Pau Gasol has had quite a career. He won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers under Phil Jackson, and then later got the opportunity to play under Gregg Popovich on the San Antonio Spurs.
Both Popovich and Jackson are considered to be two of the best coaches in NBA history, with 16 NBA championships between them. Gasol has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls, but has not had as much success with those franchises.
In a recent wide-ranging interview with an Argentinian website, Gasol touched on a host of basketball topics, including how he's felt about this experience playing for Popovich. He had some high praise for the Spurs coach, and the former Lakers coach for that matter, per Diego Morini of La Nacion. What is below has been translated.
“He is a coach with a lot of character and personality. He has a father profile, like he is taking care all the time like his children to his players. He is a coach who has a great knowledge and understanding of the game. It is hard-handed in comparison to other coaches and it demands its players. That creates a high level when it comes to playing. It is a learning experience for me. Despite having many technicians in my career, Pop is, along with Phil Jackson, the greatest coach in the last 20 or 30 years of this sport. It is a privilege for me to be with him.”
No one will argue with Gasol here. Jackson, despite his failed run in basketball operations of the New York Knicks, has the most championships of any coach in history. And Popovich, while he does not have as many titles, is considered the best coach to bring a culture of winning and professionalism to the Spurs.
It's cool that Gasol respects his coaches that much, and it's safe to assume they share that respect for him.
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