Gasols business-like in Spurs-Grizzlies series
MADE to battle it out in the first round of the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, brother NBA stars Pau and Marc Gasol are savoring the challenge to go up against one another while helping see their respective teams’ causes through.
While they share a special bond, Pau Gasol of the San Antonio Spurs and his younger brother Marc of the Memphis Grizzlies said that they are approaching their ongoing Western Conference playoff series business-like as is the case for any postseason game.
“This series happens to be against one of my former teams which also has my brother playing for them. That makes it a little more intense and emotional due to the relationship we have. But the approach is still the same for me,” said Pau in a recent video call with global media, the transcript of which was shared to BusinessWorld.
“It takes a lot concentration, each game is important and we have to capitalize on every advantage we can get against a team like theirs,” added Pau, who spent his first seven years in the NBA as a member of the Grizzlies.
He went on to say that with the Spurs his role has changed but does not mind it as he submits to the end goal of team success.
“My role has changed a little in this team because of the pieces that we have here. But at the end of the day, what we try to do is make every player complement one another and help the team in the best way possible,” said Pau, who also had stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two championships, and the Chicago Bulls in a successful All-Star NBA career to date.
LOOKING FORWARD
For Marc, a nine-year veteran, their series against the Spurs was something he was looking forward to not only for Pau but also to test a team like San Antonio.
“I look at the Spurs as a whole, the unit, as a team, a very well-balanced, and obviously, well-coached team. Pau makes them a better team with the stuff he brings,” said Marc, a three-time All-Star.
“They are a team that knows its strengths and knows how to play together, and really communicate and help each other defensively, or at least for the most part. We have to make them work for every possession and try to slow them down. We have to work as a group both offensively and defensively. If we are able to do these, I think we have a good shot at beating them in the series,” the younger Gasol added.
The Spurs-Grizzlies series is currently tied at 2-2 with both teams defending their respective home courts.
Action swings back to San Antonio for Game Five today.