'World-class professional' Gasol praised for handling tough situation well
Sports // Spurs
Tom Orsborn March 2, 2019 Updated: March 3, 2019 12:18 a.m.
'World-class professional' Gasol praised for handling...
1of2Paul Gasol, left, was called a "world-class professional" by Patty Mills. "He has been that throughout his whole career, and he provided that and much more throughout his time in San Antonio," Mills said. "He was a great role model to our young guys." Gasol is expected to sign with the Bucks after clearing waivers.Photo: Edward A. Ornelas /Staff photographer
2of2Davis Bertans ,right, might have a sibling rivalry brewing next season as older brother Dairis reached a two-year deal with the Pelicans. New Orleans holds a team option for 2019-20.Photo: Tom Reel / Staff photographer
Pau Gasol never complained publicly about falling out of Gregg Popovich's rotation, but it was no secret the 18th-year pro wasn't happy stuck at the end of the Spurs bench.
One day after Gasol and the Spurs agreed on a contract buyout, his former teammates and Popovich praised the way that the six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion handled a delicate situation.
"He never even complained in the locker room," forward Davis Bertans said Saturday. "Being in a tough situation, that was a really professional thing to do. Everybody knows that he wanted to play. It was obvious. The guy was working out every time he got a chance."
The Spurs did not make details of the buyout public. Citing sources, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Gasol returned $2.5 million to the Spurs, lowering the club's salary cap hit for this season and 2019-20.
Gasol had one season left on the three-year, $48 million deal he signed two summers ago.
"Pau is a class act, and he wants to play," Popovich said a few hours before the Spurs faced the Thunder. "With the way we were constituted and what our plan is, he wasn't getting those minutes. We tried to work something out, and it happened. (General manager) R.C. (Buford) did a good job."
Popovich praised Gasol as a "great teammate."
"Not playing was really difficult for him, but he was very helpful for everybody on a consistent basis," Popovich said. "He was wonderful."
Gasol played sparingly behind third-year center Jakob Poeltl after a foot injury in early November forced him to miss 26 games.
"We are going to miss him definitely," Bertans said. "He was a great teammate, always helped everybody, a veteran with his experience. We only wish him the best."
Guard Patty Mills called Gasol a "world-class professional."
"He has been that throughout his whole career, and he provided that and much more throughout his time in San Antonio," Mills said. "He was a great role model to our young guys."
Gasol, 38, is expected to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks after clearing waivers. Over three seasons with the Spurs, he averaged 10 points and 7.4 rebounds.
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"He'll do great work up in Milwaukee with Bud," Popovich said, referring to Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, a former Spurs assistant coach.
Even while stuck at the end of the bench, Gasol tried to help the team, Mills said.
"You can imagine not being able to play wasn't a great feeling," Mills said. "(But) he still provided that input and impact on the team, which is not easy to do, and he didn't do it in a bad manner or a bad way at all. Just a lot of respect for the guy and how much professionalism he carries on and off the court."
Another Bertans joins the NBA: Growing up in Latvia, Bertans and his older brother Dairis had some fierce one-on-one games.
"I couldn't take a loss, and he was exactly the same way," Davis Bertans said. "That's why we don't play one on one that much anymore, because both of us can't take losing."
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The brothers might get a chance to renew their rivalry next season after the Pelicans reached a two-year deal with Dairis Bertans following an impressive stint with an Italian team this season. New Orleans reportedly holds a team option for the 2019-20 season.
In 37 games with Olimpia Milano, Dairis Bertans shot almost 50 percent on 3-point attempts while averaging 6.1 points per game.
The Pelicans opened up a roster spot for Dairis Bertans by waiving guard Tim Frazier on Wednesday.
"I was really happy," Davis Bertans, 26, said of learning that Dairis, 29, had joined him in the NBA. "He deserves it as much as he has worked all over his career."
Dairis Bertans played for the Spurs at the 2015 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 11.3 points, but he returned to Europe after that short stint.
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"He wasn't so lucky with the height that I got from my family," said Davis Bertans, who at 6-foot-10 is 6 inches taller than Dairis. "But the way he has worked, he was a professional guy always. And that was why it was actually so easy for him to get out of his contract in Italy. The team was really happy with how he performed and what kind of a person he is.
"He definitely deserves it. I hope he can prove himself here at the end of the season and stay here and become a constant NBA player."
torsborn@express-news.net
Twitter: @tom_orsborn
Tom Orsborn
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After three years as a part-time employee covering mainly high school sports, Tom Orsborn became a full-time employee at the Express-News in October 1985. He's covered the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL since 1999 and has also covered the Spurs, the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, and a variety of other events, including 14 Super Bowls.
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