Mark Gasol admits that moving away from the Toronto Raptors – the franchise that gave him the first and only championship of his 12-year career before his two-year season – was painfully painful, even though it meant he joined defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
An initial news conference with the Lakers was held on a video conference call from Spain, Gasol said Wednesday. “It was very difficult. The first two days [of free agency] It was a little tough for me, but once you decide, ‘Well, what [do] Do you want to move on? Where? how [do] Do you want to go about your next challenge? ‘I thought the right thing was to go with the Lakers. “
Gasol signed a two-year, 3 5.3 million deal to come to LA, league sources told ESPN. The 35-year-old center was created by the Lakers in 2007 with the 48th pick and later traded with his older brother, Pau, in 2008 as part of a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Mark Gasol went to Memphis to play season 10મ્ before moving to Toronto, where he met Cavi Leonard, Kyle Lori & Co. Together they joined the injured Golden State Warriors team in 2019 to win the ring at the end of their dynasty. Run.
“How do I remember the Raptors? First, I’ll miss Toronto,” Gasol said. “Toronto has been a great place, my family was very settled there, very comfortable, they really enjoyed their time ….
“And this is the only way, the sad thing is that this business is going on. I felt that my run in Toronto would not get better and we would always chase the ring, I was not sure I would be able to be that player or win it. They needed me to be there. So I decided that what I really needed to do was join the Lakers and contribute to what they did. “
To further complicate his decision on whether to stay with the Raptors was the news that he would be playing his home games this season, at least in Tampa, Florida, for starters.
“I told my fellow players who have been there – Kyle, Freddie [VanVleet], Pascal [Siakam], Norm [Powell] And the rest of the boys and even the coaches [Nick Nurse] – Gasol said, “How much they meant to me, how much they helped me.” And I’ll miss them so much, I can’t lie to you, because we went through something together that is very unique, it’s very special, and it makes a bond forever and no one can take it from us Can’t take away. “
A three-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year, Gasol averaged 7.7% last season with 7..7% shooting (from .538. %%), season..3 rebounds and 3.3 assists – which is his career average. The average is 1.6..6 48.1% points on shooting.
With Toronto, after the signing of Serge Ibaka by LA Clippers, he could be asked to play a bigger role. Along with the Lakers, he will fill the rotation of big men around All-NBA artist Anthony Davis with Montreal Herrell and Markiff Morris.
“It’s a great opportunity to be part of a team and see that coach [Frank Vogel] And G.M. [Rob Pelinka] And everyone felt I could contribute to it, said a lot for me, “Gasol said.” A team that just wins the championship by winning the concept, you will like those ideas and that is great for me. “
When he was in L.A. And laboring over his decision between Toronto, Gasol said he had never considered returning to Spain to play for FC Barcelona despite reports to the contrary.
However, Pa Gasol helped Kobe Bryant hang two championship banners at the Staples Center in 2009 and 2010 – Mark says he was in Game 7 of the 2010 final when he broke the LAA against the Boston Celtics – he has not been heavily involved in showing his younger brother the ropes. .
“He didn’t give me any advice,” Mark Gasol said of Pau. “It’s a completely different team than the current one. I don’t think there’s any players left later, and a different coaching staff, so it’s up to me to do more than anything.”
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