Pau Gasol spoke about his future plans in the NBA during a coaching clinic for youngsters in Barcelona, Spain.
The Los Angeles Laker forward returned to his native city to the academy he set up.
Getting back to his roots.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol returns to his native Barcelona to pass his knowledge on to youth players with a coaching clinic at his academy.
It’s the first time the 33-year-old’s coached the secondary pupils taking part in the programme at the Sant Cugat High Performance Centre.
He took time out from coaching duties to talk about life in the NBA, including an update on Kobe Bryant‘s efforts to overcome an Achilles heel injury:
“Kobe, I think, is rehabing well. From what he is saying his tendon, his Achilles is doing well and very strong, so I am very optimistic that he is going to be back 100 per cent, hopefully.”
Heading into the final year of his contract with the Lakers, he admits he doesn’t know where his future lies:
“Well, first I have to see where I’m going to end up playing this season, which I am hoping will be with the Lakers, but I am not sure, ’cause is not up to me. So…. whenever I am done with the season and next year comes I’ll have the freedom to choose where I’ll play, which is something that I look forward to, to finally be in control of my destiny. But again I’m not sure what’s going to happen this season.”
The former Memphis Grizzly is at least hoping to be fit for the start of the new campaign after battling knee problems:
“Well, still another month, month-and-a-half until I can start working at 100 per cent. I’m still waiting to start running and doing more activity, but I’ve been patient ’til now, I have to continue to be patient for a little bit more.”
Guess the Lakers players!
