Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio holds his left knee after slipping and colliding with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant late in the fourth quarter Friday night in Minneapolis. (Jim Mone / Associated Press / March 9, 2012 / March 9, 2012)
By Mark MedinaMarch 10, 2012, 2:04 p.m.
The cloud surrounding Pau Gasol's future with the Lakers faded in his mind during the waning minutes of the Lakers' 105-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.Minnesota rookie guard Ricky Rubio tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and published reports say he will be sidelined for the rest of the NBA season and, likely, the 2012 London Olympics. Rubio went across the court to trap Kobe Bryant, but crumbled to the floor after he slipped and the collided knees with 16.4 seconds remaining. The injury gave Gasol some well-needed perspective.
"It makes me laugh about my situation, about my trade or no trade and how that makes me feel," Gasol said after Lakers practice Saturday at the team's facility in El Segundo. "When you tear an ACL, that's when you really feel bad. That's a lot worse than being mentioned in trades or potentially playing somewhere else. Health is always the main thing. That's why everything is so relative in life." That incident stirred particular emotions for Gasol because he remains close friends with Rubio. They've played together on Spain's national team and would've been an integral duo in the team's quest for redemption against Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics. Yet, Gasol said he stressed to Rubio to focus more on getting healthy and keeping a positive attitude than trying to expedite his recovery so he can play in the Olympics.
"Be patient and to be positive," Gasol recalls saying to Rubio. "He's got all my support. Anything he needs, I'm there for it. I was truly sorry. It's a tough thing to swallow."
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