Pau Gasol has already built a career worthy of Hall of Fame recognition, but he is not done yet. The Spaniard believes he can still be a significant contributor to a team, and that's what he plans to do with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Gasol, a two-time champion and six-time All-Star, signed a one-year deal with the Blazers. While he is expected to provide quality minutes off the bench for Portland, he will likely play more of a leadership role in the team lacking in championship experience.
The 18-year NBA vet, however, has no issue with a mentorship role with the team. In fact, he's excited with the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with his new teammates in Rip City.
“I’ll teach them the things that I’ve learned and acquired from years of experience,” Gasol said, per Joe Freeman of The Oregonian.
“I am excited about it because I think once you get to this stage of your career, it becomes a very fulfilling aspect of the game, to share knowledge, to share experience, to share wisdom and help the younger guys just like the veterans have helped me along the way in my younger years. So I think that’s part of the beauty of life, part of the beauty of sports. It’ll be fun. I love mentoring. I love being a leader in that way. So I look forward to it.”
During his prime, Gasol was recognized as one of the best all-around bigs in the NBA. He can score, rebound, pass and defend. Nonetheless, what's remarkable about his game is that he knows when to assert himself and when to let his teammates take over. He has a high basketball IQ, and that's what the Blazers are raving about him.
If he can stay healthy for a full season, then there is no doubt that he'll be an integral part of Portland's postseason run.
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