Here is an interesting article that I came upon while I was reading ESPN's Insider. Supposidely Gasol is impressing everyone over in Europe. He has improved every aspect of his game, even his toughness. Read this - <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">AN INSERT FROM ESPN'S INSIDER "Pau was unbelievable," one NBA GM told Insider. "He dominated amid constant double and triple teams on offense, and on defense he was just as impressive. I've never seen him so physical and aggressive. If he plays like that next season, the Grizzlies will start going places." Physical? Aggressive? Defense? Are we talking about the same Pau Gasol? Gasol finished the tournament averaging 25.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.7 bpg on 64.7 percent shooting from the field in 31 minutes a night. In Sunday's game, which Spain lost to Lithuania 93-84, Gasol scored 36 points on 12-for-18 shooting and grabbed 12 boards. But it was a scuffle with Marko Jaric toward the end of Spain's victory over Serbia earlier in the week that had everyone talking. According to witnesses at the tournament, Jaric delivered a hard foul on Gasol after the outcome of the game had already been decided. Gasol retaliated with a quick shove to the chest. Pau Gasol has worked hard this offseason to become a bigger force in the paint. Benches cleared. Fists were flying. Somewhere, Jerry West had to be smiling. The knock on Gasol during his first two seasons with the Grizzlies was his super soft middle. Despite his superior footwork and knack for scoring in the paint, the team couldn't afford to play Gasol at center because of lackluster defense and a fragile frame. Gasol has always been a top-notch scorer, but his penchant for getting pushed around has made him something less than a star. Gasol never ran the floor -- he sashayed. ............................................................... At the end of the season, Gasol vowed to be stronger this season. "I'm going to play tougher," Gasol told the Memphis Commercial Appeal earlier this summer. "I know I'm going to play tough. I've never been scared of anybody. But I know I'm going to have to be more physical with those guys." He also vowed to step it up defensively. "I have to be more intense, more aggressive on defense. I have to guard. I'm going to really focus on that in the offseason." Gasol began working out every day in the offseason. Gasol's decision drove some of his Spanish handlers crazy. European players rarely lift weights. Gasol's wiry frame, soft shooting touch and finesse game is the European ideal. </div>
grizz are gonna be the cinderella team that sneaks into the playoffs hopefully. great news, i really like gasol, he sounds like he will be awesome this year coming up.
I think that anyone in their right mind would get tired of being pushed around game in and game out. There are some big boys in the League. It makes sense for Gasol to want to bring some muscle to his game. I'm looking forward to him having a great year.
