This Pau Gasol can talk all he wants

The haircut has streamlined the aerodynamic lag he had been experiencing. It was also throwing him off-balance. The lefty hook we are accustomed to seeing is back!

I won’t say that his slump is officially over until he starts doing this against a team with a more formidable front line than you can find in the Pacific division, but he’s certainly on his way to re-capturing the magic that we so desparately need him to find.

That’s the thing. Are going to see this comfort against the teams that matter. PHX’s, GS’ , and Sacramento’s bigs can’t defend. So what does it really mean so far?

I’m glad to see him looking like he’s returning to form. We need it. However, I’m one of those people who’s been a little down on his “soft” habits. Not because I really think he’s “soft”, and want him to beast his way to the hole like Drew does, but because I want him to have more stick-to-it-iveness when he has the ball against contenders. Too often he was passing out too early, or waiting for a double to come when he had a favorable match-up. This is/was happening against teams that think they can push and shove him, or play physical and nothing else. That is/ws the problem. Not his touches, or shot attempts. They’re the same as last season. It’s the way he was responding to the play that was lacking. That’ not ball movement’s fault.

On the flip side, I also wanted the ball force fed to him so that he could eventually work out of his funk. I will agree with Pau there. Not because Kobe is taking too many shots or whatever, but because he needed to find a rhythm. His comfort is too important to the offense. I’d much rather sacrifice a game or two with him finding a groove, then to win with no progression in improved play. He’s right in that the ball should go inside out regardless.

It’s not about physical toughness for Pau. It’s the mental tenacity to know he can get his on any team. Especially the Denvers, Dallases and Cleveland’s that will still think pushing him will throw him off.

…I still say that if you’re 7’ tall and have the advantage, dunk the damned ball. You should never be blocked because you tried to flip it in the basket. Hell, you don’t have to power dunk or break the backboard. Just don’t let it roll off your fingers so casually.

Pau’s game is fine and he’ll likely play well and be effective without taking it to the rim and throwing double handed slams every possession

But if you have the advantage, use it. If not, then use your other skills. I love Pau’s game for the most part and I’ve never called him soft—not even after we lost to Boston—but sometimes he just doesn’t use all his gifts. He doesn’t have to jump to put the ball in the basket, but a flip doesn’t always work, and can too easily roll off the rim instead of in the hole. I feel the same about LO and I loooooove Lamar. My opinion. Agree to disagree.

It’s about getting or not getting the position he needs, allowing himself to get manhandled on the post, and getting the ball stripped out of his hands. Those are ‘soft’ qualities. Hook shots and layups instead of monster dunks are ‘finesse’, not ‘soft’.

but I’ll give you credit when you find away to do this in the next eight games

lets hope he understands that his finesse game isn’t always to work and can adjust accordingly.

is that Kobe experienced enough with Shaq to know what it could cost the team if they both bicker at each other. Most of all, I’m glad that Pau is showing that he can back up his words with his actions on the court. Now, lets see if he can do that in the playoffs when it counts more and when competition in the paint is even more fierce. But, judging from his performances in last year’s playoffs I think he can. Either way, I’m glad that Kobe has developed the thick skin to handle anything that Pau says. At least he doesn’t refer to any of his teammates as “little brother”

The General who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops. – Sun Tzu

Don’t have a problem with Gasol wanting more shots…but with bynum splitting minutes..his touches are gonna be fewer…as kobe stated. As a big man…if you want more touches…crash the glass, and if you’re gonna lecture about team needing to play harder…lead by example…man up and start swatting some layups, if you’re gonna foul..maker sure they don’t get the shot off..or at least miss it..this goes for bynum too

All I ask for him is to toughen up against the elite teams, centers, etc and protect the ball a little better. I know its not his strength but he has done it before for us like in last years playoffs. I also like to see him stand up for himself if needed. Remember the game in Orlando this season?? Dwight basically pushed around and roughed up Pau and got away with it. Then on the other end of the floor, Pau shoves him back, leading to a flagrant 1 foul. I know it may not have been the smartest move especially in the 4th quarter, but I like to see Pau stand up for himself.

One last thing, he has got to work on his freethrows. He has been absolutely terrible of late and has missed some big ones in the clutch.

although I agree with those who say we need to see Pau do this against some better frontline competition.

As long as he shows up in the playoffs

This position looks cloudy next year. On the one hand, you have Fish and Farmar as FA’s. Signing Fish is likely, short term probably. Farmar? You could obviously Qualify him. We all know he’s going to test the waters. Then we have a protected 2nd round pick. Interesting choice, a lot of boards and scouts see the Lakers picking Matt Bouldin. Guy compared to skill set of Deron Williams.

Great stats, but they are against some pretty sub-par teams. I’d like to see the same performance against a good team. Let’s see how he does against the Spurs next Wednesday.