There was a discussion on this in the Lakers forum not too long ago. Who do you think is the better player?
Dirk and I don't think it's close. He's a true franchise player whereas Pau is best suited in his current role, as second fiddle.
Just straight up I would have to say Dirk....BUT...I think If you were to ask me which one is a better fit for the Lakers right now it would without a doubt be Pau. His game is exactly tailored to what Phil want to run in his offense, a GREAT passing big man with the ability to hit the 17 foot jumper. Dirk need to be the number one option to maximize his talents, Pau doesnt, he can help in a multitude of ways with the ball not in his hands.
Pau > Dirk in the post. Pau > Dirk on defense Pau > Dirk passing Pau = Dirk in the mid range Dirk > Pau from long range Dirk > Pau leadership (well, not really. Neither have never really won anything. Dirk has gotten his team to the Finals while Pau has been there, therefore Dirk is only slightly better there) Pau is younger. Pau can play both the 4 and 5 efficiently. Give me Pau any damn day of the week.
Dirk. Pau doesn't choke like Dirk does though. BUT you can argue that since last year in the Finals he wasn't really effective, but then neither was the whole Laker team. BTW, not to nitpick, but it's NowitZki with a Z, not an S.
Pau can't lead a team. He needs people around him and if he doesn't win he starts bitching. Dirk is a franchise player, Pau is not. Pau's leadership is overrated BTW. He is a leader for Spain, but how the hell was he a leader for the Grizzlies? It's Dirk and it's not very close.
It's hard to compare because they do different things on the court and play different roles on their teams. I don't think Pau had much success in Memphis because the system wasn't right for his skillset and they never paired him with a premiere guard. He also had a lot of health injuries in Memphis, but nonetheless their team won 50+ games a few times. I'd argue Dirk is a better talent than Gasol, but I think it would be easier to build a Championship team around Gasol.
I hope that was sarcasm. I hate Pau more then any other member on this site, but Dirk has a pretty lengthy history of choking in the clutch. Pau has been a pretty clutch player this year in important games.
The buzzer beaters he has every once in a while doesn't make up for the numerous times he can't buy a shot in the forth.
It's not just buzzer beaters, it's also playing well in the forth. He did that in big games against the Cavs and the Celtics this season.
Yea, I have the same question. I mean, Pau has multiple weapons in the post. He's smart, tall, quick and pretty strong for his body type.
