Benvinguts a la lliga més espectacular del món, la NPA, una competició salvatge que no deixa indiferent a ningú.
Alguns dels seus protagonistes han estat Agus, Guillermo, Nacho, Mariano, Guifré, Víctor, Jordi, Xavier, Alvaro, Juli, Francesc, Juan, Gerard (I i II), Nacho (de Saragossa)... Pel que fa als escenaris, tots recordem els mítics patis del col·legi Sant Ignasi de Sarrià, els camps privats de la Palma de Cervelló propietat dels De Gispert, o els camps municipals (?) de Sants i El Prat de Llobregat.
Però no ens enganyem; si per alguna cosa val la pena assistir o participar en un partit de la NPA és per l’extraordinària llibertat i dinamisme que envolta la lliga. Llibertat per jugar sense regles pesades ni pressions de cap mena (24 segons de possessió, 3 segons a la zona...), llibertat per lluitar totes o cap pilota, llibertat per riure’s dels rivals, llibertat per cometre infinites faltes, etc.
A la NPA no es xiulen gaires faltes. No serà perquè els jugadors siguin nets precisament... Els pals són molt freqüents i només els més sorollosos es xiulen. Tampoc se solen xiular les càrregues Danelorianes, els colzes Schelottians o les empentes Maverickianes.
Basketball terminology
Big Man: jugador amb una estatura igual o superior als 6 peus (183 cm) i/o que pesa més de 175 lliures (més de 79 kg). També es parla de Big man a l’hora de definir el jugador més alt de l’equip, independentment de la seva altura.
Small man: jugador amb una estatura pròxima als 5 peus i mig (168 cm) i/o que pesa menys de 150 lliures (menys de 68 kg).
HALL OF FAME
Alguns dels seus protagonistes han estat Agus, Guillermo, Nacho, Mariano, Guifré, Víctor, Jordi, Xavier, Alvaro, Juli, Francesc, Juan, Gerard (I i II), Nacho (de Saragossa)... Pel que fa als escenaris, tots recordem els mítics patis del col·legi Sant Ignasi de Sarrià, els camps privats de la Palma de Cervelló propietat dels De Gispert, o els camps municipals (?) de Sants i El Prat de Llobregat.
Però no ens enganyem; si per alguna cosa val la pena assistir o participar en un partit de la NPA és per l’extraordinària llibertat i dinamisme que envolta la lliga. Llibertat per jugar sense regles pesades ni pressions de cap mena (24 segons de possessió, 3 segons a la zona...), llibertat per lluitar totes o cap pilota, llibertat per riure’s dels rivals, llibertat per cometre infinites faltes, etc.
A la NPA no es xiulen gaires faltes. No serà perquè els jugadors siguin nets precisament... Els pals són molt freqüents i només els més sorollosos es xiulen. Tampoc se solen xiular les càrregues Danelorianes, els colzes Schelottians o les empentes Maverickianes.
Basketball terminology
Big Man: jugador amb una estatura igual o superior als 6 peus (183 cm) i/o que pesa més de 175 lliures (més de 79 kg). També es parla de Big man a l’hora de definir el jugador més alt de l’equip, independentment de la seva altura.
Small man: jugador amb una estatura pròxima als 5 peus i mig (168 cm) i/o que pesa menys de 150 lliures (menys de 68 kg).
HALL OF FAME
AGUS
Nickname: Double A, “Pistol” Agus
Born: October 11, 1980
Height: 5-foot-11 (180 cm segons revisió mèdica del 9-10-06)
Weight: 155 pounds (70 kg segons revisió mèdica del 9-10-06)
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
UPC-ETSEIB (1998-2003)
Playing Highlights
In 2006 led the league in steals and blocks
Holds NPA career record for most 3 point goals made
Holds NPA career record for most field goals attempted (meee)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
When “Double A” stepps onto a basketball court, spectators and opponents must have a carefully trained eye because "Pistol Agus" rarely duplicates the same move twice. The greatest creative offensive talent in NPA history, Agus's offensive repertoire is endless: he can dazzle with Harlem Globetrotter-like dribbling, toss a no-look pass like Magic Johnson or shoot with two defenders draped on him like Larry Bird. He also is a defensive wizard as he can steal and block shots like nobody else in the league.
Every afternoon is a show and no one, not even Agus, knows what records he might shatter. His playground moves, circus shots, and no-look passes are considered outrageous and, perhaps because he cultivates a freewheeling image, some basketball purists feel he is more style than substance.
GUILLERMO
Nickname: The fat, Sir Willy
Born: February 22, 1980
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
Facultat de Ciències de l'Educació i Psicologia Blanquerna – URL (1998-2002)
Università degli Studi di Padova (2001)
Playing Highlights
Holds NPA career record for most efficiency
NPA Most Valuable Player (2003)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
Whenever basketball discussions turn to naming the greatest player in the NPA, Guillermo’s name is always prominently mentioned. Guillermo brings vitality, attitude and a host of skills to NPA basketball. He was viewed as an oddity –an overweight boy (more than 175 pounds, that is more than 80 kg)- when he entered the league with the nickname "The fat." Undeterred, Guillermo quickly buried that backhanded compliment once he began playing. His awe-inspiring play demanded full respect and earned him a new nickname: Sir Willy.
"Guillermo is like Charles Barkley in that he doesn't really play a position," Agus teammate said once. "He plays everything; he plays basketball. He’s probably the best player of the league. He's a dominant rebounder, a dominant defensive player, a prolific scorer and a consummate playmaker."
NACHO
Nickname: The Human Highlight Film
Born: June 26, 1980
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
ESADE (1998-2003)
Chinese University of Hong Kong (2002)
Playing Highlights
Ranks first all-time in scoring
NPA Most Valuable Player (2005)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
A fabulous athlete, Nacho earned the nickname "Human Highlight Film" with a plethora of spectacular individual plays dating back to his college year at Hong Kong.
Nacho has been an offensive machine as both a collegian and professional. He has a strong first step, and he uses it creatively. Opponents know where The Human Highlight Film is headed, but few can stop his offensive assault. Strong and fast, Nacho is a very physical player who likes to draw contact and put other players in foul trouble. His high scoring and field goal percentage benefitted from his extreme physical power. Nacho is also a physical defender and rebounder, and statistically, he is even the ultimate power forward of the NPA.
MARIANO
Nickname: Red, The Red One, Gallardo
Born: February 25, 1980
Height: Unknown
Nickname: Double A, “Pistol” AgusBorn: October 11, 1980
Height: 5-foot-11 (180 cm segons revisió mèdica del 9-10-06)
Weight: 155 pounds (70 kg segons revisió mèdica del 9-10-06)
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
UPC-ETSEIB (1998-2003)
Playing Highlights
In 2006 led the league in steals and blocks
Holds NPA career record for most 3 point goals made
Holds NPA career record for most field goals attempted (meee)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
When “Double A” stepps onto a basketball court, spectators and opponents must have a carefully trained eye because "Pistol Agus" rarely duplicates the same move twice. The greatest creative offensive talent in NPA history, Agus's offensive repertoire is endless: he can dazzle with Harlem Globetrotter-like dribbling, toss a no-look pass like Magic Johnson or shoot with two defenders draped on him like Larry Bird. He also is a defensive wizard as he can steal and block shots like nobody else in the league.
Every afternoon is a show and no one, not even Agus, knows what records he might shatter. His playground moves, circus shots, and no-look passes are considered outrageous and, perhaps because he cultivates a freewheeling image, some basketball purists feel he is more style than substance.
GUILLERMO
Nickname: The fat, Sir Willy
Born: February 22, 1980
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
Facultat de Ciències de l'Educació i Psicologia Blanquerna – URL (1998-2002)
Università degli Studi di Padova (2001)
Playing Highlights
Holds NPA career record for most efficiency
NPA Most Valuable Player (2003)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
Whenever basketball discussions turn to naming the greatest player in the NPA, Guillermo’s name is always prominently mentioned. Guillermo brings vitality, attitude and a host of skills to NPA basketball. He was viewed as an oddity –an overweight boy (more than 175 pounds, that is more than 80 kg)- when he entered the league with the nickname "The fat." Undeterred, Guillermo quickly buried that backhanded compliment once he began playing. His awe-inspiring play demanded full respect and earned him a new nickname: Sir Willy.
"Guillermo is like Charles Barkley in that he doesn't really play a position," Agus teammate said once. "He plays everything; he plays basketball. He’s probably the best player of the league. He's a dominant rebounder, a dominant defensive player, a prolific scorer and a consummate playmaker."
NACHO
Nickname: The Human Highlight Film
Born: June 26, 1980
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
ESADE (1998-2003)
Chinese University of Hong Kong (2002)
Playing Highlights
Ranks first all-time in scoring
NPA Most Valuable Player (2005)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
A fabulous athlete, Nacho earned the nickname "Human Highlight Film" with a plethora of spectacular individual plays dating back to his college year at Hong Kong.
Nacho has been an offensive machine as both a collegian and professional. He has a strong first step, and he uses it creatively. Opponents know where The Human Highlight Film is headed, but few can stop his offensive assault. Strong and fast, Nacho is a very physical player who likes to draw contact and put other players in foul trouble. His high scoring and field goal percentage benefitted from his extreme physical power. Nacho is also a physical defender and rebounder, and statistically, he is even the ultimate power forward of the NPA.
MARIANO
Nickname: Red, The Red One, Gallardo
Born: February 25, 1980
Height: Unknown
Weight: Unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
UPC-ETSEIB (1998-2003)
ESAB (Escola superior d'Agricultura de Barcelona) de la UPC
ETSEA (Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Agrònoma) de la UDL
Playing Highlights
Holds NPA career record for most assists
Holds NPA career record for most minutes played
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
Warrior. That is the one-word description often applied to Mariano, one of the finest shooting guards of the NPA. Red is indefatigable and relentless in pursuit of an NPA championship. A fast, gritty, durable player, Mariano sees the floor as well as anyone who has ever played the game.
“He has a heart of a champion. When you think about Loksley, you think of Mariano Red Gallardo.” said Agus “He is the ultimate team player and best guard ever in the halfcourt. He doesn't dribble behind his back or through his legs. He doesn't crossover. His highlight reel features primarily bounce passes and little jump shots. Despite evidence to the contrary these days, that's basketball.”
GUIFRÉ
Nickname: The Doctor, Doctor G
Born: June 17, 1982
Height: 6-foot-3 1/2 (192 cm)
Weight: 185 pounds (84 kg)
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1999-00)
College:
UB – Hospital Clínic (2000-2006)
Playing Highlights
Holds NPA single game records for most points and rebounds
Holds NPA career record for most rebounds and blocks
NPA Most Valuable Player (2004)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
One of the most dominant players, Guifré, the great and wondrous "Doctor G,” seems capable of scoring and rebounding at will, despite the double- and triple-teams and constant fouling tactics that opposing teams use to try to shut him down.
Guifré was the first big man in the NPA and the league first true center. His impact on the NPA still loom as large as his 6-3 frame. The Doctor plays with a competitive fire and zest matched by few. Towering over most of his competitors, Guifré is the best shotblocker and rebounder of the league, and one of the most effective scorers.
VÍCTOR
Nickname: Big Vic
Born: April 29, 1980
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1999-00)
College:
UAB – Química (1998-1999)
UAB – ADE (1999-2004)
Combine a deadly jump shot, tenacious defense, obsessive perfectionism, and an uncompromising will to win, and you've got Víctor, one of the greatest forwards in NPA history.
Equally legendary was Víctor's tolerance for pain. Not blessed with great size, strength, or dribbling ability, Víctor made up for these deficiencies with pure hustle and an apparent lack of regard for his body. Despite a level of intensity so high it could melt lead, Big Vic was one of the most admired and well-liked figures in the NPA. His ferocity rarely, if ever, rubbed players the wrong way.
JULI
Nickname: none
Born: 1979
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-00)
College:
UB – Magisteri (1999-2002)
Agus once said that if injuries hadn't curtailed Juli’s career, he would have been recognized as one of the best players of the NPA history.
Although chronic foot injuries prohibited Juli from enjoying an extended professional career, he was a fabulous team player. His deft passing, shooting, jumping and running skills will stand for ever in our minds. Still extremely active in basketball, Juli can be heard and seen as a basketball analyst on NPA games.
ÁLVARO
Nickname: The Spider, Halvaroutous
Born: 1979
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-1999)
College:
UAB – Publicitat (1999-2004)
Some players earn fancy nicknames just on reputation, Alvaro earned his on blood, sweat and tears. Alvaro initially didn't seem to have the physical abilities required for stardom in the NPA. Because he wasn't big enough or strong enough to go toe-to-toe with most of the league's players, he did his damage with quickness, tenacity and an incredible work ethic.
During his era, Alvaro, nicknamed "The Spider," was the hardest working man in the NPA. But dozens of injuries, most infamously a broken bone in his left hand, robbed Alvaro of the storybook career that seemed sure to be his.
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-98)
College:
UPC-ETSEIB (1998-2003)
ESAB (Escola superior d'Agricultura de Barcelona) de la UPC
ETSEA (Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Agrònoma) de la UDL
Playing Highlights
Holds NPA career record for most assists
Holds NPA career record for most minutes played
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
Warrior. That is the one-word description often applied to Mariano, one of the finest shooting guards of the NPA. Red is indefatigable and relentless in pursuit of an NPA championship. A fast, gritty, durable player, Mariano sees the floor as well as anyone who has ever played the game.
“He has a heart of a champion. When you think about Loksley, you think of Mariano Red Gallardo.” said Agus “He is the ultimate team player and best guard ever in the halfcourt. He doesn't dribble behind his back or through his legs. He doesn't crossover. His highlight reel features primarily bounce passes and little jump shots. Despite evidence to the contrary these days, that's basketball.”
GUIFRÉ
Nickname: The Doctor, Doctor G
Born: June 17, 1982
Height: 6-foot-3 1/2 (192 cm)
Weight: 185 pounds (84 kg)
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1999-00)
College:
UB – Hospital Clínic (2000-2006)
Playing Highlights
Holds NPA single game records for most points and rebounds
Holds NPA career record for most rebounds and blocks
NPA Most Valuable Player (2004)
Named one of the 5 Greatest Players in NPA history (2006)
One of the most dominant players, Guifré, the great and wondrous "Doctor G,” seems capable of scoring and rebounding at will, despite the double- and triple-teams and constant fouling tactics that opposing teams use to try to shut him down.
Guifré was the first big man in the NPA and the league first true center. His impact on the NPA still loom as large as his 6-3 frame. The Doctor plays with a competitive fire and zest matched by few. Towering over most of his competitors, Guifré is the best shotblocker and rebounder of the league, and one of the most effective scorers.
VÍCTOR
Nickname: Big Vic
Born: April 29, 1980
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1999-00)
College:
UAB – Química (1998-1999)
UAB – ADE (1999-2004)
Combine a deadly jump shot, tenacious defense, obsessive perfectionism, and an uncompromising will to win, and you've got Víctor, one of the greatest forwards in NPA history.
Equally legendary was Víctor's tolerance for pain. Not blessed with great size, strength, or dribbling ability, Víctor made up for these deficiencies with pure hustle and an apparent lack of regard for his body. Despite a level of intensity so high it could melt lead, Big Vic was one of the most admired and well-liked figures in the NPA. His ferocity rarely, if ever, rubbed players the wrong way.
JULI
Nickname: none
Born: 1979
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-00)
College:
UB – Magisteri (1999-2002)
Agus once said that if injuries hadn't curtailed Juli’s career, he would have been recognized as one of the best players of the NPA history.
Although chronic foot injuries prohibited Juli from enjoying an extended professional career, he was a fabulous team player. His deft passing, shooting, jumping and running skills will stand for ever in our minds. Still extremely active in basketball, Juli can be heard and seen as a basketball analyst on NPA games.
ÁLVARO
Nickname: The Spider, Halvaroutous
Born: 1979
Height: unknown
Weight: unknown
High School:
Sant Ignasi (1997-1999)
College:
UAB – Publicitat (1999-2004)
Some players earn fancy nicknames just on reputation, Alvaro earned his on blood, sweat and tears. Alvaro initially didn't seem to have the physical abilities required for stardom in the NPA. Because he wasn't big enough or strong enough to go toe-to-toe with most of the league's players, he did his damage with quickness, tenacity and an incredible work ethic.
During his era, Alvaro, nicknamed "The Spider," was the hardest working man in the NPA. But dozens of injuries, most infamously a broken bone in his left hand, robbed Alvaro of the storybook career that seemed sure to be his.
A tocar del monument de Saladí hi ha la Gran Mesquita Omeia i la Tomba de Saladí (a la foto un servidor i la Sandra que pel fet de ser noia s'hagué de tapar amb aquesta túnica (?) grisa). Pels musulmans, aquests dos són els llocs més emblemàtics de la ciutat. No endebades estem parlant de la Tomba de Saladí el Magnífic, Soldà d'Egipte i de Síria, el Portador de la Fe i conqueridor de Jerusalem, i de la Gran Mesquita de Damasc, una de les mesquites més grans del món i també una de les més antigues.
I de la Mesquita Omeia als carrerons plens de vida de la ciutat antiga. A la segona foto es pot veure la bandera de Síria, una foto del seu president, Bashar al-Assad, una foto de Hassan Nasrallah, el líder del Partit de Déu (Hezbollah) al Líban, i una bandera d'aquest partit on es pot llegir "el Partit de Déu guanyarà. Resistència islàmica al Líban". Síria és un Estat Àrab majoritàriament musulmà, antiamericà, antiisraelià i pro-Hezbollah. A tots els comerços, o a gairebé tots, hi havia fotos i pancartes de suport al nacionalisme àrab i als islamistes (puc no compartir la seva ideologia però reconec que l'autoestima d'aquesta gent és admirable i potser els catalans n'hauríem d'aprendre d'ells). 
