A very active summer
06/08/2010 16:34:00
Nearly 50 days after the proclamation for the second time as NBA champion, Pau Gasol is having a very active summer despite not playing the World Championship. The Lakers have not stopped. Part of the schedule of the next season has already been presented.
A very active summer. Having won the ring, Pau was at the best American television shows and participated in some acts that will never forget. On arrival to Spain went through the Spanish media and vibrated like no other in South Africa with the triumph of the national soccer team.
After he did not leave Africa and passed through Ethiopia, where he spent a week that will mark him forever. Back in Spain, as always, shared his time with the children of the Academy Gasol in Alicante. He continued with the media as he rested and enjoyed the little ones.
Weeks ago, children of Gaza set the World Record for the most basket balls dribbled at the same time after the encouragement received from Pau.
Sunday, 8/1 on NBC there was a special in which Pau, together with star of 'The Office', Brian Baumgartner (you can see them in the picture), appear in a show entitled 'Golf Therapy: The Pursuit of Par', which he enjoyed a lot.
In this program, some athletes give lessons to Baumgartner on how to compete, playing golf, ping pong or doing exercices. The part in which appears Pau was recorded in mid-June, just a day before he returned to Spain. Pau instructs Brian in the hand-eye coordination, and for this they practice ping pong.
Everything is directed to a special on NBC Sports previous to the golf tournament American Century Championship. During the show, Baumgartner prepares for the tournament in which he participates. All the athletes invited advise him to prepare the competition. Of course, the program is very funny because Brian is a great comic actor. In addition to Pau, there are also athletes as important as Michael Phelps.
These days you can also see Pau in the funny show of Time 2 Sports in the home of our website.
The Lakers have been moving a lot this summer. To begin, resign for another year, maybe the last one, Phil Jackson. After, they secured three seasons captain Fisher. On the meantime, they signed Blake. After that came the addition of LeBron and Bosh to a scary Miami. But the Lakers continue their journey. Morrison, Farmar, Mbenga and Powell won't return, but a few days ago have joined two veterans who will play an important role in the rotation. Matt Barnes, a strong defender for the perimeter, and the experienced Theo Ratliff for the inside game.
Shannon Brown signed a new contract for two more years, the team has already 12 players, plus the possible arrival of one or two of rookies that displayed good image in the league summer.
But more importantly, it continues the block that has led the Lakers to the ring two years in a row. And that is being revitalized. Pau rest and won't play the World Cup, though not for lack of enthusiasm when the date approaches. But his physique is called a break and a very wise decision. Kobe does not play the championship and also has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He also has problems on the left ankle and index finger of his right hand. Rest is best to cure everything. Bynum is ok after knee surgery to reach the top and hopefully return safe at the start of training camp in late September. Luke Walton is the most worrying case, and could take some time off the court to heal completely to avoid suffer the rest of his career. Odom will be the only one playing this summer, and is already concentrated with the United States team. It will increase his self-esteem in a season that has not been as good as expected.
All of them will meet in El Segundo in two months before traveling to Barcelona to play Barça. But this summer will be still very long.
The next season opens 26th October at the Staples with the Lakers facing the Rockets. The great game of the regular season will be on Christmas Day, when the Champions will receive the great outsider, the Heat coming with Lebron, Wade and Bosh.