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Chicago Bulls big man Pau Gasol scores six points in Basketball Without Borders game

By Paul Steeno

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On Saturday morning at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa, Chicago Bulls big man Pau Gasol played for Team World in the NBA’s inaugural exhibition game on the continent of Africa as part of the NBA and FIBA’s Basketball Without Borders initiative. In just under 20 minutes of playing time, he scored six points on 3-9 from the field and notched seven rebounds to go along with four assists. The game gave Gasol an opportunity to give back to the worldwide community as well as shore up his skills before the impending NBA season.

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The 13th edition of the NBA and FIBA’s Basketball Without Borders event took place from July 29-August 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to NBA.com, the program allowed 59 of the best young players in Africa to take part in a series of camps and clinics headed by current and former NBA players. The last day of the Basketball Without Borders event culminated with an exhibition basketball game that featured 23 former and current NBA players.

The NBA outlined its goals for Basketball Without Borders on its website.

"Basketball without Borders (BWB) is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program that unites young basketball players to promote the sport and encourage positive social change in the areas of education, health, and wellness. —NBA.com"

Pau Gasol continued his charitable contributions with his participation in this event. While acknowledging the pros and cons of playing in 5-on-5 games during the summer, he said that summer play gives him a tuneup opportunity before the NBA season begins.

"There’s always an upside and downside to playing internationally. I always feel it’s good to get into camp in much better shape and better basketball rhythm and condition. Niko [teammate Nikola Mirotic] and I playing this summer [for Team Spain in a European basketball tournament], I think it will develop our relationship on and off the court. And it will be another positive to transfer to our team in Chicago. —Quote obtained by Chicago Tribune reporter K.C. Johnson"

Led by Chris Paul, Bradley Beal and Jeff Green, Team World beat former Bull Luol Deng and Team Africa 101-97. NBA global ambassadors and African natives Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo also participated in the action. While Mutombo was held scoreless, Olajuwon scored two points on his signature turn-around jumper, popularly called the “Dream Shake.”

After finding themselves down at the end of the first half, Pau Gasol says that he and his Team World teammates raised their intensity in the second half of the game.

"In the second half we decided enough was enough and we needed to do a lot better if we didn’t want to lose by 40.–Quote obtained by Chicago Tribune wire services"

According to Fox Sports, the game was “played in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of South Africa, and the SOS Children’s Villages association of South Africa.” In the days prior to this game, NBA players hosted a series of camps and clinics focused on youth development, leadership and promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Current Chicago Bull Nazr Mohammed led a Lifeskills Session on day two of the event.

It is easy to understand the importance of the Basketball Without Borders event. However, it  is tough to draw any substantive conclusions on Gasol’s performance in this game based on the laid back nature of the entire event.

May 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) prepares to shoot the ball over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 94-73. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

It was one game with little meaning in terms of the result. Gasol played 20 minutes; much less than his expected playing contribution with the Bulls once the season begins. A more accurate determinate of where his game is will come in early September when he plays for Team Spain in European competition.

Pau Gasol announced in mid-June that he would play for Team Spain in the upcoming EuroBasket tournament in September that pits 24  European national basketball teams against each other in a series of preliminary round-robin competitions followed by a tournament-style showdown contested by the top four teams. Gasol’s performance in this tournament provides a more valuable tune-up for the regular season as well as a chance for onlookers to judge where his game is at for the first time this summer. The EuroBasket tournament is Gasol’s first opportunity of the summer to compete in a highly competitive atmosphere and utilize the entirety of his game.

However, Gasol’s performance in the EuroBasket tournament isn’t the end-all determinant for how he will play in the regular season. Just ask Bulls point guard Derrick Rose.

Prior to the 2014-2015 season, Derrick Rose had limited success in his summer participation in the FIBA World Cup of Basketball. In 17.1 minutes of playing time per game, he averaged 4.8 points on 35 percent shooting from the field to go along with 3.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game. From behind the arc, he shot an ugly 5.3 percent. Despite his struggles in this summer tournament, Rose used the opportunity to brush off some of the rust that came from sitting out almost a year with another injury. He finished the 2014-2015 season averaging almost 18 points on 40 percent from the field.

Gasol’s performance in the EuroBasket tournament may not predict his regular season performance; however, it is an opportunity to get back in the flow of competitive high-level basketball prior to the NBA regular season. The logic of throwing players into offseason international competition is a case-by-case basis. However, if Gasol feels like these tournaments can help prepare him for the regular season, then there is nothing wrong with him participating in any of them. As for the 2015 Basketball Without Borders game, it was a fun and rewarding way for Gasol to slowly get back into the basketball competition mindset. Nothing more, nothing less. Don’t read too much into his six-point performance in this game.

Next: Jimmy Butler, Michael Jordan shooting competition

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