Is Gasol Ready for ‘Showtime’?
He better be.
In an instant, Pau Gasol went from being a really good player (if relatively ignored) on a gawd awful team, to perhaps the player with the most pressure to perform in the entire NBA. Such is life when a star enters the Lakers’ galaxy.
Pau says he’s ready for the bright lights and welcomes the pressure.
“I think it is a great kind of pressure,” he said. “The pressure to win and being one of the favorites is what you want and something I have been missing in the NBA. I love that I have that with my (Spanish) national team every summer.”
The travel-weary Gasol didn’t suit up for his new team yesterday due to a sore back, but is expected to play on Tuesday night in New Jersey.
Maybe he can find some time to tell Jason Kidd what it feels like to be freed from basketball hell.
50 Responses to “Is Gasol Ready for ‘Showtime’?”
Feb.4 at 10:02 am
Aidan says:
first?
Feb.4 at 10:04 am
white hot eboy says:
I would hope he is.
Feb.4 at 10:06 am
Ryne Nelson says:
Being that he’s played in TN his entire career, I’d expect a bit of a transition period. But it’s not like he’s never played for a competitive team before.
Feb.4 at 10:18 am
Logan says:
i think Gasol will thrive on this Laker team since he is not the focal point of the offense….
Feb.4 at 10:22 am
neaorin says:
No more excuses now.
Feb.4 at 10:23 am
Ryne Nelson says:
Logan, I agree. Pau can be that go-to guy for a team, but I’d be interested to see how well he does as a No. 2 option.
Feb.4 at 10:27 am
The Second Coming says:
incredible addition…and he’s a good enough talent to make it work regardless. It will be maybe a year before he really “gets it” though.
Feb.4 at 10:28 am
Gerard Himself says:
I still wonder if it ever happened that two brothers were traded for each other. Anyone?
Feb.4 at 10:36 am
Ryne Nelson says:
I’d guess this is the first time brothers have been traded in the NBA. I can’t think of many brothers in the League other than the Barry’s and the Collins’.
Feb.4 at 10:45 am
Kevin says:
i’m lookin forward to Gasol in LA, we’ll see what he’s made of shortly..
Feb.4 at 10:45 am
Sesa says:
Better yet, what if this so-called “Spanish Treasure” was only a trade bait for other team?
or maybe with the Gasol trade, the Lakers are finally ready to trade Andrew Bynum with Kidd?
Feb.4 at 10:49 am
Sesa says:
When Bynum’s recovered, the real problem will begin. Minute sharing on the Center’s spot.
Gasol’s game right now is more like a Center than a PF unlike his Rook year.
Sure that He can bang down low but on his rookie year he had these speed and agility.
Feb.4 at 10:50 am
Sesa says:
Where’s Holly anyway?
Feb.4 at 10:50 am
Keith says:
This is a great trade for L.A.They get rid of Kwame Clown and get a fantastic big man. But how long before Kobe complains about not having as much of the spotlight?
Feb.4 at 10:54 am
nick says:
I don’t think he’ll really split minutes with bynum…Gasol will play PF and work out of the high post. if you ever watched memphis play (dfficult to find, i know) they liked to give Pau the ball at the top of the key, on the left elbow, and let him face up. His shot is good enough from there tht guys have to close him out, and he’s quick enough to go either way. He’ll throw in a counterspin if the defense recovers. He’s a good passer from up there too, and now has big men to throw to other than stro and darko.
Feb.4 at 11:16 am
rob stewart says:
Great move! I think the Lakers should get rid of some guys now, they have plenty of depth. I would let Radmonovic, Walton, and /or Mihm go. Maybe get some future picks or free up some room to sign a good od locker room guy like Kevin Willis or something. Remember Phil brought in John Salley and Robert Parish when they were physically done and they really helped.
Feb.4 at 11:22 am
BETCATS says:
Swizz Beatz should be satisified
Feb.4 at 11:23 am
Young C says:
It actually might be better if they let either Bynum or Gasol come off the bench to give them a sick amount of depth at the center spot. I dont know if Odom can play the SF spot for the majority of the game, especially defensively. But the Lakers are gonna be a free agent magnet once again. Maybe they can add a Ron Artest or Corey Maggete in the offseason if they’re willing to take a pay cut.
Feb.4 at 11:34 am
Sesa says:
Odom can play SF, it’s his natural position y’know.
He’s forced to play PF in Lakers since Butler-Odom era.
Feb.4 at 11:37 am
BETCATS says:
Celtics have a Big 3 , LA has a Big 4. It seems that Jack Nicholson should be happy.
Feb.4 at 11:41 am
terry says:
i think the lakers made a good trade kwame brown sucks capaerd to pau gasol good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Feb.4 at 11:42 am
Young C says:
Offensively yes it is Odoms natural position for his skillset. But I can name you about 29 SFs that Odom is too slow and unathletic to gaurd. Although he does have the size and length advantage.
Feb.4 at 11:44 am
BETCATS says:
Odom is a SF, always was one until they had the idea to turn him inot a hyprid (no prius) The lakers will have one of the strongest starting 5’s in the L. Only thing they could do wrong is trade for J-Kidd.
Feb.4 at 11:44 am
Kadavour says:
Bynum and Gasol can be on the court at the same time. Bynum low-post, Gasol in the high-post (same place Memphis employed him, though this time he may have some more passing responsibilities), Lamar and Farmar/Fish exchange control bringing the ball up, and Kobe as the scorer. Their bench is gonna R@PE squads.
Feb.4 at 11:47 am
Kadavour says:
The Lakers want NOTHING to do with Jason Kidd. He just won’t work with their system because the best PG for the triangle is one who can knock down the long shot consistently. And why would the Lakers give up solid young pieces for an overaged PG? They can easily use those pieces as trade bait for more solid investments in the seasons to come.
Feb.4 at 11:52 am
BETCATS says:
I think Kidd will remain a Net. Who can get him? Who would even want him? Knicks are now devloping chemistry, so they are out. G-State has B Diddy, Dallas clearly lost intrest, Miami Heat are not that desperate, Portland has a franchise player with injury problems already and 2 would just be company, Sacremento has no fit, Nuggets dont need him. He is stuck in NJ hence the Stro Show was brought in
Feb.4 at 12:00 pm
BETCATS says:
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Feb.4 at 12:00 pm
BETCATS says:
27
Feb.4 at 12:01 pm
BETCATS says:
28
Feb.4 at 12:01 pm
BETCATS says:
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Feb.4 at 12:01 pm
BETCATS says:
333333333333333333333333000000000000000000000.9
Feb.4 at 12:35 pm
DP says:
He will be a beast there is no question of that. The only question is how quickly will he jell with his teammates and how will it go when Bynum comes back? I have no worries because Pau hated Memphis and he has just been messing around this season and he still averaged 18 and 8. play wit it.
Feb.4 at 12:39 pm
Sesa says:
I still think that some SF doesn’t have a good record when matched up with Lamar Odom.
Namely Rashard Lewis and Peja.
Feb.4 at 1:08 pm
vmcb says:
I’m not sure how well Gasol and Bynum will fit together. Sure, Gasol can play in the high post, but people were saying these exact same things about Curry and Randolph in New York. Obviously Bynum and Gasol aren’t exactely donut pounding, shot complaining ballhogs, but I think it’ll take some time.
Feb.4 at 1:16 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Keith - sharing the spotlight won’t be a problem
Feb.4 at 1:35 pm
Sesa says:
As long as the team winning, Gasol won’t complain.
Anyways, LA will always welcome the Gasol drama or a telenovela.
Feb.4 at 1:41 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Kobe speaks Spanish.
Feb.4 at 2:13 pm
Snoodaard says:
I think Gasol and Bynum will do fine together. Their games complement each other unlike Curry and Randolph’s. And Kobe won’t complain. The world knows this is his team. If anything, he probably just wants some more rings.
Feb.4 at 4:01 pm
tenorca says:
Sure there’s pressure, but it isn’t like Pau has to take the last shot or guard the other team’s best player. This is a great situation for a guy who is good but has never thrived on being The Man, in Spain or Memphis. &#*^ Lakers…
Feb.4 at 4:07 pm
hursty says:
he needs to be ready, the fans will show significant wrath if he doesnt perform.
Feb.4 at 4:56 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
Kobe will complain when he realizes how soft Gasol is…
Feb.4 at 4:58 pm
brandonmeza says:
yep hes finally on a proven team and when bynum gets back he’ll be even better cause with fisher,bryant,odom,gasol,bynum thats a championship caliber team
Feb.4 at 5:30 pm
double j says:
Oh man… i just loaded up a game of nba live 08 with updated rosters and played la against boston… LA opens with a 9-0 run!!!
Feb.4 at 5:34 pm
Galo says:
Now if the Lakes just trade for Jason Kidd they’d be the most exciting team for the next two years. (Starters: Kidd, Bryant, Odom, Gasol, Bynum. Bench: Jack Nickelson, Jessica Alba, Glen Rice’s Wife and Kevin Willis–just ’cause he deserves it
Feb.4 at 6:58 pm
Shroomy says:
Yeah Odom is versatile enough to play the 3. I’d say Gasol should be able to put up 19 and 10 in L.A. The only piece they’re missing now is a good point guarde that won’t get roasted by guys like Baron, Nash and Chris Paul.
Feb.4 at 10:47 pm
Galo says:
Shroomy: “The only piece they’re missing now is a good point guarde that won’t get roasted by guys like Baron, Nash and Chris Paul.”. You just elimiated 97% of the League’s point guards. All the point guards that fit that description are untradeable, so, no can do.
Feb.4 at 10:55 pm
TC says:
I can’t wait to watch this Lakers team when Bynum gets back. They are at least going to the Western Finals this year.
Feb.5 at 7:35 am
Stewie Griffin says:
The Western Conference matchups in the first round are all gonna be insane! As of today we’d have in the first round: Suns-Warriors, Dallas-Denver, NO-Spurs, Jazz-Lakers, CAN’T WAIT!
Feb.5 at 8:17 am
Sesa says:
I’d still say the frontline of Turiaf, Gasol and Odom fits perfectly.
Have you seen the way Turiaf defended Chris Bosh on Raptors game?
Bynum-Gasol combo will have to wait.
Feb.5 at 8:44 am
Sesa says:
If I may use an analogy, Gasol signing with the Lakers are like Microsoft trying to buy Yahoo.
Microsoft and Yahoo! have their own respective product, but the acquisition will revive the whole US economy.
While Gasol and Bynum are both virtually Centers that probably roam the same area but the signings itself had made a big buzz around the NBA and will gave the whole NBA Entertainment a big hope of drawing rating and commercials.