Gasol ready to resume starring role
Center done with ‘long and boring’ rehab
Several weeks after The Commercial Appeal learned about Marc Gasol’s return to full basketball activities and requested an interview with the center, the Grizzlies released an “injury update” on their website.
The report confirmed what The Commercial Appeal learned. The only difference is the franchise wouldn’t allow Gasol to speak with the newspaper. Instead, Gasol produced a statement on the Grizzlies’ website that read: “(The rehab) was long. Long and boring. Obviously, we started the progression with the National Team and we didn’t quite make it on time so we had to — not step back — but step aside and continue the progression on our own and on a different level obviously. Everything has worked out for the best and everything is behind me. It was a really bad memory that actually has made me a better player.”
Gasol. He originally suffered a non-displaced Type II fracture of the navicular bone in his right foot in February. Gasol required surgery to repair the injury. It’s reasonable to believe the Griz will continue to be cautious with Gasol by limiting his playing time early during the regular season. Conditioning and risk of aggravating the injury will be factors. Clearly, though, Gasol’s return to All-Star form will be essential to the Grizzlies’ success this season.
“I feel really good, lots of energy. Obviously, I miss the game a lot. I want to play. I want to com-