You don't get it. It's not just about assist, but I'm simply pointing that out to show the lack of penetration by the guards of the Lakers to open things up for the big men, and get Bynum easy shots. Lakers are already a poor 3pt shooting team, so that's not going to work. The only way to open things up is by PENETRATION. It's been stated by Karl and the Nuggets that they are NOT going to let Bynum get off, and daring the Lakers to make jumpers. And the Lakers are falling into that trap. Kobe is the ONLY player on the Lakers who can beat guys off the dribble. Getting into the paint isn't just about making assists, but it's about drawing defenders to you and getting those guys away from your bigs to allow them to get easier shots/offensive rebounds/putbacks and things like that.
It only makes Pau more available. It's like Morey's high school crush got fat, but is still hot in his eyes.
He is what he is. Shaq trying to say Bynum needs to prove he can lead the Lakers after Kobe retires is ridiculous. Bynum isn't a leader. The only time he seems to speak with teammates on the court is when he's ticked off about not getting the ball.
You are the one that doesn't get it. Gasol is ruining the entire offense. The guy is averaging a little over 11 points and less than 8 rebounds while shooting an embarrassing 41%. Let's not forget that he is being held by a 6'8 Faried. Sure Kobe might be able to do more and get other players more involved but Gasol is the biggest problem for the Lakers. They can't win if he is going to play scrub basketball like he is right now.
So a 16 year old vet on semi-retired knees with Afflalo guarding him is the only one on the team that can beat anyone off the dribble....? If so I pity Kobe, I really do..and it's 0 percent his fault
Never seen one player who lets his offense dictates his entire game so much. Why can't he watch tape of Game 1 and see how he can be the MAIN story of a game simply by dominating on the boards/defense? He needs to understand being a star isn't just about scoring, but about the all-around game. Dude is being so stupid right now it's absurd. He's only 24. Hopefully someone can get into his head this summer. He has shown glimpses of absolute greatness where he alters how teams guard the Lakers. But that consistency is stunted by his stupidity and immaturity. Anyways, Lakers are not winning anything for the foreseeable future.
this is the same Gasol that lead the Lakers to that '10 championship and arguably the 09' championship as well while Kobe was going for 4-24 performances game in and game out. dont judge on this guy too easily. only this season were the fans and experts alike screaming for gasol on this team. unless you want the 4th consecutive .500 season in a row, then sure, you can choose to refuse to have ultra-skilled big men on your team. glad you're not our gm.
Yes Gasol is the biggest problem. But Kobe is the most skilled. We all know Gasol disappear in big games, nobody believes in him anymore in big games. I'm not blaming Kobe for the Lakers potentially losing this series. He's doing his job as his job is to score. He's simply a scorer at this stage of his career. I'm disappointed how Kobe can't really connect with Bynum to help him elevate his game, both on and off the court as Kobe's the oldest on the team. Nobody cares for Gasol, just like the Nuggets.
Unfortunately this isn't 09 or 10 anymore and in the past two years he has been straight garbage in the playoffs. If we were talking about the Gasol from those years I'd be all about the trade but recent history is making it seem like that guy is gone.
I can't fault Kobe for not going to the hole and creating at this point in his career. I just don't think he is capable of doing that anymore on a consistent basis. If that's what it is going to take for them to win they don't have a chance. You ask too much of old man Bryant.
IMO, Bynum won't get his head right until Mike Brown is gone. Nobody else in the NBA would have hired the guy and the Lakers made a mistake. With a coach he respects, Bynum should be OK. Going from Hall-of-Fame bound PJ to Mike Brown was more than he could handle. I don't blame Kobe for not connecting with Bynum this year.
really??? so you are saying you wouldn't trade scola + martin + dragic for pau gasol?? this guy lays one egg and now all the haterade pours in. tell me where we can find that Wilt Chamberlain and convince him to be on our team. because obviously some posters are not willing to accept any less.
Bynum acted like this last year with Phil Jackson. Did you see how he acted towards the end of the Mavs series? I think Bynum is still a "baby" in terms of becoming a superstar: a diva. He needs to be pampered (ala giving touches on offense to play hard). He needs a guy who will make a conscious effort to get him the ball. He needs a playmaker ala a CP3/LBJ/Rondo.
No I wouldn't want that. His shooting percentage has dropped in each of the last three years and he will be 32 by the beginning of next season. What have you seen out of this guy in the playoffs the last two years that makes you think he can lead a team to anything? I don't want an aging player that appears to be on the decline.
an aging Gasol will still be the best player on our team and will be the best that we can ever fetch in this current NBA market. yea, sure, he did bad in this game. but with Kobe and Bynum, two of the biggest divas and douchebags on his team, he doesn't get offered the freedom to do the things he'd like to do. Kind of like how Chris Bosh was complaining about how in Miami he tries his best to "fit in" instead of going out there and dominating the ball and touches and play to his maximum ability. gasol needs to be given total freedom to work his offensive game, not play 3rd fiddle to the biggest ball-hog in NBA history and the most immature wannabe Bill Russell in the league. so yeah, I think this only means he becomes more attainable for us. His current playoff troubles will be forgotten, and i mean INSTANTLY forgotten, if the Lakers win the next game. Its as simple as that.
His overall FG% dropped because he is taking more shots from 16+ feet. His shooting efficiency at the closer distances have remained the same, he's just not getting as many interior touches due to the fact that Bynum is now getting them. Pau's total FG attempts per game during the last 3 years: 13, 13.7, 14.1. Pau's total FG attempts from beyond 16 feet: 1.7, 2.8, 4.5. Pau'S total FG attempts from within 9 feet: 9.5, 8.6, 7.4. http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=Pau Gasol
If Gasol is truly the best player on your team you are going nowhere. If we could sign DWill or trade for Howard I would then be open to possibly trading for him but if he is going to be our best player I don't see the point.
Bynum or no Bynum Gasol doesn't go down to the post. Hasn't done it since 2010 finals. Didn't see much of it to begin last year when Bynum was out, didn't see it this year when Bynum was out to begin this year and when he's rest on bench. Gasol is finished. Boozer-like now
