Spurs' Gasol embraces new role: 'It's not about statistics'

The San Antonio Spurs' big free-agent acquisition, Pau Gasol, knows winning matters more than the numbers in the box score.

Coming off two All-Star campaigns, Gasol is putting up a modest 11 points and seven rebounds per game this season, down from 16 and 11 last year with the Bulls. Consistently a first or second option for his entire career up to this point, the Spaniard is the third option at best for the 14-3, Southwest Division-leading Spurs - though Gasol could see that coming.

"You have to understand you're coming to a team that's already really good, right?" the 15-year veteran told Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports. "And you have to figure out a way to fit in best within the personnel and how the coaching staff wants to use you and wants you to contribute."

With Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge leading the way in the scoring department, Gasol only has one goal in mind.

"I have to understand where I am in my career and why I came here," Gasol said. "I came here to help this team be better, and ultimately help the team win a championship.

"It's not about statistics (or) individual stuff. It's about team accomplishment, and by the end of the year, (if) I contribute and help this team be better and win a championship, I'll be a happy man."

The Barcelona native is no stranger to what it takes to win a championship - winning two with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 - so his ability to fit into the winning culture in San Antonio comes as no surprise. Replacing Tim Duncan was never going to be possible for the Spurs, but they couldn't have hoped for much better when they picked up the 36-year-old Spaniard.

"He's exactly what we thought he would be," head coach Gregg Popovich said.

During the Spurs' eight-game winning streak prior to Gasol's first scoreless outing since 2008 in Boston on Friday, he averaged 16 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.