Where Pau Gasol ranks among best Lakers big men of all-time

Pau Gasol was the total package for a big man. He could score, rebound, pass, had mobility and could play defense. There was not much to dislike about him as he had a solid game all around. He was also an integral part of many of the teams that he played on. Of course, one of those teams was the champion Los Angeles Lakers teams of 2008-09, and 2009-10.

Gasol was traded to the Lakers from the Memphis Grizzlies in 2007-08. Quickly, he became an integral part of the team and adjusted to the triangle offense. He actually was a great acquisition not just for his height and scoring ability but for the many things that he possessed, such as great passing skills for a big man, as well as for his movement around the basket and great shot selection.

He also had very good moves in both the high and low posts. Gasol and Kobe Bryant soon established a very good repour on the court as they became the killer combination. They would play off each other very well whether it was picking and rolling or Bryant dumping the ball into his hands in the low and high post.

Where would Pau Gasol rank among the greatest Los Angeles Lakers big men of all-time?

After all, the Los Angeles Lakers are well known for having some of the greatest big men of all-time, right? There was George Mikan, Wilt, Shaq, and Kareem. (Please note, I did NOT include Anthony Davis.) All of whom have helped the Lakers win titles. How would Pau Gasol rank among these Laker legends?

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Well, let’s put things in the proper place, shall we?

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:

The Captain is definitely in first place here. How can he not be? He was part of five championship Laker teams in his time in the purple and gold. He also helped them get to eight NBA Finals. Jabbar also won three NBA MVP awards as a Laker.

2. Shaquille O’Neal: 

First off, Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest big men of all time. No one dominated the NBA quite like he did. There is no denying that at all. Shaq changed the culture of the Lakers. He was part of a Lakers team that won consecutive titles three years in a row and also helped them get to four NBA Finals.

3. George Mikan:

Mr. Basketball was one of the early innovators for professional basketball. He was also one of the first to wear glasses or spectacles. Mikan won five titles with the then Minneapolis Lakers, led the league in scoring for three years in a row from 1948-1951 as well as leading the league in rebounding from 1951-1953.

4. Pau Gasol: Look, the Los Angeles Lakers could not get over the hump until they acquired Gasol. He was a key piece to them appearing in three NBA Finals for three years in a row as well as winning two of them.

If you saw the NBA Finals in 2008, you would have noticed how the Lakers were out-muscled by the Boston Celtics, especially Gasol. However, for the next two seasons, we saw a different Pau Gasol. He was playing with a fire that he had not had before. Especially in the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic.

Gasol seemed like a different player. He would also perform wonderfully the next year in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics in what would be a very famous rematch. In the series, Gasol averaged 18.6 points per game and led the Lakers in rebounding averaging 11.6 per game.

5. Wilt Chamberlain:

Of course, we all know he was the man who most famously scored 100 points in a game. A record that has never been broken. He also has the record for most rebounds in a single game at 55. By far one of the most dominant big men of his time, Chamberlain came to the Lakers in 1968-69 at the age of 32, helping them to win the 1972 NBA title.

Pau Gasol will always be remembered for his great talent, longevity, and being part of two championship Los Angeles Lakers teams. He belongs in the Hall of Fame and eventually will find himself in there among other Laker greats.