By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona officially presented Pau Gasol as a new player of the team on Thursday.
“One of my biggest dreams is to win the EuroLeague, which I haven’t won yet,” he mentioned, “I am not the same Pau that left twenty years ago. I am a different player. This makes it all the more special. I hope to provide the team with all my experience.”
“A team with this quality always has to face these expectations and pressure,” he replied to a question on potentially being obligated to go all the way in Europe’s premier club competition, “It’s the pressure that this team needs.”
Gasol will be looking to get in shape hoping to represent Spain at the Olympic Games for the fifth time. His national team was recently drawn in Group C of the preliminary round alongside Argentina, host Japan, and the winner of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas.
“We are working well and progressing well following the plan,” he pointed out updating his playing status with Barca, “I am happy. I am not going to get overly excited. But we are on the right path. I am incredibly excited to once again compete on the court officially.”
“I am going to take things day by day, focus on the practice this afternoon to be closer to me getting fit,” he added, “I didn’t want to finish my career with a serious injury, which has forced many players to retire. I want to finish my career playing. That’s why I am here.”
“We haven’t focused on a specific date or game for me to play again,” he said answering a question regarding getting back on the court, “I hope it will be soon.”
Gasol, 40, signed with the Spanish powerhouse one month ago signaling the end of a lengthy and fully successful run in the NBA, and since has been practicing towards his return to action. Joining his first professional team a couple of decades after departing was greeted with excitement in Spain and all around Europe.
“I talked about this several times,” he reminded, “I always said I don’t know when I am going to come back home and finish my career with Barca. I always looked forward to this moment. I always stayed close to the club, represented the club throughout the world and the USA. I worked with the club’s foundation as well in projects related to kids and promote the sport. Now, I am back here and I can help the excellent team led by Saras and some of the players that are here today.”