles through the modern day, physical defenses and never shies away from bumping under a much younger, quicker defender.

Barcelona had some really gifted bodies to throw at Giorgi.

There you go with Willy Hernangomez. A monster with some NBA games under his belt. Facing Giorgi? He has got a respectable 14 points and 7 rebounds, but was no match for Georgian machine.

Youssoupha Fall? He started the game at five for the hosts, but was not effective and got lost in the traffic with just 4 points and 2 rebounds. No match.

Barcelona (12:10) is having a troubled, transition season. They are a surething play off team, but Tenerife (17:5) looks hungrier, more mean and ready for that monster called Real Madrid.

And, the secret for Tenerife lies in the creativity of Huertas and never ending longevity of Shermadini.

They are just that good.

Some things just plain stay the same.