Is Pau Gasol the best player in the NBA right now?..

[HarlemHeat37]

We know that LeBron James, when firing on all cylinders, is the best player in basketball.

We know that Kobe Bryant is the biggest rapist, the most devastating when he has to be, that Chris Paul can affect the game differently than any small man, and that Dwight Howard can absolutely dominate a game even while going full quarters at a time without a field goal.

But has Pau Gasol been the best player in the NBA during its first month? I'm OK with saying yes to that.

Sure, a nice game (to say the absolute least) against the defenseless Golden State Warriors is always good to pump your stats up, but the most shocking part about Pau's 28-point, four-block, 12-rebound night (with five assists; and he didn't miss a free throw or field goal in 18 combined tries) is that it didn't really pump his stats up too much. They were already that good.

And to the naked eye, without any actual documentation to marvel at, the man has been beastly. Never seems to drop the ball below his shoulders, always finishes well, hits cutters, moves his feet defensively, and every time he misses you feel as if something has gone terribly wrong.

The documentation, though? Let's marvel.

About 23 points and 12 rebounds a game. Four assists, and over two combined blocks/steals. Fifty-six percent shooting, and just 1.6 turnovers a contest. The Lakers are eight points worse (per 100 possessions) with him off the floor defensively, and over 11 points better (per 100) with him on the court offensively. Chris Paul and Al Horford(notes) have slightly better Player Efficiency Ratings, but Pau's work is done over 38 minutes a contest, as opposed to 34.4 (Paul) and 31.5 (Horford) a game. So he's nearly as good, for longer.

This production likely won't fade, either, even when Andrew Bynum comes back from surgery, and Bryant starts to take closer games over. The guy is 30, in his ostensible prime, so this is no fluke. This is just a guy playing the best all-around ball of anyone else out there right now, and when you get right down to it (even in a world gone mad with obsessing over scoring leaders in the time since Michael Jordan proved that a points-per-game leader can also lead a team to a title), that's the mark of the best player in the game. Someone who does everything, just about better than anyone else.

So, armed with that knowledge, what do we do?

Appreciate it, I guess.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Is-Pau-Gasol-the-best-player-in-the-NBA-right-no?urn=nba-288174

:lol Kobe fans in the comments section are hilarious, trying to shoot down these articles..

With this type of recognition starting to come out in the media, I wonder if Kobe starts going harder..

[Gutter92]

Good shit HH, distinguish between the Kobe fans and the Laker fans...always an important distinction to make tbh.

[Killakobe81]

Yep. it's been Pau so far ...

[Giuseppe]

I still don't trust Pau.

[jason54858]

He may have had the best month. So what, every dog has his day. Its not like hes is a top 5 player.

[21_Blessings]

Pau hasn't been much better than last year. Difference is more minutes, touches and Bynum being on the shelf.

His defense has also been shaky. Rose has been overall more impressive, imo.

[Darrin]

He is a joy to watch and putting up huge numbers. I'm not sure I would start my team with him, however.

[Giuseppe]

His defense has also been shaky.

21, with the goods, per usual.

[21_Blessings]

He is a joy to watch and putting up huge numbers. I'm not sure I would start my team with him, however.

Well if you wanted to win a single playoff game you obviously wouldn't build around the dude..

[Killakobe81]

Pau hasn't been much better than last year. Difference is more minutes, touches and Bynum being on the shelf.

His defense has also been shaky. Rose has been overall more impressive, imo.

It has, but that has been more on teh team minus Barnes and Artest ...rest of team not digging in like when they are in "playoff mode" ...conistently. When we do play "d" we are pretty tough to beat because our ofense is "hummin' comin' at cha ...so ya know I had to gat ya"

[21_Blessings]

It has, but that has been more on teh team minus Barnes and Artest ...rest of team not digging in like when they are in "playoff mode" ...conistently. When we do play "d" we are pretty tough to beat because our ofense is "hummin' comin' at cha ...so ya know I had to gat ya"

No Bynum hurts the D. Pau needs him on that end. Otherwise it's 2008 all over again.

[Ace]

With dominating performances from Kome like 8-27 and 11-32 I don't know how anyone thinks this...

[LkrFan]

:stirpot:

:lol

[LkrFan]

With dominating performances from Kome like 8-27 and 11-32 I don't know how anyone thinks this...
What's up with the Hype's 8-6 (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/mia/miami-heat) record Ace? Regardless, welcome back idiot. :toast

[Ace]

What's up with the Hype's 8-6 (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/mia/miami-heat) record Ace? Regardless, welcome back idiot. :toast
Like I said marathon not a race.

[Koolaid_Man]

I still don't trust Pau.


:lol what these faggots don't realize is that by propping Pau up they're digging their own graves...in their warped scrambled eggs between their ears mind they reason Pau is better than Kobe to try and tear Kobe down...but there's nothing Pau can do to challenge Kobe's legacy...Kobe rang 3 times before him. Now pretty soon Pau will creep to 5 rings and next thing you know he'll surpass and start to challenge Duncan's legacy...when you hear the media comparisons and uproar these same faggots singing his praises now will then start to say it was because Kobe carried him....these faggots are circular indeed....:lol

[pad300]

Pau hasn't been much better than last year. Difference is more minutes, touches and Bynum being on the shelf.

His defense has also been shaky. Rose has been overall more impressive, imo.

That ain't saying much. Statistically Pau was better than Kobe last year too. To be blunt, so far, he's really only got 2 other competitors this season - CP3 and DH12. He's doing more than DH12, and I can't see CP3 hold the pace - I think he's just having a heck of hot streak right now...

[Gutter92]

Koolaid, where were you when the Celtic fan was regulating your ass? You were posting, all high and mighty, then stopped when he started owning you

[21_Blessings]

Statistically Pau was better than Kobe last year too. ...

Thank you Kobe.

Kobe knows how to make his star teammates better..unlike that dude over in South Beach.

[IronMexican]

Good shit HH, distinguish between the Kobe fans and the Laker fans...always an important distinction to make tbh.

Kobe is more important than the Lakers. Once Kobe leaves, I'll probably become a Thunder fan.

[sefant77]

Stick this years Gasol back in his old Grizzlies team and you see it....not...

[Killakobe81]

If you judge by tonight's game .... No. Hell no!

[IronMexican]

With dominating performances from Kome like 8-27 and 11-32 I don't know how anyone thinks this...

When was the bet between you and cubby uplifted?

[mavsfan1000]

He is a great robin but you don't want him to have to be batman. See Memphis for results of that.

[Gutter92]

Kobe is more important than the Lakers. Once Kobe leaves, I'll probably become a Thunder fan.

No you won't...Lakers will somehow get Durant and Dwight to come to LA...

[mystargtr34]

People are still talking about Pau not winning a playoff series without Kobe? How many playoff series has Kobe won as the clear alpha dog? After Shaq and before Pau?

[j-money24]

Where was Pau before he came to LA.. Thats something Kobe doesn't get credit for, Kobe made PAU better.

[Giuseppe]

[QUOTE=mystargtr34;4768994]People are still talking about Pau not winning a playoff series without Kobe?[QUOTE]

It never happened in 7 years.

[21_Blessings]

People are still talking about Pau not winning a playoff series without Kobe? How many playoff series has Kobe won as the clear alpha dog? After Shaq and before Pau?

2001 WCF comes to mind

[sefant77]

How many playoff series Kobe won without Shaq or Gasol?

[cobbler]

Koolaid, where were you when the Celtic fan was regulating your ass? You were posting, all high and mighty, then stopped when he started owning you

Was that in 2008 when you were all calling Pau Gasoft?

[21_Blessings]

How many playoff series Kobe won without Shaq or Gasol?

1st round exit to the Warriors:lol

[mystargtr34]

2001 WCF comes to mind


"Part of the pride within me was that I won by being the sidekick"

[21_Blessings]

Yeah they gave Shaq the finals MVP, next series.

Wouldn't have happened if that Lakers/Spurs was the finals though :lol

[LkrFan]

Great thread HH. I'm glad that this is even a discussion. Pau emerging the way he is extends Kobe's prime. Kobe will always be effective because he can score on the block and he has range anywhere inside of half court. To have someone on the block that could do damage along with a good perimeter player is a championship combination. Worked for Shaq/Kobe and is working for Kobe/Pau.

Pau has also been money on his jumpers as well. This will come in handy when our 23 year old center returns in a few more weeks.

[HarlemHeat37]

Great thread HH. I'm glad that this is even a discussion. Pau emerging the way he is extends Kobe's prime. Kobe will always be effective because he can score on the block and he has range anywhere inside of half court. To have someone on the block that could do damage along with a good perimeter player is a championship combination. Worked for Shaq/Kobe and is working for Kobe/Pau.

Pau has also been money on his jumpers as well. This will come in handy when our 23 year old center returns in a few more weeks.

:lol No, you definitely aren't..

[LkrFan]

:lol No, you definitely aren't..
Why do you say that? I was a Laker fan well before Kobe became a Laker. Name on the front comes before the name on the back. If we have TWO players that can both be argued for as being our best player, how is that a problem?

[sefant77]

1st round exit to the Warriors:lol

Waiting the answer.

Oh wait i see, one year he not even made the playoffs as THE guy

[21_Blessings]

Waiting the answer.

Oh wait i see, one year he not even made the playoffs as THE guy

lol retard

[DJ Mbenga]

damn you harlem with the jynx! 3-20 12 points.

[21_Blessings]

damn you harlem with the jynx! 3-10 12 points.

Harlem quickly becoming the new Ghazi..

[The Refrigerator]

How many playoff series Kobe won without Shaq or Gasol?


How many has Tim Duncan won without Tony Parker or David Robinson?

[cobbler]

LOL @ the timing of this thread...

Pau 3-10 :lol

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol Wow, Laker fans are happy that Pau didn't have a dominant game tonight?..

BTW, some people are acting like I wrote this piece:lol..it's from Yahoo, blame them, I'm just 228ing the news..

[Giuseppe]

:lol Wow, Laker fans are happy that Pau didn't have a dominant game tonight?..

I'm affected. I'm sittin' in there wanting him to do caca, but, still be able to win.

GD you, Har!

[mystargtr34]

Lakerfan really enjoys shitting on Pau :lol

[cobbler]

:lol Wow, Laker fans are happy that Pau didn't have a dominant game tonight?..

BTW, some people are acting like I wrote this piece:lol..it's from Yahoo, blame them, I'm just 228ing the news..

Not seeing any posts with Laker fans saying they are happy. Just another lie from you which is no big surprise. I do however see a lot of posts pointing out yet another ignorant thread born of your obsession. :lol

Pau had a substandard game... no biggie. Still the best big in the game and a key to our impending 3peat!

[IronMexican]

HH oughta start a praise Kobe thread. He starts sticking his chest out after 6-0, boasting about Miami, and now this.

[Giuseppe]

Lakerfan really enjoys shitting on Pau :lol

It did kinda come in handy this evening. He crapped the bed, and we still won.

I'm thrilled with both results. tee, hee.

[21_Blessings]

Lakerfan really enjoys shitting on Pau :lol

So does Phil Jackson:lol

Pau is the whipping boy.

[Giuseppe]

So does Phil Jackson:lol

Pau is the whipping boy.

21 hits the nail upon the head once again....Gasol is Kukuc to Phil.

[j.dizzle]

So does Phil Jackson:lol

Pau is the whipping boy.
:lmao Good old phil always rips Pau for fun..Freakin making 12 mil a year to talk shit, luckiest guy.

[LkrFan]

:lol Wow, Laker fans are happy that Pau didn't have a dominant game tonight?..

BTW, some people are acting like I wrote this piece:lol..it's from Yahoo, blame them, I'm just 228ing the news..
Lakers had 3-20 point scorers tonight. Neither of them were Pau, who we know could go for 20 on any given night. Yet we won. If anything, that is why I'm happy that Pau didn't go off. I could see it now, Thibs said let's shut Pau down and see what happens. Next thing you know we have 3 different 20 point scorers. Shit's not fair, huh? :lol

[HarlemHeat37]

Lakers had 3-20 point scorers tonight. Neither of them were Pau, who we know could go for 20 on any given night. Yet we won. If anything, that is why I'm happy that Pau didn't go off. I could see it now, Thibs said let's shut Pau down and see what happens. Next thing you know we have 3 different 20 point scorers. Shit's not fair, huh? :lol

Not fair is winning 11 games in a row, tbh..

[LkrFan]

Not fair is winning 11 games in a row, tbh..
I am kind of impressed with what the Sp*rs are doing. But...until they beat the Lake Show...

[Ace]

:lol Wow, Laker fans are happy that Pau didn't have a dominant game tonight?
No not Laker fans, Kobe nut huggers.

[HarlemHeat37]

Luva, how did it feel watching Luol Deng play tonight?..remember when you wanted him on the Lakers instead of Kobe?..

[cobbler]

Luva, how did it feel watching Luol Deng play tonight?..remember when you wanted him on the Lakers instead of Kobe?..

Wasn't that around the same time you started gargling Brons balls?

[TheMACHINE]

Wasn't that around the same time you started gargling Brons balls?

he's on rose's dick now.

[TheManFromAcme]

So what does that tell you. I'm a die-hard Laker. You bitch on my team, you got to go. When Kobe went on his tirade, we boo'd his ass on opening day. There were no "Kobe please don't leave us songs," like in Cleveland. There were no renaming of counties like in Miami. We opened the door for his ass and was ready to slam it shut and bring in the next superstar. We don't fret over stars because they all want to Don the Purple and Gold.


:wow

This is gospel here folks. :tu

[z0sa]

:wow

This is gospel here folks. :tu

So a bunch of bullshit? :lmao

[sefant77]

0-12 as franchise player :lol

[dunkman]

With Kobe he's the best player of the Lakers, but not of the NBA.

[JamStone]

Based on this season so far, he's in the conversation. He's been that good.

Pau has become a great, great player in this league. Props to him for raising his level of play the last few years.

[mavsfan1000]

The Lakers have the best coach, deepest team, and etc. It's funny when things always come down to individuals but it is the entire team that makes the best players look better. Miami is the perfect example of talented players not having a good team/coach around them. Gasol was good in Memphis but this team made him a whole lot better. Kobe and Odom couldn't do it with Smush Parker and Mihm as starters.

[ChrisRichards]

He's Top 3 for sure.

Paul
Gasol
Lebron

[ohmwrecker]

Simple answer? No.

[Jose Canseco]

He's Top 3 for sure.

Paul
Gasol
Lebron

The Heat are 2-4 when LeBron leads the team in scoring. They're 5-1 when LeBron realizes he's a role player and takes 15 or fewer FGA and lets someone else, generally Wade, to be the star of the team. LeBron has proven to be a really good role player. He's been the best player in the league the past few seasons. Based on this season, I don't think he's anywhere close to being in the conversation of best players in the league.

He's shooting career lows in FG% (since rookie season) and 3PT %, while we expected his scoring to go down, his assists haven't gone up plus he's rebounding at a career low as well. LeBron is not one of the top 3 players in the league. Talent wise, he's going to be near the top for most of his career, but he's not based on his play this season.