Gasol still deciding on European Championships in September

Lakers forward Pau Gasol said Tuesday that he hasn't decided yet whether he'll play for Spain in the European Basketball Championships this September in Warsaw, Poland.

Like his Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant, Gasol has played two long NBA seasons and in the Olympics over the past two seasons, making rest and relaxation this offseason important.

But Gasol said Tuesday, as he walked to his car after meeting with Lakers officials at the team's training center in El Segundo, that he'd really like to help Spain win a European Championship.

Asked if Lakers coach Phil Jackson or general manager Mitch Kupchak encouraged him to rest instead, Gasol said, ``No. They understood.''

Gasol said that if he doesn't compete, he'll instead serve as a commentator on Spanish TV.