hater
12-10-2010, 12:04 PM
and it's only December
:lmao :lmao :lmao
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/12/09/gasol-minutes/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
Pau Gasol is putting in 39 minutes a game, tops on the Lakers.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Dog-tired Pau waits for Bynum to help share a heavy load
Posted Dec 9 2010 2:27PM
LOS ANGELES -- Wednesday night, Pau Gasol put in 40 as Andrew Bynum went through a pre-game rehab regimen on the Staples Center court, Ron Artest played some power forward, Theo Ratliff watched the victory against the Clippers in street clothes and Derrick Caracter got hurt, too.
All anyone needs to know about the plight of the Lakers is that it matters that Caracter, a second-round pick on the roster of the reigning champions, got hurt, too.
But 40 minutes. Gasol did the heavy lifting again to help the Lakers edge what should have been an overmatched opponent, just as he had done a night earlier in 43 minutes against the Wizards, just as he had done so many nights before that. So it was settled.
Any attempt to dismiss Bynum's delayed knee surgery as a minor issue because titles are not won in winter is gone. It has been lost somewhere among the words of concern from the emotional leader of a point guard or the continuing unfocused play of a 16-6 team cushioned by a soft schedule. But it has been lost.
Bynum put off his operation in the summer because he wanted to vacation first. A lot of people, including coach Phil Jackson, said Bynum's decision to attend the World Cup over playing for the Lakers as soon as possible couldn't have any real impact on the three-peat chase. Now we know it's just not true.
:lol
Jackson has drawn a straight line from Bynum being hurt to Ratliff being pressed into more early duty to the surgery that is scheduled to sideline the 37-year-old Ratliff until mid-to-late December. Lamar Odom is averaging 35.5 minutes, mostly as Gasol's replacement at power forward, and has already said the workload caused a bruised foot. Gasol, taking Bynum's spot at center, has topped 40 minutes in 11 of the 22 games. He's averaging 39 minutes per as the season passes the quarter mark, on pace to put in more minutes than in any but one season in his career. Even if the number decreases, as its should when Bynum returns, it has become an issue that may follow Gasol and the Lakers into the playoffs.
Wednesday, the lack of depth among the big men grew more desperate when Caracter, who ordinarily would not be leaving the bench, exited with a sprained ankle. He is expected to be available when a six-game trip begins Friday in Chicago. But there is no such thing as a minor injury in the L.A. frontcourt these days. The players Jackson doesn't want to rely on have to be relied on.
After Gasol played at least 40 minutes for the fourth time in the last six games, point guard Derek Fisher was asked when concern begins to kick in that such a pace could have implications at the end of the season.
"Oh, no," Fisher said. "We've been concerned. There's not a 'When do you get concerned?' That was yesterday. Last week. Weeks ago. We can't ask him to carry that type of load night in and night out and expect him to be able to dominate the paint offensively and defensively, rebound, block shots, rotate, get up to help on the pick and roll. Bang and play one-on-one offensively and score baskets. That's a lot to ask of anyone.
"We're obviously counting the days for Andrew to get back, but we want him to be healthy when he's back. Pau will be OK. It's still early. We're still in the 20s in terms of games played and Andrew will be back soon and Theo will be back soon and I think we'll be able to balance out Pau's minute situation."
Bynum is targeting Tuesday at Washington for his season debut, although timetables on his return from a string of injuries in his young career are the stuff of campaign promises.
Until then, Gasol will slog along, more tired at this point of the season than usual.
"I have been, maybe a little," he said. "Just because. It's a consequence of the playing time. It's a reality. That's no secret."
Until then, Jackson will remain concerned about long-term implications for what was initially written off as a short-term nuisance. "It puts a lot of pressure on both Lamar and on Pau," the coach said.
Until then, Caracter's injuries matter and the Lakers are forced to spend time hoping.
"Hopefully," Gasol said, "I'll stay fresh and I'll be able to keep myself out of injuries and get to the end fresh enough to give my best."
It's not a "When do you get concerned?" The Lakers are there now.
:lmao :lmao :lmao
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/12/09/gasol-minutes/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
Pau Gasol is putting in 39 minutes a game, tops on the Lakers.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Dog-tired Pau waits for Bynum to help share a heavy load
Posted Dec 9 2010 2:27PM
LOS ANGELES -- Wednesday night, Pau Gasol put in 40 as Andrew Bynum went through a pre-game rehab regimen on the Staples Center court, Ron Artest played some power forward, Theo Ratliff watched the victory against the Clippers in street clothes and Derrick Caracter got hurt, too.
All anyone needs to know about the plight of the Lakers is that it matters that Caracter, a second-round pick on the roster of the reigning champions, got hurt, too.
But 40 minutes. Gasol did the heavy lifting again to help the Lakers edge what should have been an overmatched opponent, just as he had done a night earlier in 43 minutes against the Wizards, just as he had done so many nights before that. So it was settled.
Any attempt to dismiss Bynum's delayed knee surgery as a minor issue because titles are not won in winter is gone. It has been lost somewhere among the words of concern from the emotional leader of a point guard or the continuing unfocused play of a 16-6 team cushioned by a soft schedule. But it has been lost.
Bynum put off his operation in the summer because he wanted to vacation first. A lot of people, including coach Phil Jackson, said Bynum's decision to attend the World Cup over playing for the Lakers as soon as possible couldn't have any real impact on the three-peat chase. Now we know it's just not true.
:lol
Jackson has drawn a straight line from Bynum being hurt to Ratliff being pressed into more early duty to the surgery that is scheduled to sideline the 37-year-old Ratliff until mid-to-late December. Lamar Odom is averaging 35.5 minutes, mostly as Gasol's replacement at power forward, and has already said the workload caused a bruised foot. Gasol, taking Bynum's spot at center, has topped 40 minutes in 11 of the 22 games. He's averaging 39 minutes per as the season passes the quarter mark, on pace to put in more minutes than in any but one season in his career. Even if the number decreases, as its should when Bynum returns, it has become an issue that may follow Gasol and the Lakers into the playoffs.
Wednesday, the lack of depth among the big men grew more desperate when Caracter, who ordinarily would not be leaving the bench, exited with a sprained ankle. He is expected to be available when a six-game trip begins Friday in Chicago. But there is no such thing as a minor injury in the L.A. frontcourt these days. The players Jackson doesn't want to rely on have to be relied on.
After Gasol played at least 40 minutes for the fourth time in the last six games, point guard Derek Fisher was asked when concern begins to kick in that such a pace could have implications at the end of the season.
"Oh, no," Fisher said. "We've been concerned. There's not a 'When do you get concerned?' That was yesterday. Last week. Weeks ago. We can't ask him to carry that type of load night in and night out and expect him to be able to dominate the paint offensively and defensively, rebound, block shots, rotate, get up to help on the pick and roll. Bang and play one-on-one offensively and score baskets. That's a lot to ask of anyone.
"We're obviously counting the days for Andrew to get back, but we want him to be healthy when he's back. Pau will be OK. It's still early. We're still in the 20s in terms of games played and Andrew will be back soon and Theo will be back soon and I think we'll be able to balance out Pau's minute situation."
Bynum is targeting Tuesday at Washington for his season debut, although timetables on his return from a string of injuries in his young career are the stuff of campaign promises.
Until then, Gasol will slog along, more tired at this point of the season than usual.
"I have been, maybe a little," he said. "Just because. It's a consequence of the playing time. It's a reality. That's no secret."
Until then, Jackson will remain concerned about long-term implications for what was initially written off as a short-term nuisance. "It puts a lot of pressure on both Lamar and on Pau," the coach said.
Until then, Caracter's injuries matter and the Lakers are forced to spend time hoping.
"Hopefully," Gasol said, "I'll stay fresh and I'll be able to keep myself out of injuries and get to the end fresh enough to give my best."
It's not a "When do you get concerned?" The Lakers are there now.