Is it just me or was this guy almost a total zero in the finals and the WCF's, channeling Luther Head playoff mojo? Pau, I indict thee for suckery. Fatigue? Overratedness? What happened?
Maybe KG and defense happened...he wasn't cutting in and getting those easy layup baskets. I guess that what happens when you pack the lane.
his scoring fell off consistently although it went up slightly against boston. I blame overratedness I have always wanted gasol to "take the leap" love the dudes game for a seven footer, but it ain't happening
I think Boston's defense happened. Not only did Gasol have to play against good individual defenders in Garnett, PJ Brown, Perkins, etc., he also faced a cohesive unit that helped each other out.
glad someone posted this... gasol was HORRIBLE in the WCF and the Finals. His pick and roll defense could have won dancing with the stars, with all the ole' moves he was busting out. Did anyone see when we actually spun around in a circle in game 5? Not too mention his slopy play on the offensive side of the ball. Horrible kick out passes and his refusal to go strong to the basket. Everytime he would have a chance to go inside, he would pump fake, double around for a jump hook. JVG was extremelly polite when discussing Gasol's D, but as the series went on, he couldn't contain his comments. I think KG ate him up and Boston's defense is like the Rockets - IRONCLAD. You can think Tom T for that. Did anyone also notice after every mistake he would immediately point to blame someone else? But, I also think that a good player on a crap team does not always equate a good player on a champioship team. Gasol got exposed as the softie that he is. Lakers can kep him, he was driving me insane and I don't even like the lakers, but just wanted to see a good game. The lakers are going to crash back down to earth next year, ala MAvericks. They had their shot, and the way they got beat down will haunt their next few years.
I disagree. It ain't like they lost a 3-1 lead in the finals or they lost in the 1st rd to an 8 seed a la the Dallas Mavs. The only thing that will haunt them and Kobe(if he has the Jordan mentality like most believe he does) is the way they got beat and they will bust their tail to get back imho. Also, This team NEEDED Andrew Bynum. Gasol is not a center, it's just like playing Dirk at the position. You need someone that can play D and at least intimidate the other team to play C or PF. With Bynum in the game I believe the Celts would think twice before driving in for all the easy points. The Lakers will be back.
I don't want to simplify too much, but dude just does not have access to a playoff gear. But it may be worse than that. Big Baby should not be able to throw Pau around like that. Rondo probably could have pushed him off his spots. LOL.
In his defense, he's been playing out of position since he joined the Lakers. I suspect if Bynum was still healthy then Gasol would play more at PF. Not sure how Lamar Odom would fit, though. If the Rockets are really interested in upgrading offensive talent, I think the Lakers might be interested in a deal involving Odom for Battier.
His total disregard for defense was disgusting. But I was rooting for the Celtics, so it was actually funny.
Gasol is a PF, not a center. I agree with durvasa. When Bynum comes back next year, their front line will be very formidable with Odom playing SF.
The ladies and gentlemen of the jury have reached a verdict. On the charge of being Soft, Pau Gasol is Guilty on All Counts...
Gasol got punked down bigtime and exposed for the soft baby that he is. He's still a good player but he was no match for Boston's defensive intensity. That being said, he's still the difference between a 42 win and out in the first round Lakers team and an NBA Finals team.
Not surprised. There's a reason the Spanish national team won the World Championship (or whatever that was) with Pau out being injured.
with gasol being softer than odom and charmin, I would call Odom the pf and Gasol the SF. Not that changing their position titles changes much.
Pau's decline in performance during the WCFs and the NBA Finals is something he will be tagged with until he wins a championship. The guy clearly couldn't take the pressure and lost his confidence. He stopped taking wide open jumpers and (for the most part) stopped putting the ball on the floor and creating for himself. Too many times he just didn't want the ball in his hands when the Spurs and Celtics were playing hard defense. Soft isn't nearly a strong enough word to describe it. You can blame some of it on him being a PF instead of a C, but that doesn't cut it. He should have been able to exploit that on offense. Bynum wouldn't have made a big difference this year, IMO, because he's only in his 3rd year, we can't be sure he would have kept up his performance throughout the season and (esp) the playoffs AND he's even moodier than Pau. This season, Pau is definitely a better player than Bynum. Next year and beyond, we will see how good Bynum gets. I have high hopes for him. baller4life315, you said it all very concisely.
Where is the people vs Kobe Bryant, or Derick Fisher, or Lamar Odom? The Lakers lost because the Celtics played defense and they didn't. DD
