The Commercial Appeal ha publicado un reportaje sobre Marc Gasol en el que analizan su paso por el insituto en Memphis y su posible llegada a la NBA en el draft de este año. Además, echan un vistazo al perfil del jugador, a sus habilidades (de las que resalta su poder de robote, su visión de juego, colocación y calidad en los ganchos y tiros a canasta a media distancia) y a sus puntos flacos (la agilidad y un sanbenito de sobre peso que arroja dudas a los especialistas). Hoy por hoy... en nbadraft.net le dan el 28, elegido por San Antonio, muy por encima de lo que se venía previendo, aunque los especialistas norteamericanos creen que caerá hasta la mitad de la segunda ronda. Particularmente creo que entrará en la primera.
Pau's brother, ex-Lausanne star works way to NBA draftBy Ronald Tillery. June 25, 2007
When Marc Gasol came to America as a giant 16-year-old headed for Lausanne Collegiate School, Pau, his older brother and a Grizzlies draft pick, was the only person with a comprehensive scouting report.
"He's not like me," Pau said in 2001. "He's more of an inside player. He has very good hands, and he's bigger than me. He's not taller, but almost."
Advertisement Fast-forward to this week's NBA draft and the real possibility that Marc Gasol could be coming back to America.
The first thing you should know about Marc? "You will not recognize him from his days at Lausanne," said Tony Barone Sr., Grizzlies director of player personnel. Even at 7-1, 270 pounds, 22-year-old Marc still is no Pau. That he lacks the same skill set means Marc isn't projected to be taken in the top half of the draft. But the younger Gasol has grown into a legitimate NBA prospect -- someone described as a late bloomer with upside because of the big strides he's made over the past year.
"He could sneak into the late first round," said Barone. "He's made tremendous strides as a player. He's a strong rebounder. He can definitely score the basketball." Gasol's draft stock has fluctuated since April.
Early projections had Gasol as a first-round lock, but then his name faded into the second round. As of Sunday, one widely viewed Web site, NBAdraft.net, had Gasol going 28th overall to the world champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
Comparisons to former Spurs center Rasho Nesterovic already follow Gasol.
Wherever Gasol lands he'll bring a physical, bruising presence. His basketball IQ and international experience are major pluses, too.
After playing two years at Lausanne, Gasol returned to Spain and played three seasons with FC Barcelona. He then joined another Spanish club, Akasvayu Girona, for the 2006-07 campaign after competing with Spain's national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
He uses his size and strength to work the boards hard and establish deep post position on offense.
NBA scouts are impressed that Gasol can score in the paint with hooks and short jump shots because of his soft hands.
Quickness is a problem with Gasol. He lacks athleticism and agility -- negative aspects of his game that will be greatly exposed in the NBA. There are concerns about his conditioning and weight -- each of which prevents Gasol from being even a decent shot blocker.
Overall, though, he is like his brother in one major way.
He's come from obscurity to having an excellent chance of hearing his name called on draft night.
"He's developed NBA skill," Barone said.
"He's not like me," Pau said in 2001. "He's more of an inside player. He has very good hands, and he's bigger than me. He's not taller, but almost."
Advertisement Fast-forward to this week's NBA draft and the real possibility that Marc Gasol could be coming back to America.
The first thing you should know about Marc? "You will not recognize him from his days at Lausanne," said Tony Barone Sr., Grizzlies director of player personnel. Even at 7-1, 270 pounds, 22-year-old Marc still is no Pau. That he lacks the same skill set means Marc isn't projected to be taken in the top half of the draft. But the younger Gasol has grown into a legitimate NBA prospect -- someone described as a late bloomer with upside because of the big strides he's made over the past year.
"He could sneak into the late first round," said Barone. "He's made tremendous strides as a player. He's a strong rebounder. He can definitely score the basketball." Gasol's draft stock has fluctuated since April.
Early projections had Gasol as a first-round lock, but then his name faded into the second round. As of Sunday, one widely viewed Web site, NBAdraft.net, had Gasol going 28th overall to the world champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
Comparisons to former Spurs center Rasho Nesterovic already follow Gasol.
Wherever Gasol lands he'll bring a physical, bruising presence. His basketball IQ and international experience are major pluses, too.
After playing two years at Lausanne, Gasol returned to Spain and played three seasons with FC Barcelona. He then joined another Spanish club, Akasvayu Girona, for the 2006-07 campaign after competing with Spain's national team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
He uses his size and strength to work the boards hard and establish deep post position on offense.
NBA scouts are impressed that Gasol can score in the paint with hooks and short jump shots because of his soft hands.
Quickness is a problem with Gasol. He lacks athleticism and agility -- negative aspects of his game that will be greatly exposed in the NBA. There are concerns about his conditioning and weight -- each of which prevents Gasol from being even a decent shot blocker.
Overall, though, he is like his brother in one major way.
He's come from obscurity to having an excellent chance of hearing his name called on draft night.
"He's developed NBA skill," Barone said.
Aquí os dejo un video con el juego de Marc Gasol. Son de la Copa del Rey frente al Juventud y de la Fiba Euro Cup.
