To Rest or Play Hurt: L.A.`s dilemma with Pau Gasol and the European Championship

August 12 09

I hope the Los Angeles Lakers remember Jorge Garbajosa.

After jumping from Europe to the NBA, Garbajosa compromised his career with the Toronto Raptors by coming back prematurely from a broken leg to represent Spain in the European championship.

Garbajosa’s leg was never the same. Neither were the Raptors. Without his blue-collar muscle, their win total fell from a franchise best 47 in 2007. And the forward, after receiving a buyout from Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment, returned to Europe, while Toronto has since redone their team.

I don’t want to frighten the purple-and-gold by bringing up Garbajosa, which is a worst case scenario. But the Lakers must be concerned with Pau Gasol breaking his finger while training for September’s European championship with the Spanish national side.

The All-Star needs surgery and should sit for a minimum of three weeks, which may include the Euro’ (the tournament starts September 7th). Now the Lakers are in a bind.

Common sense would dictate Gasol skips the event to get right for the NBA season. Repeating as world champions becomes tough without the four-man healthy. So ownership could ban Gasol from the tournaments, right? After all, the Buss clan are paying him to win Larry O’Brien trophies for ‘Jacko‘, ‘Flea’ and Los Angeles. Representing Spain is not part of the deal.

Well, hold on.

European and South American players take pride in representing their country. Restricting Gasol from the Euro` or upcoming FIBA World Championship could damage the club’s relationship with their second best player.

Consider Gregg Popovich and San Antonio. The future Hall of Fame sideline boss knows he can’t stop stars Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker from suiting up for Argentina or France. In the past, both risked their professional livelihood with the Spurs to play hurt for their country.

It’s hard to fault Gasol for having the same strong feelings about representing Spain. Right now, the word is he’ll play through the injury and be ready for the tournament opener against Serbia.

Of course, Gasol’s passion for country won’t make it easy for the Lakers to repeat.

Should Gasol play or sit the European Championship? Should his country, Spain, or club, the Lakers, take priority? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. Follow Oly Sandor on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of SantiMB.

9 Comments: To Rest or Play Hurt: L.A.`s dilemma with Pau Gasol and the (...)

Posted by
ronh
on 08.14.2009

Pau should skip the euro championships. Play this upcoming season and try to help the lakers repeat. Then he should play in the world championships in Turkey that would make everyone happy. .

Posted by
green
on 08.13.2009

Playing basketball is an enthusiastic sport.I like playing basketball, All Americans beleive that Playing Basketball is the art, and me too. But I also and always consider equipment for playing basketball is very important,so collect baskeball shoes and clothes are what I am interested.Recently,I find a website () for NBA star shoes are good, such as Allen Iverson,Kevin Garnett,Kobe Bryant,Lebron James and so on and so on. Here share with the basketball enthusiastic player. .

Posted by
jiminy hops
on 08.13.2009

yeah like the others said, it’s only a broken finger, i had one and didn’t have surgery and that only took me a month to recover from and with some light taping i could train at almost full intensity, so go ahead play for ur country. .

Posted by

on 08.13.2009

NBA’s schedules are also to blame that took huge toll on player’s bodies and sacrificing themselves. .

Posted by
dodoy
on 08.13.2009

For me, his priority would be la lakers and second is Spain. His injury is not as worst as mentioned Garbajosa so there’s nothing to worry about. Priority should be where his bread and butter come from, we understand the nationalism each and every players feel, but lakers take the most of his life now as a player. .

Posted by
730N
on 08.12.2009

HOW ABOUT TEAM U.S.A. IF YOU PROHIBITE GASOL THEN SAME TO KOBE. I MEAN, THIS FOREIGN PLAYERS LIKE PAU, MANU, YAO, HEDO. THEY REPRESENT THE PRIDE OF THEIR COUNTRY. LAKERS THEY ONLY REPRESENT L.A. AS STATE OR A CITY. .

Posted by
chapsdandelion
on 08.12.2009

His loyalty should be to the Lakers right now. They pay him, and until that changes, he should do what is best for the Lakers. .

Posted by
candy
on 08.12.2009

Playing basketball is an enthusiastic sport.I like playing basketball,All Americans beleive that Playing Basketball is the art, and me too. But I also and always consider equipment for playing basketball is very important,so collect baskeball shoes and clothes are what I am interested.Recently,I find a website for and so on and so on. Here share with the basketball enthusiastic player. .

Posted by
dandunk76
on 08.12.2009

i dont think this will be much of a big deal if its only a broken finger its no the same as a borken leg or a torn acl, im looking forward to watching the euro championship specially watching luol deng play for great britain and ricky rubio .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

To Rest or Play Hurt: L.A.`s dilemma with Pau Gasol and the European Championship

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