The numbers don't lie. Pau Gasol of the L.A. Lakers is having the worst statistical season of his illustrious 13-year career.
Considering he's had an entire summer to rest and rehabilitate his legs after an injury-plagued 2012-13 campaign, why does the 33-year-old seven-foot Spaniard continue to struggle with his offensive production?
The answer is pretty obvious: Pau misses Kobe.
In order to thrive, Gasol needs great complementary pieces, and none has been as good for his career as Kobe Bryant.
Sure, Bryant was around most of last season when Gasol's numbers plummeted, but the four-time All-Star missed 33 games due to various injuries and only late in the campaign did he find some semblance of basketball rhythm.
Pau Gasol was the missing piece the Los Angeles Lakers sought when they traded Kwame Brown to the Memphis Grizzlies for the seven-foot Spaniard five-and-a-half years ago.
Following three straight trips to the NBA Finals and two consecutive championships, Gasol was atop the basketball world as a perennial All-Star.
The Lakers system that Gasol came into was idea ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Howard Ruben
What’s Wrong with LA Lakers’ Pau Gasol?
November 16th, 2013 by Howard Ruben Leave a reply »
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