Pau Gasol believes that NBA's ability to avoid a lockout is good for the game although it could rule him out for Spain in the EuroBasket 2005.

The lockout, which was due to start on July 1, was avoided after the NBA and the players' union reached agreement.

"I think it has a double significance," wrote Gasol in his column in Spanish sports paper Marca.

"On one hand, I think it is good for basketball, because the NBA could not allow itself another lockout like the one it suffered in 1998, which lasted for six months."

However, a labour dispute would have increased the likelihood of Gasol representing Spain in September's European championships, which will be held in Serbia & Montenegro, without causing any problems with his club, the Memphis Grizzlies.

It is thought that the Grizzlies, who signed Gasol to a lucrative contract extension last season, do not want the Spaniard to go to the Eurobasket over fears he will aggravate a long-standing foot problem which kept him out of action for two months.

"On the other hand, the agreement does have a negative result on a more personal note," he added.

"If there had been a lockout, I would have had greater possibilities of being with the national team in Belgrade in September."