so far this month http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...est-player-in-the-NBA-right-no?urn=nba-288174 really hard to argue.
being the best = playing at the highest level CONSISTENTLY gasol has been the most consistent player this year so far playing at a high level. he is arguably the best player right now. will it last? i doubt it. but he is the player of the month
[rquoter] But has Pau Gasol(notes) been the best player in the NBA during its first month? I'm OK with saying yes to that.[/rquoter] Sure, I'm OK with that too. Not exactly an outright declaration that's he THE BEST PLAYER (he's give that title to LeBron, I think). But is anyone playing better than Pau Gasol through the first month of the season? If he hasn't been the top player in November, he's on the short list.
Pau is a great player, but he's not the best player in the NBA. He's very efficient because Kobe commands double team. He's good at creating his own shot but far from elite in that aspect. In NBA history, best player is never like that, he's the best 2nd fiddle in the league, by a big margin. Best player in the league makes teammates better, not make them soft or unable to buy a shot.
I agree, Pau's definitely an All-NBA talent, but his game is significantly enhanced by playing along side Kobe Bryant, who consistently commands a double-team. Phil's definitely got a 2-headed monster in L.A., but Kobe's got the sharper teeth and the blood-thirsty glare in his eye. He's the focal point, but Pau's definitely not far behind.
Kelly Dwyer is an idiot...everybody knows this. And Pau Gasol is vastly over-rated because of his offense...he does have great offense. But Gasol's defense sucks; he's only bailed out because his partner is the best defensive power forward in the NBA. Guys like Darko Milicic, Robin Lopez and Nene have already beasted the hell out of Pau Gasol.
I think this is more than about Kobe. Pau Gasol wasn't dominant in Memphis, he only became dominant in LA because: A) He has Kobe to take the bulk of the double and triple teams B) He has Lamar Odom to clean up his defensive softness Without Kobe and Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol would be the 0-12 in the Playoffs player he was before the Lakers.
Best player in the NBA..! I don't think so, but deferentially best player from the beginning of the season.
MJ was 1-9 in playoff without Pippen. Shaq didn't make playoff twice, without Kobe/Wade/LeBron, though he had Nash in one of them. Every Batman needs a Robin, what are you trying to argue here?
Goodbug will only post in any Lebron or Kobe/Lakers related thread. My advice to you, goodbug, please please spend more of your times in Lakers' forum. Cause your debates are getting old. Is always goes like this. (1) Heat is Wade team not Lebron's (2) Lebron get his assists because he hogged the ball. Kobe will get double digits assists if he wanted too but his role is a scorer. (3) Kobe makes his teammates better whereas Lebron don't. (4) Kobe couldnt win anything without Shaq or Gasol because Smush, Kwame, and Walton sucked. I thought you said the team leader (Kobe, Lebron, Jordan) was supposed to take all of the responsibility and blame, not blame it on his teammates, which is all you ever do when faced with the "kobe couldnt win without shaq or gasol" argument. and your argument that Kobe is better than Jordan is always more or less the same. Is fun to read your post at first but now is getting old. Please come back again if you have any new tricks. Thank you! Signed, everyone on clutchfans who isnt an idiot and thinks you are horrible at trolling
Have you checked what Gasol's production looks like when Kobe isn't on the floor? Based on what you're saying, his efficiency and maybe overall numbers would drop a lot. I don't have the answer, but I'd be curious if anyone else does.
