Are you guys glad that you got Gasol over KG ....

[Polvoron]

I can't really argue this. It should be noted that Garnett is entirely capable of succeeding in the post -- in my opinion at least as well as if not better than Pau. It boils down to mentality than a lack of ability. But considering how rarely he does it, the point is ultimately moot.

I think the correct use of your abilities is an ability itselft.
Some players with many skills are lesser players than some not so talented players because they overrate themselves and try to do things they are not capable to do.
Probably lack of bball IQ.
But having a skill (one as valuable as post scoring none the less) and not using it is equally bad.
In that case, not trying to do damage in the post when you are very good at it it's either lack of bball IQ or pure softness.

[Sedale Threatt]

Absolutely. I wouldn't say it's a lack of bball IQ, at least not in KG's case. You can't be the passer and the defender he is without understanding the game at a very deep and instinctive level. But nonetheless, there can be little doubt that he lessens his overall impact by not capitalizing on what should be a huge weapon for himself and his team.

[aroba]

You can say KG is a lot of things, but the absolute last thing you can accuse him of is being greedy (on the court), or a bad teammate. Indeed, one of his biggest knocks is that he's TOO unselfish.

He's one of the best playmaking forwards in history with 10 straight seasons of at least 4 assists per game, which I believe only Larry Bird surpassed. So as much as I love Pau's skill level, I'd rate KG higher in just about every category you mentioned -- passing, ball handling and court awareness.

Let me disagree.
I very much doubt that about ball handling. Pau could play Pg as showed this season!

Besides, Pau not having +4 assists career average does have to be a lot with his Grizzlies past (you know, not to many quality scoring teammates). Garnett always had nice teammates. Getting assists is easy when you're first option and good teammates are open, you know. Is not only that pau makes fancier passes than Garnett does.

About being bad teammate, well, you tell Baby Davis about being a jerk on him...and about being nice, everyone knows what an idiot he is on the court.

Pau all the way.

[Sedale Threatt]

First of all, Pau's got exceptional passing skills and court sense. That's not at debate here. It's one of the first things I appreciated about him when he got here.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... eke01.html

Just look at Garnett's assist numbers -- they don't even compare. KG has surpassed Gasol's career-high (4.6) six times, and is averaging a full assist better in almost twice as many games.

That can't be trivialized, especially not by giving credit to KG's "nice" teammates in Minnesota. Like who, exactly? He's played with some good players in spots, like Cassell and Sprewell and Brandon. But otherwise the Timberwolves were glaringly short on talent. So he wasn't riding anyone's coattails to put up those numbers.

As for the Glen Davis incident, that might have been the most overblown story of the season. Garnett was getting on the entire team for lackluster effort, and he grabbed Davis by the arm to pull him into the team huddle. Then Davis, living up to his nickname, starts crying on the sidline. You can criticize KG for a lot, especially all the classless taunting and his penchant for taking too many jumpers.

But not that.

[TommyTheCat]

JO was available for either bynum OR odom

actually the pacers turned down odom for JO and the lakers refused to include Bynum in the deal.

KG wasnt available for bynum AND odom (F*CKING McFAIL)

and the lakers also offered up kwame's expiring with bynum and odom (imo, it's actually thank you mchale)

Gasol was had for NEITHER bynum or odom

[ronnymac2]

Kg is better than Pau, but I like what actually happened, for all the reasons already said. Pau is a great fit and plays solid defense, and we have good depth. We are also more prepared for the future.

[Danny Darko]

Garnett's courage


This is why I never wanted KG. you can say I'm nuts all you want because of skill, but you can't argue with the proof of inexcusable douchebaggery.

[mecxi2000]

first k.g is a better p.f than gasol not a lot better but better mostly because of the defense, but gasol can play center and that something that kevin cant do. I f anybody putk.g. in gasol place in the line up last year you would see what a mean fisher,kobe,radmanovic, odom and gasol is way better than fisher,kobe, rad, odom and garnet.
Now is the diferece in salary, garnett is making almost 10 million more than gasol this year, sorry but dollar by dollar is better gasol.

[NOODLESTYLE]

If you were to say, we can still have the same players on this team with a choice of either KG or Gasol? I'd take KG 10/10.

However, during the whole GetKG time...Lakers were offering Bynum/LO and possibly even Kwame for salary cap purposes.

Since we ended up not having to give up neither LO/Bynum, I prefer the Gasol trade.

What is even more crazy is that supposedly the Lakers were offering Odom for Mike Miller and the Grizzlies said NO!

[aroba]

Ok, let's get some reality dosis. I'm so sorry but I have to argue here.
Stats so far this season:

Garnett: 16,1 pts, 8,9 rebs, 2,6 ast, 1,4 bpg 52,4 % FGP, 83,5% FT on 32,9 min/game
Gasol: 17,8 pts, 9,1 rebs, 3,7 ast, 1,0 bpg, 55,8% FGP, 81,3% FT on 35,2 min/game

...10 millions/season less, 4 years younger and Gasol also plays center?
Sorry, I'll take Gasol all the way. 10/10
Who would you choose? Wizards Michael Jordan with 36 or todays Kobe with 30. Kobe 10/10

Last season Garnett was 31, Gasol was 27. Stats:

Garnett: 18,8 pts, 9,2 rebs, 3,4 ast, 1,2 bpg, 53,9% FG, 80,1% FT on 32,8 min/game
Gasol: 18,8 pts, 7,8 rebs, 3,5 ast, 1,6 bpg, 58,9%FG, 78,9% FT on 34,0 mn/game

And Garnett and Pierce had MVP consideration while Gasol, who´s Lakers were first on the West and got to the finals after his trade, was pretty ignored and only Kobe got that treatment (and well deserved)
Gasol should start making stupid pre game rituals to look tougher and become more popular...probably If he was named Steve Hopkins, he'd be perennial all star

[Idiot Collector]

Ok, let's get some reality dosis. I'm so sorry but I have to argue here.
Stats so far this season:

Garnett: 16,1 pts, 8,9 rebs, 2,6 ast, 1,4 bpg 52,4 % FGP, 83,5% FT on 32,9 min/game
Gasol: 17,8 pts, 9,1 rebs, 3,7 ast, 1,0 bpg, 55,8% FGP, 81,3% FT on 35,2 min/game

...10 millions/season less, 4 years younger and Gasol also plays center?
Sorry, I'll take Gasol all the way. 10/10

Collected.

[Zeitgeister]

Ok, let's get some reality dosis. I'm so sorry but I have to argue here.
Stats so far this season:

Garnett: 16,1 pts, 8,9 rebs, 2,6 ast, 1,4 bpg 52,4 % FGP, 83,5% FT on 32,9 min/game
Gasol: 17,8 pts, 9,1 rebs, 3,7 ast, 1,0 bpg, 55,8% FGP, 81,3% FT on 35,2 min/game

...10 millions/season less, 4 years younger and Gasol also plays center?
Sorry, I'll take Gasol all the way. 10/10
Who would you choose? Wizards Michael Jordan with 36 or todays Kobe with 30. Kobe 10/10

Last season Garnett was 31, Gasol was 27. Stats:

Garnett: 18,8 pts, 9,2 rebs, 3,4 ast, 1,2 bpg, 53,9% FG, 80,1% FT on 32,8 min/game
Gasol: 18,8 pts, 7,8 rebs, 3,5 ast, 1,6 bpg, 58,9%FG, 78,9% FT on 34,0 mn/game

And Garnett and Pierce had MVP consideration while Gasol, who´s Lakers were first on the West and got to the finals after his trade, was pretty ignored and only Kobe got that treatment (and well deserved)
Gasol should start making stupid pre game rituals to look tougher and become more popular...probably If he was named Steve Hopkins, he'd be perennial all star

Those stats don't account for defense, and Garnett is far and away the better defender.

[aroba]

Ok, let's get some reality dosis. I'm so sorry but I have to argue here.
Stats so far this season:

Garnett: 16,1 pts, 8,9 rebs, 2,6 ast, 1,4 bpg 52,4 % FGP, 83,5% FT on 32,9 min/game
Gasol: 17,8 pts, 9,1 rebs, 3,7 ast, 1,0 bpg, 55,8% FGP, 81,3% FT on 35,2 min/game

...10 millions/season less, 4 years younger and Gasol also plays center?
Sorry, I'll take Gasol all the way. 10/10

Collected.

Collector Idiot