Report: Gasol may be out until Christmas

[tlongII]

Ruh Roh!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4646071

The Los Angeles Lakers are cruising without their gimpy big man, and they might have to limp along longer than expected.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said that Pau Gasol, who is trying to rehabilitate a sore hamstring, might not return until Christmas, the Los Angeles Daily News reported on Wednesday.

"I find that hard to believe, that it's gone backwards. ... Right now, he's capable of doing only so much and nothing else," Jackson said, according to the newspaper. "But it is mysterious, no doubt about it."

The defending champion Lakers are 6-1, and Gasol is expected to miss his eighth straight game when Los Angeles hosts Phoenix on Thursday.

Asked if he knew when Gasol would practice or if he had a target date for his return, Jackson said: "No. We're starting to look toward Christmas, though. Some time out there."

The Spanish forward missed just one regular-season game last year and was the Lakers' second-leading scorer while averaging 18.9 points, a team-leading 9.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Jackson was asked why Gasol's injury is mysterious.

"Yeah, because with most hamstrings you see bleeding or bruises or holes in the hamstring," the coach said. "His has been one of those things wasn't a big concern to us, but has turned into a month-long injury."

[djohn2oo8]

Lakers can miss Gasol and still be lightyears ahead of the Odens

[Culburn369]

Grim business. But, this is the result of reckless behavior on the part of both Buss & Gasol. Gasol for playing outside the organization and Buss for not forbidding it.

[tlongII]

Lol Rockets

[KSeal]

If you watch the video PJ clearly is half joking. I'm sure he'll be out a few more weeks but I doubt till Christmas. Lakers are still the best team out West without Pau so it's all good, rest up.

[baseline bum]

International play ing blows.

[RedsLakers24]

More Points for Andrew Bynum to make the All Star Team

[Def Rowe]

International play ing blows.

Seriously, the guy played B-Ball for like 2 years straight. Not unlike Mr. Yao.

[j.dizzle]

the zenmaster is just saying that to motivate pau to work harder & get back asap

[djohn2oo8]

If the Blazers beat LA in the regular season, the city of Portland will declare the next day an official holiday

[Pistonfan1]

I forgot he was on the team. We'll rest him the first half of the season , then rest Kobe the second half and be ready to go come playoff time, with the best record in the league.

y much? You won't survive much longer with Gasoft. Forget about resting Kobe. You guys will be in worse shape without Bryant. Plus I don't want any excuses when the Pistons aka best team in the East sweeps the Lakers asses this year.

[Allanon]

All Star Bynum and mBenga will step up.

Hope Pau doesn't rush back, Christmas is fine to me and this will help Kobe win another MVP.

[Rummpd]

More Points for Andrew Bynum to make the All Star Team

By default as there are few good centers in the league.

[Rummpd]

By default as there are few good centers in the league.

Lakers playing a soft schedule so it will not hurt them but hold that thought on the best of the West as the Spurs playing well without both Parker and Duncan and with both back are just as strong as the LAL.

[j.dizzle]

Lakers playing a soft schedule so it will not hurt them but hold that thought on the best of the West as the Spurs playing well without both Parker and Duncan and with both back are just as strong as the LAL.

Only way the spurs will ever beat a team like the Lakers in a 7 game series is if they shoot 60% or better from three for 4 games.

[crc21209]

Oh Gasoft...

[in2deep]

Oh Gasoft...

sad thing is, bynum is softer thatn gasoft

[HarlemHeat37]

Lakers will just have to keep sneaking by teams like OKC, LAC, and Houston I guess..at least until the Big Ugly Racist returns..

Always good to have Kobe and Artest using more energy than they expected to..

[daslicer]

Lakers record without Gasol is pretty much fools gold. They have played against a bunch of scrub teams that won't make the playoffs. I think the two best teams they played so far is the Mavs, and the hawks who are a middle of the pack team in the east.

[Allanon]

What's amazing is Kobe won the championship relatively easy with a soft Pau and Bynum.

With Laker Ron added to the mix the Lakers are 6-1 without their 2nd and 3rd best players.

Kobe Bryant's on the road to another MVP and likely 5th ring despite having such a soft supporting cast.

[DJB]

Grim business. But, this is the result of reckless behavior on the part of both Buss & Gasol. Gasol for playing outside the organization and Buss for not forbidding it.

Now you know how it feels to deal with this .

[in2deep]

What's amazing is Kobe won the championship relatively easy with a soft Pau and Bynum.

don't forget injured Celtics, Spurs and Rockets

[j.dizzle]

^hahahaha i love excuses

[Allanon]

don't forget injured Celtics, Spurs and Rockets

Both Bynum and Ariza were out for the Lakers against the Celtics but I never make excuses for that. As much as it hurts, those green es won the 2008 championship fair and square.

No ref and injury excuses from me, you win or lose with what you got.

[HarlemHeat37]

LOL @ Bynum..

So apparently this isn't true..how funny is it that Mark Jackson even makes Laker announcements?..it's ridiculous how the NBA allows his Laker propaganda to be all over national broadcasts..