By K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Earlier this week, with an open smile, Pau Gasol offered perhaps the most plausible theory for why he’s enjoying a career renaissance.
“I’m from Spain, so there’s a lot of great wine,” Gasol said.
In his book, Gasol has written about enjoying a glass or two of vintage grapes. But that, of course, isn’t what he meant.
Gasol turned 35 in July. And all he did to follow up his All-Star first season with the Bulls was earn most valuable player honours while leading Spain to the EuroBasket title in one of the more dominant international performances of recent vintage.
Ageing tastefully, anyone?
“Being meticulous, being ambitious, wanting to extend my career at the highest level, that’s really my goal,” Gasol said. “I enjoy playing the game, but I enjoy playing the game well and being one of the best.
“It’s hard when you’re used to being one of the top players, fading a little bit. So I’m doing whatever I can to prolong my career at the highest level. That’s how I have the most fun.”
It seems almost far-fetched to remember, but when Gasol spurned interest from the Lakers, Spurs, Thunder and Knicks to sign his three-year, $22.3 million deal with a player option with the Bulls, question marks existed whether his best days were behind him. Injuries plagued him in his final two seasons in Los Angeles.
Instead, Gasol led the NBA in double-doubles last season and posted averages of 18.5 points and a career-high 11.8 rebounds. His scoring average marked his highest since 2010-11.
“I hope the momentum I’ve built this summer carries over into training camp and the season,” Gasol said. “Obviously, I’m in pretty good shape. Now I just have to make sure I don’t start the season burned out or with a high level of fatigue.
“Last year, I played a high amount of minutes because of injuries we had. Hopefully this season, we will all stay healthy and our minutes will be more shared. But I’ve always said: I’ll play as many minutes as I have to.”
Gasol certainly did for Spain. He averaged a tournament-high 25.6 points on 57.5 percent shooting, making it hard for acclaimed Spanish coach Sergio Scariolo to take him off the floor. Gasol’s 40-point performance in an epic semifinal victory over France in overtime marked half of Spain’s points.
“It was terrific. I never see something like that before,” said Nikola Mirotic, a Bulls and Spanish national team teammate.
“Every single day he played great, and not just offensively -- defensively too. He was the leader.”
Some players view national team service as a burden or chore. Gasol has played for the Spanish senior national team since 2001 and the junior team for three years before.
“It gives me good rhythm, good confidence and gets me in good shape,” Gasol said.
“Definitely, it’s more basketball, more miles on my wheels. But it’s something I take pride in, and it has worked out well for myself and our team.”
Gasol felt an even greater burden this summer because his brother, Marc, didn’t play as he secured a contract extension with the Grizzlies. Serge Ibaka -- like Mirotic, a naturalised Spanish citizen -- also skipped as he rehabilitated a knee injury.
“I adjusted to the needs of our team,” Gasol said.
“Our team was not as talented and offensively gifted as other years, so I knew I had to step up my offense and score more for us to have a better chance to win.
“I think our situation here with the Bulls is different. We have a lot of talent offensively, so you don’t need a guy who’s going to score in the mid-20s or shoot more than 20 shots per game. That’s going to happen sometimes, but it’s not going to be the common theme.”
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg raised some eyebrows at last week’s media day when he said the Bulls “would play through Pau a lot.” Does that jibe with Hoiberg’s up-tempo, dynamic offensive attack?
“Anybody who watched Pau play this summer, if you didn’t get him the ball a lot, you’d be pretty stupid,” Hoiberg said. “He’s just so good down there. He can score it and pass it.”
Hoiberg went on to cite opportunities like pocket passes and ball screens, not just setting up Gasol in the post.
Like a good bottle of Rioja, Gasol is ready for any occasion.