Where in the world is Pau Gasol?

[Imadogg]

A much needed thread about Pau... what the **** is going on with him?

For comparison, here are some playoff stats for Pau

2009 Championship playoff run:
40.5 minutes, 18.3pts on 58%FG and 71%FT, 10.8reb

2010 Championship playoff run:
39.7 min, 19.6pts on 53.8%FG and 75.9%FT, 11.1reb

2011 horrible playoff run:
35.8 min, 13.1pts on 42%FG and 80%FT, 7.8reb

This year so far.....
35.8min, 11.2pts on 41.4%FG and 63.6%FT, 7.8reb


If you watch him play, it goes further than the stats.. it just doesn't look good. He disappears for long stretches, he just seems invisible and I always end up think "when was the last time Pau did anything at all in the game?". He's been clanging WIDE OPEN jumpers every single game of the series. It goes past not playing well with Bynum or whatever. His regular season numbers have dipped a little bit but not too bad.... but for 2 playoffs in a row he has played way worse and is looking useless out there.

What's wrong with Pau??

[hermes]

a photoshop wizard might be able to do some good work with this

[Anklebreaker702]

You probably won't get many responses for this imadogg, too many people put too much stock into Pau. Last year DEEP & i had a helluva scrap trying to tell the board Pau's time had passed him by & it turned into an uproar. Any time you have a player that's that dominant on the block & then doesn't want to go back down there its all over.

Pau has always been soft but now that the book is out on him & he's older he'll never be that player again trust me.

[desertlakerfan]

I think the worst part is Brown's decision to try and build the second unit around Pau. It made sense at the start of the season before Bynum's emergence as the clear cut #2 option on offense, but right now the minutes we have both Kobe and Bynum on the bench together we struggle greatly offensively.

We need to switch it up and always have either Kobe or Bynum on the floor at all times. Keep Pau's minutes with Kobe's, and go back to playing some of their 2 man game with high pick and rolls when Bynum sits.

[Tee212]

well for the most part hes been the most consistent laker this year but now is just a bad time for level off. Pau and the rest of the lakers better play their asses off tomo cause its possibly their last as a laker. please do well tomo sooo we can all eat crow.

[miggs]

I feel Pau's time is over. He's shown some decent games this year but to me the stats are like icing on the cake. I've seen Pau melting down ever since the start of last year's playoffs. It seemed he'd lost all heart and drive, now this year Bynum emerges as the premier 2nd option and gets his first All-Star game meanwhile Pau misses it. Right then I knew Pau had no confidence, he's amazingly skilled which is why he's still able to put up decent numbers in the season but that drive to win and confidence to will it is gone and is never coming back.

We can sit on Pau and wait for his contract to end or trade him either way the era of Pau being a force in this league is gone. Unless he finds his way to Chicago than it's over for him, in a league full of physicality Pau just can't measure up anymore. I can't stand when he's punked around by guys with less talent, **** I remember in my own days playing ball, if you were more talented than the other guy you walked like it. And if they tried pushin you around than you punished the bastard by mopping the floor with him the rest of the game. Pau did it when he first came here, stomping over almost everyone (KG), eventually being in the conversation as the best PF in the league and now it's this.

[TyCobb]

He's secretly apart of #tank swag. He did this **** last year vs. Dallas too.

[miggs]

Also to those who come in wanting to say how ungrateful Lakers fans are of Pau, please do me a favor that bs holds no water. It's time to ship his ass out, but I don't think we'll find someone better.

[miggs]

He's secretly apart of #tank swag. He did this **** last year vs. Dallas too.

#tank swag?

[milesfides]

Totally disagree about Pau.

It's a combination of:

1. Sacrificing personality (sacrifices touches and a lot of his game for Andrew to grow)
2. Naturally soft game
3. MIke Brown not being able to get him more involved in the offense (S/R, high post action)
4. A bad game

He's a good guy, he's a team guy, he's a dude you need to prod and throw him into the fire, but when he's asked to be a 3rd option, it's too easy for him to disappear, because his natural personality is to defer. Guys like him, you need to highlight him and utilize him, engage him.

Super smart guy, but saying he's past his prime or whatever is BS. Just his role this season, in a bad, bad offense.

His PER is still quality, he's still a top 5 PF in the game, he can (and maybe should) play center in today's game. Still the most VERSATILE big man in the game, very intelligent guy, great for the team.

Yeah, he'll never be Kevin Garnett, but if the Lakers sat Bynum and re-tooled this offense so he'd play the pivot, he'd be schooling McGee or Mozgov in the paint.

Just been forced to a mainly being a floor spacing shooter this year, still averaging 4 assists with limited touches because his high IQ and unselfish game.

His lack of an impact in this series is mainly a result of being underutilized. That's just IMHO.

Yeah, he could play harder, but he has no chance against Faried, who's a shooting guard/small forward size . Pau should be matched up against McGee or Mozgov or Denver's center, which would help his defensive chances. But he's not, so his offensive game is stunted and he's getting burned on defense.

But yes, he could play harder. But he's not a bum and his career isn't over.

[kobeaki]

Totally disagree about Pau.

It's a combination of:

1. Sacrificing personality (sacrifices touches and a lot of his game for Andrew to grow)
2. Naturally soft game
3. MIke Brown not being able to get him more involved in the offense (S/R, high post action)
4. A bad game

He's a good guy, he's a team guy, he's a dude you need to prod and throw him into the fire, but when he's asked to be a 3rd option, it's too easy for him to disappear, because his natural personality is to defer. Guys like him, you need to highlight him and utilize him, engage him.

Super smart guy, but saying he's past his prime or whatever is BS. Just his role this season, in a bad, bad offense.

His PER is still quality, he's still a top 5 PF in the game, he can (and maybe should) play center in today's game. Still the most VERSATILE big man in the game, very intelligent guy, great for the team.

Yeah, he'll never be Kevin Garnett, but if the Lakers sat Bynum and re-tooled this offense so he'd play the pivot, he'd be schooling McGee or Mozgov in the paint.

Just been forced to a mainly being a floor spacing shooter this year, still averaging 4 assists with limited touches because his high IQ and unselfish game.

His lack of an impact in this series is mainly a result of being underutilized. That's just IMHO.

Yeah, he could play harder, but he has no chance against Faried, who's a shooting guard/small forward size . Pau should be matched up against McGee or Mozgov or Denver's center, which would help his defensive chances. But he's not, so his offensive game is stunted and he's getting burned on defense.

But yes, he could play harder. But he's not a bum and his career isn't over.

speaking the truth miles....as always.

[Tee212]

in agree with miles 100%

[miggs]

Totally disagree about Pau.

It's a combination of:

1. Sacrificing personality (sacrifices touches and a lot of his game for Andrew to grow)
2. Naturally soft game
3. MIke Brown not being able to get him more involved in the offense (S/R, high post action)
4. A bad game

He's a good guy, he's a team guy, he's a dude you need to prod and throw him into the fire, but when he's asked to be a 3rd option, it's too easy for him to disappear, because his natural personality is to defer. Guys like him, you need to highlight him and utilize him, engage him.

Super smart guy, but saying he's past his prime or whatever is BS. Just his role this season, in a bad, bad offense.

His PER is still quality, he's still a top 5 PF in the game, he can (and maybe should) play center in today's game. Still the most VERSATILE big man in the game, very intelligent guy, great for the team.

Yeah, he'll never be Kevin Garnett, but if the Lakers sat Bynum and re-tooled this offense so he'd play the pivot, he'd be schooling McGee or Mozgov in the paint.

Just been forced to a mainly being a floor spacing shooter this year, still averaging 4 assists with limited touches because his high IQ and unselfish game.

His lack of an impact in this series is mainly a result of being underutilized. That's just IMHO.

Yeah, he could play harder, but he has no chance against Faried, who's a shooting guard/small forward size . Pau should be matched up against McGee or Mozgov or Denver's center, which would help his defensive chances. But he's not, so his offensive game is stunted and he's getting burned on defense.

But yes, he could play harder. But he's not a bum and his career isn't over.

I partially agree Miles, though I'm hoping you're right this time as well. I HATE seeing this no confidence no effort Pau, I hear what you're saying but I feel this has been an issue since before Mike Brown got here. I saw this same no effort no confidence Pau in last year's playoffs so I just find it hard to leave it at him being underutilized. I really hope you're right because I think we'll get garbage in a trade for him so unless he changes I think this kind of poor play along with his salary is gonna kill this team's chances of competing in Kobe's final years of title contention as a Laker.

So he shoots poorly, isn't rebounding at a high rate, poor movement on offense, those are things I can deal with as I can tell he's allowed Bynum to grow but at the same time a lack of effort and confidence should not be there. It's more than a bad game, it's a bad attitude, specifically a seemingly weak mentality and we can't have that from a guy who's called a co-captain, especially when you got a guy with a mouth like Bynum's to control. Pau may be more vocal but his play hasn't be imposed on his opponents. When Pau is on his game, he's truly one of the most beautiful players to watch but these last two seasons of Pau have been down right awful, no way to hide that with a bad game or poor coach. Pau's mind is the issue here to me, the quicker he solves that better our chances at advancing deep in the playoffs. This year he is the x factor to me, if he plays aggressive (not KG-like) but like aggressive Pau plays, then we're a force no team can match but if he's passive we sink, sort of reminds me of Odom's role.

[milesfides]

I hear what you're saying, but I don't think Pau plays with no effort or no confidence. I don't think he mentally checks out like Bynum. For example, even though his shot was MIA last night, he didn't blow off huddles. He was in there. He was also trying to engage Bynum in talking on the bench (Bynum looked disinterested). His struggles last year were partially due to the same reasons - Phil decided (or was pressured to) start both Pau and Bynum midway last season. Pau's role shrunk. And Pau is a guy that needs and SHOULD get touches, not to keep him happy, but because he's the best passing big man in the game, it helps our offense (which sucks right now).

All things considered, I thought Pau was playing OK for most of the series except he struggled Game 5 and couldn't hit a shot Game 6. But he can't contribute more because Mike Brown's offense is setting up Bynum or Kobe. And he's matched up against Faried at the other end. I don't know, it's a tough position to be in offensively (be a spot up shooter) and defensively (chase a guy he has no chance of catching).

But yeah, I think he can play harder, and I think he can demand the ball more, and be less accommodating to his coaches and teammates. I think he could be more physical as always, but it's hard to be physical when you're forced to space the floor on offense, and running after a small guy on defense. I guess he could try to flagrantly foul or something to discourage Faried, but then again, Kobe tried that and it didn't work.

But you bring a good point about his salary and trades. He does make way too much money for how we're using him.

I do think plenty of teams recognize his value and his changing situation on the Lakers with Bynum's emergence. Obviously, Houston loves him, they loved him after last year's sweep against Dallas, I'd bet they'll love him this year too. Daryl Morey knows what Pau can do.

Pau's game is really rare. Skills are very rare. It's just really hard to find somebody with his kind of talent and his size. I mean, look around the league...every power forward/center has his problems.

There is no Shaq.

I would say look at the power forward alternatives for Pau. I don't know, I could think of maybe a handful of PF I'd take above him individual. And maybe only a couple for the Lakers, specifically.

Pau is a bit soft. But he's a good teammate. He's not relentless. But he's very unselfish. There's nothing cancerous about him. There are good sides to his bad sides. He's just not an ideal player, but he is a great player, a world class player, whose game we are not maximizing at all. I mean, he was a huge part of why we won 2 rings in the past few years. He and Kobe. Bynum was not a major part of those championships. Pau is not Duncan, he's not Shaq, he's not KG, but he's Pau, a unique, great player.

But the Lakers decided to build around Bynum, because they believe Bynum is the next Shaq,Wilt, Kareem. Take that for what you will. I disagree with the Lakers about Bynum. I think the Lakers should still build around Kobe and Pau because they naturally play well together, their games will age gracefully, they are good teammates, they have proven they can win championships. I would have placed a complementary frontcourt player next to Pau - not a replacement. I think in today's league, Pau should play center, and he should be paired with a high energy defensive power forward, because that's where the league is at today. A guy like Serge Ibaka, a guy like Kenneth Faried.

I'm not sure what you guys are expecting. His offensive game is being held back and defensively he's put in a tough spot. I do expect him to play better (1-11 was an outlier), harder, but how can anybody expect a huge change in his game? As long as Mike Brown has Pau set up as a floor spacer, and as long as Pau has to chase Faried, it's going to be a tough series for Pau to make a huge impact.

[Tee212]

wow who would of thought an athletic undersized pf fareed would neutralize/out play pau, mostly due to the fact that we tried using pau on the offensive end only to get doubled and our "shooters" arent shooting or bricking open shots. We need someone to cover and run back with fareed on brick shots which would be ebanks leaving pau on an island with galo. speed and athletic players kills us.

[semi-sentient]

in agree with miles 100%

[miggs]

I hear what you're saying, but I don't think Pau plays with no effort or no confidence. I don't think he mentally checks out like Bynum. For example, even though his shot was MIA last night, he didn't blow off huddles. He was in there. He was also trying to engage Bynum in talking on the bench (Bynum looked disinterested). His struggles last year were partially due to the same reasons - Phil decided (or was pressured to) start both Pau and Bynum midway last season. Pau's role shrunk. And Pau is a guy that needs and SHOULD get touches, not to keep him happy, but because he's the best passing big man in the game, it helps our offense (which sucks right now).

All things considered, I thought Pau was playing OK for most of the series except he struggled Game 5 and couldn't hit a shot Game 6. But he can't contribute more because Mike Brown's offense is setting up Bynum or Kobe. And he's matched up against Faried at the other end. I don't know, it's a tough position to be in offensively (be a spot up shooter) and defensively (chase a guy he has no chance of catching).

But yeah, I think he can play harder, and I think he can demand the ball more, and be less accommodating to his coaches and teammates. I think he could be more physical as always, but it's hard to be physical when you're forced to space the floor on offense, and running after a small guy on defense. I guess he could try to flagrantly foul or something to discourage Faried, but then again, Kobe tried that and it didn't work.

But you bring a good point about his salary and trades. He does make way too much money for how we're using him.

I do think plenty of teams recognize his value and his changing situation on the Lakers with Bynum's emergence. Obviously, Houston loves him, they loved him after last year's sweep against Dallas, I'd bet they'll love him this year too. Daryl Morey knows what Pau can do.

Pau's game is really rare. Skills are very rare. It's just really hard to find somebody with his kind of talent and his size. I mean, look around the league...every power forward/center has his problems.

There is no Shaq.

I would say look at the power forward alternatives for Pau. I don't know, I could think of maybe a handful of PF I'd take above him individual. And maybe only a couple for the Lakers, specifically.

Pau is a bit soft. But he's a good teammate. He's not relentless. But he's very unselfish. There's nothing cancerous about him. There are good sides to his bad sides. He's just not an ideal player, but he is a great player, a world class player, whose game we are not maximizing at all. I mean, he was a huge part of why we won 2 rings in the past few years. He and Kobe. Bynum was not a major part of those championships. Pau is not Duncan, he's not Shaq, he's not KG, but he's Pau, a unique, great player.

But the Lakers decided to build around Bynum, because they believe Bynum is the next Shaq,Wilt, Kareem. Take that for what you will. I disagree with the Lakers about Bynum. I think the Lakers should still build around Kobe and Pau because they naturally play well together, their games will age gracefully, they are good teammates, they have proven they can win championships. I would have placed a complementary frontcourt player next to Pau - not a replacement. I think in today's league, Pau should play center, and he should be paired with a high energy defensive power forward, because that's where the league is at today. A guy like Serge Ibaka, a guy like Kenneth Faried.

I'm not sure what you guys are expecting. His offensive game is being held back and defensively he's put in a tough spot. I do expect him to play better (1-11 was an outlier), harder, but how can anybody expect a huge change in his game? As long as Mike Brown has Pau set up as a floor spacer, and as long as Pau has to chase Faried, it's going to be a tough series for Pau to make a huge impact.

I agree on Bynum, I feel he's disinterested. He's like that gf who you know is no good for you yet you stick around because you "love" her, in reality it's just her tricks you love. He just seems to do what he wants and I don't feel the organization has the balls to do something about it, I also don't care for Bynum as much as Pau. When Pau came to the Lakers, it was a big deal! I remember when Pau was drafted, I was salivating at the idea of him next to Kobe. However, I haven't seen that hungry Pau in over 2 seasons I feel.

However, you bring up points I never concluded, such as how to maximize Pau's mentality. I agree on all you said of him but still can't excuse his poor effort, especially for a player always seemed to put out all he had, he was never going to be a fierce physical player but even with his soft persona he'd punish his opponents, he relished being a winner and number one. I feel that hunger is gone and I just hope this is something he gets over rather than us getting over him. My nightmare scenario is that Pau will never return to form in a Laker uni and would probably benefit from being elsewhere. In terms of just thinking of Pau, losing his confidence would the worst thing that could happen to him as he's much more of a cerebral player than a physical one so I'm not sure how he'd even approach a challenge at that point. I'm scared of that, a Pau with no confidence in his game.

I think it's amazing he shoots 3s, oddly enough he never looks scared when he takes them. I always hope one of those 3s will re-spark that fire in him. I feel a player of his caliber is to be valued but at the same time, can't be babied. He's now a co-captain, in a sense, he's on Kobe's level. Kobe is demanding of his teammates but also of himself, sometimes I even think Kobe is trying to transform his game in the games where he's focused on the bigs building up steam. However, Pau is vocal with the team, just needs to be more demanding of himself. I don't care that Drew got into the All-Star game, Pau should still command the ball and make a move but I feel that instead, when he gets the ball the last thing on his mind is taking his man inside or punishing his opponent with a jumper for giving him too much space or going for his signature move in the post, i feel instead he looks to create for others, which is good to an extent but I feel at this point it's hurting us more than helping us. While he truly is a gifted passer, regardless of his height, he must also be a bit more aggressive because teams will simply sag on him and look to steal the ball during the pass or something.

[iamworthy]

in agree with miles 100%

[Stebo_SSK]

Pau's age has nothing to do with his lack of play in the playoffs. Its clear he can still play based on the regular season. He just doesnt have the mental to push through and succeed b/c things are alot harder for LA now. In 2009 and 10 playoff runs were a cakewalk for them outside of the Boston series.

[microfib4thewin]

Pau has been a mixed bag this series. While his stats aren't impressive I thought he did a good job as the glue guy in the first 4 games. Put it this way, if you have Pau posting up full time and Bynum constantly working in the high post or shooting 20 footers what is his stats going to be? Just because Pau can play like a PF doesn't make it a natural position for him. He's been a back to the basket guy since entering the NBA.

On the other hand, he was downright terrible in the last two games and it somewhat confirmed that his disappearance act in last year's playoffs wasn't a fluke. I really do think his time with the Lakers is over and it's time to move on.