The Spanish National Team could be without its best player come Friday night in its scheduled duel against the United States. According to Spain’s head coach Sergio Scariolo, veteran big man Pau Gasol is currently nursing a calf injury that could keep him out of the Semifinals.
“He is not well, I can not say for sure that he is going to play”, Scariolo said (as translated by EuroHoops). “We continue with his treatments and the truth is that we needed him right now. We hope his condition to evolve well and at least be ready to help as much as he can his teammates on the game. I can not say anything else right now”.
The absence of Gasol would dramatically increase Team USA’s chances at advancing to its third straight Gold Medal game. Gasol, undoubtedly Spain’s number one option offensively while also serving as a strong anchor on the defensive end, has given the U.S. trouble in past meetings.
Gasol added 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in Spain’s loss to Team USA in the 2012 Gold Medal Game, scoring the team’s first 12 points of the second half to give them a 71-70 lead halfway through the third quarter. Four years earlier, in another USA-Spain Gold Medal game, Gasol was just as dominant. He scored 21 points in easy fashion, pushing the Americans to the brink.
“Pau Gasol’s a load down there in the post”, Team USA forward Kevin Durant said after Wednesday’s victory over Argentina, speaking about the significance of Friday’s showdown.
Whether you believe coach Scariolo truly is questions Pau Gasol’s status, or if you believe Spain’s coach is bluffing, know this; Team USA will mentally prepare to face a Spanish team at its absolute full strength. Coach K will unsurprisingly review past meetings between Team USA and Spain, focusing on what the team could improve on this time around.
Team USA players are eager to take on the red-hot Spain, and the relentless Spainiards are just as eager to get another shot at taking down the front-runners.
Just ask Spanish forward Nikola Mirotic:
“Ey JIMMY… YES WE CAN ??” pic.twitter.com/be8dMppF9T
— Nikola Mirotic (@threekola) August 18, 2016
All eyes will be on the USA-Spain game Friday night, a matchup that’s always been highly anticipated. Spain has pushed the American’s to the final buzzer in year’s past, and they expect themselves to do just that once again.
“We got a tough game against Spain next”, said Kevin Durant.
“But we look forward to playing them”.
UPDATE: Pau Gasol has been cleared to play against Team USA in Friday’s Semifinals, a source told international basketball reporter David Pick.
