Kobe Thinks Gasol is Key to Winning

Apr 9, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) and shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the second half against the New Orleans Hornets at the Staples Center. Lakers won 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Pau Gasol’s time with the Lakers has been all over the place. From trade rumors, to winning championships, Gasol has been through a lot of mental challenges, but Kobe has stuck by his side the entire time, and he’s at it again. Kobe said the Lakers need to use Gasol more because he was an integral part of the Lakers two championships.

"We had a stretch where we won championships with Pau anchoring the offense for us. [With Bynum and Howard], everybody forgot how we won in the first place. Pau’s in a tough spot because everybody wants to see more from him, but he’s not getting the same opportunities as before.  You can’t have it both ways.”"

This past season, Gasol averaged a career low in points (13.7); however, a lot of his struggles can be explained by injuries and the way Mike D’Antoni used him. This season, the Lakers are going to have to go through Gasol, especially if Kobe and Nash don’t fully recover from their injuries.