Marc Gasol played early Monday (Spanish time) in Memphis (USA) for the first time since leaving the Grizzlies and stressed to Efe that this city will always be “a very special place” not only because of what it meant for him as a player of basketball.
“Back to Memphis, as you know … It is a very special place for me, in which I have grown a lot, not only as a player but more importantly perhaps as a person, “he said at the press conference after the Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Memphis Grizzlies (94-108).
“It is a city where I have evolved a lot. They have perhaps given me the opportunity to do things on the track and off the track that I will always be grateful for, “he added.
Gasoline He had not played in Memphis since signing midway through the 2018-2019 season for the Toronto Raptors, with whom he took the NBA title that same year.
In the return today to what was his house, the pivot got 7 points, captured 6 rebounds and added 4 assists in 24 minutes.
The most unfortunate part of this very special day for Gasol was a blow above the left eye in the final stretch of the second quarter that left him with a bleeding face, a misfortune for which he received four points while passing through the changing rooms to be able to return to the court without major problems.
A story that started in 2008
The pivot landed in 2008 with the Grizzlies, who had kept his rights as part of the transfer of his brother Pau Gasol to the Lakers.
The little one of the Gasols played ten and a half seasons in Memphis with a spectacular performance: he is the player with the most minutes in the team’s history (25,919), the second with the most games (769), the second with the most points (11,684) and the first in both rebounds (5,942) and blocks ( 1,135).
Missing the public
“Today only the fans were missing in the pavilion, that always makes an extra”, regretted the Spanish.
“In the end, the fan is what makes a bit of sense and what makes the players excited: that ‘push’ that gives you goosebumps as a player in both good times and bad. But hey, the time will come when it is safe for everyone, “he said.
Despite the absence of an audience at the FedExForum due to the pandemic, the Grizzlies gave Gasol a standing ovation and a video during the meeting with some of his highlights in Memphis.
The James Lakers, “a unique team”
GasolineThe 35-year-old came to the Lakers this season to bolster the reigning NBA champions in their search for a new ring.
The center has established himself in the Los Angeles starting five, who trust him for his experience and intensity in defense as well as his ability to pass from the high post in attack.
“There are some players who see the plays before they happen. They do it with their mind, they do it with their passes … And Marc is one of them”praised Lebron James last week.
In this sense, Gasol said today that James’ Lakers are “a unique team.”
“Obviously, LeBron is a special player, which has unique capabilities in all aspects. But I’m telling you, learning from him, sharing things, also learning from Anthony Davis, also from KCP (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope), from the coaches also a lot … “, he listed.
“I like to learn from the team, from the players, share with them curiosities that I have about attack and defense, and improve every day a little more, contribute a little more every day, and be useful to them,” he closed.
