Pau Gasol was an integral part of the growing trend of European stars making the move to the NBA. The financial and infrastructure benefits of the NBA are a challenge to contend with. However, the Los Angeles Lakers legend and recent Hall of Fame inductee has revealed his thoughts about the NBA’s role in Europe. Gasol is one of a small group of players who have played both in Europe and in America, achieving success in both locations. As the NBA is currently considering an expansion into Europe, Pau Gasol could serve a vital role.
Pau Gasol could be the bridge between Europe and the NBA
Pau Gasol is uniquely placed at the moment. His time in Europe and the NBA could enable the Spanish legend to serve as a bridge between the two worlds. Pre-NBA, Gasol was one of the most promising players to come out of Spain ever. Gasol joined Barcelona in 1996 and made an immediate impact, leading the club to a European Junior Championship in 1998.
Once he made the move to the senior team, success seemed to follow the star center. After only one year playing in the top flight of European basketball, Gasol led Barcelona to win the Spanish championship (ACB League) and was named MVP of the King’s Cup tournament. As with all star European talent, a move to the NBA was inevitable after that kind of success.
After leading Barcelona to the heights of success in the Spanish league, Gasol was on his way to be drafted in the 2001 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick before being traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies(now the Memphis Grizzlies). At the time, this made him the highest-drafted European player in the NBA Draft.
What role will Pau Gasol play in the NBA expansion into Europe?
The NBA has made its plans for Europe public recently. While the European basketball fans have been starved of attention, the NBA has taken its time to consider the required approach to a European expansion. Once Adam Silver made the league’s plans known, the question became how Hall of Fame players such as Pau Gasol would assist the expansion into Europe?
Pau Gasol was asked about the expansion at a recent event for his Academy in Barcelona, which is entering its 21st year. The Spanish and Lakers legend had the following to say about an expansion into Europe:
“There’s work being done; it’s in progress. I see an initiative to improve the European basketball model, and it’s an opportunity for our sport to grow. The European basketball model must evolve and improve. Economically, it’s not sustainable, and the vast majority of teams are losing money.”
Gasol went on to state that he is in a “privileged position” when it comes to the NBA expansion into Europe. Having been a dominant player in both Spain and America, he certainly does have the privilege of serving as a bridge between the two worlds. Gasol might understand better than anyone the very specific requirements needed for the NBA to make a success of the expansion.
Can European basketball benefit from the NBA expansion?
Along with the creation of a European competition, the NBA has a few cities in its hosting plans that could assist in broadening the brand’s reach in Europe. Once the NBA figures out the exact plan for the expansion, the best players in Europe might opt to stay in their respective European clubs(at least for a few years) before making the move to the NBA. The exact role that Pau Gasol would play in that expansion is not yet clear, but we can not see the NBA coming to Europe without Pau Gasol serving some role in that expansion.
