Preview: Gasol To Debut Against Nets

The Lakers come into New Jersey having won 2 consecutive games, defeating Toronto & Washington in the proccess.

Pau Gasol is expected to make his long-awaited Laker debut tonight after sitting out Sunday’s game in Washington. Pau is expected to start at Center for the Lakers.

“He’s got a lot of positions he can play, but he’s long. Really long,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. “That will be important for us to get the post part of our game back. Kobe [Bryant] has taken a lot of post position, Ronny [Turiaf] has done some good things in the post, but we haven’t had any real dedicated post part of our game.”

According to Phil Jackson, the addition of Gasol will not only give the Lakers a much-needed post prescence, but it will also relieve Kobe Bryant of having to score the ball the way he has in previous games.

“I just think it takes the pressure off him to try to lead the scoring every night,” Jackson said. “He’s a guy who gravitates toward that position. It doesn’t bother him at all. He wants to go out there and carry all the spears, so we’re happy there’s someone he can share it with.”

Kobe scored 30 points on 10-15 shooting from the field Sunday as the Lakers cruised past the Wizards, 103-91. “Just taking what they were going to give me,” said Bryant after the game.

Playing with Bryant in LA gives Gasol an opportunity he’s never had — playing for a championship contender.

“The pressure of winning and being one of the favorites, I think, is what you want to be involved in,” Gasol said. “That’s the kind of pressure I’ve been missing being in the NBA. I love that.”

The Lakers have gone 2-1 on their 9-game road trip thus far.

Nets Starting 5:

Injury Report:
No injuries reported.

Lakers Starting 5:

Injury Report:
Trevor Ariza: Broken Foot - Out
Andrew Bynum: Left Patella Subluxation - Out
Chris Mihm: Right Ankle Bursitis - Out
Luke Walton: Right Hip Pointer - Day to Day