The Gasol Brothers

PARIS [The Monday International Show] - The next time I read that an NBA expert – or Kobe Bryant for that matter – calls Pau Gasol too soft, I'm gonna puke!

US b-ball people are just too enamoured with “bangers” the way US drivers are too often attracted to gas-guzzlers! After Pau's disappointing performance recently against Cleveland, Kobe was quoted as saying that the Spaniard is too nice and intelligent and should think less on the court!

If you ask me, those are the main reasons why he is pretty much better than any of his opponents! The western conference coaches agree with me because he was chosen as an All-star reserve despite missing a lot of games due to injury and seeing his scoring average dip this season. Those coaches know what is essential. The arrival of Pau in Hollywood is what got the Lakers in the last two finals and permitted them to raise that pretty trophy in Orlando last June!

There's no two ways about it and the amazing thing is Pau is even MORE dominating in international competition when surrounded by his homeys from the Spanish golden generation which has led to a World Championship title, a glorious Olympic final and a European Championship crown all over the course of the last three summers. Wow!

Compare Spain’s success to that of France, a country which also benefits from a talented NBA generation but doesn't have the cohesiveness or all-around shooting ability of the Spaniards. Pau’s “off the charts” technique and basketball IQ are even more impressive and pervasive playing alongside his brother and childhood buddies. But when Pau and Lamar Odom hook up in the triangle offense, all the Lakers – even Kobe – go with the collective groove and share the ball more.

For me, the major sign indicating the Lakers are in trouble is when Kobe starts forcing his game and Pau stops getting his touches. With his historic move from Elvis-town to LA, Pau shed his soft loser image – despite strong individual stats – to become known as a talented winner in a very demanding b-ball town!

In the end, the gift trade didn't turn out so bad for Memphis either because, as my colleague Jeff Taylor pointed out last week, little brother Marc has made himself into an All-star level player and winner himself.

I've watched these two bros grow and improve for 10 years now and all I can say is their parents must be proud because all of the good values they put into play on the court are also present in their day-to-day lives and they’re always classy when dealing with the public and the press.

If Pau went from a losing sulker in Memphis to a championship control tower in LA, Marc has transformed himself from a slow, chubby high-schooler in Memphis to the leading efficiency rating among NBA western centres in...Memphis!

Sure, Marc deserved to accompany Zach Randolph on the west all-star bench to celebrate the Grizzlies' fabulous turnaround this season. Who could have imagined that coach Lionel Hollins would get a bunch of sad-sack individualists (Randolph, OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay) to play such a wonderful brand of winning, team ball?

Anyway, Marc will lend his old-school style to the Rookie Challenge one more year before moving up to play with the big boys! And if the Gasol parents are proud, imagine how the Spanish federation and ACB league must feel.

The two brothers are perfect examples of the quality of the Spanish clubs’ youth programs along with Juan Carlos Navarro, Rudy Fernandez, José Calderon etc…and are pure products of what is, by far, the best pro league from top to bottom in Europe.

If Pau logically sits out (as well as Tony Parker?) the FIBA World Championship in Turkey this summer because his body simply needs some rest, I'll understand his decision. But I'll sorely miss his brilliant brand of thinking man's altruistic basketball on the court – n’est ce pas, Kobe?

P.S: On another All-Star subject, look for Chauncey Billups, Carlos Boozer, Chris Kaman or Monta Ellis in the west and Josh Smith, David Lee, Mo Williams or Andre Iguodala in the east to be chosen as replacements by David Stern if guys like Carmelo Anthony or Kevin Garnett have to sit out because of injury.

George EDDY