There's little doubt that Pau Gasol's play has been problematic for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
The four-time All-Star is in the midst of arguably the worst season of his 12-year NBA career. He's averaging fewer points (13.1) and shooting less accurately (42.3 percent from the field). As such, the Spanish giant has become an easy scapegoat amidst the Lakers' disappointing 7-8 start.
Not that Gasol is entirely at fault, be it for L.A.'s struggles or even his own. The wear and tear of the last calendar year—between the condensed 2011-12 season, Spain's run to the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics and the more customary start to the current campaign—has left Gasol to grapple with tendinitis in his knees. At 32, Gasol's seven-foot frame can no longer refresh itself quite as quickly.
The game itself hasn't been any kinder to Gasol. He's been moved further and further away from the basket during each season since the Lakers last lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2010. A quick once-over of Gasol's numbers on Hoopdata shows that he's essentially swapped out looks at the rim (the most efficient shots in basketball) for ...
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Article written by Josh Martin
Breaking Down Why Pau Gasol Isn’t Sole Problem for Los Angeles Lakers
November 30th, 2012 by Josh Martin Leave a reply »
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