ESP/USA – Gasol is best big man, says Obama
WASHINGTON (NBA) – United States president Barack Obama believes there is no better big man in the NBA these days than Spain’s Pau Gasol. In an interview with famed sports announcer Marv Albert which was broadcast on Tuesday as part of American network TNT’s NBA playoffs coverage, Obama picked the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Boston ...
WASHINGTON (NBA) – United States president Barack Obama believes there is no better big man in the NBA these days than Spain’s Pau Gasol.
In an interview with famed sports announcer Marv Albert which was broadcast on Tuesday as part of American network TNT’s NBA playoffs coverage, Obama picked the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the Boston Celtics to repeat as champions. He attributed the outcome of the potential series in large part to Gasol.
“I’ve got to go with the Lakers again (to win). I think Pau Gasol may be the best big man in the league right now. He’s different from (Orlando Magic centre) Dwight Howard, but he’s got unbelievable footwork, speed, savvy – he’s playing magnificently.”
The Barcelona native has experienced success at just about every level. He helped his country to the 2006 FIBA World Championship title in Japan and to EuroBasket glory in Poland last summer, just a few months after winning his first NBA title with the Lakers.
And if Gasol’s impressive play is not enough, the US president also endorses Team USA star Kobe Bryant and legendary head coach Phil Jackson to put the Lakers over the top.
“Kobe is the fiercest competitor in the league and they’ve got what I continue to believe is the best coach in the NBA right now in Phil Jackson, so they’re going to be formidable and I think it’ll be a tough series. Boston’s a veteran club, but the Lakers are looking pretty good.”
The Lakers are tied at 2-2 with the Phoenix Suns in their best-of-seven-games Western Conference finals. Game 5 is in Los Angeles on Thursday.
In the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics have lost the last two games but still hold a 3-2 advantage over the Orlando Magic. Game 6 is in Boston on Friday.
Obama, who makes no secret of being a big Chicago Bulls fan, feels that superstar LeBron James – who will be the most sought after player in the NBA when free agency begins on 1st July – would fit in nicely with the Bulls.
“You know, like I said, I don’t want to meddle. I will say this: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah – it’s a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting pretty well there.”
To watch the full interview, click here
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