Today the NBA All-Star reserves were announced. While the starting five for the West has a heavy Los Angeles flavor the bench is without another Angeleno. That would mean Pau Gasol is going to actually have a true All-Star break this time around.
While Pau won’t be playing in Orlando, his younger brother Marc of the Memphis Grizzlies will be making his All-Star debut. Looks like the bragging rights are slightly shifting in the Gasol household. Of course Pau still has a couple of rings to brag on.
I don’t think anyone can be too surprised that Pau was passed over for the game. His playoff Houdini act combined with his decreased role in Mike Brown’s offense has led to a steady decline in production. That’s not to say the Spaniard is phoning it in. He’s just lost some of his championship swagger.
Perhaps the snub will fuel Pau for the playoff push. Then again he’s already resigned to the fact that no matter how well he plays he’ll be trade bait.
Fact of the matter is the torch has officially been passed. Andrew Bynum being voted a starter pretty much says it all when compared to Pau’s All-Star absence.