Is Gasol really a PF?

[Sroek]

When you have a guy like Bynum, who has a bigger body, more strength and better anchoring/shot-blocking capabilities than Gasol, then it's only natural to have Gasol play PF and let Bynum occupy the paint. Just because Gasol can play center and is best used as a center on the current Laker roster, doesn't mean that's his optimum position.

[Erik Eleven]

PAU, MEET ANDREW
The worry-bead talk about Pau being able to adjust to Andrew or not is nothing but a bunch of baloney, if you ask me. I'm pretty certain that Pau will prove to be the perfect triangle PF, maybe the best offensive player to have ever played the four spot in the triangle. He has range on his face-ups, so you must not sag on him as defender. Play him too close and he will take it to the rim very effectively. Close him off when he cuts and he's an excellent passer with a ton of offensive weapons at his disposal. Double-team him and you allow Kobe, Odom, Bynum, Sasha, Fisher, Radmanovic open looks. With Bynum in the middle, I would expect Pau to average five assists per game. Pau is an extremely intelligent player and has a close to perfect balance of assertiveness and unselfishness. I foresee no problems what so ever with Pau and Bynum co-existing. There might be an adjustment period for Pau, due to the complicated nature of playing the four in the triangle, but not due to lack of adaptability nor spacing. Both Pau and Andrew are brainy players with a good feel for spacing. I think it's a match made in basketball heaven, aka Los Angeles.

SCORING:
Kobe: dominant scorer
Bynum: aggressive scorer
Gasol: brainy scorer
Odom: reluctant scorer

REBOUNDING:
Bynum: aggressive low-post rebounder
Gasol: excellent mid-range rebounder
Odom: top tier NBA (7th) rebounder, all ranges
Kobe: aggressive long-range rebounder

ASSISTS/TURNOVERS:
Odom: excellent passer, excellent catch/handle, great court vision
Kobe: excellent passer, excellent catch/handle, great court vision
Gasol: excellent passer, excellent catch/handle, great court vision
Bynum: excellent passer, excellent catch/handle, great court vision

FREETHROWS:
Kobe: excellent, clutch
Odom: better than average, clutch (lately)
Gasol: excellent for a big
Bynum: excellent for a big

DEFENSE:
Bynum: dominant low-post defender
Gasol: very good high-post man defender
Odom: excellent perimeter (actually) and swing-man defender
Kobe: aggressive, dominant perimeter and swing-man defender

[Verbal]

I'm going to have to find EE's new stash thread on the Lakers.

[what would jack bauer do?]

Pau is just as much as a pf as Duncan. The one thing I thought Pau always lacked in Memphis was a true center to play next to him. Lorenzen Wright and Swift were undersized and Tsakalidas was no good. People criticize his defense because he doesn't protect the rim like a 7 footer should, but last time I checked Pau was giving Duncan a lot of trouble with his man to man defense. As far as offense goes Pau can do it all; he used to face up and drive a lot more when he played pf in memphis, but I'm sure he hasn't forgotten how to do that.

[Erik Eleven]

I'm going to have to find EE's new stash thread on the Lakers.

Don't have one, but I appreciate the sentiment.

[Spanishraptor23]

Pau is just as much as a pf as Duncan. The one thing I thought Pau always lacked in Memphis was a true center to play next to him. Lorenzen Wright and Swift were undersized and Tsakalidas was no good. People criticize his defense because he doesn't protect the rim like a 7 footer should, but last time I checked Pau was giving Duncan a lot of trouble with his man to man defense. As far as offense goes Pau can do it all; he used to face up and drive a lot more when he played pf in memphis, but I'm sure he hasn't forgotten how to do that.

+1

[Chubby Chaser]

He's more comfortable stepping back and shooting little jumpers, and facing up and taking his man off the dribble. So yes he is a forward. Andrew is more comfortable banging with his defender with his back to the basket and throwing the ball down on their face. He is a true center. There's a big difference in their game and between a PF and a Center.

[CDB]

I am wondering since 2006 in World Champs... He introduced the phrase 'Center-with-skills-beyond-rebounding' in the outside-US pool of players. I remember always him to be dominant in the 5... Has he ever played at the 4? Can he have some 36-14-8 matches as our starting PF??? Will affect our offence those big guys trying to run the ball? I have heavy concerns about fisher-bryant-odom-gasol-bynum to be so dominant... In Game 1 against Denver I saw a team that is very quick,talented and 'showtimed'... Concerns about chemistry after Bynum return at lineup?? IS Pau Really a PF?????

Well he started off his career as a 4 but he does play the 5 at times, but I do believe that he is a natural 4.

I think he was always known as a 4, if you look at some of the websites like ESPN and Yahoo he is listed as a 4.

[gkonstantas]

When you have a guy like Bynum, who has a bigger body, more strength and better anchoring/shot-blocking capabilities than Gasol, then it's only natural to have Gasol play PF and let Bynum occupy the paint. Just because Gasol can play center and is best used as a center on the current Laker roster, doesn't mean that's his optimum position.

I agree(Bynum much more dominant as a beast in the paint),but...

Well he started off his career as a 4 but he does play the 5 at times, but I do believe that he is a natural 4. I think he was always known as a 4, if you look at some of the websites like ESPN and Yahoo he is listed as a 4..

Often gifted players start their carreers one spot down (LBJ, Wade for example)

As I say in the main thread post, he became known as one of the dominant European Centers. Watch his game in comparison to Dirk, the German is a true shooter in the body of a beast. The other marks of his game are got better through hard practice(descent rebounding,defence(?haha) , passing and so on). Pau on the other hand is what you say a Big Man. Rebounder, a fighter in the paint, and has a really good shot ability for his size CENTER .

You know guys? I believe after what I have seen written on that thread that maybe he trully can become a PF. My concerns are that I havent seen him play that position,he has the talents for sure, but to be honest I always have known Gasol as a 5. Maybe some of you have seen him in another role, me not, so I would like to know what your opinions are about the 'forward' Gasol. And if he really did play PF, how was he? His stats? His overall game?

We are here to share not only thoughts but also possible knowledge!

[crazyeights]

Kobe is only a "once-in-a-decade" basketball player?

Well, it's been 11 years....

[Dexmor]

If Bynum comes back healthy and the injury was a fluke Odom will not be there much longer and they will pick up a Battier type sf who can defend and make Kobe's job eaiser and who can defend the sf's.

[Dexmor]

Gasol is a 4 it's just most teams have 4's as there 5's.

[what would jack bauer do?]

Gasol is a 4 it's just most teams have 4's as there 5's.

There ya go, great point. We've been seeing this for so many seasons now it's easy to forget that there are so many guys playing out of position at center.

[PT_Lakers_fan]

Of course he is

Gasol is great!