Pau Gasol: "Dwight Howard getting away with physical play"

[Allanon]

That's the problem. The refs shouldn't have an impact on the game. Neither should postgame comments made two-to-three nights prior. But we all know they do, because we've seen PJ play this card time and time again, and it always works.

It's underhanded, cheap, and completely fitting of Lakers basketball. As a Spurs fan, I'm glad Popovich doesn't resort to these type of tampering tactics and lets the players decide the games, even if it does mean losing out on some calls here or there.

I agree to a certain extent that it shouldn't be a part of the game but it is what it is.

Some coaches do some stuff, others don't. I don't recall Popovich playing the refs or trying to get the advantage thru the media, you're right about that. But at the same time, Pop plays the Hack a Shaq and Phil won't do it (he had the perfect chance vs the Rockets' Chuck Hayes). I think most coaches have a pet move that is a bit on the underhanded side...and you either play along or get beat.

[DPG21920]

For sure Allanon, but that is what people do not like about the Lakers. Pop's actions are during the game while trying to win. Phil's actions are after the game. Pop's strategy comes with consequences, his players pick up fouls and Shaq gets an opportunity to earn points.

Phil's strategy has no repercussions, no fouls called, no extra points for the other team...You are right that it is that way for better or worse, but now you might understand why people find it hard to enjoy the team. Their fans follow suit with the bs mind games and logic and the "my team never does anything wrong" mentality.

[RedsLakers24]

I agree to a certain extent that it shouldn't be a part of the game but it is what it is.

Some coaches do some stuff, others don't. I don't recall Popovich playing the refs or trying to get the advantage thru the media, you're right about that. But at the same time, Pop plays the Hack a Shaq and Phil won't do it (he had the perfect chance vs the Rockets' Chuck Hayes). I think most coaches have a pet move that is a bit on the underhanded side...and you either play along or get beat.

and he also cried about the Gasol Deal

[stretch]

lol pau gasoft

[JamStone]

Pau is a pussy. And even if he weren't, there's no way that Dwight Howard is getting away with anything. He never does anything dirty. He's still a virgin too. His kid was an immaculate conception type of deal. I mean, he is Superman.

[TheMACHINE]

For sure Allanon, but that is what people do not like about the Lakers. Pop's actions are during the game while trying to win. Phil's actions are after the game. Pop's strategy comes with consequences, his players pick up fouls and Shaq gets an opportunity to earn points.

Phil's strategy has no repercussions, no fouls called, no extra points for the other team...You are right that it is that way for better or worse, but now you might understand why people find it hard to enjoy the team. Their fans follow suit with the bs mind games and logic and the "my team never does anything wrong" mentality.

hmm...rings or other people not enjoying the Lakers...hmmm..hard decision.

[Spur-Addict]

I smell pussy. Is that you Pau?

I smell pussy. Is that you Phil?

I smell pussy. Is that you Kobe?

I smell pussy. Is that you Lamar?

[Indazone]

wahhhhhhh Lakers being crybabies. It's nice to see the Big man being able to play for a change without being called for tick-tac fouls. Something the league has lost over the years at the Center position. Pau is a pussy.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Pau being a soft as usual.

And Phyllis crying, typical when he realizes he's got some problems in a series. Here comes the whistlefest in game 4...

[TheMACHINE]

expect 2 offensive fouls on Howard in game 4.

[j.dizzle]

Pau might not be the most physical player on the court but dude has a ridiculous offensive arsenal & IQ

[Kindergarten Cop]

did the former coach of shaquille o'neal just say he was concerned about how rough another player is playing?

+1000

[Cry Havoc]

Anyone else want to comment on the former coach of Shaq whining about rough play?

[Artest93]

Pau might not be the most physical player on the court but dude has a ridiculous offensive arsenal & IQ

You can't deny that, but come on Pau, you're 7 damn feet tall, start playin like it by bangin around in the paint

[ploto]

I saw Gasol shoving Howard after plays were over several times last night so Phil might want to be careful for what he asks.

[BUMP]

If I played Gasoft 1on1 I'd obvbiously lose but i'm push him around like a rag doll

[Ghazi]

Enough "PAu is soft" BS!
That guys been awesome this series and throughout the playoffs!

[urunobili]

expect 2 offensive fouls on Howard in game 4.

Gaysol is gr8 at getting in position to get that done

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Gasol? give me an f-ing break. That guy is way too soft to play in the NBA. He does this all the time. At the end of the game last night if you looked at his face he looked like they had just killed his puppy.

I really believe he thought they would just ran over the Magic. This is what we've got so far:

Game 1 - Lakers win, it was going to happen in game 1. Orlando wasn't prepared. High scoring game.

Game 2 - Lakers won barely won it and could have lost it a couple times. Low scoring game. D was key.

Game 3 - Lakers were outplayed most of the game. Kobe was human again and he was outplayed when he got tired which was going to happen eventually. He played the entire 2nd half and overtime of game 2.

So I don't see a clear supremacy of Lakers over the Magic right now. Gasol needs to get over himself and over the notion that somehow if they lose Kobe is gonna go medieval on his ass. Don't be scared. If you guys lose (most likely), it wouldn't be just because of your constant whining...

[dirk4mvp]

lol Gasol's 0-12 playoff record as a #1 option.

[ambchang]

I agree to a certain extent that it shouldn't be a part of the game but it is what it is.

Some coaches do some stuff, others don't. I don't recall Popovich playing the refs or trying to get the advantage thru the media, you're right about that. But at the same time, Pop plays the Hack a Shaq and Phil won't do it (he had the perfect chance vs the Rockets' Chuck Hayes). I think most coaches have a pet move that is a bit on the underhanded side...and you either play along or get beat.

Phil Jackson did the hack a shaq when he was a coach of the Bulls.
And I seem to recall him using hack-a-bowen not too far back.

[Dex]

I dig on Allanon's point that if it's going to be part of the game, you might as well use it to gain an advantage. Maybe there used to be a time when the refs didn't really affect the outcome of the game, but that's not the case anymore. It works, and it joins a long list of suspect tactics used to gain an advantage in this league. Spurs fans are probably just as guilty as justifying as anybody with some of the things Bruce gets away with.

Still, Hack-a-Shaq and In Your Shorts defense are both on-the-court tactics. Free throws are a fundamental of the game, and if a player is bad at them, he should expect that to be exploited. While I agree that this is probably the only 'dirty' tactic Popovich has employed, at least it still leaves the power in the player's hands.

To me, manipulating the refs belittles the integrity of the game. If I were a coach, it's not a strategy I would employ. But I'm not Phil Jackson, and I also don't have 9 rings, so...

[dbtbandit67]

well if Gasol admits he just has to play through it he shouldnt be complaining to begin with. Softy.

[dbtbandit67]

Phil Jackson did the hack a shaq when he was a coach of the Bulls.
And I seem to recall him using hack-a-bowen not too far back.

i think you're mistaking phil jackson with terry porter

[Ghazi]

Gasol? give me an f-ing break. That guy is way too soft to play in the NBA. He does this all the time. At the end of the game last night if you looked at his face he looked like they had just killed his puppy.

I really believe he thought they would just ran over the Magic. This is what we've got so far:

Game 1 - Lakers win, it was going to happen in game 1. Orlando wasn't prepared. High scoring game.

Game 2 - Lakers won barely won it and could have lost it a couple times. Low scoring game. D was key.

Game 3 - Lakers were outplayed most of the game. Kobe was human again and he was outplayed when he got tired which was going to happen eventually. He played the entire 2nd half and overtime of game 2.

So I don't see a clear supremacy of Lakers over the Magic right now. Gasol needs to get over himself and over the notion that somehow if they lose Kobe is gonna go medieval on his ass. Don't be scared. If you guys lose (most likely), it wouldn't be just because of your constant whining...

Pau ain't playin scared. He's been aggressive with his touches and his defense on Howard has been fairly good. He's outplayed HOward thus far.

Lakers haven't established "clear" supremacy but I feel they've established supremacy.