L.A Lakers star Pau Gasol expresses optimism over NBA lockout; Says he is focused on FIBA EuroBasket
Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol revealed in a recent interview that he still had hope that he NBA lockout will end in time to save the season.
The league has been in lockout since July 1st when the old CBA expired. The NBA owners and players have been unable to come to an agreement for a new CBA so far and things do not look encouraging for the future. The
league and Commissioner David Stern want massive cuts in player salaries to balance the books. The players oppose the stringent measures and want the NBA to explore other venues to turn a profit.
The stalemate is now into its third month and the two sides have only met twice since the lockout began. Many analysts, and some high ups involved in the negotiating process, have predicted that there won’t be an NBA season for
2011-2012.
Pau Gasol though says he still has hope that the differences will be ironed out in time to save the season.
“I hope so. It's good for everybody to have an NBA season. I'm optimistic that there will be an agreement and there will be a season, I hope it's just a matter of time.” He said.
Pau is currently in Lithuania with the Spanish National Men’s Basketball team. He is participating in the EuroBasket tournament for which the Spaniards are one of the favourites. Pau was asked in the interview about his future
and whether he will consider playing overseas in case the lockout wipes out the NBA season.
The Lakers forward chose to focus on the present and only gave non-committal replies,
“I will think about that after I finish playing this tournament, not before. I am now focused on the championship.”
“I am not thinking about that right now. I have not dismissed any options yet.”
Gasol will have a new head coach once he returns to the United States. Legendary Lakers coach Phil Jackson retired at the end of last season and has since been replaced by Mike Brown. Brown comes with the reputation of being a
defensive specialist and is perhaps best known for his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, whom he took to an NBA Finals in 2007.
Brown has already made noises about changing the way things are done at the Lakers franchise. Apart from bringing a defensive intensity to the side, it is believed Brown will move away from the Triangle Offense and introduce his
own system for the Lakers.
Pau revealed that it would take some getting used to but the Lakers will be successful with Brown at the helm,
“We will see when the season starts and we have a chance to start working on it. Little by little. One day at a time.”
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