LOS ANGELES -- He looks a little odddonning purple and gold -- Lakers colors -- but Pau Gasol says he'sperfectly suited for Los Angeles.
他看上去像是一个临时加进的紫金成员，但是他之于洛杉矶，却是这样的完美。
The 7-foot Spaniard lives near theocean and has kicked up his feet in the Lakers' triangle offense,making a Feb. 1 trade that shipped Gasol from Memphis a move that is ascomfy as it was controversial.
The Grizzlies got salary-cap relief and draft picks.
灰熊的工资压力得以减轻，也获得了更多选秀权。
The Lakers received a dynamic low-post scorer to complement superstar Kobe Bryant.
湖人则得到了一个能够给科比以完全支持的低位球员。
Gasol got rejuvenated.
加索尔又恢复了“青春”。
And the Western Conference got turned upside down.
西部也顿时局势大乱。
"He's going to help them win an NBA championship," Griz owner Michael Heisley said. "I always felt he playedhard. We never had a problem. He's a quality player. I was extremelypleased that I was able to find a team that fit Pau's talents."
Heisley obviously hasn't bumped into Gasol lately.
显然，Heisley对加索尔的出走并不是很恼火。
In an interview on the eve of theGrizzlies' first meeting with the Lakers since their blockbuster deal,Gasol (who's not expected to play tonight because of injury) discussedlife in Lakerland, Memphis' fan apathy, and hi
s feelings about the trade.
Q. What's the difference between playing for the Grizzlies and Lakers?
问：在灰熊打球和在湖人打球有什么区别？
A. I feel appreciated. I always feltwanted and respected in Memphis. Some people appreciated the job I did.Not everybody. But I've been a pretty consistent player for my careerand in tough situations. I know that, and I'm proud of that. Nobody isgoing to be able to take that away from me. But people here have beenthrilled and excited since Day One. Obviously, that's nice. It feelsgood to be in this situation. It's fun.
Q. How has playing with Bryant made a difference in your game?
问：和科比一起打球对你的表现有什么影响吗？
A. I've got the best in the worldnext to me. It's been an easy adjustment. I'll do what is asked of me.He takes a lot of the pressure off my shoulders offensively. I stillthink I have a big role on this team. So I'm good.
Q. What is it like to be tutored by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
问：贾巴尔辅导你，感觉如何？
A. It's unbelievable. You respectguys that have been there at the highest level. In this organization,you've got the best of the best. I'm privileged. The whole thing ispretty amazing when you stop and think about it.
Q. Did you realize that as much as some people wanted you out of Memphis, there were a lot of people upset about the trade?
问：你离开孟菲斯之后，很多人为此而沮丧，但也有相同数目的人希望你离开灰熊，你意识到了这一点吗？
A. No. But I never had one personcome up to me on the street saying that they wanted me to be traded. Igot nothing but 'Please stay.' I've always said that I'll take the 80percent of the people in Memphis that were happy with me. ... Asplayers, we wanted to do well. But a lot of our home games were halfempty. That was hard. I come here and every game is sold out, andthat's fun. We've got 100-percent committed loyalty and it'sunconditional. That's what you should have.
Q. What do you remember about the day you were traded?
问：还记得交易那天的情形吗？
A. I was upset at first. The firstfeeling you get is rejection -- like they're turning their back on you.That was hard to swallow. But I'll probably be thankful to MichaelHeisley for the rest of my life. He allowed me to be here. That'ssomething I'll always remember.
No matter what, the Grizzlies aren'tgoing to be able to put themselves in position to win a championship. Idon't think that's ever going to happen. I think it's just the way itis. We just couldn't do it. We had Jerry West as a GM. If you can't doit with Jerry West, I don't think there's many ways you can. We hadHubie (Brown) and Mike Fratello -- good coaches. It wasn't enough. Idon't think the Grizzlies will ever have enough to be at that highestlevel. There's a lot needed.
Q. How would you describe your relationship with first-time head coach Marc Iavaroni?
问：你和你的第一个教练Marc Iavaroni之间的关系怎么样？
A. We had good communication. Heintended well. He wants to succeed and do well and be a great coach.He's still got a long way to go. It's his first year as a head coach.He's still got to figure things out with the pieces he's got. I'm notsaying that's easy, especially the way things are in the West. Everyteam is really strong.
Q. Where does this trade rank for you, including being drafted and making the All-Star team?
问：这次交易对你产生了什么样的影响？包括入选全明星？
A. I feel like I'm at the peak of mycareer. This is the best thing that's ever happened. This offense isperfect the way it's set up. I'm on the post a lot, and I candistribute there. I've got great guys around me to be able to makeshots and create. I'm very comfortable. Obviously, we have a chance towin. Ultimately, that's what I wanted.
