Pau Gasol discusses early career criticism as 'soft' in NBA
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 6, 2026, 2:19 PM
Last updated Aug 6, 2026
Pau Gasol addressed the criticism he faced early in his NBA career regarding being labeled as 'soft.' He acknowledged some surprise at these comments but emphasized his achievements, including being named Rookie of the Year and an All-Star. Gasol reflected on intense playoff experiences against teams such as the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs, suggesting that while he recognized the need to be more physical, he believed the label was excessive. He committed to improving his strength and performance in subsequent seasons.
- •Pau Gasol faced criticism for being 'soft' early in his NBA career.
- •He was surprised but defended his achievements, including Rookie of the Year.
- •Gasol referenced tough playoff matchups against the Nuggets and Spurs.
- •He recognized the need to improve his physicality after criticism.
- •Gasol committed to gaining strength for better performance in future seasons.
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