Marc and Pau Gasol to train with Barcelona during the NBA lockout
Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies and Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers are set to join Spanish basketball side Barcelona. The brothers will train with the Spanish side until the lockout ends, upon which they will return to
the NBA.
Marc and Pau were welcomed in Spain by adoring fans after they helped the Spanish National Basketball team clinch the EuroBasket tournament in emphatic style last month. Pau was particularly impressive as the Spaniards made short
work of all most all their opponents, outclassing the Tony Parker led French Basketball team in the Final.
Upon their return from Lithuania, the whole team received a rapturous welome and the prime minister even labelled them as “legends” among Spanish sporting teams.
Now the two brothers are set to continue their honeymoon period with Spain by joining up with Barcelona. Both confirmed the arrangement via their accounts on social networking site; twitter.
"For me @FCBarcelona is the best team in Europe. @MarcGasol and I are here to contribute even more to a group which is already excellent," Pau Gasol wrote.
Marc Gasol has already joined up with the team and his older brother will be reporting on Thursday. The younger Gasol also took to twitter to express his excitement.
"I start training today with Regal Barça!! So proud of being back home and train along with the best European team!! #FCBarcelona," he wrote.
Barcelona are the current Spanish champions and are regarded among the best basketball sides outside of the United States. They have a history of success and of producing fine basketball players, such as Ricky Rubio, the young
point guard who signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves just this summer.
Marc and Pau will be hoping they can keep in shape by practicing with the Catalans so that they are ready for the challenge of the NBA whenever the lockout ends.
They face very different challenges upon their return to the premier basketball league in the world. Although Pau is the more celebrated of the two, with two NBA World Championship rings to show, and perhaps also the more skilful,
it is he who faces the tougher assignment upon his return.
His season with the Lakers ended in dismay after being routed by the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs. All the whole team played badly, Gasol was particularly woeful and was singled out by the fans for some abuse.
Marc on the other hand would already be itching to take to the court again for the Grizzlies. He had a breakout season with them last time out and was particularly impressive in the playoffs. He will be looking to help his team
improve further and in the process cement his reputation as one of the better centres around.
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