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FIBA World Cup: Breaking Down Every Group’s MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Pau Gasol and host Spain were dominant in group play and are favored to come out of the top half of the elimination round bracket in Madrid. (FIBA photo)
Pau Gasol and host Spain were dominant in group play and are favored to come out of the top half of the elimination round bracket in Madrid. (FIBA photo) /
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Group A: Pau Gasol, Spain

Position: Forward/Center

Age: 34

World Cup Averages: 22.2 EFF, 25.8 MPG, 21.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.0 BPG

Not only is Pau Gasol the MVP of Group A, but he’s the MVP of the entire FIBA World Cup thus far.

Gasol has been masterful. He’s shown fresh legs in transition, has been unstoppable out of the post and continued to find ways to contribute everywhere in between.

The result has been pure dominance for the host country Spain.

Gasol finished group play with averages of 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.0 blocks in 25.8 minutes of action. He shot 61.9 percent from the field and torched the likes of Boris Diaw, Nene Hilario, Tiago Splitter and Anderson Varejao.

Entering group play, Gasol is No. 4 in efficiency and has a +/- of plus-93. He’s dominant, he’s brilliant and he’s doing what he’s capable of when healthy and aggressive.

The only remaining question is whether or not Gasol can carry this dominance into the upcoming NBA season.