<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- About a year ago today, Pau Gasol sat on the Grizzlies bench wearing street clothes and quizzical expression. His future, quite frankly, was a bit uncertain. His left foot throbbed in pain as the Griz medical staff tried persistently to solve a nagging problem. The 7-foot forward eventually returned to action later in March and played well. But he gingerly walked into the offseason and decided to forgo participating in the European Championships with his native Spain. Now, fast forward a year. Gasol's career has taken off in a sprint. He's averaged career-high statistics across the board since the start of the regular season. He's become an All Star. He's earned an NBA Player of the Week honor. Gasol tucked away his first career triple-double (21 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists Wednesday at Seattle), and he has the Griz firmly holding on to a playoff spot entering tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings. So what's next? Eventually, Gasol said he will skip back to Spain and complete this season of rebirth by resuming his career with the national team. "I'm definitely going to play this year," Gasol said. "Playing with the national team is something I take a lot of pride in. It's a unique feeling for me to be a part of something like that. It's an honor in my country. I'm fortunate to be a part of that." Gasol appeared thrilled to learn that teammate Shane Battier will attend USA Basketball's training camp in mid-July. Battier could be one of 15 players chosen to represent the US in a renewed quest for gold at the 2008 Olympics. The 2006 World Championships begin in mid-August and run through early September. Gasol spent last summer broadcasting European Championship games on Spanish television. And while he credits the rest with part of his success this season, Gasol said he's not going to prescribe idle time as the absolute way to prepare for the NBA season. "Only an injury would not allow me to go to the tournaments," said Gasol, who also has his eye on the 2008 Olympics. "Last year, I had the injury to my foot. That's the only thing that made me rethink my summer." Last year marked the first time Gasol didn't play basketball in the offseason since he joined the Griz. Another factor in Gasol's unyielding passion to play for Spain is that the country needs him. It goes without saying that Gasol is the nation's best player. Toronto rookie guard Jose Calderon is the only other Spaniard in the NBA. </div> Source
Selfishly i'm against it, but i respect him enormously for his commitment to his nation. Just wish some of my fellow countrymen would have the same commitment.
