Pau Gasol

http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/deportes/20100721/scariolo-sin-pau-gasol-todos-tendremos-que-hacerlo-poquito-mejor/398352.shtml

This article from El Periodico is about the Spanish national team players and coaches in regards to the next basketball olympics in Turkey. In the 2006 FIBA olympics in Japan, the Spanish national team were victorious, blowing out Greece in the finals 70-47 and left with a gold medal. The players feel this time around, the United States is everyones favorite and are somewhat disheartened. Obviously they would love the repeat of what happened in '06, but the players attitudes come across as discouraged and sound as if they have already lost. Pau Gasol's absence in the upcoming olympics means that each of the other Spanish players will have to 'play a little better.' Spain is disappointed because clearly Gasol has a great knowledge of the game, a high basketball I.Q. and expertise and leadership qualities that come from experience and winning two titles with the Lakers in the NBA. Scariolo, the Spanish national team coach went on to vent, exclaiming that the United States can field three or four teams capable of winning the gold this year. Gasol will not be participating at the LA Lakers request that he not play, for fear of potential injury. Scariolo goes on to say that the Spanish team will really be leaning on Rudy Fernandez, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Marc Gasol to be leaders out on the court, as they have the most experience playing at a high level. The 2010 FIBA world championship will be taking place in Turkey from August 28 through September 10, and I predict the United States to win. Spain was able to upset the US in 2006, but the US rallied back and won the gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with Spain taking the silver. I believe Spain is the country with the most foreign players in the NBA, and I would love to see a great rivalry begin to emerge between Spanish and American basketball players.