Kobe has made the game easier for Gasol?

[Miamis3rdRing]

I don't like the Lakers or Kobe, and it pains me to say this, but...congrats on your championship. You guys should be in the Finals with a legit chance to win it all for a minimum of 2-3 years. Your crowd during Game 6 and 7 was legit. It reminded me of the old Lakers vs. Blazers day.

It's incredible that a few years ago Gasol was basically a nobody outside of Memphis, and now people are saying he's the best big man in the game. Some people have gone so far as to say he's the MVP of the team (Wish it was true...but let's be real)

Since coming to the Lakers, Gasol's FG% has been higher in each of these 3 years, than during ANY year he was in Memphis.

Anyway, I was wondering what are your guys thoughts on this? As a Heat fan, we have a lot of interest in Chris Bosh and if we get him, I'm hoping he can take a leap to the next level (Ala Gasol w/Kobe) alongside Wade. Gasol's never been as poor of a defender as Bosh, but he's also improved greatly in that regard.

I know you guys have some interest in Bosh as well, but IMO a healthy Bynum > Bosh. Bynum plays like a true big-man, you can't call him soft. Obviously it's a big-if whether Bynum can stay healthy.

[popeye64821]

kobe draws double and triple teams every night....and if gasol played like a *itch in the finals, the way he did most of the regular season, then kobe would have shoved his left kobe up pau's a**, so yeah kobe has made gasol a better player, maybe not in terms of stats, but he doesnt miss too many ft's anymore and he def isnt soft anymore, well atleast he wasnt soft for games 6 and 7 hopefully he takes pride in his finals play and it carries over to next season....

[Tee212]

I respect your admit to the kobe/laker hate and takes balls to give credit when its due. I think kobes aggression and intensity carries over to pau and you can clearly notice it. They compliment each other soo well and youre right about paus % increasing each of the 3 years hes been on the lakers.

[chefy]

same thing for kobe...gasol made it easier for him too

[aceking79]

Pau Gasol made playoffs 3 times, didnt win but was there. Where is Memphis now??
Pau gasol is World champion, European champion with boths MVP, silver medalist (w/o KOBE), and two times best european player.
He deserves respect...and for me, He was the real Finals MVP. He grabbed all the Kobe bricks.

[Slava]

Its a 2 way street for both guys. Kobe made it easier for Pau and if it weren't for this trade he'd probably end up as one of the great players without a ring.

On the other way round, if it weren't for Pau we probably wouldn't have won anything this decade and be front runners in the 2010 sweepstakes.

[Optms]

RealGM might not be praising Bosh as a top 10 player now but he certainly has the talent to be considered one. People would be singing a totally different tune with a couple of Eastern conference crowns and some solid playoffs performances if paired up with a star to take the load off him.

Bosh at this stage of his career is already much more superior on the boards than Gasol was, better scorer, and much better at getting to the line, which should say something about him if that soft label is going to be tossed around with his name. Unlike Pau however, he doesn't have the passing ability or equal IQ, which probably means he won't be the match made in heaven the same way Gasol is to the triangle offense. Nevertheless, with sexy parties, he should instantly transform the Heat into a 50 - 55 win team year in year out, and should flourish regardless.

[RipCityLives]

Gasol is doing what he did for his Spanish National team (good supporting cast) and Kobe doesnt play for Spain, thought. Maybe his % is better, but Kobe didnt made him the top rebounder and blocker that he is, and Kobe didnt bring him his passing ability, probably the best from big men. Pau is a hell of a player because he is that good. What he has improved is his mental and physical toughness thanks to the experience. Losing in the first round you cant get it.
I LOL when people says he is only good because he has freedom after Kobe being double teamed, when Gasol is the best low post scorer in the game. Check out his clutch basket against a triple team Pierce Wallace Garnett in Game 7.

[laduane1]

Lakers can not afford a big contract that Bosh wants. Bynum is only 22-23, so he will be around for awhile. You could trade one for the other. But that seems like a long shot. Gasol got better when he increased his strenght and learned the Lakers system. 2008 the Celtics were just that much better than the Lakers. This year we were just that much better.