Pau Gasol has found a whole new life, or lifestyle, depending on how you look at it.

After playing for the Memphis Grizzlies for years and a Spanish team that lost in the finals of the Eurobasket tourney time after time, Gasol is finally proudly standing at the top of the mountain.

The Summer started for Pau with a beautiful ending to his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He successfully finished the journey to getting his first win in the National Basketball Association. He proudly spent the Summer boasting his new championship ring and playing for his home country, Spain.

As the clear leader of the Spanish team, Pau Gasol led them to the finals year after year but continuously choked when the game was on the line. This year though was a different story.

Pau Gasol showed off his new found strength, both physical and mental, and led Spain to their first Eurobasket title.

I’m not here to break down the stats of the games or even how well Pau played. I’m here to show my support for the player that Pau Gasol has become.

As a proud Lakers fan I love the player and teammate that Pau has become. After struggling in his past environments he has thrived in Los Angeles. His teammates are supportive, the coaches are pivotal, and his game has become unique.

The most exciting part of all this winning for Gasol is how it will impact him this upcoming season. I’m a firm believer that in order for athletes to be productive and be at the top of their game, they must truly enjoy what they do. They must love to be out on that court every single night. Winning is what makes the game fun. After winning an NBA Title and now a title for his home country, two things he hasn’t been able to do in his life prior to this year, he is sure to have a lot more fun out there this season.

I can see it now, Pau Gasol running down the court, with an enormous smile on his face, playing a more fun version of basketball than the basics we’re used to seeing from him. He will be motivating because he knows how much more exciting winning is than losing. He knows this team has a great chance to repeat, more than once at that, and will do whatever it takes to bring happiness to all the fans in Los Angeles.