Look, I know you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. I’ve been told that a tiger can’t change its stripes. So why, after years of begging for it to happen, would Pau Gasol all of a sudden become a more demanding ball player?
We’ve heard all the critiques of Gasol’s soft game. We’ve seen him dominate and we’ve seen him disappear.
Well, I’m here to say that if Gasol doesn’t start going for his every night then this season will be another massive letdown for the Lakers.
In recent days Pau has finally spoke up about his role in the offense. While that is a good step in the right direction the next move is to start doing that same talking on the court. Airing your issues to the media in hopes of the coaching staff taking notice is like expecting a visit to the Jerry Springer Show to somehow substitute for actual therapy.
Actions speak much louder than words. When Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t getting the rock all of Staples knew it, not just fans who read about it in the L.A. Times. While we know there is no chance of Gasol growing a Shaq-sized ego, there is the possibility he’ll become fed-up enough to snap.
Right about now the Lake Show needs an angry Gasol. It is hard to imagine the Lakers needing as much as they’re getting from Kobe Bryant. When you’ve got Pau and Andrew Bynum on the court things are supposed to be a little more effortless for Mamba. In fact, in Pau’s recent rash of outspokenness he’s made the claim that there’s not that big of a gap between himself and Dwight Howard.
Nice one Pau! Now go out and prove it.
Talk is cheaper than Craig Sager’s tie collection. I love Gasol’s inflated view of himself problem is his numbers don’t back the claim.
With Gasol content to coast along there is a 100% chance of the Lakers being bounced early from the playoffs if they make it at all. Pau might be an All-Star but that’s a novelty title and reflects nothing on his actual game. The Lakers need Pau playing at an MVP level in order to get this thing back on track. A good way to get that started is by becoming more demanding and more vocal in games.
I know it is a reach to ask Gasol to become a different player at this stage is his career. But if Ron Artest can change, then so too can Pau. Gasol just needs to get to a point where he’s had enough and is unwilling to camp out on the perimeter. He knows where on the court his game is most effective. If he goes off-script, produces and most importantly helps the Lakers win then his line in the box score will say it all. No need to bitch to the press. No concern for meeting with Coach Brown.
We’re waiting, Pau…