☆Official Pau Gasol Thread: Pau Gasol Appreciation Thread

[$LakerGold]

Pau's been really busy lately. I won't be surprised if he joins the Heat. Giving him that same old speech that they gave Ray Allen years ago: "We will appreciate you & utilize you properly, we assure you that you will never have to worry about being in a trade rumor again."

[dd24]

If they keep the big 3 and add Pau they'll by far be the favorites next season. He'd have to take a huge paycut though. Think about if they added him and Lowry. Lowry as a 5th option would be just fine. Unlike here where it's a 2nd....

[$LakerGold]

Paycut down to 5m? What's their cap situation, anyway?

Yeah, I wouldn't mind having Lowry as a 5th scoring option for my team. Wooo, that'd be like a pipe dream. I'm excited to see what their bench is going to look like next season & how they're going to move/switch things around.

[dd24]

I'm sure Riley's first pitch is probably the vets minimum. They don't have a ton of room to play around with. I'm sure they'd go for about 5 million though.

[$LakerGold]

I guess this is goodbye.......

[dd24]

Yup sounds like Pau is going to Chicago or San Antonio. OKC still has a chance. I think Riley might offer him much more now.

[gts]

Officially: In the end it's Pau to the bulls for the MLE...

Ariza'd himself

[bladefd]

Well, it's official now! Lakers tanking next season. No wonder they didn't want to fire D'Antoni. They wanted to keep a scapegoat to lay all blame on for next season tanking

Been a pleasure, Pau. Made right decision getting away from the madness that has been Lakers front-office last 3 seasons led by Jimmy Buss. Enjoy winning games in Chicago with smarter organization!

[dd24]

'antoni did the right thing by quitting. He wasn't a fit here and this team isn't built to win right now.

How bad was the offer from Chicago that we couldn't get anything in return? Or I wonder if it was just the front office being jerks and screwing over Pau again. For a guy that brought the Lakers a few titles they sure didn't appreciate him.

[SoCalMike]

Been a pleasure, Pau. Made right decision getting away from the madness that has been Lakers front-office last 3 seasons led by Jimmy Buss. Enjoy winning games in Chicago with smarter organization!

Well said. For Pau, it was not about the money. Since Dr. Buss passed, Pau was treated horribly by the organization and he kept it professional for the most part. He certainly acted with more class than many of us would have under similar circumstances.

By his own decision, he is likely to take much LESS money to get out of the madness that is the Laker organization today. Lakers were prepared to give him 3-Years for $29M (which would have been a crazy contract), and he rejected it (good for him!). This speaks volumes about the situation going on there....

[D-Rose]

Very happy for Pau. Moves on to a team in instant contention fro Conference Finals.

He just didn't seem happy in LA since the 2 titles. Always floated in trade rumors, actually traded for CP3, given so much blame for everything, and the Mike D fiasco. Good riddance.

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

Did Chicago amnesty Boozer yet? I know their owner didn't want to.

[gts]

Did Chicago amnesty Boozer yet? I know their owner didn't want to.

Not yet... Probably won't but they still have 2 days...

[crisoner]

Gunna miss Pau...wish he retired a Laker.

But I understand why he left....was not treated well by the FO or fan base.

He helped us get two titles and helped us to three straight Finals.

Man...can't believe that was 4 years a go.

Good luck Pau!!!!

I would root for the Bulls if the made it to the Finals and played any other team but the Lakers of course.

[crisoner]

Not yet... Probably won't but they still have 2 days...

SO they are keeping Boozer?