Pau Gasol reveals how much trash talk he has had to face from Kobe Bryant in the past few years – NBA Update
Ever since the United States defeated Spain in the final of Beijing Olympics to win gold, Kobe Bryant has not let the defeat get out of his Los Angeles Lakers team mate Paul Gasol’s mind.
After a thrilling finale, Team USA had won 118-107 four years ago and the win has been a constant source of pestering for Gasol.
According to Gasol, Bryant has never missed a single chance to remind him of the defeat. Gasol had combined with Rudy Fernandez to put up 43 points in the final, however their efforts came to no use as they were overturned by a
splendid performance from the Americans in the second half, especially the 13 point showing in the fourth quarter by Bryant.
With the London Olympics just around the corner, Gaol has brought up the matter;
"A little but nothing unexpected," Gasol said. "We all know how competitive Kobe is and how bad he likes to win. But let's see if our teams get to play each other during the tournament."
USA and Spain are the favourites to make the finals this time as well but they can only meet, if both of them reach there. Gasol was also aware of the fact that other then the Americans; they will have to face stiff competition
from teams like Argentina, Brazil and France.
Ever since the Olympics debacle, the Spanish lineup has achieved great success. They have been able to win gold and at the FIBA European Championships in 2009 and 2011 and have also added one of the best defenders from NBA, in
the form of Serge Ibaka. The Oklahoma City Thunder big only became a Spanish citizen last year and is one of the best shot blockers in the game.
The Spaniards have been able to retain the same lineup for the most part of the last five years and it has been a big part of their success. Gasol, his little brother Marc Gasol, Fernandez, Jose Calderon and Juan Carlos Navarro
have been there for quite a while and their chemistry is what Pau believes will work in their favour during the Olympics.
"We have a really talented team, but I do think our talent is a little different from the one of the US National Team," Gasol said. “Hopefully our experience as being together for many years now we'll be a big plus for us."
The Americans on the contrary have been plagued with injuries to their superstars Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LaMarcus Aldridge, and are especially weak on the size front. That is where Spain’s strength
lies and they can realistically think of bettering USA this time around.
Winning a gold medal at the Olympics nevertheless still remains one of his ambitious dream, one which he hopes to achieve in the near future;
"It's really difficult to win a gold medal in the Olympics," Gasol said. "There are always very dangerous teams. I believe we have a chance, of course, but we will have to earn it once the tournament starts. It's a medal that nobody
is going to put it on a platter for you. We are going to have to take it."
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