Los Angeles Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol is currently dealing with a shoulder injury, but he is doing whatever it takes to stay on the floor. Gasol hurt the shoulder during the Lakers’ season opener versus the Chicago Bulls and has been wearing a protective pad ever since.
Gasol told the OC Register’s Kevin Ding that he is not willing to let the injury impede his season. “You’ve just got to go through it and suck it up and just hope that one day it gets better somehow,” Gasol said.
Gasol has been often criticized for being soft and that his attitude does not resemble that of star player Kobe Bryant’s. Nevertheless, he is playing through excruciating pain but is not allowing the injury stop him from joining this teammates on the court. In fact, the pain is so severe that Gasol told reporters the shoulder gives him trouble sleeping.
Still, the seven-foot Spaniard finds way to help the Lakers win games.
The Lakers started the season off 0-2, but they are beginning to find their groove and their previous three game winning streak was evidence of that.
As for Gasol, he is averaging 17.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg and is shooting 55% from the field even with the bad shoulder.
“I’m fighting through it,” Gasol said. “I’m used to it now. You get used to it. It’s not getting worse. That’s a plus, that’s a positive. As long as it’s not getting worse, I’ll be happy with it, I guess.”
The Lakers just got Andrew Bynum back from suspension and cannot afford to lose their other big man. This team is adjusting to a new offense and needs a full roster in order to reach the top of the NBA.
