Mitch: “We would not have those banners if it wasn’t for Pau"

[Splits]

Pau Gasol's legacy with the Lakers lives on


On the road, against the New Jersey Nets -- that’s where it started. Mitch Kupchak can still recall the details, even now. That’s the type of impact the Los Angeles Lakers’ newest player made on that February night in 2008.

“It was dramatic,” recalled Kupchak, the Lakers general manager.

Pau Gasol (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/996/pau-gasol) joined the Lakers a few days earlier in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/mem/memphis-grizzlies). In his debut in purple and gold, the 7-foot Spaniard started and poured in 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes against the Nets. The Lakers won that game by 15 points, foreshadowing a river of success that soon followed.

It seems so long ago today, with Gasol having departed the Lakers after six and a half seasons to join theChicago Bulls (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bulls) over the summer. His new team will host his old one on Christmas Day, the first meeting between the two squads since Gasol left Los Angeles.

“It’s going to be hyped up,” said Lakers reserve guard Nick Young (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3243/nick-young), “because Kobe’s been talking about this since summertime, when I asked him about Pau.”

But as he reminisced about Gasol’s initial days with the Lakers, Kupchak gazed up at their past two championship banners gracing the wall of the team’s practice facility in El Segundo, California -- the ones from 2008-09 and 2009-10.

“We would not have those banners if it wasn’t for Pau,” Kupchak said.

Nor, he added, would the Lakers have appeared in the NBA Finals at the end of Gasol’s first season with the team, when they fell to theBoston Celtics (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/bos/boston-celtics) in six games.

"From Day 1, he was terrific for this organization," Kupchak said.

Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.

Beyond that, Kobe Bryant’s winning percentage in the three seasons after O’Neal left and before Gasol arrived was .520, but with Gasol by his side, that percentage rose to .689, including 13 playoff series wins.

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/40712/pau-gasols-legacy-with-the-lakers-lives-on

[100%duncan]

Even kupcake turning against the big faggot :lmao

[Chris]

Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.
Gasol helped turn around a franchise still searching for an identity after Shaquille O'Neal left in 2004 via trade to Miami. In the first three seasons after O’Neal’s departure, the Lakers missed the playoffs once and twice failed to reach the second round. After Gasol arrived, they reached three straight NBA Finals.

[Splits]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0719/la_g_bryant_b1_600x400.jpg

[Splits]

:lol Kirby wishing he could have a 52% winning percentage nowadays

[rogues]

:lol I'll help out my cucked out illegal nigga Splits with a semi-pity post, tbh..the OP tells the entire story..Pau was instrumental in Kirby's fourth and fifth..without Pau, Kirby stays at three..

[Uriel]

Mitch Kupchak's grammar is atrocious. He clearly has no knowledge of how to use the subjunctive mood.

[spurraider21]

^yeah but nobody gives a shit

[AlexJones]

rofl typical libtard talking grammar smack

[Thread]

Though he couldn't win a single playoff game till Kobe held his hand.

[Clipper Nation]

Mitch Kupchak's grammar is atrocious. He clearly has no knowledge of how to use the subjunctive mood.
Cry more, faggot.

[DMC]

While Kobe was the face of the franchise, the franchise has been in shambles. You needed a real nigga like Daddy or MVPau to run the show out there. Kobe is just a convenient chucker to appease the be@ners whilst the real players are being wooed. 81 is the worst thing that ever happened to LA, worse than the riots in fact, because it's led to a carte blanche chucking exhibition by Bean, the likes of which have never been seen.

When you think of MJ, you think of 6 titles, 5 league MVPs, clutch heartbreaking shots, Finals MVPs. When you think of Kobe you think of 81, Stephen A Smith... Faber.... The b2b conjures images of Pau.

[spursparker9]

Actually Andrew Bynum was crucial too in the 2010 finals against Celtics.

Pau alone will not beat KG

[-21-]

Where's that pic of Phil Jackson's book where Kobe admits he was Shaq's sidekick?

[ohmwrecker]

Though he couldn't win a single playoff game till Kobe held his hand.

How many playoff series did Kobe win without Daddy or the Spaniard?

[Thread]

Actually Andrew Bynum was crucial too in the 2010 finals against Celtics.

Pau alone will not beat KG

Yeah, he leaned on Perkins and it was over. Over over.

[Thread]

How many playoff series did Kobe win without Daddy or the Spaniard?

Shit, without Kobe Daddy would be lynched like Sterling.

[ohmwrecker]

Shit, without Kobe Daddy would be lynched like Sterling.

Without Daddy Kobe would be in New York catching Carmelo's farts.

[Thread]

Without Daddy Kobe would be in New York catching Carmelo's farts.

But, without Kobe Daddy would be lynched like Sterling.

[ohmwrecker]

But, without Kobe Daddy would be lynched like Sterling.

But, without Daddy Kobe would be selling cars with Isaiah Rider.

[Sheriff Hoyt]

But, without Daddy Kobe would be selling cars with Isaiah Rider.

Without Daddy to snitch on Kobe would be pillowbiting in jail.

[RD2191]

Kobe is/was a role player period. He never led any team to a title.

[DMC]

Who gets a playoff series first sans the other, Pau or Kobe? My vote is on Pau.

[Thread]

Kobe is/was a role player period. He never led any team to a title.

Sure. Without Kobe there'd be no Daddy as we know him. Without Kobe there'd be no 3 consecutive back-to-backs.

Without Kobe there'd be no Gasol in Los Angeles. Without Kobe there'd be no additional back-to-back.

Without Kobe there'd be no redeemed Artest. Without Kobe there'd be no Pierce the liar, pants all be afire.

Without Kobe there'd be no redeemed Phil.

Kobe

[Thread]

Without Daddy to snitch on Kobe would be pillowbiting in jail.

You've nary room. Your Rodman told on Robinson in the middle of the playoffs. ha, ha.

[Thread]

But, without Daddy Kobe would be selling cars with Isaiah Rider.

Rider, he got 1. Pissed off Media royally, Phil too, but, he couldn't do a thing about it.

That was a doozy.

[jeebus]

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20141224/chicagos-pau-gasol-to-square-off-against-lakers-with-mixed-emotions

“It’s hard for me to see the Lakers struggle,” Gasol said. “But I like to keep an eye on my team, I mean my former team, and people I care about deeply.”
That includes Bryant, who recently surpassed Michael Jordan (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20141214/lakers-kobe-bryant-surpasses-michael-jordan-on-nbas-all-time-scoring-list) for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The 36-year-old Bryant has also averaged 24.6 points, albeit on a career-low 37.2 percent shooting in his 19th NBA season after playing in only six games last season because of injuries to his left Achilles tendon and left knee.



:lol Kirby still playing 5th fiddle behind Team Leader Gasol, Swaggy, Gook, Boozer

[UZER]

Sure. Without Kobe there'd be no Daddy as we know him. Without Kobe there'd be no 3 consecutive back-to-backs.

Without Kobe there'd be no Gasol in Los Angeles. Without Kobe there'd be no additional back-to-back.

Without Kobe there'd be no redeemed Artest. Without Kobe there'd be no Pierce the liar, pants all be afire.

Without Kobe there'd be no redeemed Phil.

Kobe

Someone is defending their fandom.

[Thread]

Someone is defending their fandom.

I never defend my fandom.

It's my religion.

[Thread]

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20141224/chicagos-pau-gasol-to-square-off-against-lakers-with-mixed-emotions

“It’s hard for me to see the Lakers struggle,” Gasol said. “But I like to keep an eye on my team, I mean my former team, and people I care about deeply.”
That includes Bryant, who recently surpassed Michael Jordan (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20141214/lakers-kobe-bryant-surpasses-michael-jordan-on-nbas-all-time-scoring-list) for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The 36-year-old Bryant has also averaged 24.6 points, albeit on a career-low 37.2 percent shooting in his 19th NBA season after playing in only six games last season because of injuries to his left Achilles tendon and left knee.



:lol Kirby still playing 5th fiddle behind Team Leader Gasol, Swaggy, Gook, Boozer

Though Gasol can't win a single playoff game without Kobe holding his hand.

[jeebus]

Someone is defending their fandom.
he could have Malone's dick in his mouth, sucking it off with no shame, and he'd hand you a note saying "I never suck cock"

[Thread]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/image.php?u=24606&dateline=1419438674

[UZER]

I never defend my fandom.

It's my religion.

Horseshit and you know it

[Thread]

Horseshit and you know it

No.

I never defend my fandom.

It's my religion.

[rogues]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/image.php?u=24606&dateline=1419438674
^Tied the count while you were shoe shinin'..

[Thread]

^Tied the count while you were shoe shinin'..


http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/image.php?u=24606&dateline=1419438674

[rogues]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/image.php?u=24606&dateline=1419438674
I got you dancing now bub..

[Thread]

..lmcontrollinao!!!

[UZER]

No.

I never defend my fandom.

It's my religion.

Yes and you know it

[Clipper Nation]

You post:::

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/image.php?u=24606&dateline=1419438674
But I see:::
5

[Thread]

Yes and you know it

Danka.

[Thread]

You post:::

But I see:::
5

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/image.php?u=24606&dateline=1419438674

[Killakobe81]

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/40712/pau-gasols-legacy-with-the-lakers-lives-on

He is right. Pau was a key to to those titles mvpau or not ... But y'all look for hidden messages everywhere
thnx to Pay for his services
Merry Xmas y'all sniveling bitches

[Thread]

He is right. Pau was a key to to those titles mvpau or not ... But y'all look for hidden messages everywhere
thnx to Pay for his services
Merry Xmas y'all sniveling bitches

But, the tell was in '08 when Perkins and his cell mate took Gasol apart, made him say "uncle." The next two Finals were tailor made for us. Idiot Howard---Injured Perkins. This is where Jackson failed monumentally. He'd been warned in '08 and again in '10 and still permitted it (Gasol's cowardice) to defeat us in '11. That it was to our archest enemy The Cubes just makes it that much more egregious on Jackson's part.

[AlexJones]

But, the tell was in '08 when Perkins and his cell mate took Gasol apart, made him say "uncle." The next two Finals were tailor made for us. Idiot Howard---Injured Perkins. This is where Jackson failed monumentally. He'd been warned in '08 and again in '10 and still permitted it (Gasol's cowardice) to defeat us in '11. That it was to our archest enemy The Cubes just makes it that much more egregious on Jackson's part.

Hi old man. Merry Christmas. So what is your opinion on the Lakers having a net rating swing of +24 without Kobe on the floor?

http://i.imgur.com/LoazCLq.png

[Thread]

Hi old man. Merry Christmas. So what is your opinion on the Lakers having a net rating swing of +24 without Kobe on the floor?

http://i.imgur.com/LoazCLq.png

Yeah, yeah, yeah,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,

[AlexJones]

Yeah, yeah, yeah,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,

I thought you were happy for Kobe, lol

[Thread]

I thought you were happy for Kobe, lol

Only pussies & assholes do advanced statistics.