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In in a key late-season win over the Hornets, Bryant tells Gasol to get out of his comfort zone and plant himself inside, where he notched 22 points and 11 rebounds.

By Melissa Rohlin

During a timeout in Tuesday's game against New Orleans, Kobe Bryant had a talk with Pau Gasol.

"I basically told him, dude, especially when I'm not in the game, you just gotta go to the block and not move," Bryant recalled. "When I'm out there, I can slow the game down, call plays off, and just give it to him -- but if I'm not, then listen, you just gotta go to the block and not move. Just stand there."

Gasol reluctantly followed Bryant's advice.

"That's not my personality," Gasol said. "I like my team and my coaching staff to want me to be there instead of positioning myself there. But hey, it is what it is."

Bryant's instructions may have made Gasol a bit uneasy, but they worked.

Gasol finished with 22 points on nine-for-15 shooting and a team-high 11 rebounds in the Lakers' 104-96 win. Those numbers are a far cry from the 13.1 points (a career-low) and 8.1 rebounds that he has averaged this season.

Bryant knows Gasol as a four-time All-Star, as one of the most skilled big men in the game, as an agile and talented post-player who helped lead the Lakers to championships in 2009 and 2010.

With the Lakers in danger of not making the playoffs, Bryant apparently decided to put an end to all plans for Gasol but his own.

"That's my dude," Bryant said. "I know what he brings to the table. He's 2010 Pau."

That means no more threes. That means goodbye elbow. That means farewell to the passive facilitator role.

Lakers Coach Mike D'Antoni apparently liked what he saw from Gasol and, according to Bryant, told the players during a timeout in the second quarter to stop "trying to do things on the perimeter" and dish the ball inside to Gasol.

At halftime, Gasol led the Lakers with 12 points and five rebounds. At the top of the third quarter, in a one-minute span, Gasol scored six consecutive points to erase the Hornets' biggest lead of the game and tie the score at 53-53.

Gasol has struggled with his role all season. At one point, he was even consigned to backup center.

Throughout the confusion, Bryant has consistently advocated for Gasol, insisting that he's an invaluable asset when used properly.

With four games remaining in the regular season, and the Lakers only 1/2 game ahead of Utah for the final playoff spot, Bryant has apparently decided to stop advocating and start commanding.

"It helps that Kobe, who has a lot of control over what happens out there, wants me to be there, and sees that it works, and is supportive," Gasol said.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketbal ... 9331.story

AcecardZ wrote:Interesting read... Let's hope Pau continues to play well and Dwight doesn't get upset thinking Pau is stepping on his toes.

billy_21 wrote:

AcecardZ wrote:Interesting read... Let's hope Pau continues to play well and Dwight doesn't get upset thinking Pau is stepping on his toes.

thats exactly what i was thinking to. Pau going into 'beast' mode has put Dwight back a bit i've noticed over the past few games. I still believe that Dwight is still better off staying in LA for the long term, but i hope that Dwight will realise that his drop in his own stats will prolong his career which is a huge benefit for him, especially cause he plays real physical in the paint.

Pau & Dwight will be the best pairing since Pau & Odom if they can figure it out and seems like Pau is now on track to getting to where he needs to and Dwight will just be more open for those wide open dunks

KOB3 wrote:Lets forget stats for a second. Dwight can average 25 and 15 but if its not efficient, it doesn't mean much. What I like about pau is that hes so efficient just about every night and 9/10 nights i would take a pau posting up over dwight. period.

Dwight is yet to show us he can even keep the ball in his possession and if he does, it ends up being a terrible shot. He has no go to move thats effective like pau does. Kills us from the freethrow line. ..ect.

This isnt supposed to be a knock on D12, but the point is, kobe sees that and wants to utilize pau as best as possible. Dwight has no reason to feel out of place and if anything he should be motivated to pick something up from paus game and help create more opportunities for pau to play his game...especially offensively.

Dwight says play inside out, which is right but probably smarter if its directed towards pau and pau facilitates or dominates...whichever the opposing team is giving him, he will make a smart play almost every time down the court. Dish to howard, make move, kick out for shooter or cutter..ect...thats effective basketball through the most skilled Big in the game..