Image via Wikipedia"I understand it's a tough decision to make, but it's best for my body, myself, and, consequently, the teams that I'm a part of," Gasol said during his exit interview. "My body is asking me to relax and recover to be able to continue to play at the level that I'm playing. Otherwise my body is going to break down quicker and I'm going to become a worse player."
Although Bryant hadn't officially decided his plan with Team USA during his exit interview, the Black Mamba himself spoke about the same thing, a concept that usually seems so foreign.
"I've been playing a great deal of basketball," Bryant said. "This summer for me is about getting healthy. I think that will give us the best opportunity to defend our title again. Same thing for Pau. Pau has been going nonstop."
For Gasol, that includes six championship appearances in the last four seasons, including three consecutive NBA Finals, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2009 and 2007 EuroBasket title games and the 2006 FIBA World Championships. For Bryant, that includes three consecutive NBA Finals and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And for both, the rest will ensure a good run for the 2010-11 season, which is a good sign considering they're the Lakers' two top players and have a respectful relationship with each other.
Fans likely won't see as many tangible differences in Gasol's play as they will in Bryant's play this season, but the benefits will involve what we all won't see happen. Gasol mentioned to me during the exit interview that his hamstring injuries served as the triggering point for what led him to decide to sit out of this year's FIBA tournament. It's conceivable that, had Gasol kept grinding through, his body could have broken down this upcoming season, which would make it harder for him to bounce back.
And even though Gasol and Bryant had a not-so-physical summer, they still kept their basketball minds sharp. Bryant hosted his basketball camp, traveled to the World Basketball Festival and even attended a pickup game hosted by President Obama. Gasol traveled to India as an NBA ambassador, worked out with a trainer twice a day, hosted his own basketball camp in Spain and watched the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
So even if Bryant and Gasol didn't go through grueling workouts or played in Turkey, they still remained students of the game. And soon enough, everyone will realize this season that rest was all they needed to pass the test.
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