The on-again, off-again nature of the injuries was frustrating. The inconsistent production, the watching from the sidelines too much of the time, the feeling of helplessness — all frustrating.
And given a chance to fix that feeling, to really get himself right and be ready for the sole sporting task that drives him, Marc Gasol took it.
It was under unorthodox and troubling circumstances — a global pandemic that shuttered societies around the world — but the veteran Raptors centre made the most of a brutal situation. He changed his body, changed the way he looks, and is ready to resume the suspended NBA season with a new vigour and a new purpose.