Should Pau Gasol no longer be labled our star and our go-to-guy? He had a very impressive rookie season, and his sophomore season was decent as well. However, in his third season he has not broken out of those rookie stats. Infact, he's gotten worse. His statistical performace reminds me of Darius Miles' statistical performance. Just like Pau, Miles put up great rookie stats. They made it seem as if Miles was on track to be an All-Star. Miles never broke out of those rookie stats though. In his third season he was putting up worse numbers than his rookie numbers. The buzz went away and people looked at him as a great second or third option, but nothing spectacular. He never lived up to his potential and I am afraid Pau will do the same. Just look at this: First Season - 17.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 2.7 apg, 52% FG Second Season - 19 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 2.8 apg, 51% FG Third Season - 16 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 1.7 apg, 47% FG He is steadily decreasing and becoming inconsistant. Yahoo now ranks him outside of their top 100 efficiency rankings. Is this the end for Gasol's so-called star potential?
You say that so confidentally. I know Gasol will get better, but only slightly. He's never going to break out of that eighteen points and eight boards in my eyes.
Everyone has their slumps. This is nothing more than a blip on the radar IMO. First, he has such a good understanding of the game. Players like that are always good. He's a consumate teammate. Meaning if he feels the need to lower his shot totals for the better of the team, he will do it in a heartbeat. In a league full of egos, he left his back in Europe. No one expected him to have that good of a rookie season. No one. Many thought he'd just be breaking out this year. Now we are talking about 16/8, and his numbers are dropping. I wouldn't be too worried. Not yet. Its still early in the season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Wave:</div><div class="quote_post">You say that so confidentally. I know Gasol will get better, but only slightly. He's never going to break out of that eighteen points and eight boards in my eyes.</div> I use to think that about Duncan but replace 18 with 22, and 8 with 11. Some of these guys look too fundamental to become great, but don't let that decieve you.
What makes you think that Gasol is too fundamental? I have barely seen anything from the guy that ressembles fundamentals. Also, he's not lowering his shot totals for the better of the team either. He is just being a ghost on defense and a stick figure on offense. He is always the ones who messes up good plays by not catching a ball (one time he got hit in the head with the ball because he was so out of it) or letting the clock run down. I believe that the Grizzlies could solve a lot of problems not only by benching Williams, but also by either trading Gasol or making sure someone else is their number one option every time down the court like Mike Miller or James Posey.
My choice of words was bad on my last post. When I said fundamental, I meant unspectacular. Yes, I know they are different but I said fundamental because I couldn't think of a better word at the time. And don't worry Wave, you guys might get Kobe next year. Then there will be no debate on who's the first option. If they were to trade Gasol, they would have to recieve a player in return that is already established, not some prospect. Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth it. I wouldn't worry too much though, Mr. Jerry West knows what he's doing. I read an earlier thread of yours expressing your lack of faith in West, but you can take it from me, give it time. Memphis has only gotten better with West at the helm, and you can't second guess success.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post"> I read an earlier thread of yours expressing your lack of faith in West, but you can take it from me, give it time. Memphis has only gotten better with West at the helm, and you can't second guess success.</div>Oh, I definitely realize what West has done by now. That post is old.
Like I have always said,Gasol is a Scottie Pippen type player,cant lead a team by hiself but still a great player non the less
