M. Gasol: "The playoffs? A lot of fun!"

Invited on this week’s Tony Parker Show, Grizzlies’ center Marc Gasol hopes that Memphis can be as good as last year in the playoffs. The Spanyard also talks about his brother Pau and the 2012 Olympics...

How was your first All Star Game? Was it a goal in your career?

No it wasn’t a goal. It was just something very special. I enjoyed it a lot, it was a real honor to represent so many people.

Everybody knows you now but in the past was it hard to be Pau’s little brother?

Not really. I think it has always been an honor more than anything. At the end of day, we are just family. Just brothers who happen to play basketball.

Did Pau help you a lot in your career? Does he still give you advice?

He knew that I had to go my own way in order to be the player that I am today. He has always supported me, giving me advice on things I could do better. But at the end of the day, you have to work by yourself.

Were you surprised of what you did last year with Memphis? Do you think you can do the same thing this year?

For the moment, we’re just focusing on one game at a time. Of course, last year’s playoffs were a lot of fun. In the first round, we won against San Antonio which was and still is a great team. It was a hell of a fight. Then we lost against Oklahoma City in the semi finals but it was another great series. We'll see what happens this season but it’s going to be a lot of fun again!

You used to play in Europe. Do you miss it? Are you happy in the NBA?

I’m very happy in the NBA. We have the best of both worlds because in the summer we play for our national team and during the year we play in the NBA. We are very lucky to be able to do both over the course of a year.

You’ve won several titles with the Spanish national team. Do you think you can win the gold medal at the Olympics and beat Team USA?

There are many other teams to beat before USA. The Olympics are very tough, everybody is there for the same thing. It’s going to be hard. You have Argentina, France and other teams who will be tough to beat. It’s a very long tournament, a lot of things can happen.

Do you think the United States can have a better team than the 1992 Dream Team?

That’s not going to be easy... At that time, there was a big difference between American players and the rest of the world. Today, teams have changed, there are good players everywhere, not only in the United States. I think the rest of the world is slowly catching up.

Who are your Top 5 European players all-time position by position?

At center, Arvydas Sabonis. Power forward: Dirk Nowitzki. At the 3, Sarunas Marciulionis. Juan Carlos Navarro at the 2. He‘s the man! And at point guard, I have to go with Tony Parker!

How long will you play for Spain?

We’ll see. You never know what can happen in the future. I hope to avoid injuries and play for as long as I can. But as soon as I feel like I can’t help my team anymore, I'll stop playing. It’s that simple.

rmcsport