2004-2005 Feature: Pau Gasol
In June 2001, the Grizzlies decided it was time for a new beginning. Not only did they move from Vancouver to Memphis, they re-built the on-court product. In one of the biggest trades in franchise history, the Grizzlies sent Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who consistently averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, to Atlanta, in exchange for the draft rights to Pau Gasol.
Fans and experts were stunned by the move.
The Grizzlies traded their franchise player for a skinny forward from Spain who had averaged just over 11 points per game the year before.
The conventional thinking at the time was that it was going to take a few seasons for Gasol to make an impact, and that fans just had to be patient.
And what a torturous wait it was- all the way to the fourth game of that season. The team was forced to start him much earlier than anticipated due to injuries at the power forward spot. And all Gasol did was score 27 points on 11-17 shooting, while adding five rebounds, four assists, three blocks, one steal and only one turnover in 40 minutes.
He then started the next 78 games, and finished the season as the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
Already a star in Spain, he became bigger than life in his homeland, and during his first three seasons, Gasol established himself as one of the best power forwards in the NBA. He was rewarded on October 1 with a new multi-year contract extension. When the signing was announced, president of basketball operations Jerry West called Gasol “the cornerstone of our franchise”.
Sitting down after practice during the preseason, Pau was asked if he could have ever imagined this scenario playing out when he arrived three years ago.
“My mentality in everything I do is to give 100%. I don’t put any limits on myself, and I always give everything I have,” said Gasol. “I’ve always wanted to work harder and harder every day, and I’ve always wanted to be the main guy on a team.”
He now has his wish, but he also has the expectations that come with that wish. With the contract, fans will now expect him to take his game to the next level, and become one of the top power forwards in the game, alongside players like Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber.
“I’ve always tried to play as well as them, and I think I did pretty good. I think I did pretty well in my first three seasons. I don’t know what they averaged in their first three seasons, but I’m trying to get to that level.”
But more important than the individual accomplishments are the team’s accomplishment. When Jerry West called Gasol “the cornerstone of our franchise”, it meant much of the responsibility of the team’s success would now be squarely on his shoulders. If the team wins, he’ll receive much of the credit. However, if they don’t, he will also receive much of the blame. That pressure has derailed numerous careers throughout sports history.
But, when he’s asked about the pressure, Gasol shrugs it off.
“I expect us to compete hard, and to believe in each other, it will give us what we need to win. We’re more confident now having done as well as we did last year, and I expect us to compete harder, and perform better than last year.”
He deflects the question because Gasol is used to intense pressure. When he joined the NBA he was only the second Spanish player to ever play in the NBA. The entire country follows his career, and when he played for the Spanish team in the Olympics this past summer, he was expected to lead his team to gold.
Gasol almost did just that. He led Spain to a 5-0 record in the preliminary round and averaged 22.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.86 bpg, and had a .614 FG%. However, their phenomenal run ended in the first game of the medal round, as they faced a very motivated U.S. team, who beat them 102-94.
“It was frustrating to lose to the United States. To lose that game, it was a game that sends you to success or failure,” said Gasol. “It was (frustrating) to play as well as we did in the first part of the Olympics and then get the U.S., but they had a great game.”
Despite the loss, Gasol still looks back on the entire Olympic experience fondly.
“The Olympics were a great experience, one of the best moments of my life. It was amazing walking into the stadium (during Opening Ceremonies), seeing thousands of people in the stands yelling, seeing myself on the big screen. It was great to go and represent my country, get all dressed up, it was a great experience.”
Although he couldn’t bring home the gold, he did bring increased motivation to Memphis this season. Grizzlies fans tasted the postseason last year, but now expect more. And with all eyes on Gasol, it’s his job to deliver.