"Now we can focus on winning games again"
That quote comes tonight from Pau Gasol, via the Orange County Register's Kevin Ding, in response to a question about Kobe Bryant setting the franchise scoring record. In the same article, Ding quotes Pau as stating, "Obviously we’re not making a concerted effort at pounding the ball inside."
over 2 years ago
DexterFishmore
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Hmm...
…I wonder if Pau’s been hanging out with the Big Aristotle too often.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
by TrojanRam on Feb 2, 2010 1:41 AM PST via mobile reply actions
I really
Don’t think Pau deserves the ball right now, he’s been playing terrible. Pound it to Bynum.
"That's a giant sig " - Ben R.
there's obviously been some chemistry issues with KB and Pau lately
you can see it on the court.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
though I'd be lying
if it coming out in the open like this didn’t make me very, very nervous.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
Don't worry about it
Pau’s just frustrated that he lost to his brother. Phil’s fantastic at managing egos and this will be forgotten as quickly as it surfaced.
A positive attitude will not solve all of your problems but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort - Herm Albright
Keep the faith.
comment from OC Reg I concur
Kevin, I don’t want to degrade Pau Gasol, but keep in mind that the Grizzlies had never won a single playoff game with him in 6 1/2 seasons. Pau also had only 1 All Star selection as a reserve before playing with the Lakers. I understand that he wanted to shine in front of his old Memphis fans and against his brother Marc, but he has to realize that A) Kobe shot 57% in this game and B) Kobe made the right play at the end of the game by passing to a wide open Ron Artest. Phil’s assessment of Kobe “getting lost 30 feet out” was a little off base because Kobe was trying to create space for a shot. I mean who doesn’t want Kobe taking the last shot to either tie or win? He just had his 4th game winner of this season against Boston on Sunday. If Kobe is having a poor shooting night, then I can certainly understand Pau’s frustration with not getting enough touches. But Pau knows he’s playing with one of the greatest players ever, and he knew that he wasn’t going to get 15 shots every game when he came to the Lakers. Pau is getting more recognition now then he’s ever gotten by playing with Kobe, so I think he needs to choose his words very carefully in the media and say what he needs to say to Kobe in private. Basically that means to stay in your lane and know your role.
by neverminder333 on Feb 2, 2010 2:49 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
When Kobe takes more shots than Gasol and Bynum combined
then something is seriously out of balance. The last 2 games have been all about Kobe. There has been too many Kobe isolation plays, too many times kObe goes 1 on 2 or 1on3. The Lakers have not been executing their offense and the results show it. They barely squeak by a declining Celtic team and they lose to the West’s 8th seed grizzles. Pau was right to speak up, Kobe needs to run the offense instead of trying to takeover.
Bynum had 13 shots in 7 less minutes than Gasol, who had 9, in the Celtic game. Is that Kobe’s fault as well? Gasol doesn’t take the ball to the rim when he gets it lately. Passing out of the post before even trying anything. He needs to be aggressive when he gets it if he wants to continue to get it.
Gasol defenitely has a point about getting the ball more
Especially against a team in which they have a clear advantage due to their size. The goal is to win games not reach individual acholades. I’m glad and happy for Kobe but I would have preffered the win. But something also needs to be said about Pau demanding the ball more often. If he is willing to make statements like that in the media then he should make them in the locker room or to Kobe directly…
"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Feb 2, 2010 8:15 AM PST reply actions
I think Pau’s comment is a little aggressive and it’s not the right time. I know Kobe took a lot of shots, but he was good last night. Sounds like last night’s lost was totally on Kobe.
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess."
-Kobe
*timing
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess."
-Kobe
by rs850_Lakers on Feb 2, 2010 11:02 AM PST up reply actions
maybe, but he has a very legitimate point
and milestone or not, Kobe is shooting way too much.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
a big part of that is due to the SSZ
the Lakers give up tons of offensive boards because of the nature of their defense. FBnG had a big article about it. Basically, they funnel penetration over and the big in the middle has to come out and help on the guard. If that guard hucks up a shot, it often times misses with a big all over him, yet the rotation leaves their big in the middle often open for the easy put back if the 4 can’t recover.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
correct, my man
our bigs are out of position when the opposing team gets the shots off, especially during high pick and rolls. that’s why bynum/pau often seems unable to get the rebound.
on the other end of the court, when you jack up a long shot, chances are the bounce will be long, making it out of reach of the bigs, who are often within the paint or its perimeter.
I 100% agree with Pau...
We need to focus on winning games.
This wasn’t a horrible loss but it’s a game we should have won. I don’t care about back to back on the road at the end of a long trip. Memphis is an improved club with some good players, but we are the champs and should have taken care of business.
Pau hasn’t been playing well enough to warrant complaining. Kobe feels inclined to take more shots when Pau isn’t playing well, and frankly he hasn’t been playing well. Giving a more concerted effort in getting the ball to Bynum makes sense. Pau, with the way he’s playig now? Not so much.
Its not as if Pau has been this high efficiency machine these past few games or just missing easy gimmes. No he’s taking bad shots that don’t warrant “getting more touches.” He’s also been soo passive looking to pass out more or take a jumpshot then being aggressive and maximizing his skills.
Kobe played like crap in the 2nd - 4th qtr
of the boston game. But he still jacked up lots of shots to lift his game up. You can’t expect Pau to lift his game up if he can’t get the ball, or get it back when he passes it back out. when you are in the post but out of position, you usually pass it back out to get a better position. the team should have won this game handily if the system was ran more, and I’ll bet Kobe would still have passes Mr. West for the scoring title.
Kobe did pass it into the post during the Boston game. He gave the ball to Bynum. Whether or not he had a bad game, that isn’t a game in which I’d pin point Kobe taking too many shots. So I don’t know why you’re bringing up the Celtics game as game in which Kobe “took too many shots”
the point is
you are criticizing Pau for asking for more touches when he is not even playing well. How can he get out of that slump if he can’t get enough touches on the ball to get into a groove, like Kobe did in the Celtics game?
it must be so refreshing for Bynum to see us criticizing Pau for once...
ROTFL
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
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