Kinda predictable story considering how many games Pau Gasol has played in the last three seasons for the Lakers and for his native Spain internationally, but here’s part of the report this morning from The Associated Press:

“Lakers center Pau Gasol says he will not help Spain defend its title at the world basketball championships because doctors say he needs a rest. Gasol says ‘present circumstances advise against my participation’ in the championship in Turkey from Aug. 29-Sept. 12. Gasol and the Lakers face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Thursday night in Los Angeles. In a statement on his website on Tuesday, Gasol says that in a grueling NBA season in which he’s sustained the first two major muscle injuries of his career, ‘my body is calling for a temporary relief.’ Gasol helped Spain win its first world title four years ago in Japan.”