Los Angeles Lakers: Top 5 power forwards of the 2010s

1. Pau Gasol 2010-14

In terms of talent Pau Gasol isn’t on the same level as AD. But in terms of what each guy has done in the 2010’s decade for the Lakers, Gasol is an easy choice at number one. Put aside the two championships he helped win the Lakers with Kobe Bryant in the 2000’s decade.

Gasol still played well in the 2010’s decade and even had an All-Star appearance in the 2010-11 season. He averaged 18.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game and his +8.6 net-rating was the third-highest of his career. He had a 110.8 offensive rating and a 102.2 defensive rating and was an All-NBA second-team selection.

He continued his elite play into the 2011-12 season as well as he would average 17.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. His offensive rating slipped down to 104.5, but his defensive rating stayed at an elite level of 101.4. It showed he still had a lot of game left.

2012-13 would be a year of drama for the entire Lakers team. With the additions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, the team seemed destined for a deep run. That didn’t work out well, as the team wouldn’t be able to overcome the drama and Kobe ripping his Achilles tendon up and were a first-round playoff exit.

Gasol suffered from injuries and only played in 49 games, but in those games, he was still effective. He averaged 13.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game with an offensive rating of 106.6 and a defensive rating of 103.7.

Gasol‘s last season in Los Angeles would come in the 2013-14 season. It was a rough season for the Lakers as they would go 27-55 and Gasol would struggle with injuries again. On the season he averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds to still prove he had what it takes to be a good player at the age of 33.

Gasol easily took the number one spot here and was what the Lakers needed to pair with Kobe. Through the rough times, he was the ultimate professional and played elite basketball with the Lakers.