Pau Gasol Traded To Lakers For Nothing

[amy020]

oh no

[Streakyshooter08]

The Lakers were already a good team before the trade. They give up nearly nothing an get a player who is capable of putting up 19/9 every single night. It does not matter if he is not clutch or had a bad record with his former team. He now has Kobe, Odom and Bynum next to him. Not to forget Fisher who is a good point guard. They still have Turiaf and Farmar comming off the bench and a good coach. I am not saying that they already won the le or that they are unbeatable. But they are certainly better than before and a tough team to beat. The Spurs will have to play their best if they want to beat them in the playoffs.

That said, I think Phoenix will have a hard time to beat the Lakers now. That HUGE frontline of Bynum, Gasol and Odom will give them trouble especially rebounding wise.

It will be interesting to see how it will work out on the court.

[hsxvvd]

"Kobe we have a delivery for you!"

[duncan228]

The local beat writer thinks they're contenders now and later.
Some of this was on line yesterday, the rest is new.

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/lak...ackson-memphis

Gasol's arrival makes Lakers contenders now and later
Trading for 2006 All-Star Pau Gasol without having to surrender any core pieces lifts the Lakers into realistic championship pursuit and pleases Kobe Bryant, who scored 46 points against Toronto in a 121-101 victory.

By KEVIN DING
The Orange County Register

TORONTO — Kobe Bryant need wait no longer for the Lakers' bold move for championship immediacy.

Power forward Pau Gasol, a 2006 All-Star, arrived in trade Friday from the Memphis Grizzlies with a second-round pick for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and two future first-round draft picks. It is a deal that catapults the Lakers into championship contention both now and later.

And it moved Bryant to offer his strongest affirmation about perhaps again staying a Laker for life.

"It shows a level of commitment that I questioned over the summer," said Bryant, whose 46 points led the short-handed Lakers to a 121-101 victory Friday over the Toronto Raptors. "I have to take my hat off to (Jerry) Buss and Mitch (Kupchak) for going forward with this. Now it's on us."

The 7-foot Gasol, 27, has averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds amid rampant trade speculation once Memphis concluded he could not anchor its rebuilding team. The Lakers expect by sometime in March — they insist Andrew Bynum's knee injury should not cost him the rest of this season — to plug Gasol into a skyscraping, skilled frontcourt with Bynum and Lamar Odom. That would give them three top-shelf interior players — all 6-foot-10 or taller — to go with Bryant.

"It's amazing to be on a team full of history as the Lakers," Gasol said on his Web site. "But not only because of their past, mainly because of the present: playing along with Kobe Bryant is a privilege, which is not easy for most of the players in this league. And there will be lots of opportunities to be in the playoffs and do great things in this league, as I always wished … winning and fighting."

If Gasol, tournament MVP when Spain won the 2006 FIBA World Championship, helps the Lakers make a renewed push in the Western Conference, Buss and Kupchak might have just helped Bryant secure his first NBA MVP trophy, too.

"Now it's just time to put the work in," Bryant said, "and work on the chemistry."

Said Toronto All-Star Chris Bosh of the refashioned Lakers: "They will be tough to match."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson welcomed Gasol by leaving a playful voice message with some spotty spoken Spanish. But Jackson already issued a few public caveats about the success of the deal hinging on Gasol firming up his fundamental defense.

The Lakers lose some defense but little else in the mistake- and injury-prone Brown, whose expiring $9.1 million contract provides salary-cap relief to Memphis. The 13-33 Grizzlies, who saw Jerry West retire after last season and replaced him with Chris Wallace, wanted out from under the remaining $63.1 million over four years of Gasol's contract (counting this season). Crittenton, the Lakers' 2007 No. 1 pick, has huge upside but no spot in Jackson's rotation — and the Lakers already have a point guard of the future in Jordan Farmar.

The Lakers also gave up cash and protected first-round picks in 2008 and '10 but get back Memphis' 2010 second-rounder. They included Aaron McKie, who re-signed to help the salaries match, and the draft rights to 2007 second-round pick Marc Gasol, Pau's younger brother.

Jackson said there was discussion about Pau Gasol for about a year — meaning former Lakers executive West was at least aware of such a scenario before leaving Memphis — with trade talks intensifying in recent weeks. And now the Lakers have three of the NBA's 27 highest-salaried players in Bryant ($19.5 million, ninth), Gasol ($13.7 million, 25th) and Odom ($13.3 million, 27th) — with Bynum set to ascend with a big-time salary in 2009-10 once he gets his hefty extension this summer.

In sharp contrast to the rejected-by-Minnesota offseason proposal of Bynum and Odom for Kevin Garnett, the Lakers didn't have to yield any core pieces. Even if Odom doesn't have the ideal quickness to defend opposing small forwards, the Lakers still have Luke Walton and Trevor Ariza or Bryant to pick up that burden. The depth is evident in Farmar and Sasha Vujacic remaining potent backup guards for Derek Fisher and Bryant, and Ronny Turiaf, Vladimir Radmanovic and Chris Mihm offering other options inside.

"We can do multiple things with this team," Jackson said.

Although the Lakers could have chased available New Jersey point guard Jason Kidd, he turns 35 next month and doesn't play as great of a need position. Jackson said after he agreed to his contract extension in December that the missing piece was an inside force. Gasol isn't necessarily the most physical big man, but he is a big man who can be physical — and fill in for Bynum now.

There is an outside chance that all three active players in the trade pass physicals in time for Gasol to play Sunday in Washington. Gasol has missed time lately with a sore back, but that shouldn't be a major problem.

The 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year, Gasol has a gentle, ambidextrous touch around the basket and a mid-range jumper ideal for the power-forward slot in the triangle offense. He is adept as a shot blocker, having averaged 1.8 blocks per game for his NBA career — which includes an 0-12 postseason record. Gasol is not considered a clutch player and will be willing to defer to Bryant.

"He's extremely talented," Bryant said.

The move goes a long way toward ending talk of Bryant wanting to be traded. Even though some of his issues with individuals in the organization remain, Bryant's desire to win more championships stands at the fore. Asked if the trade helps ensure Bryant won't opt out of his contract after next season, he said: "It doesn't hurt, absolutely not."

[duncan228]

Obviously, it's the BIG headline in my paper today, I just re-read it.
This stood out.

Jackson said there was discussion about Pau Gasol for about a year — meaning former Lakers executive West was at least aware of such a scenario before leaving Memphis — with trade talks intensifying in recent weeks.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

apparently the Nuggs are close to making a big trade as well. All i heard was that it was for someone who will make their future brighter without giving up anyone significant

Im hearing Artest for a package Linas Kleiza/Najera but im not too keen on Artest, especially for the future lol

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

apparently the Nuggs are close to making a big trade as well. All i heard was that it was for someone who will make their future brighter without giving up anyone significant

Im hearing Artest for a package Linas Kleiza/Najera but im not too keen on Artest, especially for the future lol

What about Cassell?

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

id love Cassell on the Nuggets but he certainly doesnt make the future bright, unless he has a potion from his home planet that can make himself and camby 21 again

[Hemotivo]

[rascal]

They were never willing to take back a contract with years left on it before.

With the next cap space scheme taking place 2 1/2 seasons from now, they can do that now.

Thats the dumb strategy that ties them up and the best they can do is get a weak c like Rasho.

If there is a good trade available for an impact all star cailber player even with years remaining on his contract they need to make it because it is a sure thing, instead of waiting for the uncertainty that free agency is.

[T Park]

Thats the dumb strategy that ties them up and the best they can do is get a weak c like Rasho.

as opposed to trading for Shaq at the time right?

[kobe_bryant]

Buss stepped up his game. watch out western conference

[Obstructed_View]

Buss stepped up his game. watch out western conference

Yeah, okay. The only thing the Lakers were missing was a soft power forward who doesn't make his team better and doesn't show up in big games.

[daslicer]

Yeah, okay. The only thing the Lakers were missing was a soft power forward who doesn't make his team better and doesn't show up in big games.

He's Hedo Turkoglu part 2 except he's slightly taller and plays the PF.

[Obstructed_View]

He's Hedo Turkoglu part 2 except he's slightly taller and plays the PF.

And he doesn't shoot threes and he's not clutch even in meaningless games.

[MajicMan]

And he doesn't shoot threes and he's not clutch even in meaningless games.

And he doesn't shave and looks like a girl but I'm still happy to have him on my team.

[The_Game]

Yeah, okay. The only thing the Lakers were missing was a soft power forward who doesn't make his team better and doesn't show up in big games.

soft or not he is a low post threat who can give L.A 19 and 9 with a few blocks. You are in denial if you think this doesn't make the lakers one of the favourites. looking at our supporting cast in the frontcourt apart from duncan is embarrassing.

[LA24]

And he doesn't shoot threes...

...and Duncan does ?

[LA24]

He's Hedo Turkoglu part 2 except he's slightly taller and plays the PF.

Okay, it's getting comedic now.

[daslicer]

Okay, it's getting comedic now.

You know its the truth Hedo puts up the same numbers Gasol puts up. He's averaged nearly 20 points and 7 rebounds a game. They pretty much have the same pedigree both are good regular season players and can win you a lot of games but are soft come playoff time.

[DazedAndConfused]

You know its the truth Hedo puts up the same numbers Gasol puts up. He's averaged nearly 20 points and 7 rebounds a game. They pretty much have the same pedigree both are good regular season players and can win you a lot of games but are soft come playoff time.

Seriously Spurs fans are in complete denial now. You know they are scared less when they start comparing Hedo to Pau.

[wildchild]

This the Spurs best lineup:

Parker
Manu
Bowen
Duncan
Oberto



how the does that match up with


Fisher
Kobe
Odom
Gasol
Bynum


Spurs only win the PG/PF spot, Spurs NEED to make a splash

discuss offensive or D? Odom Gasol Bynum Fisher play good D?. Are you kidding me?

Bruce is not the defender he was and even he has never stopped Kobe

How many Lakers-Spurs do you see? never stopped Kobe???

[The_Game]

discuss offensive or D? Odom Gasol Bynum Fisher play good D?. Are you kidding me?



How many Lakers-Spurs do you see? never stopped Kobe???

He's contained him a few times but never stopped Kobe. He is not a guy you can stop. he's the best player in the world for a reason.

[daslicer]

Seriously Spurs fans are in complete denial now. You know they are scared less when they start comparing Hedo to Pau.

The only one that is in denial is you and its been proven you are myopian in here when it comes to examining your team objectively. You are the same guy that claimed that a combinationn of Shaq,Kobe,Fox,Dfish,Horry was more talented then Parker,Bowen,Ginobilli,Jax,Duncan,Speedy,Drob.Any objective fan would have been able to say that the second group is more talented then the first considering the second had 4 all-star calibur players while the first group only has 2.

Really whats the difference other then one being taller then other they both have similar stats both are euros who are good at playing regular season games but choke come playoff time. And for those who defend Gasol by saying he played on POS team your right the Grizzlies were a POS however they should have been able to win atleast a few games in the first round without getting swept every time. That says a lot of about Pau that he didn't have enough heart to even show up for one game.

Also the dude is sh1tty rebounder when it counts I remember watching the mofo in '06 hoping he could atleast grab one game from mavs only to see him concede towards the end of game 4 letting Eric Dampier grab 4 offensive rebounds in a row leading to Dirk hitting the 3 to send the game in OT.

[rascal]

The only one that is in denial is you and its been proven you are myopian in here when it comes to examining your team objectively. You are the same guy that claimed that a combinationn of Shaq,Kobe,Fox,Dfish,Horry was more talented then Parker,Bowen,Ginobilli,Jax,Duncan,Speedy,Drob.Any objective fan would have been able to say that the second group is more talented then the first considering the second had 4 all-star calibur players while the first group only has 2.

Really whats the difference other then one being taller then other they both have similar stats both are euros who are good at playing regular season games but choke come playoff time. And for those who defend Gasol by saying he played on POS team your right the Grizzlies were a POS however they should have been able to win atleast a few games in the first round without getting swept every time. That says a lot of about Pau that he didn't have enough heart to even show up for one game.

Also the dude is sh1tty rebounder when it counts I remember watching the mofo in '06 hoping he could atleast grab one game from mavs only to see him concede towards the end of game 4 letting Eric Dampier grab 4 offensive rebounds in a row leading to Dirk hitting the 3 to send the game in OT.

Some Spur fans are really sickening and make it look bad for the rest of the spur fans who are fair minded.


Stop it now. Answer me this. Is Gasol better than Kwame Brown? If you say no your a bias homer fool, if you say yes then the Lakers got better and just accept it.