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MADRID -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol says he wants to play for Spain at this summer's European Championship.

Gasol confirmed his availability for the defending champions on Wednesday after missing last year's world championship in Turkey, where Spain finished sixth.

According to the Spanish basketball federation's website, Gasol says that "if the coach feels he can count on me then I want to help the team win another European" title.

Gasol helped Spain to a 2006 world title and a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

The decision comes after the Dallas Mavericks swept Gasol's Lakers 4-0 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs.

The Euros will be played in Lithuania from Aug. 31 to Sept. 18.

Jetset wrote:If I remember correctly in 09 Gasol played for Spain and got injured, and well you already know what happened afterwards. We went on to win the title.

Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers are breathing a sigh of relief after the confirmation by doctors that the Spain star doesn’t have a serious hamstring injury.

After having his left leg examined, the Lakers released a statement that said: "Results of an ultrasound test and an MRI show that Gasol has a mild-to-moderate strain of the left hamstring."

Gasol is listed as doubtful for the game against Houston on Tuesday night.

In September, Gasol led Spain to the gold medal at the EuroBasket in Poland and he was voted MVP of the tournament.

The seven-footer then injured his hamstring in the pre-season and missed the first 11 games of the campaign.

November 1, 2006 -- Spaniard, Pau Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies will miss the season opener against the New York Knicks because of a broken left foot that occurred while playing at the FIBA world championships this summer.

“I knew I fractured my foot, and I knew I was going to be out for a while,” said Gasol who played for Spain at the world championships.

Gasol underwent successful surgery at the Campbell Clinic to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot.

The 7 foot all-star, missed all of training camp as well as preseason play, and is still in the rehabilitation process.

Coach Mike Fratello said he was unsure when Gasol would rejoin the team, and when he does, how long it would take to get him in shape to play.
Gasol, averaged 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds last season and was named to play in his first NBA All-Star game.

doozyj wrote:Not cool, we just got swept in the 2nd round.

kblo247 wrote:Last summer was the first in LA in which Pau didn't play for Spain, and he came in to the season out of shape and with limited fuel which is why he started quick and then fell off, just like a runner who doesn't train properly for a marathon and starts off fast in a sprint but kills over toward the end. He isn't the type of guy like Kobe who will actually work out, practice playing ball, and go to the weight room when he has "me time" in the summer and the key thing is that FIBA, Spain, or even rehabbing from an injury forces him to go in the gym and get in and stay in a constant level of fitness.

H00PDREAMS wrote:

kblo247 wrote:Last summer was the first in LA in which Pau didn't play for Spain, and he came in to the season out of shape and with limited fuel which is why he started quick and then fell off, just like a runner who doesn't train properly for a marathon and starts off fast in a sprint but kills over toward the end. He isn't the type of guy like Kobe who will actually work out, practice playing ball, and go to the weight room when he has "me time" in the summer and the key thing is that FIBA, Spain, or even rehabbing from an injury forces him to go in the gym and get in and stay in a constant level of fitness.

I bet Kobe and Lamar would agree. As both Kobe and Lamars level of play was much higher once they returned from participation in FIBA or Olympic tourney's. By the way Pau & Marc carry the team wouldn't you want that experience of Pau being the Alpha Dog of a very skilled team. I think it would build his confiedence.

doozyj wrote:Not cool, we just got swept in the 2nd round.

iamworthy wrote:

doozyj wrote:Not cool, we just got swept in the 2nd round.

Soooo he's suppose to stop playing basketball