The Daily Stoic Ask Daily Stoic: Ryan and NBA Legend Pau Gasol Talk Books, Basketball, and Stoicism
Gasol's Reading Journey
- Pau Gasol started reading more in his mid-20s, his interest further sparked by Phil Jackson's book recommendations.
- He enjoyed books like "The Shadow of the Wind" and works by Kapuscinski and Carlos Ruiz Zafón.
Personalized Book Recommendations
- Phil Jackson gave each Lakers player different books, personalized to resonate with them. Gasol's first was Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls," given in Spanish despite his English proficiency.
The Value of Fiction
- Gasol finds fiction offers a refreshing change of pace, taking him on journeys with captivating characters and storylines.
- He enjoys historical and fictional novels, citing "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series as a compelling example.
In today’s episode, Ryan talks with NBA All-Star, Laker legend and humanitarian Pau Gasol. They discuss everything from Pau's reading habit to his advocacy for female coaches in basketball and more.
1:51 - Intro
6:22 - Being a big reader—and how that was encouraged by Phil Jackson
8:22 - What Pau gets out of fiction
10:32 - Phil Jackson recommendations
11:52 - Stoicism and reading
16:02 - The Meditations and marginalia
18:28 - Why do athletes always like quotes/aphorisms?
21:52 - The importance of reminders
24:42 - The importance of female coaches in basketball, and why discrimination is so harmful, and how hardship makes us stronger
37:25 - COVID-19 economic consequences: how did Pau process his experience with the Trailblazers, and how is that informing his decisions now?
Books mentioned:
- The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- The Shadow of the Sun, by Ryszard Kapuscinski
- Corelli’s Mandolin, by Louis de Bernieres
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson
- For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway
- Catch-22, by Joseph Heller
- 2666, by Roberto Bolaño
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