The overrating of Pau Gasol must stop

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time

[ashbelly]

Gasol is great, there is no overating. But CP3 leads the MVP's ranking so far. He's doing better with what he has to work with compared to Gasol.

[StacksOnDeck]

It's just Kobe haters that don't give a sh!t about Pau trying to discredit Kobe and this team. It's preey sad but that's how they cope with LA rolling over teams.

[8BeastlyXOIAD]

:applause: :applause:

Pau is 3rd best bigman in the league or 2nd best PF in the game

[NbaFan432]

I agree.

[kabalcage]

Gasol is the best player on the planet.

[DirkNowitzki41]

He is playing amazing but in no way is he the best big in the league. Overrated

[amfirst]

Some people just don't understand about the match ups. Sure Gasol does well against small players that don't match up well with him. But u put in a big body and he would disappear. So far most teams he has match up well, except Sactown he couldn't do as much.

[ZeN]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3620741678_932b4e49ff.jpg

[bdreason]

So he's "overrated"... but you just conceded that at worst he's the 3rd best frontcourt player in the league? :oldlol:






K3vINs DUranT iS OVerRaTTedz Cuz LeBranz jAmeS iZ WayZ BetTER!11!1!!!

[VishaltotheG]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time

Wat? You can have Gasol play C and Dirk PF and they will win 50 for sure...

[Hihater]

Pau Gasol just in a perfect system!!! If he was in other team with different system i doubt he will put up the same number but pau is not overrated...he a monster!

[Rose]

But Pau is the best pauer forward?

[zizozain]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3620741678_932b4e49ff.jpg
:lol

[Svendiggity]

I think Pau is hands down the best big man in the game. Dwight Howard can only score from a couple feet away, can't make teams pay at the foul line, can't pass that well, and turns the ball over quite a bit. Pau has no glaring flaws in his game anymore.

[gts]

But Pau is the best pauer forward?
lol

[Hagbard]

Saying he's the best player on the Lakers isn't the same as saying he's the best frontline player in the game.

Saying he's in the running for early season MVP also isn't the same as saying he's the best frontline player in the game.

Lakers have two elite talents, another who is playing right now (for the moment, at least) as though he isn't all that far behind (Odom), another who is an elite level defender (Artest), and five or six more who are really, really well coordinated role players.

[jlip]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time

The '06 version of Gasol obviously would not have been good enough to lead the '06 Mavs past the Spurs and into the finals, but Gasol was on 50 and 49 win Grizzlies teams that had slightly worse talent that those Mavs did. If you place the present version of Gasol on the '06-'10 Mavs I could easily see 2-3 50+ win seasons.

[opps]

Howard better than Gasol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Howard is horrible offensively

Dirk is good but not better than Gasol, #2. & I may be wrong but isnt Gasol a better defensive player, passer & rebounder than Dirk/

So to put in simple terms
Gasol is a better offensive player than Howard, in every way possible
Gasol is a better defender,playmaker,and rebounder than Dirk

[BEAST Griffin]

Howard better than Gasol :lol :lol :lol :lol

Howard is horrible offensively

Dirk is good but not better than Gasol, #2. & I may be wrong but isnt Gasol a better defensive player, passer & rebounder than Dirk/

So to put in simple terms
Gasol is a better offensive player than Howard, in every way possible
Gasol is a better defender,playmaker,and rebounder than Dirk

Dwight Howards defensive impact on a game >>>>>> Pau Gasol's defensive and offensive impact on a game

[opps]

Dwight Howards defensive impact on a game >>>>>> Pau Gasol's defensive and offensive impact on a game

No especially when he is playing with Bynum. Look at the 09 finals... if I remember correctly it was Howard who was struggling.

[shootingcomets]

Dwight Howards defensive impact on a game >>>>>> Pau Gasol's defensive and offensive impact on a game

is that why Howard's offensive no show got them owned in the 09 finals?

what gasol did in the last nba 2 finals make me believe that if he plays well lakers win... kobe 6-24 who?

[BallPhunk]

I think Pau is hands down the best big man in the game. Dwight Howard can only score from a couple feet away, can't make teams pay at the foul line, can't pass that well, and turns the ball over quite a bit. Pau has no glaring flaws in his game anymore.

It's a tough call.

- Pau is a beast, but does benefit from the system and playing with Kobe (that said, it's because of his amazing versatility and all around game that he fits so well)
- Howard's offense seems to have improved quite a bit, but his FT is still weak
- Howard has a huge impact on defense, but fouls a lot

I have a feeling that if you switched both players, you'd have a l heck of a lot more people saying DH is hands down the best in the league.

It's going to be quite interesting to see how things shake out when Bynum returns. That "we must get Bynum the first 23 shots of the game" thing might change...

[Svendiggity]

It's a tough call.

- Pau is a beast, but does benefit from the system and playing with Kobe (that said, it's because of his amazing versatility and all around game that he fits so well)
- Howard's offense seems to have improved quite a bit, but his FT is still weak
- Howard has a huge impact on defense, but fouls a lot

I have a feeling that if you switched both players, you'd have a l heck of a lot more people saying DH is hands down the best in the league.

It's going to be quite interesting to see how things shake out when Bynum returns. That "we must get Bynum the first 23 shots of the game" thing might change...

I agree that more people would be saying it, but that doesn't make it true. I've thought Pau was the best big ever since he put on 15-20 pounds of muscle 2 years ago. He plays tough, and can score on big bodied guys now. It's hard to get Pau out of his comfort zone because he's so comfortable doing everything on the court. Dwight still looks uncomfortable doing certain things on the court, and good teams can take advantage of that.

[creepingdeath]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time
Repped for telling the absolute truth. :applause:

[TrueRob]

I'd rather have Pau Gasol than Dirk as my PF in most cases. I wouldn't even compare Dirk and Pau since Dirk plays more like a small forward anyway. I like Pau more because of his rebounding, especially offensive rebounds. Dirk can score, but so can a lot of players, it's harder to find someone that can grab a lot of rebounds. Odom and Gasol's rebounding is one of the main reasons why the Lakers are still undefeated.

[creepingdeath]

Give Dirk an perimeter-oriented offensive weapon more or less on his level, put him on the C spot and he grabs more rebounds. Isn't it obvious why Pau grabs more rebounds?

[branslowski]

Give Dirk an perimeter-oriented offensive weapon more or less on his level, put him on the C spot and he grabs more rebounds. Isn't it obvious why Pau grabs more rebounds?

Pretty sure Pau was grabbin boards at the PF spot with Bynum playing.

[creepingdeath]

Pretty sure he doesn't play perimeter-oriented.

[Duncan21formvp]

He is actually underrated. Statistically speaking last year he was the best player on the LAkers. He led the team in PER and Win Shares in the season and Win Shares in the playoffs. Which means he led in 3 of the 4 in the season and playoffs.
In 2009 he led in Win Shares in the season, but Kobe led in both WS and PER in the playoffs, so Kobe led in 3 of the 4 that year.

[shootingcomets]

my problem with dirk is that he doesnt really have much of a post game, he'd have trouble if his shots aren't falling while gasol consistently shoots a high percentage (only under 50% for one year in career)

[creepingdeath]

He is actually underrated. Statistically speaking last year he was the best player on the LAkers. He led the team in PER and Win Shares in the season and Win Shares in the playoffs. Which means he led in 3 of the 4 in the season and playoffs.
In 2009 he led in Win Shares in the season, but Kobe led in both WS and PER in the playoffs, so Kobe led in 3 of the 4 that year.
Overall underrated? Hell yeah. I remember LA fans bashing him after the 2008 finals, and even during the 09 season (although they won a ring at that point).

But right now? At least on ISH, he's pretty overrated. Things will calm down after a while. Just because he takes matter into hands on the Lakers right now (cause Phil is giving Kobe a bit more rest) doesn't mean he's more important or better than Kobe, which some people are claiming him to be. :facepalm And he's also definitely not the best PF in the league.

€dit: No post game? You, sir, are terribly wrong.

[Eldrunko247]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time
Dirk has a vag. He can't even post up Tony Parker. The only thing Dirk can do better is shoot. Dirk also famously linked to a few the greatest epic fails in sports. Losing to the Heat in the Finals and Warriors in the first round.

[GoldNugg21]

I'd rather have Pau Gasol than Dirk as my PF in most cases. I wouldn't even compare Dirk and Pau since Dirk plays more like a small forward anyway. I like Pau more because of his rebounding, especially offensive rebounds. Dirk can score, but so can a lot of players, it's harder to find someone that can grab a lot of rebounds. Odom and Gasol's rebounding is one of the main reasons why the Lakers are still undefeated.
:wtf:

While it's true that the LA frontcourts rebounding is one of the main reasons for their success, saying that its easier to find players who can rebound than ones who can score is just flawed. Just look at Shelden Williams for Denver this year. Vet's min, averaging over 9 boards a game in 26 minutes. He won't get minutes once more skilled players return from injuries, and is a career bench player. Given minutes, he pulls down boards. There's tons of guys like that floating around. Plenty of talented guys who can score too, but not with the same effectiveness as replacement rebounders.

[D12"Magic"]

I think Pau is hands down the best big man in the game. Dwight Howard can only score from a couple feet away, can't make teams pay at the foul line, can't pass that well, and turns the ball over quite a bit. Pau has no glaring flaws in his game anymore.
:roll:

[ILLsmak]

We all assume Pau won't continue to post the same numbers he's posting for the whole season, but if he does... he's the best big, period.

-Smak

[creepingdeath]

Dirk has a vag. He can't even post up Tony Parker. The only thing Dirk can do better is shoot. Dirk also famously linked to a few the greatest epic fails in sports. Losing to the Heat in the Finals and Warriors in the first round.
http://www.onemanfastbreak.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/nowitzki_mvp.jpg

U mad?

The likes of you definitely don't deserve a well-researched answer, claiming that Dirk can't post up Tony Parker disqualifies you for any further discussion. Perhaps you're just another butthurt fan that is still mad at Dirk for sh*tting on Manu in the WCSFs. :lol

[JMT]

Not a Laker fan, and have been really slow to comne around to the Gasol bandwagon.

But the fact is, he's the most complete big man in the game right now.

[JustinJDW]

Gasol is not the best big man in the league. C'mon guys, I know he's a Laker but lets be real here.

Saying Gasol is the best big in the league when he's a 2nd option while Dirk has been leading his team to 50 wins and the playoffs every single season for pretty much a decade now is just a slap to the face to everything Dirk has done, and I'm a Spurs fan saying this.

I know Timmy is being taken out of the discussion here but Dirk is still in his prime. He just won a MVP like two years ago for Christ's sake.

And Howard > Gasol too.

[thejusman1]

He is actually underrated. Statistically speaking last year he was the best player on the LAkers. He led the team in PER and Win Shares in the season and Win Shares in the playoffs. Which means he led in 3 of the 4 in the season and playoffs.
In 2009 he led in Win Shares in the season, but Kobe led in both WS and PER in the playoffs, so Kobe led in 3 of the 4 that year.

:applause: :applause: :applause:

Pau is very under-rated, especially by the people who claim Dirk is better.

[ILLsmak]

Gasol is not the best big man in the league. C'mon guys, I know he's a Laker but lets be real here.

Saying Gasol is the best big in the league when he is a 2nd option while Dirk has been leading his team to 50 wins and the playoffs every single season for pretty much a decade now is just a slap to the face to everything Dirk has done, and I'm a Spurs fan saying this.

But we're talking about this year...

-Smak

[Eldrunko247]

http://www.onemanfastbreak.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/nowitzki_mvp.jpg

U mad?

The likes of you definitely don't deserve a well-researched answer, claiming that Dirk can't post up Tony Parker disqualifies you for any further discussion. Perhaps you're just another butthurt fan that is still mad at Dirk for sh*tting on Manu in the WCSFs. :lol
Hmm "Heidelberg Germany"...biased much? Bet you think D Hasselhoff is a good singer as well :facepalm I'm not even a Spurs fan. Pau is right now a more skilled and well rounded player than Dirk ever was or will be. He's just about everything you would want in a big man. A little slight of frame but other than that Dirk has fallen behind. Pretty soon, Dirk will eat Pau's dust. It's just a matter of time.

[Funnyfuka]

The overrating of Pau Gasol must stop


or what?

[sodap]

he's the best big man in the league. although he's not the most skilled one, he's like a second coach on the court. Dude's got impressive basketball IQ to top all his skills

[NuggetsFan]

We all assume Pau won't continue to post the same numbers he's posting for the whole season, but if he does... he's the best big, period.

-Smak

This. Coming into the year I had Howard\Dirk above him and that still stands because well it's been 6 games. Kobe's still the Lakers best player, because once again it's been 6 games.

If Gasol stays at this level for 40+ games than there's a conversation to be had. If he does it for 82 games and carries it on to the post season than we have our answer.

[Eldrunko247]

he's the best big man in the league. although he's not the most skilled one, he's like a second coach on the court. Dude's got impressive basketball IQ to top all his skills
He is the most skilled. Just not the most physically gifted.

[BEAST Griffin]

He is the most skilled. Just not the most physically gifted.

Tim Duncan says hi.

[alenleomessi]

Dont you kids have better job than doing sh*t threads
im kid too but who cares

[dgnr8]

Gasol is the best player on the planet.

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[kingkong]

he should go back to his hipster look

http://www.unathleticmag.com/wp-content/uploads/Pau_Gasol_10.jpg

[Monkey D Dragon]

Pau Gasol just in a perfect system!!! If he was in other team with different system i doubt he will put up the same number but pau is not overrated...he a monster!


*** that ur avatar is a MONSTER

[Allstar24]

Heat fans would be overrating the hell out of Lebron if he was playing half as well as Pau is right now. So don't complain about Pau, there are other players who are far more overrated on this board.

[Eldrunko247]

Tim Duncan says hi.
5 years ago :facepalm

[GOBB]

Not a Laker fan, and have been really slow to comne around to the Gasol bandwagon.

But the fact is, he's the most complete big man in the game right now.

Me too. And it just sucks I will have to eliminate Pau Gasoft from my vocabulary. Used to go Bosh > Gasol. Not anymore at this point.

[Bigsmoke]

Give Dirk an perimeter-oriented offensive weapon more or less on his level, put him on the C spot and he grabs more rebounds. Isn't it obvious why Pau grabs more rebounds?

yea

Dirk > Gasol


Dirk's numbers arent too bad so far either.

[BEAST Griffin]

5 years ago :facepalm

You said skill wise.

Pau Gasol has the physical advantage, considering Tim Duncan's age.

Now look at the stats Tim Duncan still puts up in fewer mpg than Pau Gasol.

:facepalm

[wakencdukest]

Give Dirk an perimeter-oriented offensive weapon more or less on his level, put him on the C spot and he grabs more rebounds. Isn't it obvious why Pau grabs more rebounds?


Doubt it. he'd still drift to the perimeter as a center. That's his game, get the ball and shoot 3's. The dudes a great shooter, but I'd rather have a power forward who plays inside and has some versatility. Can he post up effectively? Pass out of the post? If so he would be helping his team by putting himself in position for offensive boards. But jeez, the dude is 7 feet tall and all he does is roam the perimeter. He probably could be a monster rebounder in theory, but does he really have the desire?

[ihatetimthomas]

Gasol is the most versatile bigman in the league. There simply is not an aspect in his game that is weak. He can pick you apart in so many ways offensively. He finishes left or right. Has a hook, plays well with his back to the basket, and he has a very consistent midrange jumper. His biggest weakness would be his strength against bigger and physical players, but he has come a long way since his Memphis days. He has proven the last 3 years he can play in big games and be clutch.

To be perfectly honest, I wouldnt want any other big man on the Lakers over Gasol. I am not saying he is the best individual bigman in the league, But I am saying that I think he is the best fit for the Lakers over Dirk or Howard. Gasol fits the Lakers system to perfection with his passing ability and mid and post game.

[the GIBBET]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time


You have a zero basketball IQ, oh wadda ya know, your nickname is based on Carmelo Anthony. So that makes sense.

[ashlar]

You have a zero basketball IQ, oh wadda ya know, your nickname is based on Carmelo Anthony. So that makes sense.

and you probably make JR smith look like Stephen Hawking. Who the **** cares?

[G-Funk]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time
Pau is playing better then any player in the league, maybe not Cp3. but he's playing better than Durant , Melo, Wade , Kobe And Lebron

[yeaaaman]

Pau is playing better then any player in the league, maybe not Cp3. but he's playing better than Durant , Melo, Wade , Kobe And Lebron

I think the more interesting question is where do you and others see him ranking at the All-Star break? By the end of the season?

[VeeCee15]

Gasol is at the top of efficient rating.

He is one of the top scorers and best players right now.

Gasol is not overrated at all..it's just that everyone else BEHIND
him has been overrated for years.

[G-Funk]

I think the more interesting question is where do you and others see him ranking at the All-Star break? By the end of the season?

I don't know, do u?

[Noob Saibot]

Pau Gasol is killing the game right now, gets better and better every year.

[Scoooter]

Pau Gasol is the best player on the Lakers right now, and Shannon Brown looks a lot better. Start Shannon Brown, and bring Kobe off the bench for a nice scoring punch. Or trade him, try to get some value for that contract.

[yeaaaman]

I don't know, do u?

Do I what? It was a question, where do you think he will rank at the All-Star break and at the end of the season?

It's one thing to be the best player over 7 games, it's another to do it for a sustained period of time. Do you think he will sustain this level of play for the season and end in the upper mix of MVP voting?

[yeaaaman]

Pau Gasol is the best player on the Lakers right now, and Shannon Brown looks a lot better. Start Shannon Brown, and bring Kobe of the bench for a nice scoring punch. Or trade him, try to get some value for that contract.

Lol :facepalm

[SavageMode]

Lol :facepalm
UMad.

[ginobli2311]

Lol :facepalm

pau gasol is playing the best currently on the lakers right now. kobe is the best player. there is a big difference between those two things.

is gasol over-rated right now? i'm not sure. i personally think he's the best big man in the league. i'd take him slightly over howard right now because gasol's passing does so much for his team. so does his outside shot. his defense is also vastly improved. but its very close in my opinion....i'd just take gasol.

but gasol is over-rated if people start saying he's better than kobe or wade or lebron. he simply is not. in terms of impact though....very few players impact the game like gasol does.

[chazzy]

pau gasol is playing the best currently on the lakers right now. kobe is the best player. there is a big difference between those two things.
This.

Pau is getting his deserved praise for the way he's stepped his game up early in the season. It's 'overrating' when you can't differentiate between playing the best in a small sample of games and actually being a better player.

[GiveItToBurrito]

He's extremely good and gets slept on a bit by a lot of younger fans since he doesn't dunk or hit threes, but he's completely deserving of all the praise he gets. He's absurdly efficient, a great passer, very good rebounder, versatile, and long enough to block and alter a decent number of shots. That said, I'd still take KG over him due to his overall affect on his team's defense, but that's about it, at least this year. Dirk's still great, but he's not as good a defender or rebounder as Gasol and he's not that much better as a scorer.

[ginobli2311]

He's extremely good and gets slept on a bit by a lot of younger fans since he doesn't dunk or hit threes, but he's completely deserving of all the praise he gets. He's absurdly efficient, a great passer, very good rebounder, versatile, and long enough to block and alter a decent number of shots. That said, I'd still take KG over him due to his overall affect on his team's defense, but that's about it, at least this year. Dirk's still great, but he's not as good a defender or rebounder as Gasol and he's not that much better as a scorer.

i agree with most of that. except for the dirk part. dirk is an excellent rebounder and for some reason this just goes unnoticed. dirk averages 11 boards per game in the playoffs (when it matters most)...gasol averages 10 boards in the playoffs. gasol is better on the offensive glass....dirk is better on the defensive glass. in terms of rebounding they are pretty much even.

don't sleep on a guy that has led his franchise to 10 straight seasons of 50 wins without an elite 2nd option ever and has averaged 26 points 11 boards 3 assists in the playoffs for his career. dude is sick.

[G-Funk]

UMad.
:lol

[yeaaaman]

pau gasol is playing the best currently on the lakers right now. kobe is the best player. there is a big difference between those two things.

is gasol over-rated right now? i'm not sure. i personally think he's the best big man in the league. i'd take him slightly over howard right now because gasol's passing does so much for his team. so does his outside shot. his defense is also vastly improved. but its very close in my opinion....i'd just take gasol.

but gasol is over-rated if people start saying he's better than kobe or wade or lebron. he simply is not. in terms of impact though....very few players impact the game like gasol does.

Sounds about right.

I was face-palming to the idea of trading Kobe and starting Shannon Brown

[KingBeasley08]

Gasol is the best player on the Lakers this year and a potential MVP.

24/11/5 :applause:

[comerb]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time

Gasol is the best all around big in the league. He's a good rebounder, a good defender, a good scorer (inside & out), a good passer, etc. He doesn't really have a weakness... he used to be soft, but thats a pretty weak argument anymore.

Howard needs to work on his offensive game before I can say he's better than Gasol overall. He's certainly a better pure center(boards/blocks/defense), but Gasol is a more complete player.

Dirk is definitely a more dominant offensive player, but he's not better in any other category. If I picking a #1 guy for scoring on my team, sure I pick Dirk... if I've got a solid scorer and I'm looking for a #2 guy, I'd rather have Gasol.

[All Net]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time

How is saying gasol is the best big in the league some stupid statement? right now there aren't many who you could say are better. Dwight maybe of course but Dirk? think this year Pau has looked better. pau is a better post scorer, better rebounder, better defender than Dirk. He is also older than Pau.

Gasol won 50 games on a Memphis team full of average role players yet he couldn't win 50 games with the teams Dirk has had? please

[Yung D-Will]

At no point in his career was he ever better than Dirk.

[Mr Clutch Melo]

The point is that Gasol is not a player than can lead a team far in the playoffs as the first option, there is a reason he only made the playoffs once before he joined the Lakers.

Replace Gasol with Howard, would Orlando still be contender ? Hell no, the impact Dwight has on that team is unbelievable . He is also averaging just 2 less points than Gasol ( despite Gasol taking 4 more shots and playing on a better team). Also Orlando is the 3 best defensive team, no way they would be there with Gasol instead of Howard.

[creepingdeath]

At no point in his career was he ever better than Dirk.
:cheers:


Hmm "Heidelberg Germany"...biased much? Bet you think D Hasselhoff is a good singer as well :facepalm I'm not even a Spurs fan. Pau is right now a more skilled and well rounded player than Dirk ever was or will be. He's just about everything you would want in a big man. A little slight of frame but other than that Dirk has fallen behind. Pretty soon, Dirk will eat Pau's dust. It's just a matter of time.
Yeah, so because I'm from Germany and, granted, biased, means that my opinion is garbage. What about the Lakers fans posting in this thread then? :facepalm Curiously enough, there are some people (even so-called LA fans, but rather Kobe haters, I guess) who claim that Pau is a better player than Kobe just because he has had some games where HE, and not Kobe, took over. With not even a dozen games played, if THAT's not a clear sign of him being vastly overrated right now...

Oh, and by saying that current Gasol is better than Dirk ever was you're just showing how stupid you are. I respect guys like ShaqAttack who have had Gasol in front of Dirk because of his great season last year and due to the fact that he has a different set of criteria (one that doesn't factor in being a #1/#2 option and the quality of teammates) than myself. But what you are arguing is just plain idiocracy.

There is a good chance that Gasol ends up with more rings than Nowitzki, but he will not go down as good as a player as Dirk, no matter what. And (American, not German, for that matter) critics who have voted him in front of Gasol in the All NBA teams year after year (oddly enough, Gasol hasn't even been selected before his trade to LA, oh my, what could that mean?) with a clear margin, not even mentioning his countless top 10 MVP votes over the past decade.

[Kiddlovesnets]

Well no one is overrating him, he has been playing like prime Malone and KG lately. Impressive.

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Well no one is overrating him, he has been playing like prime Malone and KG lately. Impressive. wow , :facepalm

[Disaprine]

Gasol is a top 10 player in the league and a top 3 bigman to, lets leave it at that people.

[Hagbard]

Gasol is a top 10 player in the league and a top 3 bigman to, lets leave it at that people.
Why?

Saying a guy is playing MVP ball isn't the same as saying he's the best player in the NBA. It's not necessarily overrating him. It's evaluating his on court performance.

That's what MVP talk is. A shorter-term look at who, among the game's best players, is producing the best, both statistically and for his team.

Right now, Gasol deserves consideration for those accolades. His team is the best in basketball, he's playing better than anybody else on that team by a fair margin, and he's already in the discussion of who the league's top group of players are.

He is what he is. And right now, that's the best player on the Lakers, and early season MVP. That's not overrating him...it's just rating him. Making him out to be less is ignoring what's going on in the big, bright, colorful world of reality.

[Disaprine]

Why?

Saying a guy is playing MVP ball isn't the same as saying he's the best player in the NBA. It's not necessarily overrating him. It's evaluating his on court performance.

That's what MVP talk is. A shorter-term look at who, among the game's best players, is producing the best, both statistically and for his team.

Right now, Gasol deserves consideration for those accolades. His team is the best in basketball, he's playing better than anybody else on that team by a fair margin, and he's already in the discussion of who the league's top group of players are.

He is what he is. And right now, that's the best player on the Lakers, and early season MVP. That's not overrating him...it's just rating him. Making him out to be less is ignoring what's going on in the big, bright, colorful world of reality.
I agree but iam mostly looking by the end of the season.

[chris2010]

Gasol is the best PF in the nba RIGHT NOW. But in Tim Duncans or Kevin Garnetts or maybe even Dirk Nowitzkis prime Gasol would not beat them. Im a lakers fan saying this.

[TheAnchorman]

At this point yes, Gasol is arguably the best bigman in basketball. Keep in mind he did not play for the Spanish basketball team this summer in the FIBA Championships like he usually would... he's extra rested and he probably worked on his game a lot this offseason. Those stats are easily prime KG/Duncan if you think about it... his FG% is high, he just had a recent triple double, rarer because he is a bigman, he is a god on my fantasy team, etc. Overall though he will probably pan out to top 3. But the excitement you see, is not knowing yet what will really happen.

[Qwertyazerty]

The point is that Gasol is not a player than can lead a team far in the playoffs as the first option, there is a reason he only made the playoffs once before he joined the Lakers.

You mean 3 times, right? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pau_Gasol

There are other things to be considered in his career as a grizzly.

He made the PO with Memphis in 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006 he was 24, 25 and 26 years old at that time.

2006 He is entering his prime years. The FIBA World Championship clearly shows he can lead a team to win important things.

In the 2006-2007 season, during the FIBA world championship, he broke his foot and missed quite a lot of games in which Memphis had an awful record. Then he clearly asked to be traded, was unhappy and gave up on effort (especially defending). Without all this circumstances who knows what could have happened.

So people should stop saying it is just because he became a Laker that he sudently started to be a great player. He was a great player before that move. Spain has been in every international turnaments finals since 2006 till this world championship when he wasn't there anymore...

But, all this is history and we are talking actually... actually he is playing great, is having a huge impact and is showing he can also be a clear first option in a team like the Lakers... I maybe biased he is one of my favorite players (Dirk and Duncan too btw)

[niko]

He took over Game 7 of the finals last year and is still playing at a sick high level coming into this year. I don't get how people look at him playing and think this is a good time to discuss how overrated he is. Really? NOW? That he is kicking ass completely?

[ILLsmak]

i agree with most of that. except for the dirk part. dirk is an excellent rebounder and for some reason this just goes unnoticed. dirk averages 11 boards per game in the playoffs (when it matters most)...gasol averages 10 boards in the playoffs. gasol is better on the offensive glass....dirk is better on the defensive glass. in terms of rebounding they are pretty much even.

don't sleep on a guy that has led his franchise to 10 straight seasons of 50 wins without an elite 2nd option ever and has averaged 26 points 11 boards 3 assists in the playoffs for his career. dude is sick.

Dirk isn't gonna get those kind of numbers alongside Tyson or even alongside Haywood. It's not that Dirk is a bad rebounder, but he's not good, either. Defensive rebounding is overrated to a point. If you're getting like 15 of them a game, sure that's great, but being a big man unless you are total trash, a good amount of defensive boards are going to practically fall into your hands if you're standing next to the basket.

I measure rebounding by offensive rebounds for many reasons. There is a factor of help in offensive rebounds, too, which is having a player change the defense before shooting. But mostly an offensive rebound is due to a player's ability to get in the paint and fight for it.

Pau isn't a great rebounder, either, and is helped by Kobe's defense changing shots. But he's a good rebounder (much improved) and considerably better than Dirk.

To whoever said "If you put Dirk at C" what is this, a video game? Put Dirk at C and Pau at C and give them no help from the PF position and Pau is going to work Dirk on the boards. I am confident in that.

-Smak

[All Net]

Dirk isn't gonna get those kind of numbers alongside Tyson or even alongside Haywood. It's not that Dirk is a bad rebounder, but he's not good, either. Defensive rebounding is overrated to a point. If you're getting like 15 of them a game, sure that's great, but being a big man unless you are total trash, a good amount of defensive boards are going to practically fall into your hands if you're standing next to the basket.

I measure rebounding by offensive rebounds for many reasons. There is a factor of help in offensive rebounds, too, which is having a player change the defense before shooting. But mostly an offensive rebound is due to a player's ability to get in the paint and fight for it.

Pau isn't a great rebounder, either, and is helped by Kobe's defense changing shots. But he's a good rebounder (much improved) and considerably better than Dirk.

To whoever said "If you put Dirk at C" what is this, a video game? Put Dirk at C and Pau at C and give them no help from the PF position and Pau is going to work Dirk on the boards. I am confident in that.

-Smak

What do you consider to be a great rebounder then? is 11 not enough? think Pau is a great rebounder more so when you consider who else he has to battle rebounds for. Mainly last season.

[#1SportsFan86]

Dude is playing great , no doubt about that but when people are saying he is the best big in league is just :facepalm And some are even saying he is the BEST PLAYER ON THE LAKERS.

Dirk has always and still is a better player than Gasol. Howard>Gasol too. Put Gasol on the Mavs and I guaranteeing you that they wont win 50 ++ games like the Mavs have done for a long time

Thank you......:bowdown: :applause: :cheers:

[JustinJDW]

At no point in his career was he ever better than Dirk.This.


Replace Gasol with Howard, would Orlando still be contender ? Hell no, the impact Dwight has on that team is unbelievable . He is also averaging just 2 less points than Gasol ( despite Gasol taking 4 more shots and playing on a better team). Also Orlando is the 3 best defensive team, no way they would be there with Gasol instead of Howard.And this.

You can't tell me Gasol is better than Dwight when Dwight is putting up numbers just as good and is the main focus of defenses across the league. Guy has more impact on his team then anyone and he is also better defense wise. I'm sure Dwight would put up even more crazy stats if he had a Kobe Bryant to suck in defenses.

You guys judge players so unfairly man. Gasol the best big in the league? Even though he has Kobe and his job is so much easier to execute then all the other great bigs in the league who are #1 options and doubled and tripled teamed. The guy should be putting up great stats! We are just going to act like Dwight, Dirk and hell, even Amare don't exist and aren't beasting as well? Especially Dwight.

Gasol is great and he deserves a lot of the credit he gets. I don't really think he is that overrated but when guys start calling him the best big in the league, its just :facepalm. I know he is a laker but C'Mon Son!

[HorryIsMyMVP]

He is just surrounded by a ton of talent...of course he is replaceplaceble by another big. If they replaced him with Dwight Howard they would still have titles. And if you replaced Kobe with J-Rich on this team they still have titles. Pau led the Grizzlies to the play offs sort of like Kobe led the Lakers to play offs. The year he lost to the Suns. They are on the same level of importance. The difference is big men are the most important part of winning in the NBA. Chuckers are replaceble.

[catch24]

He is just surrounded by a ton of talent...of course he is replaceplaceble by another big. If they replaced him with Dwight Howard they would still have titles. And if you replaced Kobe with J-Rich on this team they still have titles. Pau led the Grizzlies to the play offs sort of like Kobe led the Lakers to play offs. The year he lost to the Suns. They are on the same level of importance. The difference is big men are the most important part of winning in the NBA. Chuckers are replaceble.

You forgot to add Jerry Stackhouse, and Tracy Mcgrady.

[HorryIsMyMVP]

You forgot to add Jerry Stackhouse, and Tracy Mcgrady.
Well I think prime T-Mac is one of the best players of all-time. If you gave him the luxory of playing for the Laker's he would be absurd.

[Round Mound]

Pau Gasol stats:

24.1 PPG (54.4% FG), 10.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.4 BPG

28.7 PER

This dude is MVP caliber no matter what any say

If he plays in a Great Team U Have To Realize he is the 2nd or 1st Best Player of the Team. They are GOOD CAUSE OF HIM not Just Cause of Bryant

[tpols]

He is just surrounded by a ton of talent...of course he is replaceplaceble by another big. If they replaced him with Dwight Howard they would still have titles. And if you replaced Kobe with J-Rich on this team they still have titles. Pau led the Grizzlies to the play offs sort of like Kobe led the Lakers to play offs. The year he lost to the Suns. They are on the same level of importance. The difference is big men are the most important part of winning in the NBA. Chuckers are replaceble.
Yea... except pau had a more talented team , got swept every year, and put up 20/7 on barely 50%TS in the process. Is that really a dominating performance?

Kobe put up 33/5/5 and 28/6/5 on 57%+TS while leading a group of scrubs to 7 games against steve nash and amare in their primes. Shit he even had his team up 3-2. That was a very competitive series.

I can't believe the two are even being compared in this manner:facepalm

And I love how people ignore the fact that Gasol's playing alongside a GOAT player who ensures that he isn't doubled often like he would be as the main guy. This guy played in the league for 7-8 years before joining the lakers. Do people really think he developed his game out of nowhere? He isn't that good of a rebounder as was shown in memphis but he has a lot of big bodies boxing people out around him now as compared to when he was with the grizzlies. His scoring is up because the lakers have a lot of other weapons teams have to watch out for. He always had these abilities in him but the context of the system he plays in now allows him to max his performance to a new level.

and did you just put kobe on jrich's level? Seriously?

[ILLsmak]

What do you consider to be a great rebounder then? is 11 not enough? think Pau is a great rebounder more so when you consider who else he has to battle rebounds for. Mainly last season.

It's not really about numbers. Guys like Noah and Howard are great rebounders. How many great rebounders do you think there are in the league? I guess it depends on how you define it.

Look at Kendrick Perkins numbers and Pau Gasol's numbers. Do you think that Gasol is a better rebounder than Perkins? No doubt, Gasol is playing a few more minutes, but still he's a better statistical rebounder than Perk is. To me, though, I'd rather have Perk inside than Gasol.

I could name a lot of players that are as good or arguably better than Gasol at rebounding, but most of them aren't doing what Pau is doing on offense, either. So, that has to be taken into account. But no, he's not a great rebounder. I think calling him a good rebounder is something I wouldn't have dreamed about years ago, and that's all he needs to be for LA to win. Just like he's not a great defensive player, but he's a good one.

Edit: lol @ the J Rich comment btw. I think it's true Kobe could be replaced... but not by J Rich. haha. That's like saying Vince could replace him. Wade or LeBron. Melo or Durant, sure. I could see that.

-Smak

[Batz]

Pau Gasol stats:

24.1 PPG (54.4% FG), 10.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.4 BPG

28.7 PER

This dude is MVP caliber no matter what any say

If he plays in a Great Team U Have To Realize he is the 2nd or 1st Best Player of the Team. They are GOOD CAUSE OF HIM not Just Cause of Bryant
It helps when the best players who guarded you are a broken Yao Ming and a 40 year old Marcus Camby. And stop bolding everything it doesn't make you look cool or professional.

Just wait for Bynum to return and when the Lakers actually face some competition. I'm not trying to be a biased troll here, because if anyone remembers I was one of those people debating that Pau was the best big man in the NBA, even before that player run of his.

[HorryIsMyMVP]

Yea... except pau had a more talented team , got swept every year, and put up 20/7 on barely 50%TS in the process. Is that really a dominating performance?

Kobe put up 33/5/5 and 28/6/5 on 57%+TS while leading a group of scrubs to 7 games against steve nash and amare in their primes. Shit he even had his team up 3-2. That was a very competitive series.

I can't believe the two are even being compared in this manner:facepalm

And I love how people ignore the fact that Gasol's playing alongside a GOAT player who ensures that he isn't doubled often like he would be as the main guy. This guy played in the league for 7-8 years before joining the lakers. Do people really think he developed his game out of nowhere? He isn't that good of a rebounder as was shown in memphis but he has a lot of big bodies boxing people out around him now as compared to when he was with the grizzlies. His scoring is up because the lakers have a lot of other weapons teams have to watch out for. He always had these abilities in him but the context of the system he plays in now allows him to max his performance to a new level.

and did you just put kobe on jrich's level? Seriously?
Amare was out with an injury that entire series :oldlol:

[Avon Barksdale]

The point is that Gasol is not a player than can lead a team far in the playoffs as the first option, there is a reason he only made the playoffs once before he joined the Lakers.

Replace Gasol with Howard, would Orlando still be contender ? Hell no, the impact Dwight has on that team is unbelievable .

He made the playoffs 3 times in Memphis, which was pretty impressive by itself considering the (lack of) talent on those teams and how loaded the west was then. No player can lead a team far in the playoffs by themselves. I mean, Kobe missed the playoffs in his prime. Jordan didn't take his team anywhere in the playoffs until he was 28. Kobe's supporting cast was garbage, but not all that much worse than Pau's supporting cast in Memphis.

As far as Orlando goes...I don't really consider them a serious contender with Howard. I think they would be pretty close to where they are now...a very good, 2nd tier team with an outside shot at winning a title. Pau won 50 games in Memphis as a lesser player than he is now, with a weaker supporting cast in a loaded west...I see no reason to think he couldn't win 55+ as a better player today with a better supporting cast and win a playoff series or two...which is probably what the Magic will do this year. The Magic won 59 games and beat the Bobcats and the Hawks in the playoffs last year before losing to the Celtics, do you really think this lineup couldn't do that?

Jameer Nelson
Vince Carter
Rashard Lewis
Pau Gasol
Martin Gortat

[Fatal9]

overrated in season's past but he's earning every praise thrown at him so far this season. he's gotten better and tougher every year.

[Gambitero]

In my opinion, Dirk has been the best european BB player last times, and prolly in history. By my point of view. But Only Gasol has been able to "steal" 2 times the FIBA Europe MVP of the year (2008/2009).

As spanish, I have been following his whole career and I really noticed a huge progress on Pau every year, even in Memphis... 3 times Playoffs in Memphis, i really think that he show his value on that team during years.

About the calification of "overrating player", gasol has been underrated so much times. Of course i understand all the points of view of you guys, and i really think that all of you have any kind o reason on what you say.

Its stupid compare Dirk with Gasol, or Duncan, or Howard... Its all about your preferences on a player!! I always loved, actually do, and i will love Dirk as player... In Spain we call him "Robin Hood", as he is the best shooter i have ever seen : )

We always respect Dirk, and I cant say if its better or not than Pau... Useless comparation, they play different, they have different style and we thank god for give europeans that 2 monsters of basketball that we can be proud of them.

Sorry for the lenght of the post!! ill be shorter next time :P

Btw I only completely disagree on what I have read on that: Howard> Gasol. Both are humans and both have good/bad games, apart of this, I admit THAT i prefair Gasol Style and skills... Sorry if you dont like my opinion, but howard own gasol in what? if you check every possible skill on a basketball player, Howard has rarely something better than gasol!!

I would say that speaking english, but even that... xDD (Peace Orlando fans)

[tpols]

Amare was out with an injury that entire series :oldlol:
minor detail missed.

Is that really you're rebuttal to all the main points I brought up?

[Gambitero]

Btw saying that gasol is better than kobe, isnt overrate him... is just have some kind of sight problems xDD Kobe has some problems on the knee, right? And Gasol just having better performances lately, that doesnt make 1 player better than other. Only on a better fit, prolly due to the rest of this summer or the teamplay that I

[Avon Barksdale]

I'm sure Dwight would put up even more crazy stats if he had a Kobe Bryant to suck in defenses.

Dwight has one of the best, if not the best, 3-point shooting teams in the league to suck in defenses, so that is a weak argument. Yeah he helps them get open too by drawing attention inside, but they still have great shooters and have consciously built the team by putting great shooters around him. It's not as if Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis can't create their own shot or draw attention either.


Gasol the best big in the league? Even though he has Kobe and his job is so much easier to execute then all the other great bigs in the league who are #1 options and doubled and tripled teamed. The guy should be putting up great stats! We are just going to act like Dwight, Dirk and hell, even Amare don't exist and aren't beasting as well? Especially Dwight.

I like Amare but he doesn't even belong in this conversation. I don't recall the Celtics double teaming Howard at all last year in the ECF and he struggled against them offensively. He dominates the front courts of weaker teams in the regular season and early rounds of the playoffs but when goes up against bigger teams like the Celtics and Lakers his lack of a post game gets exposed.

Gasol and Howard are very, very close imo. I would love to have either one on my team, but I would give a slight edge to Gasol because his offensive game is more well-rounded, fluid, and harder to shut down. Gasol can beat you in any number of ways, Dwight primarily beats you with dunks and put backs, and that is easier to take away. He has shown flashes of some improved post moves this year but until he does it on a regular basis and against big, defensive teams like the Celtics we'll have to wait and see.

Howard is obviously a better rebounder and off the ball defender and shot blocker, but I don't think his man to man defense is any better than Gasol's. Gasol is a solid athlete, he's smart, and has freakishly long arms, he is a very good man to man defender. Gasol is a much better passer, has better post moves and footwork, and is a better shooter. You can't just look at the stats, you have to look at how well a player fits into a team's offense. Gasol's points are always within the flow of the offense. Howard gets a lot of garbage points off of rebounds, which is great to have, but he also does a lot of isolations in the post with the rest of the team standing around. I wouldn't call him a black hole, but he does go into black hole mode at times. Gasol almost always makes the right play, Howard often decides he's going to do something and forces the issue.

Gasol isn't exactly prime Duncan, but I definitely don't think it's outlandish to say he's the best big man in the current NBA. You can make a good argument for Dwight as well. It's a good debate, I would side with Gasol right now but if Dwight improves his post game and passing significantly that could change.

[Gambitero]

Gasol isn't exactly prime Duncan

I agree on your whole post, but a small doubt (sorry for my lack of english), what means prime Duncan? :D

[Mr Clutch Melo]

I agree on your whole post, but a small doubt (sorry for my lack of english), what means prime Duncan? :D

During the years Ducan was playing at his best:cheers:

Basically 2002-2008

[Avon Barksdale]

This guy played in the league for 7-8 years before joining the lakers. Do people really think he developed his game out of nowhere? He isn't that good of a rebounder as was shown in memphis but he has a lot of big bodies boxing people out around him now as compared to when he was with the grizzlies. His scoring is up because the lakers have a lot of other weapons teams have to watch out for. He always had these abilities in him but the context of the system he plays in now allows him to max his performance to a new level.

and did you just put kobe on jrich's level? Seriously?

Gasol was 26 or 27 when he came to the Lakers, aka just entering his NBA prime. In 2006-2007 in Memphis, with hardly anyone around him, he put up 20.8 ppg on 53.8% shooting, 9.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.1 bpg. So no...he didn't develop his game out of nowhere, he already had elite big man numbers before he ever came to LA. His scoring in LA his first 3 years is lower than his scoring in Memphis the three years before the trade. His scoring did not improve when he came to LA, it's only up this year, very early in the season. You're arguing that a player is scoring more because he's playing with Kobe? One of the most prolific shooters in league history? Seriously? That doesn't even make sense. Saying someone's scoring is up because they're playing with Steve Nash...that actually makes sense.

The year he was traded he play an almost equal amount of games in Memphis and LA and his rebounding dropped from 8.8 in Memphis to 7.8 in LA. His second year in LA he averaged 9.6 rpg, which is lower than his career high in Memphis (9.8). So the idea that he's rebounding because LA has a big team isn't supported. If anything, having such a big team should decrease his rebounding because he's fighting Odom and Bynum, and even Kobe for rebounds. People here often make the argument that Bird's rebounding numbers are more impressive because he was fighting McHale and Parish for rebounds...so which is?

Before this year, the only stat of Gasol's that improved in LA vs. Memphis is FG%, and yeah, playing on a stacked team that runs the triangle will do that...but still, he shot over 50% every year in the league except one before coming to LA. And his 2006-2007 FG% in Memphis was higher than last year in LA. It helps playing on a stacked team, but Gasol has just improved as well. I don't know how anyone can watch him now and not say he is not a better player than he was in Memphis. He put on weight and improved his game and is in his prime right now.

[Avon Barksdale]

I agree on your whole post, but a small doubt (sorry for my lack of english), what means prime Duncan? :D

It means Duncan in his prime, or at the peak of his career.

Don't worry about the English, we can understand your posts, that's the most important thing. It's not easy speaking and writing a second language, I know, Spanish is my second language. :D

[tpols]

Gasol was 26 or 27 when he came to the Lakers, aka just entering his NBA prime. In 2006-2007 in Memphis, with hardly anyone around him, he put up 20.8 ppg on 53.8% shooting, 9.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.1 bpg. So no...he didn't develop his game out of nowhere, he already had elite big man numbers before he ever came to LA. His scoring in LA his first 3 years is lower than his scoring in Memphis the three years before the trade. His scoring did not improve when he came to LA, it's only up this year, very early in the season. You're arguing that a player is scoring more because he's playing with Kobe? One of the most prolific shooters in league history? Seriously? That doesn't even make sense. Saying someone's scoring is up because they're playing with Steve Nash...that actually makes sense.

The year he was traded he play an almost equal amount of games in Memphis and LA and his rebounding dropped from 8.8 in Memphis to 7.8 in LA. His second year in LA he averaged 9.6 rpg, which is lower than his career high in Memphis (9.8). So the idea that he's rebounding because LA has a big team isn't supported. If anything, having such a big team should decrease his rebounding because he's fighting Odom and Bynum, and even Kobe for rebounds. People here often make the argument that Bird's rebounding numbers are more impressive because he was fighting McHale and Parish for rebounds...so which is?

Before this year, the only stat of Gasol's that improved in LA vs. Memphis is FG%, and yeah, playing on a stacked team that runs the triangle will do that...but still, he shot over 50% every year in the league except one before coming to LA. And his 2006-2007 FG% in Memphis was higher than last year in LA. It helps playing on a stacked team, but Gasol has just improved as well. I don't know how anyone can watch him now and not say he is not a better player than he was in Memphis. He put on weight and improved his game and is in his prime right now.
When he was the main rebounder all throughout his stay in memphis he never even cracked double digit rebounds. And you're wrong with regards to rebounds. Gasol's rebounding numbers have increased by 1.5~ish and that is all attributed to an increase in offensive boards, which are made A LOT easier playing with the lakers as he has a group of two other 7 footers battling for position with him to get the boards. Watch the games. It's easier to get offensive boards when you have big guys like odom and bynum pushing people out of the lane.

And lol at your kobe comment acting like he doesn't open up shots for gasol. You do realize gasol's efficiency numbers have gone up SIGNIFIGANTLY in the regular season and in the playoffs since joining the lakers right? (we're talking big increases) How is that explained that he went from 50% to 59% shooting the year he joined ko0be and the lakers?

So dumb man:facepalm Great players like kobe make it easier for talented guys like gasol to shine.

[sosly]

:facepalm
Nevermind

Oh and btw, I hate the lakers.

[creepingdeath]

In my opinion, Dirk has been the best european BB player last times, and prolly in history. By my point of view. But Only Gasol has been able to "steal" 2 times the FIBA Europe MVP of the year (2008/2009).

As spanish, I have been following his whole career and I really noticed a huge progress on Pau every year, even in Memphis... 3 times Playoffs in Memphis, i really think that he show his value on that team during years.

About the calification of "overrating player", gasol has been underrated so much times. Of course i understand all the points of view of you guys, and i really think that all of you have any kind o reason on what you say.

Its stupid compare Dirk with Gasol, or Duncan, or Howard... Its all about your preferences on a player!! I always loved, actually do, and i will love Dirk as player... In Spain we call him "Robin Hood", as he is the best shooter i have ever seen : )

We always respect Dirk, and I cant say if its better or not than Pau... Useless comparation, they play different, they have different style and we thank god for give europeans that 2 monsters of basketball that we can be proud of them.

Sorry for the lenght of the post!! ill be shorter next time :P

Btw I only completely disagree on what I have read on that: Howard> Gasol. Both are humans and both have good/bad games, apart of this, I admit THAT i prefair Gasol Style and skills... Sorry if you dont like my opinion, but howard own gasol in what? if you check every possible skill on a basketball player, Howard has rarely something better than gasol!!

I would say that speaking english, but even that... xDD (Peace Orlando fans)

:cheers: Good post. Cheers to Spain!

[HorryIsMyMVP]

minor detail missed.

Is that really you're rebuttal to all the main points I brought up?
How is that a minor detail? He was replaced by Boris Diaw. The Lakers were up 3-1. Kobe just had to win 1 game at that point. Odom was beasting. The Lakers lost. Kobe refused to guard Steve Nash. Kobe demanded a trade. The Lakers got Gasol. Kobe is happy and they win a championship. Did I miss anything?

If you answer me one thing I'll admit you are right.

If Kobe is such an elite defender why wouldn't he take it upon himself to guard Steve Nash? He guarded Raja Bell....

[DeronMillsap]

If Gasol is overrated, then we might as well call Shaq overrated when he was carrying Kobe to championship rings during the first 3-peat.

Yessir, Gasol is carrying Kobe to the promise land just like Shaq was when he was a Laker. :roll:

[Yung D-Will]

If Gasol is overrated, then we might as well call Shaq overrated when he was carrying Kobe to championship rings during the first 3-peat.

Yessir, Gasol is carrying Kobe to the promise land just like Shaq was when he was a Laker. :roll:

No. No he's not.

Kobe is clearly the best player on that team just like Shaq was clearly the best player on the earlier teams.

[DeronMillsap]

No. No he's not.

Kobe is clearly the best player on that team just like Shaq was clearly the best player on the earlier teams.

Kobe never beat us, man. Gasol and Bynum did.

Lakers minus Gasol can't beat Utah.

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Kobe never beat us, man. Gasol and Bynum did.

Lakers minus Gasol can't beat Utah.

Minus Stockon , Utah dont make the finals twice. See what I did there :rolleyes:

[Yung D-Will]

Kobe never beat us, man. Gasol and Bynum did.

Lakers minus Gasol can't beat Utah.


Gasol and Bynum's length bothered Boozer and was the biggest reason we lost.

But it was clear to me whether he was injured or healthy that he was always the best player on the court.(Kobe)

[Ne 1]

Kobe never beat us, man. Gasol and Bynum did.

Lakers minus Gasol can't beat Utah.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee66/animemecha/Sarcastic%20Reply%20pics/BitchPlease.jpg

Yeah take away the Jazz 2nd best player and they don't beat the Lakers either.

Kobe did beat y'all. Whooped Utah in the playoffs 3 straight year. :oldlol:

[Yung D-Will]

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee66/animemecha/Sarcastic%20Reply%20pics/BitchPlease.jpg

Yeah take away the Jazz 2nd best player and they don't beat the Lakers either.

Kobe did beat y'all. Whooped Utah in the playoffs 3 straight year. :oldlol:


Clearly, considering the fact we don't even beat you when we're fully healthy.

[Yung D-Will]

However this year we're built much better to face the Lakers once we get healthy.

[creepingdeath]

However this year we're built much better to face the Lakers once we get healthy.
A lot of teams seem to be built much better this year. I mean if you look at Houston's and the Mavs' roster (especially the length), they should match up pretty well, or Portland, they've always given the Lakers a hell of a run. But unfortunately for us Non-LA fans, they are an experienced, talented, deep and clutch team. They are the best team in the league and the clear favourites.. :(

[Avon Barksdale]

When he was the main rebounder all throughout his stay in memphis he never even cracked double digit rebounds.

He didn't crack double digit rebounds in LA his first season (7.8) and his second season (9.6) either. Granted, he only played 27 games in LA his first year there, but he played 81 the next year and averaged 9.6, which is again less than his best year in Memphis and pretty close to his average in Memphis. Coincidentally, that 9.6, and the 11.3 the next year, were after he bulked up each offseason after getting manhandled in the finals by the Celtics. Or maybe that's not a coincidence. ;)


And you're wrong with regards to rebounds. Gasol's rebounding numbers have increased by 1.5~ish and that is all attributed to an increase in offensive boards,

They increased significantly only last year, and the beginning of this year. It is well known that he bulked up and tried to shed the "soft" label. You don't think a guy coming into his prime and adding muscle can grab an extra 1-1.5 rpg?

If it's attributed to offensive boards from playing on LA, why didn't the big jump to 11.3 rpg show up the first year and a half in LA? Why did it only show up in year 3 and 4?


which are made A LOT easier playing with the lakers as he has a group of two other 7 footers battling for position with him to get the boards. Watch the games. It's easier to get offensive boards when you have big guys like odom and bynum pushing people out of the lane.

So they just block their guy out and let Pau grab the rebound? That's awfully nice of them. You're really arguing that playing with Odom, Bynum, Artest, and Kobe, four good or very good rebounders for their positions, causes Gasol to get [I]more[I] rebounds?


And lol at your kobe comment acting like he doesn't open up shots for gasol. You do realize gasol's efficiency numbers have gone up SIGNIFIGANTLY in the regular season and in the playoffs since joining the lakers right? (we're talking big increases) How is that explained that he went from 50% to 59% shooting the year he joined ko0be and the lakers?

I never said Kobe doesn't open up shots for Gasol, your reading comprehension is clearly lacking. I said that playing with Kobe doesn't cause Gasol to score MORE. As in more POINTS, not more EFFICIENTLY. Do you understand the difference? Did Lebron's scoring go up when he started playing with Wade? How about Wade's? Bosh's? There are only so many shots to go around. Do you think it's a coincidence that Scottie Pippen's highest scoring year was in 93-94 after Jordan retired? Or that his second highest was in 94-95 when Jordan was out for most of the year? How often do we see average players put up 20 ppg for a season on bad teams, then go to good teams and their scoring drops way down, even when given similar minutes? It happens all the time. The Lakers have so many players that can score, and Kobe still takes a ton of shots. What I said is that his SCORING has gone down in LA, not his efficiency, which is true. Check his last 2.5 years in Memphis vs. the last 2.5 in LA:

20.4/20.8/18.9 in Memphis

vs.

18.8/18.9/18.3 in Los Angeles

I clearly mentioned in that post that Gasol's FG% has gone up significantly since joining the Lakers...playing on a stacked team running the triangle will do that...like I said. I don't know what is so hard to understand about that.

You obviously have major reading comprehension issues, and think that playing next to great rebounders causes you to get more rebounds, yet you call me dumb. :oldlol:

[Avon Barksdale]

And also, people act like it doesn't go both ways, like Gasol doesn't open things up for Kobe and get him easier shots too. I guarantee you Kobe would be the first to tell you that Gasol makes his job a lot easier. I bet you Kobe finds it a lot easier to score and get good shots playing with Gasol than with Kwame Brown. Those guys are in sync and play off each other really well.

Kobe is a good passer, but he's still primarily a scorer. It's not like he's Chris Paul or Steve Nash spoon-feeding big men for easy dunks and inflating Gasol's stats.

[JustinJDW]

I will say this though, as of right now, since the start of the Season, Gasol is totally the best player on the Lakers. What I love about Gasol is that he reminds me that this is still a big man's game.

[Gambitero]

During the years Ducan was playing at his best:cheers:

Basically 2002-2008
thanks for the answer :)

Gasol has been closing his play and stats to greatest stars like Tim Duncan or other ones, and i just enjoy that every day... I wont say if its better or not, i can say its one of the best and trust me its enough for a spanish :cheers:

[Gambitero]

Gasol was 26 or 27 when he came to the Lakers, aka just entering his NBA prime. In 2006-2007 in Memphis, with hardly anyone around him, he put up 20.8 ppg on 53.8% shooting, 9.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.1 bpg. So no...he didn't develop his game out of nowhere, he already had elite big man numbers before he ever came to LA. His scoring in LA his first 3 years is lower than his scoring in Memphis the three years before the trade. His scoring did not improve when he came to LA, it's only up this year, very early in the season. You're arguing that a player is scoring more because he's playing with Kobe? One of the most prolific shooters in league history? Seriously? That doesn't even make sense. Saying someone's scoring is up because they're playing with Steve Nash...that actually makes sense.

The year he was traded he play an almost equal amount of games in Memphis and LA and his rebounding dropped from 8.8 in Memphis to 7.8 in LA. His second year in LA he averaged 9.6 rpg, which is lower than his career high in Memphis (9.8). So the idea that he's rebounding because LA has a big team isn't supported. If anything, having such a big team should decrease his rebounding because he's fighting Odom and Bynum, and even Kobe for rebounds. People here often make the argument that Bird's rebounding numbers are more impressive because he was fighting McHale and Parish for rebounds...so which is?

Before this year, the only stat of Gasol's that improved in LA vs. Memphis is FG%, and yeah, playing on a stacked team that runs the triangle will do that...but still, he shot over 50% every year in the league except one before coming to LA. And his 2006-2007 FG% in Memphis was higher than last year in LA. It helps playing on a stacked team, but Gasol has just improved as well. I don't know how anyone can watch him now and not say he is not a better player than he was in Memphis. He put on weight and improved his game and is in his prime right now.
:applause:

[Round Mound]

He didn't crack double digit rebounds in LA his first season (7.8) and his second season (9.6) either. Granted, he only played 27 games in LA his first year there, but he played 81 the next year and averaged 9.6, which is again less than his best year in Memphis and pretty close to his average in Memphis. Coincidentally, that 9.6, and the 11.3 the next year, were after he bulked up each offseason after getting manhandled in the finals by the Celtics. Or maybe that's not a coincidence. ;)



They increased significantly only last year, and the beginning of this year. It is well known that he bulked up and tried to shed the "soft" label. You don't think a guy coming into his prime and adding muscle can grab an extra 1-1.5 rpg?

If it's attributed to offensive boards from playing on LA, why didn't the big jump to 11.3 rpg show up the first year and a half in LA? Why did it only show up in year 3 and 4?



So they just block their guy out and let Pau grab the rebound? That's awfully nice of them. You're really arguing that playing with Odom, Bynum, Artest, and Kobe, four good or very good rebounders for their positions, causes Gasol to get [I]more[I] rebounds?



I never said Kobe doesn't open up shots for Gasol, your reading comprehension is clearly lacking. I said that playing with Kobe doesn't cause Gasol to score MORE. As in more POINTS, not more EFFICIENTLY. Do you understand the difference? Did Lebron's scoring go up when he started playing with Wade? How about Wade's? Bosh's? There are only so many shots to go around. Do you think it's a coincidence that Scottie Pippen's highest scoring year was in 93-94 after Jordan retired? Or that his second highest was in 94-95 when Jordan was out for most of the year? How often do we see average players put up 20 ppg for a season on bad teams, then go to good teams and their scoring drops way down, even when given similar minutes? It happens all the time. The Lakers have so many players that can score, and Kobe still takes a ton of shots. What I said is that his SCORING has gone down in LA, not his efficiency, which is true. Check his last 2.5 years in Memphis vs. the last 2.5 in LA:

20.4/20.8/18.9 in Memphis

vs.

18.8/18.9/18.3 in Los Angeles

I clearly mentioned in that post that Gasol's FG% has gone up significantly since joining the Lakers...playing on a stacked team running the triangle will do that...like I said. I don't know what is so hard to understand about that.

You obviously have major reading comprehension issues, and think that playing next to great rebounders causes you to get more rebounds, yet you call me dumb. :oldlol:

What Gasol brings is the toughest match up in the Post for any Big and he is a Better Creator and Passer than Kobe is as Forward.

Very PFs or CFs average 4 plus APG.

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Bump

[NbaFan432]

:applause: :applause:

[Harion]

he is the best passing big man in the league today
and currently the lakers' best player (right now)

[Willkill24]

Gasol>>>>>>>Kobe

[JustinJDW]

Mvp. Mvp. Mvp.

[Mr Clutch Melo]

Mvp. Mvp. Mvp.
Not sure if serious......

[creepingdeath]

Bump again in 5 months.

[For_Three]

The guy is amazing. Go Pau!

[asdf1990]

Pau is twice as good as Kobe ever was