Spanish hopes of adding an Olympic men’s basketball title to their world title rest largely on the shoulders of Pau Gasol.
An inspired Gasol laid the foundations for Spain’s conquest at the 2006 worlds although he was forced to watch the final from the bench with his foot in a cast.
After breaking a metatarsal in the semi-final victory over Argentina, Gasol hobbled on to the court to celebrate Spain’s blow-out win over Greece in the championship decider.
Gasol’s presence in China will be vital with 2004 Olympic gold medallists Argentina and the United States among the other contenders for gold.
Able to play power forward or centre, the Barcelona-born Gasol averaged 18.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in helping the Lakers reach the NBA finals this year.
LA’s defeat by the Boston Celtics could help Gasol’s motivation in Beijing as will the memory of Spain’s 60-59 upset loss to Russia in last year’s European championship final in Madrid.
Gasol slumped to the court sobbing after his last-ditch attempt to win the game had clanged off the rim, leaving him with a second European silver medal. Able to put the ball on the floor, despite his size, and a dangerous perimeter shooter, the 28-year-old can be a nightmare defensive assignment when on his game.
He and ex-Toronto Raptors forward Jorge Garbajosa pack a formidable one-two punch for Spain.
Gasol’s move from the Memphis Grizzlies to LA earlier this year promoted him to “superstar”
status, USA Today crediting him with “making it hip to be a Lakers fan again”
.
Joining the storied Lakers could also increase the pressure on him in China although Gasol, whose younger brother Marc is also in Spain’s squad, has rarely let his country down. Spain’s only previous Olympic medal in men’s basketball came at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Shutting down Gasol will be key to stopping Spain going one better in Beijing.
