When Pau Gasol arrived in the NBA from FC Barcelona in 2001, he had a slim and lanky figure that did not match the league’s physical standards. However, as years passed by in the United States, the NBA tested the physical defense played on Gasol by the other NBA players. However, the Spaniard was strong enough to overcome and develop his own prowess. In a recent episode of Tony Parker’s Le SKWEEK Show podcast, Gasol described how he developed his physicality to dunk on Kevin Garnett. Hearing about this incident, a panel consisting of Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, and Dirk Nowitzki was blown laughing.
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The usual conception for European players coming to the NBA was for them to be tough and sturdy against the league’s physicality. However, Pau Gasol was not considered fit enough to match this conception. Indeed, Gasol did have a tough time dealing with big men on defense. However, through his further years in the NBA, he developed his own prowess to make himself a name as a Hall of Famer.
Pau Gasol’s story of dunking on Kevin Garnett had Dwyane Wade laughing
Pau Gasol did face a tough time coming into the NBA for the first time. He had big men like Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O’Neal who would often body or elbow him during offensive drives. However, over the years, Gasol developed the prowess to go against big men, especially KG. Speaking on Tony Parker’s podcast, Gasol talked about how he once dunked against the Celtics legend which had Dwyane Wade baffled.
“When I was first got into the league, I was you know pretty skinny. And then, guys would test me and you know, elbow me and they’ll see how I react. If I back down and say ‘No, I don’t want any of this’ or if I would just stand up, and say all right. that’s what kind of what with KG in the first couple of games. So then, you know I dunked on him. And when I was right at him, I just looked at him and I bumped him, right after I dunked on him and another of his teammate. That’s what you gotta do!”
The entire panel, including Tony Parker, Nowitzki, and D-Wade burst out in laughter upon hearing this incident. Kevin Garnett was a vicious trash talker and vindictive player on the court.
For Pau Gasol to prove himself by dunking on KG was an incredible feat in its own regard. Very well, the panel did understand Gasol’s guts for pulling such a feat and standing up against one of the great big men in the league.
Pau Gasol firmly believes European players aren’t as soft anymore
Pau Gasol is proud to have removed the ‘soft’ label on European basketball players. He teamed up with Kobe Bryant in 2008, when the LA Lakers lost the Finals that year against Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce’s Boston Celtics. Gasol’s ineffectiveness for the team led to LA media marking him as a soft player.
From the very next season, Gasol stunned everyone in the league by averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game for the next two years. Furthermore, his dominance on defense in the Playoffs further helped remove the stain from European players. Indeed, Gasol was a prodigy, who rightly deserves the Hall of Fame induction following his illustrious career.
