LQOTD: Time to Move Gasol?

Doc Brown wrote:

laakers wrote:Why not move him to the bench? Look at the Spurs, Manu is clearly their 3rd best player but he comes off the bench. It's been working for them for years, why not try to move Pau there? There's too much wasted talent to have all of our big 4 playing at the same time. The bench can run the offense through Pau, I think it might work given a chance.

Because Pau is a star starter.

laakers wrote:

Doc Brown wrote:

laakers wrote:Why not move him to the bench? Look at the Spurs, Manu is clearly their 3rd best player but he comes off the bench. It's been working for them for years, why not try to move Pau there? There's too much wasted talent to have all of our big 4 playing at the same time. The bench can run the offense through Pau, I think it might work given a chance.

Because Pau is a star starter.

And Manu Ginobili isn't?

trodgers wrote:Straightforward question: is it time for the Lakers to get rid of Gasol?

Weezy wrote:What does it matter WHY Pau isn't good here if the conclusion no matter what is that he needs to go? Can he still play? Yes, I think so if given his own team or made the focus in the post on offense I believe he could easily average 18 and 10 again for another franchise. He's not doing that here though, whether it's because he's checked out mentally after being traded and then made the 3rd option, or injuries, or not getting along with the coach or like the coaches offense, whatever it may be. But whether he's checked out here, or he actually has declined and just isn't as good anymore, what does it matter as long as he's not producing for us, especially on defense and effort/rebounding? What will bumping this up if he does well elsewhere do, or prove? That you're smarter than everyone, that you enjoy a good self e-pat on the back? Doesn't mean jack **** what Pau does elsewhere if he's not doing it HERE. Will trading Pau solve all our issues and make us a contender 'magically'? Of course not, but he could land us some much needed pieces, youth, athleticism, perhaps defense and effort guys and maybe even a shooter. So that might not 'magically' make us a contender, but it could make us a contender in the long run.

cthroatgtr wrote:Gasol + Bynum didn't work. Gasol + Howard doesn't work. Gasol + Odom worked. This isn't that hard to figure out. Gasol is a C not a PF. One that also is the odd man out. Should have traded him last year when his value was higher. Certainly should have taken Smith when the chance was there.

cthroatgtr wrote:Gasol + Bynum didn't work. Gasol + Howard doesn't work. Gasol + Odom worked. This isn't that hard to figure out. Gasol is a C not a PF. One that also is the odd man out. Should have traded him last year when his value was higher. Certainly should have taken Smith when the chance was there.

I can only guess there is sentiment towards him, plus Kobe is in his camp. Everyone says Pau is a great guy. He played well over the summer. I think all of that has led them to hesitate but if they have any chance to save the season Pau would need to go. Its probably already too late though.

LoyalLakerfan44 wrote:...I have a feeling Howard will leave, so then what happens with your center position?...

khmrP wrote:we can't have 2 star type post players anymore, NOBODY in the league has it but NOBODY in the league fears it because this offense doesn't take advantage of it and neither did the princeston. Obviously PJ had success but we could already see Pau decline with Bynum emergence, I just dont think this pound them in the paint style works anymore and especially with Antoni who doesn't know how to play that type of style to begin with.

dj vitus wrote:

khmrP wrote:we can't have 2 star type post players anymore, NOBODY in the league has it but NOBODY in the league fears it because this offense doesn't take advantage of it and neither did the princeston. Obviously PJ had success but we could already see Pau decline with Bynum emergence, I just dont think this pound them in the paint style works anymore and especially with Antoni who doesn't know how to play that type of style to begin with.

You're right. In fact, 2 star post players has never really worked in the NBA. When we won our last two chips, Bynum averaged 6.3 points and then 8.6 points in the playoffs, respectively.

It was Gasol down low, Odom on the wing, and Bynum on the bench that worked. So why do we keep forcing it???

Other than the Spurs' asterisk year in '99, I can't find any other instance where it has worked.

If we can't get Smoove, I hear Dragic wants out, and PHX doesn't like his contract. Give me Dragic and Gortat! Gortat would finally give us one person who can truly play with Steve Nash other than Robert Sacre. Plus, he can wear his coveted #13 jersey again. Too bad PHX doesn't want to lose their lottery pick, but this draft sucks, and we can always throw in our 2017 pick.

edit: Scratch that, Chambs retired his #13.

snackdaddy wrote:Sad thing is, Pau has better skills in the post than Howard.

karacha wrote:

snackdaddy wrote:Sad thing is, Pau has better skills in the post than Howard.

Let's be honest: Pau has better post skills then any big man in the league. But he's getting older, can't run that fast, can't jump, does not feel like making decisive moves anymore and most importantly -- he can't play good defense like he used to. Unbelievably skilled, yes. But no one fears him anymore. He is much more skilled then Dwight, yet Dwight is clearly the better player. Infuriating, but true.