It's not dislike of Pau - it's nondesire to pickup the 18.5M+/yr contract at the expense of multiple starters....
Why does everybody want Pau? He's owed way too much money and he's not going to make us any better than we already are.
Kobe said (ordained) in an article that Bynum is now the 2nd option. And Gasol isnt a "scorer by nature". Its like...5th season and 2 titles with the guy, and you think Bynum is a better "scorer by nature" better than Gasol? That just seemed like a self serving "If he's gonna be soft THEN I'M TAKING THE SHOTS" approach. Nothing we didnt already know, though. I'm still not trusting enough of Gasol's temperament, not at that contract.
Gasol is not worth $18.5M. No way he could carry a team. I think at that salary you should be able to. I think LaMarcu Aldridge is just as good as Gasol, if not better.
I prefer Gasol to Aldrige but it is neck and neck. We are getting points on the perimeter. What will hurt us in the long run is our lack of a post option right now. Scola seems much less able to get inside and score this year. Patterson is coming along but is still a bit robotic and seems a bit jumpy inside and like he is avoiding contact. I would not give up Martin/Scola/Dragic without a first rounder coming back. But any two of those guys plus any 09er you want and Sergio Llull would be ok.
I think you would agree Pau is a very cerebral player. You can see it in how he plays the game and you can hear it in his words. The other thing is he hasn't talked about retiring in Los Angeles in a while, since before the trade deadline. I think Kobe knows Pau's capabilities. I also think Pau is fed up with Kobe's antics of slapping him in the head, etc. when he isn't playing well. Pau did go through a funk last year during the playoffs, losing his longtime girlfriend, etc. Still, all that head tapping and yelling and screaming Kobe does doesn't do anything to motivate Pau. And Kobe making comments about Bynum being the #2 option???? Both Bynum and Gasol get less shots up per game than Miami's #3 option. It's more like Options 1, 2, 3 on the Lakers is Kobe. And Options 4, 5 are Bynum and Gasol equally.
Are people losing their minds, Aldridge and Gasol on the same level ?? Aldridge would kill Pau offensively any day of the week and plays better defense + he's not a soft ostrich-looking flopper. By the way, LA looks for a PG and no way we give up Dragic for him, who's going to back up Lowry ? Don't come with Flynn or Twill.
I don't want this trade to happen necessarily, but I don't think you are giving Flynn enough credit. The guy had injury problems and he seems back to good health. He averaged 13 and 5 as a rookie shooting 42%. Watching him play at Cuse made me really like him because of his ball handling and passing ability. I think he could be an adequate backup if we were to bring a powerhouse post man to our team. Louis and Dragon or Pau, Aldridge (insert another player of that position and caliber) and Flynn? I'll take the latter.
DO NOT WANT PAU GASOL. If Morey does any trade for him, it will ruin the rockets and I will be first to start the Fire Morey campaign. He is not worth 18.5M. He is soft and not a superstar. He was an allstar, I'll acknowlege that, but he's far from that at this point and on a decline. Plus, you don't build around Pau Gasol, anyone remember his Grizzly years! This seems to be a reaccuring topic (heard about this trade on Bill Simmon's podcast) and I do not understand the upside to this trade.
i'd still trade Martin and Scola for Gasol. Neither are worth their contracts. Gasol will age gracefully and still be able to contribute at the 5 late in his career, ala Cliff Robinson.
Just because you trade for someone doesn't mean you have to keep them. His contract could be very useful for taking on bloated contracts if you trade for a superstar (Magic would probably send Hedo with Dwight). Also, Morey's trades usually catch people by surprise, so I wouldn't bet that getting Gasol is all he wants to do. Take a number. thetatomatis is president and CEO of that campaign.
I think people on this board fail to see the larger picture. If/When Morey is able to pull off a trade like this it isn't the final product he has in mind. A trade for Gasol doesn't mean he is being brought here to be the savior of the franchise. His goal is to upgrade talent. Period. Morey is always thinking a couple steps ahead similar to below: (NOT advocating this as a trade idea just an example of a swing for the fences scenario.) If Scola + Lowry = Gasol Then maybe Gasol + Martin + Dalembert (with buyout option) + a combination of youngsters (Morris, DMo, CBud, etc) + picks = DH12 + Hedo Then sell Deron Williams on signing here in the off season. While this scenario isn't realistic don't think of it as Morey would trade 2 solid NBA starters for 1. Think of one move that puts us in a better position for the next.
1.) Pau Gasol is 31 years old and has comparative numbers to his entire career. Can you explain what indicates that he's "far from" his All-Star form and/or on the decline? http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/996/pau-gasol 2.) Who said the Rockets would be building around Pau Gasol, if they somehow acquired him?
