Pau Gasol will take part in the European Championships – NBA News
Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol has decided that he will go to the European Basketball Championship this year to play for Spain. The tournament is scheduled to take place in his home country and the Los Angeles Lakers
forward has given the nod to selectors for his availability.
Gasol clearly stated his deep interest in representing the Spanish team and said, “This year, my intention is to be available for the Spanish team if the coach feels he can count on me.” “I would like to help Spain win another
European Championship.”
Pau opted out of the tournament last year after winning the NBA World Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Dallas Mavericks 4 – 0 in the second round, knocked out however his playoff run with the Lakers was not as successful
this year as the two-time reigning NBA Champs. As such, Gasol has had a longer than expected off-season.
The playoffs were a huge disappointment for Gasol on a personal note as well. After impressing in the regular season, Pau performed rather poorly in the post season. He was taken aback in the first round matchup by the physicality
of New Orleans Hornets’ Carl Landry. Landry used his size and strength well against the Spaniard and seemed to intimidate Pau with his all action style.
The 30-year-old has averaged career lows the current playoffs, averaging 13.1 points, and 7.8 rebounds per game. Those averages were far below as compared to his regular season where he averaged 18.8 points and 10.2 rebounds a
game.
After the Lakers got past the threat of the Hornets, Pau seemed to struggle even more against their second round opponents. The Dallas Mavericks bossed him around on both ends of the court. Gasol’s touch and poise seemed to have
deserted him on the offense, while he failed to contain, or even marginally disrupt, Dirk Nowitzki on the defensive end.
So poor was Gasol’s display that even his own fans turned on him, with incessant booing heard on the court.
Therefore, the European Championships represent a change of scenery and a chance at some redemption for the 7-foot power forward. It is also a chance for Gasol to get his rhythm back and improve his confidence by playing in his
own country.
Pau will be teaming up with younger brother Marc Gasol in the Spain team. The younger Gasol, who plays centre, has had none of Pau’s post-season troubles. Instead, Marc took his game to a higher level in the playoffs and, after
living in Pau’s shadow for many years, emerged as the better player of the two seasons in the 2011 post season.
The championships will represent an opportunity for Pau to outperform his younger brother and regain some bragging rights within the family.
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