On the heels of recent reports of the San Antonio Spurs considering potentially trading last offseason signing LaMarcus Aldridge, their newest acquisition — Pau Gasol — thinks the rumors are weird.
Gasol was signed this offseason and will be filling in for newly-retired Tim Duncan, virtually becoming the most formidable frontline in the NBA along with Aldridge and Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard.
“It’s weird to hear that type of rumor, especially at this point of the season,” Gasol told Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
When asked if the rumors were a distraction for his team as they prepare for Friday’s preseason finale against the Houston Rockets, Gasol said, “Not at all. It hasn’t been brought up or anything. But it’s weird.”
Things are handled differently in San Antonio, as they're virtually the monastery of the NBA. Head coach Gregg Popovich runs a very tight ship and there's very little rumors or banter echoing from the organization as their noise is usually made in the playoffs or during their end-of-the-season parades.
“Some things are completely out of your control,”said Gasol. “I always say, you control what you can control. You control what’s in your hands. Wake up with a smiling face, go to work and feel blessed. You have an incredible job. If stuff happens because people make certain decisions about you, this is a business at the end of the day, and you just continue to do what you do and be who you are. Don’t let that affect your daily routine. Don’t let that affect your behavior. Just continue to be true to yourself and control what you can control.”
Reports included sources noting Aldridge isn’t fitting in from a chemistry standpoint, a notion guard Patty Mills was quick to shut down.
“That is a surprise to me,” Mills said of Aldridge, who was also a former teammate with the Portland Trail Blazers. “Our relationship has been great, both on and off the court.”
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