Pau Thread: Surgery a success; now rehab & rest for 12 weeks

PAU GASOL
Q: On what stood out about Dr. Buss and what he meant to him and the franchise:
Gasol: He was an owner that did everything he could to make sure his team had the best chance possible to win the title. He was all about success and he was very passionate. That’s something you could feel from him. I wish I could have spent a little more time with him during this time, but he meant a lot to us. He was a leader for our team, for this franchise and for this city. He was someone you’d enjoy being around. It’s been a tough hit even though we knew he was sick and battling hard for awhile, but when it does happen, it’s still very difficult to deal with.

Q: On when he was in Memphis and there was a reputation around the league if other players wanted to play for the Lakers:
Gasol: Obviously, the Lakers are a franchise that I think the great majority of players would love to play in and be a part of for multiple reasons and definitely because of Dr. Buss’ desire and wish to have a great team here and to win titles. It was all about winning championships and being an elite team. I think any player would want to be involved with that. When you’re on another team, you only have so much control of your own destiny. So you try to focus on your reality and the present. You can’t really dream too much about wanting to play here or there. But as a player, it was a great deal to have the opportunity to be here. When I first got here and traded, I was in shock for a few days how lucky I was that it was my destiny.

Q: On if he has a particular memory or two of Dr. Buss:
Gasol: We would always see him for the team picture. He was always a very joyful guy. The most time I spent with him alone was the time I went and visited him at the hospital. That was probably the most meaningful time I spent with him. We had great times when we won championships. Those magical moments were brief and are overwhelming and there are a lot of people around you. But I always appreciate those one-on-one times, even though it was under those circumstances. It’s a moment I’ll always have with me.

Q: On what was talked about between him and Dr. Buss:
Gasol: We were talking about the season and how excited we were for the upcoming season. He was very excited and hopeful he’d make it out of the hospital and be at the opening night. It was kind of a goal that he and the doctors had at the time. we talked about sports. I remember he was watching college football. It was on TV and he’s a big USC fan, obviously, but he enjoyed watching college football more than pro football. I just enjoyed that time even though, again, it was under those circumstances.

Q: On if he sensed the team going all in at the beginning of the year knowing Dr. Buss’ situation:
Gasol: I think we all are trying to make the best out of our team and our situation. Knowing him and knowing the franchise, we all came in with the mindset that we have a great team and a great opportunity here. Even with the new rules and new collective bargaining (agreement), the franchise is making the effort to have the best possible team. We knew that, we were aware of that and we are aware of that. That’s something that we’ve been keeping in our minds.

Q: On if he talked to Dr. Buss about his situation regarding being traded:
Gasol: No, I think when that happened I didn’t know but he was already in the hospital and already battling with his health issues. I didn’t know and I didn’t find out till later. They kept it, as they should, very private and in house. To me, life is beyond basketball. I wouldn’t talk to him about those small things. There’s nothing like that.

TIME wrote:I think it's very likely that Pau was the only player on the team that took the time to visit Dr. Buss in the hospital. Class act.

last stand wrote:

TIME wrote:I think it's very likely that Pau was the only player on the team that took the time to visit Dr. Buss in the hospital. Class act.

you don't think kobe did, maybe artest. it's possible but i'd like to believe more guys had the class to do so, at least i'd hope

Chillbongo wrote:Highly intelligent....he could start off as a player scout and somehow end up as an assistant coach one day.

I know he has dreams "beyond basketball" but I will never forget how epic he was and how integral he was to our recent back-to-back.

tigerjeterkobe wrote:Gasol getting hurt really really really really screwed us from getting better via trade this year. Should have traded him when MDA was hired. Stupid.

Would have loved (and would like to tonight) to trade him to Minny for D. Williams, Buddinger, kirelenko, Roy and picks, and send Clark, D. Williams, and Blake to Atl for Josh Smith. Then send Duhon and a Minny pick to Det for Will Bynum.

Minny gets Gasol for later this season and next and Ebanks for a bunch of bench players and unloads Roy too.

Atl gets Clark (who is emerging and likely someone we won't be able to afford this summer) and D. Williams (still potential and expiring) to replace Smith and a back up pt guard -- a great offer for them given they would lose Smith for nothing.

We get the pieces we need from Gasol's contract and awesome depth to make a real push with a contending team.

Nash, Bynum, Morris
Kobe, Meeks (Arenas. Or T. Williams??)
Artest, Buddinger (perfect 3 for us)
Smith, Jamison, Kirelenko
Dwight, Sacre (Kirirlenko at spots? Or. A vet FA big body)

Love that team, esp with Kobe at the 3 more and Bynum sparking the bench and finding shooters like Meeks, Jamison, and Buddinger.

If only.....

DALLAS - As if the Lakers can absorb more bad news.

Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni suggested Pau Gasol won't return in the regular season after nursing torn plantar fascia in his right foot for the past three weeks.

"By the time he gets back, we'll be in or out," D'Antoni said. "His impact will be in the playoffs if we get there."

The Lakers (28-29) have 25 games remaining before the regular season ends April 17 against the Houston Rockets. After their 103-99 victory Sunday over the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers remain 2 games behind the Houston Rockets (31-27) for the eighth playoff spot.

"I don't think anyone on this team is counting the days for Pau to come back because we don't have time," Lakers guard Steve Nash said. "Although we'd welcome him back this instance, we have to move on and try to win games without him."

JoelMyersScrotalSack wrote:That's not bad news, it's not even news.

There's no update on Pau's status. MDA is saying that Pau won't be back in the RS long enough to have an impact, but by the time the playoffs roll around he'll be ready. Given he was supposed to be out for 6 weeks we already knew that.

And Nash is saying we can't wait around for him to come back because they need to win now.