Marc has the stats, Pau has wins in Gasols’ playoff battle
By Teresa M. Walker
Marc is winning the individual battle. Older brother Pau is walking away with the victories in the Gasols’ first NBA playoff battle.
The sibling showdown between the Spaniards has added another dimension to the Grizzlies-Spurs opening-round Western Conference series.
The Gasols have been competing with and against each other since they were children — with Pau winning most of time. And Pau is enjoying the upper hand once again.
“Put all those emotions aside and try to focus on what the Spurs have to do to beat the Grizzlies,” Pau said. “That’s what I’m going to try to focus on and help as much as I can.”
Marc and Pau are not the first players to have to put family ties aside for a few hours. The Mikans, Persons, Kings, Grants and Wrights all squared off in the NBA postseason.
There is another twist to the Gasols’ showdown.
Pau is returning to the city where he started his NBA career looking to do something he never managed while playing for the Grizzlies — winning a playoff game in Memphis. Pau’s Grizzlies set an NBA record for playoff futility, losing their first 12 postseason games with him on the roster.
Playing for San Antonio ensures a mix of boos and cheers for Pau, who was Memphis’ first AllStar. His trade to the Lakers in 2008 helped bring Marc to the Grizzlies, and now Marc is a three-time All-Star and team leader alongside guard Mike Conley — and trying to beat his big brother yet again.
“Now he has a better chance today than when he was younger,” Pau quipped.
At 36, Pau no longer is the big man that leads a franchise, coming off the bench for San Antonio as the scoring option behind Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony Parker.