Pau Gasol has been the team’s leader on the floor with Kobe Bryant still recovering from his torn Achilles, and has struggled in that role. While he’s averaging a double-double on the season, he’s only averaging 12 points on 35 percent shooting on the season, and struggled mightily to contain Anthony Davis in the team’s loss to the Pelicans on Friday night.
Gasol hasn’t been happy with his declined play this season, and talked to Mark Medina of the LA Daily News about his season thus far.
“It bothers me. It frustrates me,” said Gasol, who has shot below 50 percent in the past four games. “I have to be sharper. I just got to play a little smarter. I might not have all the speed and all the explosiveness I used to have years ago. But I still have to use my experience and fundamentals to be effective every single night regardless of who we’re playing.”
A huge reason Gasol may be struggling is that he still might be playing himself into shape. He didn’t have his normal summer workout regimen as he spent the majority of it recovering from a knee operation. Gasol didn’t get into any basketball-related activities until about a month before the season started. Regardless, if the Lakers are to be successful, Gasol is going to have to improve.
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