Pau Gasol is nowadays the best big man in the league

[Hyman]

Its incredible the level he has achieved. He is just a total player. He can do everything a big man is supposed to do. He can pass the ball extremely well, rebound, his offensive post moves are just amazing, he gets better every year rebounding and his defence has improved so much that I would even say he is a great defender

Howard is more a physical presence and I always have the feeling that the stats lots of times, show more than his real impact in a match.

Give Gasol the ball and he always produces something. Its incredible how fluid and smart the Lakers game is when he is on court

[cotdt]

Gasol is a big munstar.

[Meticode]

His rebounding has remained the same for years. He always hovers around the 9-10 RPG mark.

Dirk might have something to say to him about the best big-man in the league title though.

[IamSofaKing]

Since when was a big man supposed to pass very well? With that said i'd still take Dirk over Gasol even though hes a better fit in LA

[Meticode]

Since when was a big man supposed to pass very well? With that said i'd still take Dirk over Gasol even though hes a better fit in LA

So when he gets doubled or trapped he can pass out to the open jumpshot? I don't know...just a guess.

[Lyin]

Gasol is just amazing. Dude is so long that he gets a touch on every board and his passing is PG level. Not kidding when I say that. If he's not the best big man, he's top 3.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Howard is the best big man in the league. He really convinced me last year with his playoff performances and how far he led his team. He's an incredible presence with his defense and rebounding and he's a beast close to the basket.

[phoenix18]

It is truly amazing how much changes when you switch teams and do the exact same things.

[Go Getter]

Gasol and Dirk the best big men in the league? Lmao very funny....

[SoCalMike]

His rebounding has remained the same for years. He always hovers around the 9-10 RPG mark.

Dirk might have something to say to him about the best big-man in the league title though.

Pau > Dirk because Pau is a better team player and has a higher basketball IQ... and Pau actually plays defense. :oldlol:



:pimp:

[triangleoffense]

His rebounding has remained the same for years. He always hovers around the 9-10 RPG mark.

Dirk might have something to say to him about the best big-man in the league title though.

Dirk? Dirk shoots more threes as a 7 footer than most point guards do. He rarely wants to grind and take a bruising in the paint for the betterment of his team. He is seriously one of the softest 7 foot superstars I have ever seen. It's a shame too because I bet he's influencing a lot of young PFs out there to shoot more 3s instead of sacrificing their bodies and getting rebounds.

best big man in the league = dwight.

[Brujesino]

if gasol get a little better defensivley then yes he would be the best big man in the league

[Hyman]

Pau Gasol is a much more talented guy than Howard. He is pure fundamentals

[cotdt]

Since when was a big man supposed to pass very well? With that said i'd still take Dirk over Gasol even though hes a better fit in LA

Gasol shat all over Dirk's face every time they played against each other.

[phoenix18]

Gasol shat all over Dirk's face every time they played against each other.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Am I supposed to take this as a fact? What an outlandish statement.

[Lyin]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Am I supposed to take this as a fact? What an outlandish statement.

Why do you hate on everything pro-Lakers?

It's not even subtle anymore.

[Basketball Dirk]

Gasol shat all over Dirk's face every time they played against each other.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

EDIT: Phoenix, dude. I didn't even see you make the rofls to that same post before i posted. My computer is slow as hell today.

:cheers:

[phoenix18]

Why do you hate on everything pro-Lakers?

It's not even subtle anymore.
Hate? HE JUST SAID THAT PAU SHAT ON DIRK EVERY TIME THEY PLAYED.

Are you actually trying to defend what he said?

Come on son.


He's not #1 but he's up there.
This.

[Brujesino]

Why do you hate on everything pro-Lakers?

It's not even subtle anymore.
that poster that he quoted is a complete moron thats why

more of a hate for stupid laker fans then the team itself

[KenneBell]

He's not #1 but he's up there. I'd still put Howard, Dirk, and Duncan over him.

[Lebron23]

No disrespect to the Spanish Conquistador, but Dirk Nowitzki is the best big man in the NBA.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/Dirk_Nowitzki_SI_Cover_06.jpg

[ashar008]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Am I supposed to take this as a fact? What an outlandish statement.

Actually Pau does own Dirk almost every time they play. Oh and stop with the exaggerated smileys. Some of us dont have a very good internet connection :(

[Arti]

Dirk? Dirk shoots more threes as a 7 footer than most point guards do. He rarely wants to grind and take a bruising in the paint for the betterment of his team. He is seriously one of the softest 7 foot superstars I have ever seen. It's a shame too because I bet he's influencing a lot of young PFs out there to shoot more 3s instead of sacrificing their bodies and getting rebounds.

best big man in the league = dwight.
:no: Another Dirk hater who doesn't watch the games. Maybe 8 years ago you would have been right. Dirk doesn't shoot that many 3s anymore, and he is perenially top 10ish in free throws attempted.

[Maniak]

This thread makes me want to cry.

Yes guys, we get it, Shannon Brown is the best dunker ever, DJ Mbenga is the GOAT player from whereeverthefck, Kobe is Jesus except he didnt die on a cross, Pau Gasol the best big man today and probably top 10 all time, Ron Artest is not a headcase at all and is one of the best defenders ever, Lamar Odom is consistent, and Andrew Bynum is the heart and soul of the future NBA and will never be injured again and will average 20/10 for the next 20 years.

[phoenix18]

Actually Pau does own Dirk almost every time they play. Oh and stop with the exaggerated smileys. Some of us dont have a very good internet connection :(

Do we really have to visit Basketball Reference? Really people.

[Brujesino]

This thread makes me want to cry.

Yes guys, we get it, Shannon Brown is the best dunker ever, DJ Mbenga is the GOAT player from whereeverthefck, Kobe is Jesus except he didnt die on a cross, Pau Gasol the best big man today and probably top 10 all time, Ron Artest is not a headcase at all and is one of the best defenders ever, Lamar Odom is consistent, and Andrew Bynum is the heart and soul of the future NBA and will never be injured again and will average 20/10 for the next 20 years.

:lol :applause:

[Huey Freeman]

Actually Pau does own Dirk almost every time they play. Oh and stop with the exaggerated smileys. Some of us dont have a very good internet connection :(
That's probably your computer or the browser you're using.

[HBKMGa]

Actually Pau does own Dirk almost every time they play. Oh and stop with the exaggerated smileys. Some of us dont have a very good internet connection :(

smilies slow your internet connection? wth hahah
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[sbw19]

Playing in a stacked team doesn't make him the best. Duncan, Howard and Dirk are all better franchise players.

[HBKMGa]

This thread makes me want to cry.

Yes guys, we get it, Shannon Brown is the best dunker ever, DJ Mbenga is the GOAT player from whereeverthefck, Kobe is Jesus except he didnt die on a cross, Pau Gasol the best big man today and probably top 10 all time, Ron Artest is not a headcase at all and is one of the best defenders ever, Lamar Odom is consistent, and Andrew Bynum is the heart and soul of the future NBA and will never be injured again and will average 20/10 for the next 20 years.

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement

[Shih508]

Gasol is hands down the best player on Lakers' rosters

[KenneBell]

Actually Pau does own Dirk almost every time they play
No he doesn't.

[NBASTATMAN]

if gasol get a little better defensivley then yes he would be the best big man in the league


People don't realize how great Pau is on the pick and roll.. You won't get the huge defensive numbers but when he is not in the lineup the Lakers get killed on the pick and roll.. He makes a huge difference... Very good defensively...

[Jacks3]

Gasol is hands down the best player on Lakers' rosters
:roll:

[ShaqAttack3234]

Playing in a stacked team doesn't make him the best. Duncan, Howard and Dirk are all better franchise players.


:applause:

[ArizaAttack24]

Probably arguably the best playoff performing Big man. Dirk has had his chokes, same with Dwight and Garnett has only played sub-par in the playoffs. I would say Duncan is the best big man in the league still then Dirk.

[phoenix18]

Probably arguably the best playoff performing Big man. Dirk has had his chokes, same with Dwight and Garnett has only played sub-par in the playoffs. I would say Duncan is the best big man in the league still then Dirk.

OMG. My head hurts. We are talking about the Gasol that never got out of the first round before he went to the Lakers?

Garnett does not play "subpar" in the playoffs. You just werent around to see his prime. At least I hope so.

Where the hell do we get these people from? I am really starting to lose my faith in humanity whenever I see some of these statements.

[ArizaAttack24]

OMG. My head hurts. We are talking about the Gasol that never got out of the first round before he went to the Lakers?

Garnett does not play "subpar" in the playoffs. You just werent around to see his prime. At least I hope so.

Where the hell do we get these people from? I am really starting to lose my faith in humanity whenever I see some of these statements.
Outside of Garnett's MVP Season, he really hasn't been the best playoff performer. He was pretty great in the 08' run though up until the Finals. Garnett plays average, but he doesn't really elevate his play like Shaq or Duncan does.

[rfm767]

Gasol is just amazing. Dude is so long that he gets a touch on every board and his passing is PG level. Not kidding when I say that. If he's not the best big man, he's top 3.

THIS.

[Dresta]

Lakers' best player.

[justin43]

My Top 5 Big Men (as of right now)

1.Dirk (He is playing the best out of all big men.)
2.Duncan
3a. Gasol
3b. Dwight (He should move up once he gets out of his slump.)
5. Bynum

[godofgods]

This is ****ing ridiculous. Pau was good but since he joined the Fakers, he's overrated.

Dirk owns his ass.

[rfm767]

Pau is also unbelievably smart for offensive rebounding, always in the right spot with the good timing (length aside). Tonight he had 12 boards, 10 were offensive.

[phoenix18]

Outside of Garnett's MVP Season, he really hasn't been the best playoff performer. He was pretty great in the 08' run though up until the Finals. Garnett plays average, but he doesn't really elevate his play like Shaq or Duncan does.

I am going to post his playoff averages. Tell me if they are subpar.

1996-97: 17.3PPG/9.3RPG/3.7APG
1997-98: 15.8PPG/9.6RPG/4.0APG
1998-99: 21.8PPG/12.0RPG/3.8RPG
1999-00: 18.8PPG/10.8RPG/8.8APG
2000-01: 21.0PPG/12.0RPG/4.3APG
2001-02: 24.0PPG/18.7RPG/5.0APG
2002-03: 27.0PPG/15.7RPG/5.2APG
2003-04: 24.3PPG/14.6RPG/5.1APG
2007-08: 20.4PPG/10.5RPG/3.3APG

Those are KG's playoff averages throughout the years. Spectacular.

His career playoff average is 21.6PPG/12.4 RPG/ 4.4 APG

His career reg. season averages are 20.1PPG/11.0 RPG/4.3 APG

Pau's is coming soon.

Pau's playoff averages.

2003-04: 18.5PPG/5.0RPG/2.5APG
2004-05: 21.3PPG/7.5RPG/2.5APG
2005-06: 20.3PPG/6.8RPG/3.0APG
2007-08: 16.9PPG/9.3RPG/4.0APG
2008-09: 18.3PPG/10.8RPG/2.5APG

*looks over both*

Pau is such a baller!!!!!

[cotdt]

This is ****ing ridiculous. Pau was good but since he joined the Fakers, he's overrated.

Dirk owns his ass.

Here are their head-2-head games since Gasol joined the Lakers. Draw your own conclusions:

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3012/gasolvsnowitzki.jpg

Dirk owned Gasol by going 0-5 huh?

[justin43]

Pau is also unbelievably smart for offensive rebounding, always in the right spot with the good timing (length aside). Tonight he had 12 boards, 10 were offensive.

Pau is skilled, but he is not the best big man in the league. This thread reeks of Laker homerism.:hammerhead:

[ArizaAttack24]

I am going to post his playoff averages. Tell me if they are subpar.

1996-97: 17.3PPG/9.3RPG/3.7APG
1997-98: 15.8PPG/9.6RPG/4.0APG
1998-99: 21.8PPG/12.0RPG/3.8RPG
1999-00: 18.8PPG/10.8RPG/8.8APG
2000-01: 21.0PPG/12.0RPG/4.3APG
2001-02: 24.0PPG/18.7RPG/5.0APG
2002-03: 27.0PPG/15.7RPG/5.2APG
2003-04: 24.3PPG/14.6RPG/5.1APG
2007-08: 20.4PPG/10.5RPG/3.3APG

Those are KG's playoff averages throughout the years. Spectacular.

His career playoff average is 21.6PPG/12.4 RPG/ 4.4 APG

His career reg. season averages are 20.1PPG/11.0 RPG/4.3 APG

Pau's is coming soon.
You forgot FG%, because that was where he reeked. But he was pretty good for the most part. Just not really elevated.

[flipogb]

Im a Laker fan and Gasol is great, but if we had Dirk I believe Bynum would actually be better, there would be lots more space in the middle for him to work with, so Id prefer Dirk, but thats just me

and I dont think Gasol is the best, but he is definitely up there

[Basketball Dirk]

Gasol shat all over Dirk's face every time they played against each other.

2005/2006 Season.

Grizzlies(5 seed) w/ Pau Gasol as first option meet the Mavs(4 seed) w/ Dirk Nowitzki as first option in the first round of the playoffs:

Pau Gasol: 21.5(PPG),44.7%(FG),18/26(FT),8.75(RPG),1.5(BPG),0.25(SPG)

Dirk Nowitzki: 28.2(PPG),50.6%(FG),27/28(FT),9.75 (RPG),2.75(BPG),0.25(SPG)

This should put this :roll: :roll: :roll: comment to the grave once and for all.

[phoenix18]

You forgot FG%, because that was where he reeked. But he was pretty good for the most part. Just not really elevated.
:oldlol: When a PF averages 8.8 assists in a postseason, you cannot bring up fg%.

[ArizaAttack24]

:oldlol: When a PF averages 8.8 assists in a postseason, you cannot bring up fg%.
:oldlol: true, but still.......... You get the point. Garnett is one of the greatest passing big men in the NBA.

[phoenix18]

:oldlol: true, but still.......... You get the point. Garnett is one of the greatest passing big men in the NBA.
Oh yeah, I understand what you mean about him having some crappy shooting postseasons. But every thing else he did was so monstrous.

[Bigsmoke]

You forgot FG%, because that was where he reeked. But he was pretty good for the most part. Just not really elevated.

i find it funny that u are here trying to say that KG never stepped up in the playoffs while Pau Gasol had never was a playoff game before he became a Laker.

[Derek Fisher]

Better than Dwight Hoveratedard for sure.

[malek4980]

Were LA fans making these claims when Gasol was with Memphis and was basically the exact same player he is now?

[Bigsmoke]

Better than Dwight Hoveratedard for sure.

Dwight won his first playoff game at age 22, not 28. and no

Dwight > Gasol

[Artillery]

Better than Dwight Hoveratedard for sure.

0-12 as the first option. Gasol's a good sidekick/2nd option but he's hardly a "franchise" big man.

[Phong]

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/561/image1ki.jpg

Gasol with a 92 FG% compare to Dirk's 30 FG%. :eek:

[phoenix18]

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/561/image1ki.jpg

Gasol with a 92 FG% compare to Dirk's 30 FG%. :eek:

*looks at Gasol's teammates versus Dirk's*

I can see why. Gasol was ballin though.

[justin43]

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/561/image1ki.jpg

Gasol with a 92 FG% compare to Dirk's 30 FG%. :eek:

Looking at these stats, I guess Gasol isn't that far away from Dirk after all.:ohwell: What happen at the highlighted game for that statline to happen?:eek:

[GoldMedallist]

Based on their skill, Garnett Duncan and Gasol play in a different league of all the others.

Howard is a physical beast, but his skill is far from that 3. You can imagine what would howard do if he had the abilities of any of the 3? So many rings to Orlando....

And Dirk, I absolutely love his game, but his best value is shooting. If he only were a post player, he is not as good as the big 3.

[jmill]

Lakers' best player.

He's sure gotten better since he started playing with Kobe Bryant.

Funny how that works.

[Brunch@Five]

Dirk is one of the most efficient offensive players this decade even without a great post game, so I don't see the big deal here.

Gasol is a great second fiddle but unable to lead his team as the 1st option. Which is why he doesn't belong in the same group as Dirk, Duncan and Howard.

Also, Dirk is averaging 27/9/3 with 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals with only 1.6 TOs.

[raptorfan_dr07]

Now I love Gasol, he's one of the most versatile bigs in the game, can slide from PF to C. He isn't soft like people try to pretend and one of the biggest myths from Kobe fans is that he was completely and helplessly smashed on by KG and Perk in the Finals. He's got an excellent post game and can step out and hit the midrange jumper, not to mention he's a great passer. The Lakers are not a title contender without him, but JESUS CHRIST the overrating NEEDS to stop. I just saw some moron in this thread say the Lakers have two of the top five big men in the league.:wtf: :wtf: :hammerhead: It's only been since he's come to the Lakers. He is essentially the same player he was in Memphis. I didn't see people proclaiming him the best big in the game back then. The only difference is he doesn't have the added pressure of being the number one option. He's a perfect second fiddle to Kobe. Dirk, Howard, KG, and Duncan have already proved they are better than him, before and now. There are a couple more who you could make an argument for. He's a top 5 PF though, that much is true.

[fefe]

He is upthere for sure.

Duncan is declining, and right now it is at least debatable who is better of the two.

Dirk is very hard to compare to other bigs.. He is not really a big man. He is a SG in a 7 footers body. As a pure scorer, he is probably ahead of Kobe, Melo, Durant and LeBron. He will score a lot with tremendous %-es.
But when you use "big man skills" like post offense, post defense Dirk is really not a good player. He is good in other parts of the game.
When looking for the best big in the game, Dirk is not in the discussion for me, even though he is in the discussion for best player in the game overall.

Dwight is a physical monster. A real monster on help defense and rebounding.
Comparing him to Gasol is not really easy though, because their games are so different.
Gasol is far more skilled, that is for sure. Their impact on the game is close, but I'll take Howard today.

The best big men in the game right now are:
Dwight
Gasol
Duncan
in this order, but it is very close for sure.

[momo]

It is truly amazing how much changes when you switch teams and do the exact same things.

He gets to do them with better teammates tho...

[ronnymac]

Top 4 for sure and Probaly the best post scorer in the league.


1:Dirk
2:Dwight
3:Gasol
4:Bosh
5:Duncan
6:Bynum
7:KG
8:Yao
9:Amare
10:Boozer


HMS Jefferson, Bogut, Shaq, Jermaine O'neal, Lee.......

[All Net]

Dirk is one of the most efficient offensive players this decade even without a great post game, so I don't see the big deal here.

Gasol is a great second fiddle but unable to lead his team as the 1st option. Which is why he doesn't belong in the same group as Dirk, Duncan and Howard.

Also, Dirk is averaging 27/9/3 with 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals with only 1.6 TOs.

How do you know he couldn't lead those teams? Gasol led his Memphis teams to 50 sub wins with guys like Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Bonzi Wells and L.Wright as their main players for gods sake..hardly the supporting cast to brag about.

[dn41]

How do you know he couldn't lead those teams? Gasol led his Memphis teams to 50 sub wins with guys like Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Bonzi Wells and L.Wright as their main players for gods sake..hardly the supporting cast to brag about.

but a good enough supporting cast to win a playoff game!

[All Net]

but a good enough supporting cast to win a playoff game!

Look who he faced in those playoff series

then re-think your statement.

[Lebowsky]

I think Pau Gasol is a pretty cool guy. Eh is the best big man in the league and doesn't afraid of anything.

[Floppy]

The 3rd option on a stacked team is the best big man in the nba.

And all that after 4 games.

Just shoot yourselves.

[plowking]

Some people still consider Garnett and Duncan top 3 at their position? Man some guys live off reputation way too long.

Garnett has declined offensively, while Duncan has declined defensively.

[lovethetriangle]

OMG. My head hurts. We are talking about the Gasol that never got out of the first round before he went to the Lakers?

Garnett does not play "subpar" in the playoffs. You just werent around to see his prime. At least I hope so.

Where the hell do we get these people from? I am really starting to lose my faith in humanity whenever I see some of these statements.


you said first round and garnett in 2 diff sentences, that's not right.

[lovethetriangle]

Top 4 for sure and Probaly the best post scorer in the league.


1:Dirk
2:Dwight
3:Gasol
4:Bosh
5:Duncan
6:Bynum
7:KG
8:Yao
9:Amare
10:Boozer


HMS Jefferson, Bogut, Shaq, Jermaine O'neal, Lee.......


Did you rank Drew over KG? hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha go slit your wrists

[DuMa]

i consider pau to be incredibly skilled but there no way pau could carry the mavericks like dirk has done.

[ZeN]

Did you rank Drew over KG? hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha go slit your wrists
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Artillery]

Some people still consider Garnett and Duncan top 3 at their position? Man some guys live off reputation way too long.

Garnett has declined offensively, while Duncan has declined defensively.

Duncan is easily a top 3 center.

[Disaprine]

Gasol is in the top 3 at best.

[dwight12]

This thread makes me want to cry.

Yes guys, we get it, Shannon Brown is the best dunker ever, DJ Mbenga is the GOAT player from whereeverthefck, Kobe is Jesus except he didnt die on a cross, Pau Gasol the best big man today and probably top 10 all time, Ron Artest is not a headcase at all and is one of the best defenders ever, Lamar Odom is consistent, and Andrew Bynum is the heart and soul of the future NBA and will never be injured again and will average 20/10 for the next 20 years.
:applause: :cheers:

[raiderfan19]

Here are their head-2-head games since Gasol joined the Lakers. Draw your own conclusions:

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3012/gasolvsnowitzki.jpg

Dirk owned Gasol by going 0-5 huh?
you fail at life. If youre gonna do the dirk vs gasol thing how about we mention the series where they met in the playoffs as their teams respective best players? What happened? Dirk RAPED gasol. Gasol is a good player and is probably a better fit for what the lakers need than dirk would be but to argue hes as good as dirk is just idiotic.

Also to those of you who talk about dirk shooting too many 3s, wake up. This isnt 2002. Dirk has easily the best high post game in the nba. Hes not a kid who sitsoutside and jacks up 3s any more. He takes 2 a game.

[mbell75]

Howard is the best big man in the league.

:roll:

All you have to do is go back and look at last years finals where Pau and Bynum owned him and exposed him for what he is. Hes nothing but a dunker.

[Bigsmoke]

:roll:

All you have to do is go back and look at last years finals where Pau and Bynum owned him and exposed him for what he is. Hes nothing but a dunker.

what about defense and rebounding?

funny that u think Howard is just a dunker when he was putting up more PPG than Gasol and Bynum last year. If Howard had Kobe then Magics would won easily

[Swaggin916]

i consider pau to be incredibly skilled but there no way pau could carry the mavericks like dirk has done.

He carried Memphis to the playoffs 3 years in a row (or was it 2?) with nobody. Dirk has had guys like Nash, Terry, Stackhouse, Howard, Kidd... The guy has had plenty of talent around him.

[phoenix18]

He carried Memphis to the playoffs 3 years in a row (or was it 2?) with nobody. Dirk has had guys like Nash, Terry, Stackhouse, Howard, Kidd... The guy has had plenty of talent around him.
When they met in the playoffs, Kidd and Nash werent on the team. And Stackhouse was not really that good if I remember.

[rfm767]

KG and Duncans reputation is overrating them as top big men in the league now. Do not get fooled by people living in the past.

[Floppy]

He carried Memphis to the playoffs 3 years in a row (or was it 2?) with nobody. Dirk has had guys like Nash, Terry, Stackhouse, Howard, Kidd... The guy has had plenty of talent around him.

He carried his team of nobodys with an amazing 20.8 ppg in his best season.

Obviously his team was utter ****e. :rolleyes:

[Swaggin916]

He carried his team of nobodys with an amazing 20.8 ppg in his best season.

Obviously his team was utter ****e. :rolleyes:

Battier? Jason Williams? Jake Tsakilidas (sp?)? Yea those guys are real stars... They were a great defensive team then and they had Gasol and a bunch of role players. If they didn't have Gasol they were nothing. IF Dallas didn't have Dirk they were nothing... Therefore it's a wash IMO in that regaurd and they play completely different games. Gasol is a better overall player and more useful to a team in terms of the skillset he brings. He is a true big man whereas Dirk is a shooting guard in a center's body.

[cotdt]

Battier? Jason Williams? Jake Tsakilidas (sp?)? Yea those guys are real stars... They were a great defensive team then and they had Gasol and a bunch of role players. If they didn't have Gasol they were nothing. IF Dallas didn't have Dirk they were nothing... Therefore it's a wash IMO in that regaurd and they play completely different games. Gasol is a better overall player and more useful to a team in terms of the skillset he brings. He is a true big man whereas Dirk is a shooting guard in a center's body.

+1

You hit the nail on the head. Gasol is a true big man. Dirk is more like an oversized guard who happens to defend PFs. Gasol is better defensively too.

[Brunch@Five]

Guards usually do not operate from the high-post and get you 9 rebounds per game.
People act like Dirk is a worse/less efficient offensive player cause he doesn't have a dominating low-post game. Ridiculous

[Swaggin916]

Guards usually do not operate from the high-post and get you 9 rebounds per game.
People act like Dirk is a worse/less efficient offensive player cause he doesn't have a dominating low-post game. Ridiculous

Guards also aren't 7' tall. To be quite frank tho... he isn't as efficient as a good post player... look at the FG percentage.

[spursdynasty420]

id still rather have duncan on my team being the anchor on defense and he has been carrying us on offense to.

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

If Dirk is an oversized guard... it is truly amazing that an oversized guard is the best PF in the game today.

[Floppy]

Guards also aren't 7' tall. To be quite frank tho... he isn't as efficient as a good post player... look at the FG percentage.
dirk 58%TS 1.9 TO

gasol 57.6%TS 2.5 TO

[Brunch@Five]

Guards also aren't 7' tall. To be quite frank tho... he isn't as efficient as a good post player... look at the FG percentage.

Your basis for evaluation is too superficial. Dirk is one of the most efficient offensive player of this decade. Look at his high TS% (never been under 56% since his rookie season), low TO numbers despite handling the ball a lot and being #1 option (at 1.6 this season, 1.9 for his career).

In comparison, Tim Duncan has topped 56 TS% only 4 times in 12 seasons, and averages 2.8 TOs per game for his career.
Kevin Garnett has topped 56 TS% only 4 times in 14 seasons, averages 2.5 TOs for his career.

[Micku]

I think Gasol is the most skillful big men out there and one of the most consistent.

[cotdt]

dirk 58%TS 1.9 TO

gasol 57.6%TS 2.5 TO

Compare this season:
Gasol is 58.3% FG%
Dirk is 47.2% FG%

TS% favors Gasol as well. If you look at offensive rebounding:

Gasol: 4.5 offensive rebounds
Dirk: 0.9 offensive rebounds

Gasol is a lot more of a true big man.

[Artillery]

KG and Duncans reputation is overrating them as top big men in the league now. Do not get fooled by people living in the past.

Yes, it's because of Tim Duncan's reputation that his stats are nearly identical to Pau's, right?

[Orodoro]

Bosh getting no love? :cry:

[Micku]

Bosh getting no love? :cry:

Holy sheet. I forgot! Bosh has been awesome this year so far. I don't think he is as skillful as Gasol, but he has been awesome!

[Orodoro]

Bosh has been outstanding, and he is without a doubt Top 3 or Top 4 power forward in the NBA.

[dn41]

Gasol is a lot more of a true big man.

yes but dirk is the better player!

[chains5000]

Dirk? Dirk shoots more threes as a 7 footer than most point guards do. He rarely wants to grind and take a bruising in the paint for the betterment of his team. He is seriously one of the softest 7 foot superstars I have ever seen. It's a shame too because I bet he's influencing a lot of young PFs out there to shoot more 3s instead of sacrificing their bodies and getting rebounds.

best big man in the league = dwight.
:applause: :applause: :applause:
Dirk is the reason Rasheed Wallace shoots that many threes.
:rolleyes:


For this and last season he's averaged just 2 threes a game, at 35%. I don't see any problem.

[R.I.P.]

Compare this season:
Gasol is 58.3% FG%
Dirk is 47.2% FG%

TS% favors Gasol as well. If you look at offensive rebounding:

Gasol: 4.5 offensive rebounds
Dirk: 0.9 offensive rebounds

Gasol is a lot more of a true big man.

Disucssion over. The sample size is overwhelming. Gasol has already played four games this season AGAINST the awesome (interior) defensive presence of the Knicks, Warriors and Thunder. :roll:

How has he done it against Lee, Gallinari, Radmanovic, Moore, Krstic and some dude named Ibaka? I

[Hyman]

Gasol is not lakers third option

Gasol last year was the Lakers man with more efficiency points through out the season. This year the story continues

Last season Gasol had more efficiency points than Bryant

[rfm767]

Yes, it's because of Tim Duncan's reputation that his stats are nearly identical to Pau's, right?

You should start watching more basketball and less stat charts :rockon:

[#1SportsFan86]

Ok let's see the teams Pau had to face since coming back....Bulls, Thunder, Knicks and Warriors, thoes teams have no good big man to guard Pau so Pau is goona look good of the top, to Pau is not even a top 5 big man in the NBA.

[iggy>]

bill walton was the male version of pau gasol

[Cool Guy]

one word: Marc Gasol

/thread

[D-Rose]

Ok let's see the teams Pau had to face since coming back....Bulls, Thunder, Knicks and Warriors, thoes teams have no good big man to guard Pau so Pau is goona look good of the top, to Pau is not even a top 5 big man in the NBA.
:roll:

[ashar008]

Ok let's see the teams Pau had to face since coming back....Bulls, Thunder, Knicks and Warriors, thoes teams have no good big man to guard Pau so Pau is goona look good of the top, to Pau is not even a top 5 big man in the NBA.

i dont agree that gasol is the best big man in the nba, but are u serious? why do people make dumb ass comments like that?

[ProfessorMurder]

bill walton was the male version of pau gasol

:applause:

[bigkingsfan]

Where was all the hype for Gasol when he was in Memphis...

[Swaggin916]

dirk 58%TS 1.9 TO

gasol 57.6%TS 2.5 TO

Yea I said look at FG%... not TS%. It was pointed out that Gasol is shooting nearly 10% higher so far this season and has always shot a higher percentage from the field.

Unfortunately when you play for teams who are never seen on Nat. TV (or rarely like Memphis) you don't get much hype unless your name is Brandon Jennings. Everyone knew Gasol was skilled and a good player, but that was just based on stats cus nobody really saw him play. Now that they have gotten a huge dose of him (As they have with Duncan) he is getting much deserved respect.

[JustinJDW]

It is truly amazing how much changes when you switch teams and do the exact same things.+1.

[Bigsmoke]

Tim Duncan has been playing great basketball lately.

[JustinJDW]

Where was all the hype for Gasol when he was in Memphis...Where is Memphis? Is it in Los Angeles? Are they part of the Lakers? Is it where the mighty GOAT Kobe Bryant plays?

[DustBytes]

Not fair to compare gasol to centers like dwight, because he has skills and the ability to take shots outside the paint. Compare gasol to players like yao and duncan.

[#1SportsFan86]

i dont agree that gasol is the best big man in the nba, but are u serious? why do people make dumb ass comments like that?


Top 5 big man in the NBA

1. Tim Duncan (when healthy)
2. Yao Ming (when healthy)
3. Dwight Howard
4. Dirk Nowitzki
5. Kevin Garnett (when healthy)

Don't be mad at my "dumd ass comment" man....I'm not gonna overrate Pau like you and the rest of the Lakers fans want to do everyday, what good big man has Pau faced since coming back?......Pau have faced mediocre big man since coming back.

[phoenix18]

because your a kings fan
w-h-a-t?

[Kiddlovesnets]

Top 10 PFs nowadays:

1. Chris Bosh
2. Dirk Nowitzki
3. Tim Duncan
4. Pau Gasol
5. Carlos Boozer
6. Kevin Garnett
7. Lamarcus Aldridge
8. Lamar Odom
9. Amare Stoudemaire
10. Al Harrington

[GatorKid117]

Top 10 PFs nowadays:

1. Chris Bosh
2. Dirk Nowitzki
3. Tim Duncan
4. Pau Gasol
5. Carlos Boozer
6. Kevin Garnett
7. Lamarcus Aldridge
8. Lamar Odom
9. Amare Stoudemaire
10. Al Harrington

Ugh, Harrington? He's nothing but a low IQ chucker. Give me Lewis, Jamison or even Murphy over him.

My list:
1. Nowitzki : You have to have him number 1 at the moment. He is straight beasting and leading his team to W's
2. Bosh
3. Gasol
4. Duncan
5. Stoudemaire
6. Garnett
7. Boozer
8. Aldridge
9. Odom
10. Lewis

[pethuel03]

Tim Duncan has been playing great basketball lately.

:cheers:

[Basketball Dirk]

Compare this season:
Gasol is 58.3% FG%
Dirk is 47.2% FG%

TS% favors Gasol as well. If you look at offensive rebounding:

Gasol: 4.5 offensive rebounds
Dirk: 0.9 offensive rebounds

Gasol is a lot more of a true big man.

What a joke.

Gasol hasn't played enough games to average things out.

Gasol has other big men who can draw double teams. Have you noticed how Gasol's FG% has jumped by over 5% ever since joining the Lakers? Dirk has NEVER had another good big man. And certainly not a stacked team like Gasol now has. Dirk always gets the ball when they can't find a way and he always winds up taking hard shots.

Dirk shoots 3 pointers. That also effects FG%.

Damn Lakers fanboys.

Put Dirk on the Lakers and he'll be shooting over 50% day in and day out despite taking 3 pointers too.

I notice you didn't reply to my last post.

The one where I quoted the stats of the 2005-2006 playoffs where Dirk wiped the floor with Pau Gasol. Both were their teams first options.

[phxsuns4life]

Pau Gasol is definitely one of the best, but definitely not the best in the L (Dwight, Garnett, Duncan amongst others?). If he was, the Lakers would have denied the Celtics their last ring; the big men (Garnett, Perkins, Davis, Powe, Brown) were the key to the Celtics brilliant return to grace.

Seriously, I think Pau is the biggest reason the Lakers are back in business. Sorry, but Kobe with Lamar were going nowhere till the big trade. Pau's always been there to clean up for his teammates' mistakes. F*** Andrew Bynum, Pau is the big man of Hollywood.

I wouldn't say he got the better of Dirk in their matchups though.

[thabigdg]

Dirk is clearly the better #1 option than Gasol; he's just a much more capable scorer. But Gasol is probably a better fit in LA due to his length and passing ability. These two ideas are not mutually exclusive; I don't really see the point in this argument.

Gasol does a good job of matching up with Dwight Howard (as does Yao) because Howard is probably only 6'10 and struggles against length since his post game doesn't have much touch or finesse. But against the other 90% of teams in the NBA, Howard is the better center.

[Hyman]

Today another excellent performance with 20 points (8/13 FG and 4/5 FT), 9 rebounds and 7 assists

His efficiency points last season and this season are higher than Bryants

He is the best big man in the NBA. I hope justice is made with him and after this season he gets the acknowledgement he deserves

[Floppy]

Replace Gasol with Dirk and the season's over. No team could defend Kobe and Dirk on the pick n roll.

If you'd watch Dallas games you'd know that but you're stuck in your LA dreamland where every player in the starting 5 is the NBA's best player at his position.

Btw I can see Gasol's assists go through the roof by passing to Damp who can't catch a ball to save his life.

[T-Low]

Another thread so homer Laker fans can come and defend their players...Another day at Ish..

[Artillery]

Today another excellent performance with 20 points (8/13 FG and 4/5 FT), 9 rebounds and 7 assists

His efficiency points last season and this season are higher than Bryants

He is the best big man in the NBA. I hope justice is made with him and after this season he gets the acknowledgement he deserves

He isn't even the first option on his team(and when he was he couldn't even win a single playoff game). Lay off the hype already. He's only played, what, five games?

[DECK]

Its incredible the level he has achieved. He is just a total player. He can do everything a big man is supposed to do. He can pass the ball extremely well, rebound, his offensive post moves are just amazing, he gets better every year rebounding and his defence has improved so much that I would even say he is a great defender

Howard is more a physical presence and I always have the feeling that the stats lots of times, show more than his real impact in a match.

Give Gasol the ball and he always produces something. Its incredible how fluid and smart the Lakers game is when he is on court
L.A fans these days... Sorry but i dont feel this way

[asu77golf]

He's not #1 but he's up there. I'd still put Howard, Dirk, and Duncan over him.
This. If you were building a team would you really, REALLY take Gasol over Howard? If you would then I have some prime beachside real estate in Nevada to sell you...

[Anaximandro1]

Some people still consider Garnett and Duncan top 3 at their position? Man some guys live off reputation way too long.

Garnett has declined offensively, while Duncan has declined defensively.

:no:

Bobcats' Wallace, Spurs' Duncan named Players of Week


The Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Wallace and the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 29.

Duncan led San Antonio to a 4-0 week, posting three double-doubles along the way. Duncan averaged 21.8 points on .583 shooting, to go with 10.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 blocks.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/11/30/players.of.week/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

[SCdac]

Best bigman in the league?.... Even if he's not averaging 25+ ppg, I'll still take this guy.

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/39/fullj.12c8a3c4ba793a944a76391b144e2aa7/12c8a3c4ba793a944a76391b144e2aa7-getty-90041082ce001_76ers_spurs.jpg

[Hyman]

Its time to admit it guys. Last two matches:

17 points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists
16 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists

He he has broke his carreer high 18 rebounds in a game, achieved during the last 9 years, in two consecutive matches

He is just the best big man in the league nowadays

[DominantElement]

Duncan is still the best big man in the league if you ask me.

[Micku]

I think Gasol is the best skillful O big guy in the game right now. He always look so smooth whenever he is on the O. He post up with some nice moves, pass, and hit the mid range. I would like him to be more aggressive or have the Lakers fed him the ball more. I feel he should produce more points.

[magnax1]

Did Duncan die?

[Diesel J]

Gasol is easily the best offensive big man while Duncan is just better overall.

[magnax1]

Gasol is easily the best offensive big man while Duncan is just better overall.
Bosh is better on offense, same on defense.

[ConanRulesNBC]

Just think... Paxson didn't want to give up Luol Deng for Pau Gasol. :banghead:

[Hyman]

Absolute european legend. Future HOF

Now he is showing in the NBA, his real dimension. Best big man in the league by quite a margin. Pau Gasol has in one nail, more talent than Dwight Howard in all his body

[raiderfan19]

Absolute european legend. Future HOF

Now he is showing in the NBA, his real dimension. Best big man in the league by quite a margin. Pau Gasol has in one nail, more talent than Dwight Howard in all his body
Dirk nowitzki says hello. Its amazing to me that everyone forgets how much better dirk is than pau when pau was the number one option. Pau is a great player but hes not in the top 10 players in the nba like so many laker fans wanna make him out to be.

[Hyman]

Dirk nowitzki says hello. Its amazing to me that everyone forgets how much better dirk is than pau when pau was the number one option. Pau is a great player but hes not in the top 10 players in the nba like so many laker fans wanna make him out to be.

Memphis went twice to play-offs with a team of scrubs with Pau as a leader

Pau as a leader has been a much better international player than Dirk. Pau is the leader of the spanish NT and he dominates every single competition he plays in.

Moreover Pau wasnt motivated at all at Memphis his final years. He was pleading for a move. Pau Gasol would make the Knicks a play-off team

[Hyman]

Pau Gasol is ranked second in efficiency in the league just behind Lebron James

[Silverbullit]

Memphis went twice to play-offs with a team of scrubs with Pau as a leader

Pau as a leader has been a much better international player than Dirk. Pau is the leader of the spanish NT and he dominates every single competition he plays in.

Moreover Pau wasnt motivated at all at Memphis his final years. He was pleading for a move. Pau Gasol would make the Knicks a play-off team

Dirk was top-scorer of Eurobasket 2001, 2005, 2007.

[torontofan]

If Dwight Howard or Dirk Nowitzki were on the Lakers, LakerLovers like Hymen would still be going on about how Nowitzki is the GOAT or how Howard is the next coming of Wlit/Kareem etc....There is no doubt Gasol is a very good player but put any of Duncan/Dirk/Howard/Jefferson alongside Kobe/Odom/Bynum/Artest and those guys could probably do a better job than Gasol. Lets face it, Gasol is no more than a good no.2 option who got a free get out of mediocrity (Grizzlies) card from Jerry West.

[GoldMedallist]

If Dwight Howard or Dirk Nowitzki were on the Lakers, LakerLovers like Hymen would still be going on about how Nowitzki is the GOAT or how Howard is the next coming of Wlit/Kareem etc....There is no doubt Gasol is a very good player but put any of Duncan/Dirk/Howard/Jefferson alongside Kobe/Odom/Bynum/Artest and those guys could probably do a better job than Gasol. Lets face it, Gasol is no more than a good no.2 option who got a free get out of mediocrity (Grizzlies) card from Jerry West.

Dirk - No, if you play with Dirk and Kobe you need 2 balls to play.
Howard - No. His lacking of pass abilities makes him no useful in the triangle. If you put howard there, they should need to get a true PG, fisher won't be good enough.
Jefferson - Same as Dirk.
Duncan - The only one you said who can be same or more effective in the triangle than Gasol. However, he is older.

And Gasol is a winner, he is a World Champion (and MVP of that championship), a European champion (and MVP of that championship), an NBA ring and some prizes of max. scorer from many foreign championships.

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

Dirk - No, if you play with Dirk and Kobe you need 2 balls to play.

Not really. Dirk is probably the most unselfish "superstar/number 1 option" in the league today.

[Hyman]

Dirk was top-scorer of Eurobasket 2001, 2005, 2007.

With very bad shooting in general and not being dominant or decisive. Since 2005 , Nowitzkis international performances have been all but dominating.

[Silverbullit]

With very bad shooting in general and not being dominant or decisive. Since 2005 , Nowitzkis international performances have been all but dominating.

In EuroBasket 2007:

Dirk averaged 24.0 ppg on 43%, 8.7 rpg, 1.6 apg.
Dominating Gasol averaged 18.8 on 62%, 7.0 rpg, 2.2 apg.

:confusedshrug:

I also remember a very decisive Gasol performance in the Final vs. Russia, 14/14/3 (4/13 from the field = 31%, 5 of 12 free throws = 42%) and 5 TOs.

[Silverbullit]

Ah, perhaps you mean Fiba World Championship 2006?

Dirk averaged 23.2/9.2/2.8
Gasol averaged 21.3/9.4/1.4

Dirk had an off night against Angola (47/16/4)

[Hyman]

In EuroBasket 2007:

Dirk averaged 24.0 ppg on 43%, 8.7 rpg, 1.6 apg.
Dominating Gasol averaged 18.8 on 62%, 7.0 rpg, 2.2 apg.

:confusedshrug:

I also remember a very decisive Gasol performance in the Final vs. Russia, 14/14/3 (4/13 from the field = 31%, 5 of 12 free throws = 42%) and 5 TOs.

Zach Randolph averages similar statistics to Gasol and he is not dominating

Nowitzki since 2005 hasnt been dominating. His team has had very poor performances and his impact on the global game was not big. Horrible shooting most of the time at underperforming in comparison to his NBA level

Moreover Nowitzki plays for Germany, much more minutes per game than Gasol does for Spain

The last Eurobasket that Spain won and Gasol was named MVP he averaged only 25 minutes per game

And yes, Gasol has been by a margin a more dominating FIBA basketball player than Nowitzki. He left Europe being a dominating player before his arrival at Memphis and his performances at international tournaments, being the absolute leader of his team are excellent

[plowking]

Ah, perhaps you mean Fiba World Championship 2006?

Dirk averaged 23.2/9.2/2.8
Gasol averaged 21.3/9.4/1.4

Dirk had an off night against Angola (47/16/4)

Dirk is the best PF in the league, though don't use this as a bragging point. :oldlol:

At the moment I'd rank big men as:

Nowitzki
Howard
Gasol

It was like that last year as well in my opinion, so the big man rankings haven't changed IMO.

[Hyman]

Ah, perhaps you mean Fiba World Championship 2006?

Dirk averaged 23.2/9.2/2.8
Gasol averaged 21.3/9.4/1.4

Dirk had an off night against Angola (47/16/4)

Gasol averaged those number at Boston Celtics
Nowitzki averaged those numbers at Knicks

David Lee averages better numbers than Garnett. Is he more dominating?

Basketball is much more than stats. Spain ended winning the tournamente and Germany underperformed

Gasol is dominating at FIBA basketball. Nowtizki not since long time ago. Its a fact. It would be nice you also put percentages. Dirk must be around 40% shooting. Gasol more than 60%. Not to mention the results which their teams have achieved since 2005

[Silverbullit]

Zach Randolph averages similar statistics to Gasol and he is not dominating

Nowitzki since 2005 hasnt been dominating. His team has had very poor performances and his impact on the global game was not big. Horrible shooting most of the time at underperforming in comparison to his NBA level

Moreover Nowitzki plays for Germany, much more minutes per game than Gasol does for Spain

The last Eurobasket that Spain won and Gasol was named MVP he averaged only 25 minutes per game

And yes, Gasol has been by a margin a more dominating FIBA basketball player than Nowitzki. He left Europe being a dominating player before his arrival at Memphis and his performances at international tournaments, being the absolute leader of his team are excellent

I'm sure you mean Spain is a more dominating FIBA basketball team than Germany.

[Hyman]

I'm sure you mean Spain is a more dominating FIBA basketball team than Germany.

And Gasol a more dominating player than Nowitzki at FIBA by a margin

[Silverbullit]

And Gasol a more dominating player than Nowitzki at FIBA by a margin

Of course I disagree :pimp:

[JustinJDW]

Dirk
Dwight
Duncan
Garnett

All better than Gasol.

[Basketball Dirk]

Has anyone noticed how Gasol's shooting percentage went up by 5% ever since joining the lakers? Literally, the year he joined the lakers it went up. Teammates have a lot to do with that. He also got other good big men that help out a lot.

Also, when comparing FG%, don't forget you have to consider the fact that Nowitzki also shoots three pointers. That negatively effects FG%.

:violin:

PS:

Remember the 2005/2006 season?

Grizzlies(5 seed) w/ Pau Gasol as first option meet the Mavs(4 seed) w/ Dirk Nowitzki as first option in the first round of the playoffs:

Pau Gasol: 21.5(PPG),44.7%(FG),18/26(FT),8.75(RPG),1.5(BPG),0.25(SPG)

Dirk Nowitzki: 28.2(PPG),50.6%(FG),27/28(FT),9.75 (RPG),2.75(BPG),0.25(SPG)

[greensborohill]

Silly

Pau Gasol is the ultimate 2nd banana. That's all he is, and that's all he'll ever be.

He'll never be the #1 guy on a contending team, he'll never score 20,000 points, he'll never WANT to take the last shot of a game.

He'll make the Hall just of the merits of being a Euro and having won a title. But that's about it.

The thing is, he's a very good player, but stupid threads like this make people want to bash him.

[Yuki Nagato]

Remember the 2005/2006 season?


Keyword is NOWADAYS.


PS: I don't think Gasol is better than Dirk, but he's a better fit for most of the teams.

[Drinker]

Silly

Pau Gasol is the ultimate 2nd banana. That's all he is, and that's all he'll ever be.

He'll never be the #1 guy on a contending team, he'll never score 20,000 points, he'll never WANT to take the last shot of a game.

He'll make the Hall just of the merits of being a Euro and having won a title. But that's about it.

The thing is, he's a very good player, but stupid threads like this make people want to bash him.


Don't understand why the hate tbh... He is more than just a very good player (at least last season and till now) and denying it is just being blind. It does not mean your favourite players whatever are called Tim, Dirk, Kevin or whatever are worse Why can't people just enjoy this great sport and these great players without all this irrational hate/love

[Basketball Dirk]

Don't understand why the hate tbh... He is more than just a very good player (at least last season and till now) and denying it is just being blind. It does not mean your favourite players whatever are called Tim, Dirk, Kevin or whatever are worse Why can't people just enjoy this great sport and these great players without all this irrational hate/love

Tell the Lakers homers that feel the need to make case all the time about their players being the greatest (insert here).

[greensborohill]

Don't understand why the hate tbh... He is more than just a very good player (at least last season and till now) and denying it is just being blind. It does not mean your favourite players whatever are called Tim, Dirk, Kevin or whatever are worse Why can't people just enjoy this great sport and these great players without all this irrational hate/love

Becuase I believe the thread tile says "the best big man in the league" which is a laughable statement.

[dave520]

This thread makes me want to cry.

Yes guys, we get it, Shannon Brown is the best dunker ever, DJ Mbenga is the GOAT player from whereeverthefck, Kobe is Jesus except he didnt die on a cross, Pau Gasol the best big man today and probably top 10 all time, Ron Artest is not a headcase at all and is one of the best defenders ever, Lamar Odom is consistent, and Andrew Bynum is the heart and soul of the future NBA and will never be injured again and will average 20/10 for the next 20 years.

Just a sad reminder of how far the league's big man talent pool has fallen if Pau is the best big in the league.

The big men of the past 25 years have all rolled over in their graves.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Dirk
Dwight
Duncan
Garnett

All better than Gasol.

No way Garnett is still better than Gasol. He's a better overall defender, but that's about it. Gasol is grabbing what? 5 more rebounds per game than Garnett? He's also a better low post scorer, better overall scorer, gets to the line more, he's a better shot blocker and he's a better passer(IMO). Garnett's defense this year seems to have fallen off a bit as well. KG is still a good player and a very unseflish team player, but he cannot be considered as good as Pau Gasol anymore.

[TruthKGRay3412]

No way Garnett is still better than Gasol. He's a better overall defender, but that's about it. Gasol is grabbing what? 5 more rebounds per game than Garnett? He's also a better low post scorer, better overall scorer, gets to the line more, he's a better shot blocker and he's a better passer(IMO). Garnett's defense this year seems to have fallen off a bit as well. KG is still a good player and a very unseflish team player, but he cannot be considered as good as Pau Gasol anymore.

:oldlol: I'll debate with you tonight when i'm home from work.

[sergiorodriguez]

:oldlol: I'll debate with you tonight when i'm home from work.
Gasol is much better than KG. KG is the most overrated player of all time. I can't believe so many idiots used to say he was better than Tim Duncan on this site. The KG hype is a farce

[ohdilly]

I agree, if you put him in with the Griz when Pau was there with no help I don't think he would've gone far either.

He did have an above average supporting cast with his run with the T'wolves, Spreewell and Cassell i think.

Who did Pau have?

[ShaqAttack3234]

:oldlol: I'll debate with you tonight when i'm home from work.

You're going to have your work cut out for you because not much of a case can be made for KG anymore with his 7.5 rpg.

[NBASTATMAN]

Its incredible the level he has achieved. He is just a total player. He can do everything a big man is supposed to do. He can pass the ball extremely well, rebound, his offensive post moves are just amazing, he gets better every year rebounding and his defence has improved so much that I would even say he is a great defender

Howard is more a physical presence and I always have the feeling that the stats lots of times, show more than his real impact in a match.

Give Gasol the ball and he always produces something. Its incredible how fluid and smart the Lakers game is when he is on court


Dwight is the best... But Gasol is probably second since Kg is no longer the player he once was...

[Roundball_Rock]

Tell the Lakers homers that feel the need to make case all the time about their players being the greatest (insert here).

Exactly. Greatest overall in Kobe, greatest PF in Gasol, greatest (or second best) C in Bynum and on and on.

Why did the great Gasol make exactly one all-star team and zero all-NBA teams in seven seasons before coming to LA? Did he go from a non all-star (08', 07') to the best PF and now the alleged best big man in basketball's equivalent of overnight? Or did another dynamic come into play?

[ShaqAttack3234]

Exactly. Greatest overall in Kobe, greatest PF in Gasol, greatest (or second best) C in Bynum and on and on.

Why did the great Gasol make exactly one all-star team and zero all-NBA teams in seven seasons before coming to LA? Did he go from a non all-star (08', 07') to the best PF and now the alleged best big man in basketball's equivalent of overnight? Or did another dynamic come into play?

Well honestly if not for the Grizzlies poor record in 2007 and 2008 he may have been an all-star both seasons. In 2007 he missed something like 15-20 games early which wrecked their season, but he was definitely playing at an all-star level(21 ppg, 10 rpg, about 3.5 assists, 2+ bpg).

I think that playing on a championship team caused him to work harder and toughen up, particularly after getting abused by the Celtics frontline in the finals. He's also in the perfect system for his style of play and his game was never based on athleticism, yet at 28/29 he still has his athleticism along with some new knowledge and skills.

[TROLL_HUNTER]

well, I will tell you what. Basically, the guy was massively underrated and more than that, unnoticed, even. thats the consequence of being white, non-flashy (highlight kind of guy) and not being "cool" ( not swearing or having tatooes or being cocky) as well as playing for a crap team. Gasol had to put enormous figures and win a nba ring so now people wonder who that guy is. its a very clear sign on the "great" understanding of the game Today.

Its funny how some players are labeled as "not able to carry a team" by no apparent reason, apart from lack of popularity. how many rings KG won before he teamed up with Ray Allen and Pierce? how many rings Kobe won after Shaq and before Gasol?? did they both even "carried" their teams to any finals? Bull****. There is no player than can achieve anything without a good supporting cast. Its a pity that still people judge players by highlights instead of actual play and real impact on a team.

For your guidance, Gasol has "carried" (as I find this term pretty stupid itself) a national team to European and World Championship , him being the leader and main star in both competitions. (USA played too, just in case you ask)

[Roundball_Rock]

Well honestly if not for the Grizzlies poor record in 2007 and 2008 he may have been an all-star both seasons. In 2007 he missed something like 15-20 games early which wrecked their season, but he was definitely playing at an all-star level(21 ppg, 10 rpg, about 3.5 assists, 2+ bpg).

I think that playing on a championship team caused him to work harder and toughen up, particularly after getting abused by the Celtics frontline in the finals. He's also in the perfect system for his style of play and his game was never based on athleticism, yet at 28/29 he still has his athleticism along with some new knowledge and skills.

He is a great player but I think it is clear he has benefited from the hype wearing the purple and gold brings. He never even made an all-NBA team in Memphis. Even in 2008 when he played half the year in LA he didn't make it. Let's take a trip down memory lane and look at big men who were considered better than him just two years ago.

First team: PF Garnett, C Howard
Second team: PF Duncan, PF Dirk, C Stoudemire
Third team: PF Boozer, C Yao

He was at best considered the sixth best PF (since Amare was a PF alongside Shaq to end the season) two years ago. In 2008 he averaged 18.9/8.4/3.2. In 2009 he averaged 18.9/9.6./3.5. Was it the extra board that suddenly made him an elite player? Now he is considered light years ahead of Amare and Boozer while many, if not most, have him ahead of Dirk. KG and Duncan have regressed a bit since then, especially KG, but the other three have not. They stayed basically the same. Gasol stayed basically the same. Yet now Gasol is far better? What changed?

[TheBigAristotle1]

Just a sad reminder of how far the league's big man talent pool has fallen if Pau is the best big in the league.

The big men of the past 25 years have all rolled over in their graves.

Disagree, this present era is probably one of the strongest eras for bigmen, the early 2000's where most teams had ballhog gaurds and scrub bigmen is over. The only thing the 90's has over the present day is the center position, and really the 90's weren't even that much better.

PF: Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett

Those first 5 powerforwards are all top 50 players of all time, maybe even top 25 (Duncan, Dirk, KG, Pau for sure).

C: Yao, Dwight Howard, Bynum, Bogut, Marc Gasol, Brooke Lopez, Kaman, Shaq, Jermaine O'neal, Nene

FC: Amare, Al Jefferson

Others: David Lee, Joakim Noah, David West, Carlos Boozer, Al Harrington, Joakim Noah, Lamar Odom, Zach Randolph, Luis Scola, Elton Brand, etc.

Center was arguably stronger in the 90's, but not by much, and Powerforward is much stronger today then it was in the 90's. The 90's had two great powerforwards, and after that who else? Tom Chambers? Shawn Kemp? Chris Gatling? Charles Oakley?

[Drinker]

am I the only one that noticed his defense has improved a LOT (and I mean a LOT from bad to GOOD) since the finals against celtics?

can't a player improve and keep improving over the years and reach his peak at 29/30 (specially at basketball)? (becouse people keep comparing his actual playing with stats from 5 years ago seasons... stats, always stats, without actually taking into account the way he really plays watching him live)

[ShaqAttack3234]

He was at best considered the sixth best PF (since Amare was a PF alongside Shaq to end the season) two years ago. In 2008 he averaged 18.9/8.4/3.2. In 2009 he averaged 18.9/9.6./3.5. Was it the extra board that suddenly made him an elite player? Now he is considered light years ahead of Amare and Boozer while many, if not most, have him ahead of Dirk. KG and Duncan have regressed a bit since then, especially KG, but the other three have not. They stayed basically the same. Gasol stayed basically the same. Yet now Gasol is far better? What changed?

I think it is a case of both underrating and overrating Gasol. Underrating him in Memphis and some people overrating him a bit now.

Part of that hype has come because of wins, though. The Lakers are 98-20 in the regular season with Gasol and have won a title and made it to 2 NBA finals with him. And that was after 34, 45 and 42 win seasons with no playoff series victories.

[Roundball_Rock]

I think it is a case of both underrating and overrating Gasol. Underrating him in Memphis and some people overrating him a bit now.

Part of that hype has come because of wins, though. The Lakers are 98-20 in the regular season with Gasol and have won a title and made it to 2 NBA finals with him. And that was after 34, 45 and 42 win seasons with no playoff series victories.

Agreed, ShaqAttack.

[Allstar24]

Gasol: PPG (17.7), FG (57%), FT (91%), RPG (12.7), APG (3.9), BPG (1.5)
Garnett: PPG (15.3), FG (57%), FT (79%), RPG (7.5), APG (2.5), BPG (0.7)

Gasol is better than KG in EVERY statistical category so what are people basing their opinion on when they find it laughable to say Gasol > KG?

[NBASTATMAN]

Gasol: PPG (17.7), FG (57%), FT (91%), RPG (12.7), APG (3.9), BPG (1.5)
Garnett: PPG (15.3), FG (57%), FT (79%), RPG (7.5), APG (2.5), BPG (0.7)

Gasol is better than KG in EVERY statistical category so what are people basing their opinion on when they find it laughable to say Gasol > KG?


Gasol also leads the Lakers in PER.... I know people don't like this measure but it is a pretty good measure of how important you are to your team...Kg is not on Gasol's level at this point...

[Jacks3]

lol it's crazy how overrated Pau is becoming. The guy is barely a top 15 player in the league. Imagine Dirk/Duncan/Bosh/Dwight playing with Kobe.:eek:

[dajadeed]

It's the Kobe effect. No one would dare dream calling Gasol the best big man in Memphis.

Kobe Bryant makes all of his teammates better. Every single stat for players who have played elsewhere and with him proves that point.

Hell, he took a team of scrubs, bench players, and Euro league outcasts to the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference. :bowdown:

[NBASTATMAN]

It's the Kobe effect. No one would dare dream calling Gasol the best big man in Memphis.

Kobe Bryant makes all of his teammates better. Every single stat for players who have played elsewhere and with him proves that point.

Hell, he took a team of scrubs, bench players, and Euro league outcasts to the playoffs in the stacked Western Conference. :bowdown:


Not the Kobe effect but the LOS ANGELES EFFECT.. Everyone becomes overrated when they play for LA..... **** even Farmar was once being called a future all star by laker stans a couple of years ago... Gasol is top 3 in bigs at this point.. Duncan and kg are too old.. Bosh plays no defense..

[Artillery]

Gasol also leads the Lakers in PER.... I know people don't like this measure but it is a pretty good measure of how important you are to your team...Kg is not on Gasol's level at this point...

Duncan is 3rd in the league in PER(only behind Paul and Lebron). Shouldn't that make him the best big man in the league?

[Artillery]

He is a great player but I think it is clear he has benefited from the hype wearing the purple and gold brings. He never even made an all-NBA team in Memphis. Even in 2008 when he played half the year in LA he didn't make it. Let's take a trip down memory lane and look at big men who were considered better than him just two years ago.

First team: PF Garnett, C Howard
Second team: PF Duncan, PF Dirk, C Stoudemire
Third team: PF Boozer, C Yao

He was at best considered the sixth best PF (since Amare was a PF alongside Shaq to end the season) two years ago. In 2008 he averaged 18.9/8.4/3.2. In 2009 he averaged 18.9/9.6./3.5. Was it the extra board that suddenly made him an elite player? Now he is considered light years ahead of Amare and Boozer while many, if not most, have him ahead of Dirk. KG and Duncan have regressed a bit since then, especially KG, but the other three have not. They stayed basically the same. Gasol stayed basically the same. Yet now Gasol is far better? What changed?

Duncan may be slower but his numbers are nearly identical to his 2007 season. So far he's averaging in 32 mpg:

20.1 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 3.3 APG, FG 55%, FT 77%

[kentatm]

Dirk? Dirk shoots more threes as a 7 footer than most point guards do. He rarely wants to grind and take a bruising in the paint for the betterment of his team. He is seriously one of the softest 7 foot superstars I have ever seen. It's a shame too because I bet he's influencing a lot of young PFs out there to shoot more 3s instead of sacrificing their bodies and getting rebounds.

best big man in the league = dwight.

he takes just two a game idiot

[mavsownage41]

Disagree, this present era is probably one of the strongest eras for bigmen, the early 2000's where most teams had ballhog gaurds and scrub bigmen is over. The only thing the 90's has over the present day is the center position, and really the 90's weren't even that much better.

PF: Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett

Those first 5 powerforwards are all top 50 players of all time, maybe even top 25 (Duncan, Dirk, KG, Pau for sure).




Please tell me I am reading this wrong and that you didn't mean that Pau was top 25 all time.

[gyu]

Gasol: PPG (17.7), FG (57%), FT (91%), RPG (12.7), APG (3.9), BPG (1.5)
Garnett: PPG (15.3), FG (57%), FT (79%), RPG (7.5), APG (2.5), BPG (0.7)

Gasol is better than KG in EVERY statistical category so what are people basing their opinion on when they find it laughable to say Gasol > KG?
I'm not gonna say who is better than who I just want to add to the fire

LeBron's been better than Kobe in every statistical category for a few seasons now but more people say Kobe is the best player in the league than vice versa.

[SayTownRy]

Gasol is top 3 in bigs at this point.. Duncan and kg are too old.. Bosh plays no defense..

you seen duncan play this season? he hardly deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as kg as being too old. dude looks as good as ever. his numbers are right around his career averages.

[shortlunatic]

Gasol: PPG (17.7), FG (57%), FT (91%), RPG (12.7), APG (3.9), BPG (1.5)
Garnett: PPG (15.3), FG (57%), FT (79%), RPG (7.5), APG (2.5), BPG (0.7)

Gasol is better than KG in EVERY statistical category so what are people basing their opinion on when they find it laughable to say Gasol > KG?

LMAO, how bout cuz Garnett doesnt get blocked 5 times by a scrub team like the Bulls??

Garnett>Gasol

anyone who watches basketball could clearly see that KG will bring more to a team than Pau could ever dream of...

[SpanishACB]

Duncan is 3rd in the league in PER(only behind Paul and Lebron). Shouldn't that make him the best big man in the league?

No, because Gasol is second now?

[Artillery]

No, because Gasol is second now?

Wrong. Gasol is 7th on the PER list:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics?&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba %2fhollinger%2fstatistics

You're thinking of NBA.com's Efficiency stat.

[sodapop]

Pau Gasol is nowadays best big man in the league? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HAAAAAAAA!!!!! HA HA AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HHHHHHHHHH!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! I can't stop laughing!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA:lol !!!!!!

This must be a troll thread? Right? HA HA HA HA! All the threads EVER posted, this one peek them all! This is the perfect example how Lakers fans or related Lakers topics go too far, too far stretched, maxed to the extreme and very exaggerated. Lakers are GOD because they won a few games? I guess the Lakers should call themselves the Goa'uld. Kobe is Apophis and Pau Gasol is Ba'al.:lol Anyway, let's get real.. Pau Gasol is NOT the best big man today, tomorrow nor future. Have you ever heard of Superman? You know, Dwight Howard? How about The Big Ticket? You know, KG? How about The Man Under The Sun? You know, Amar'e Stoudemire? How about The Bird Man? Chris Anderson! The list goes on and on and on and on and on! Pau Gasol is NOT in the top 10 best big men. BTW, Pau' s little brother Marc is by far better.

[D-Rose]

Pau Gasol is nowadays best big man in the league? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HAAAAAAAA!!!!! HA HA AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HHHHHHHHHH!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! I can't stop laughing!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA:lol !!!!!!

This must be a troll thread? Right? HA HA HA HA! All the threads EVER posted, this one peek them all! This is the perfect example how Lakers fans or related Lakers topics go too far, too far stretched, maxed to the extreme and very exaggerated. Lakers are GOD because they won a few games? I guess the Lakers should call themselves the Goa'uld. Kobe is Apophis and Pau Gasol is Ba'al.:lol Anyway, let's get real.. Pau Gasol is NOT the best big man today, tomorrow nor future. Have you ever heard of Superman? You know, Dwight Howard? How about The Big Ticket? You know, KG? How about The Man Under The Sun? You know, Amar'e Stoudemire? How about The Bird Man? Chris Anderson! The list goes on and on and on and on and on! Pau Gasol is NOT in the top 10 best big men. BTW, Pau' s little brother Marc is by far better.

:roll:

[Raider007]

Pau Gasol is nowadays best big man in the league? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HAAAAAAAA!!!!! HA HA AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HHHHHHHHHH!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! I can't stop laughing!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA:lol !!!!!!

This must be a troll thread? Right? HA HA HA HA! All the threads EVER posted, this one peek them all! This is the perfect example how Lakers fans or related Lakers topics go too far, too far stretched, maxed to the extreme and very exaggerated. Lakers are GOD because they won a few games? I guess the Lakers should call themselves the Goa'uld. Kobe is Apophis and Pau Gasol is Ba'al.:lol Anyway, let's get real.. Pau Gasol is NOT the best big man today, tomorrow nor future. Have you ever heard of Superman? You know, Dwight Howard? How about The Big Ticket? You know, KG? How about The Man Under The Sun? You know, Amar'e Stoudemire? How about The Bird Man? Chris Anderson! The list goes on and on and on and on and on! Pau Gasol is NOT in the top 10 best big men. BTW, Pau' s little brother Marc is by far better.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2558826596_6bb9ed99aa.jpg

[TROLL_HUNTER]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sodapop
Pau Gasol is nowadays best big man in the league? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HAAAAAAAA!!!!! HA HA AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HHHHHHHHHH!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! I can't stop laughing!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!

This must be a troll thread? Right? HA HA HA HA! All the threads EVER posted, this one peek them all! This is the perfect example how Lakers fans or related Lakers topics go too far, too far stretched, maxed to the extreme and very exaggerated. Lakers are GOD because they won a few games? I guess the Lakers should call themselves the Goa'uld. Kobe is Apophis and Pau Gasol is Ba'al. Anyway, let's get real.. Pau Gasol is NOT the best big man today, tomorrow nor future. Have you ever heard of Superman? You know, Dwight Howard? How about The Big Ticket? You know, KG? How about The Man Under The Sun? You know, Amar'e Stoudemire? How about The Bird Man? Chris Anderson! The list goes on and on and on and on and on! Pau Gasol is NOT in the top 10 best big men. BTW, Pau' s little brother Marc is by far better.


mmmmmm....have i suddenly woken up on another planet or Lakers won the ring last year, being Gasol a key element for the title? out of all the above mentioned ones, only Garnett may be a case of argument cos he won the ring after his move same as Gasol did. As for the other ones....hey, wait. what am i doing? I just realized you are just some other little idiot who looks at the world in his Hater glasses...:hammerhead:

[TROLL_HUNTER]

The Bird Man? Superman? mmm.... yes, sodapop. you are right. You forgot also to mention Captain America, Silver Surfer, Spiderman and Moon Knight. they are all better than Gasol. more cool powers and so on and so on...

Also Yoda, which would dunk on you, for sure.

Super heroes thread closed. lets now discuss basketball....

[ImmortalD24]

Pau > Dirk because Pau is a better team player and has a higher basketball IQ... and Pau actually plays defense. :oldlol:



:pimp:Nope.

[Lebron23]

Gasol should have been the NBA Finals MVP in the 2010 NBA Finals.

19 ppg, 12 rpg, 2.6 bpg, 48 FG% > 29 on 40 FG%, 8.0 rpg, and 3.9 apg.

[Bigsmoke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLQXTrm6A2Q

[Brunch@Five]

nice bump :pimp:

[MJ23forever]

can you believe people had the audacity to say this prick was the best big man in basketball and the mvp of the lakers? :facepalm

every one of you clowns that hyped up pau should get in here and apologize NOW

[kaiiu]

SHOW U RITE RAY RAY :roll: :roll:

[BlackJoker23]

Pau > Dirk because Pau is a better team player and has a higher basketball IQ... and Pau actually plays defense. :oldlol:



:pimp:
how do you feel you stupid, c0cksucking cvnt?

[Laker12]

Gasol=best player in league besides Kobe.

[Askmeificare]

Pau Gasol is nowadays best big man in the league? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HAAAAAAAA!!!!! HA HA AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AHA HHHHHHHHHH!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! I can't stop laughing!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA:lol !!!!!!

This must be a troll thread? Right? HA HA HA HA! All the threads EVER posted, this one peek them all! This is the perfect example how Lakers fans or related Lakers topics go too far, too far stretched, maxed to the extreme and very exaggerated. Lakers are GOD because they won a few games? I guess the Lakers should call themselves the Goa'uld. Kobe is Apophis and Pau Gasol is Ba'al.:lol Anyway, let's get real.. Pau Gasol is NOT the best big man today, tomorrow nor future. Have you ever heard of Superman? You know, Dwight Howard? How about The Big Ticket? You know, KG? How about The Man Under The Sun? You know, Amar'e Stoudemire? How about The Bird Man? Chris Anderson! The list goes on and on and on and on and on! Pau Gasol is NOT in the top 10 best big men. BTW, Pau' s little brother Marc is by far better.
:lol

[creepingdeath]

There is just so much win in this thread.

[DMAVS41]

can you believe people had the audacity to say this prick was the best big man in basketball and the mvp of the lakers? :facepalm

every one of you clowns that hyped up pau should get in here and apologize NOW

But why do the Lakers look terrible when Pau plays poorly then?

Its not hard. The Lakers can win without Kobe playing well, but not without Pau playing well.

Kobe is definitely a better player, but Gasol is definitely arguably the most important player on the Lakers in terms of winning.

This series just proved it.

So.........................

[Scoooter]

But why do the Lakers look terrible when Pau plays poorly then?

Its not hard. The Lakers can win without Kobe playing well, but not without Pau playing well.

Kobe is definitely a better player, but Gasol is definitely arguably the most important player on the Lakers in terms of winning.

This series just proved it.

So.........................
Stop being so conciliatory. :lol

[Hawker]

Pau will never beat Dirk in a playoff series.

And Pau plays defense? He didn't know which way was up after Dirk was through with him.

[BarberSchool]

Its incredible the level he has achieved. He is just a total player. He can do everything a big man is supposed to do. He can pass the ball extremely well, rebound, his offensive post moves are just amazing, he gets better every year rebounding and his defence has improved so much that I would even say he is a great defender

Howard is more a physical presence and I always have the feeling that the stats lots of times, show more than his real impact in a match.

Give Gasol the ball and he always produces something. Its incredible how fluid and smart the Lakers game is when he is on courtI think he's shown a few problems when defending and rebounding,
against deadeye shooting guards and small forwards who are 7ft tall.