One of the biggest disappointments so far for the Lakers has been the play of Pau Gasol. Most people believed that if the Lakers were going play at a playoff level, especially during Kobe Bryant’s absence, it would have to be Gasol who stepped his game up.
Gasol is averaging just under 12 points and 11 rebounds through the first eight games of the season and has generally looked slow and tired this season. Additionally, he’s shooting only 36 percent from the field which is abysmal for a center.
Gasol had surgery done on both knees leading many to speculate that he hadn’t quite recovered from that, but Gasol, in speaking with the Kamentzky brothers, revealed the issue he has been having this season:
Unfortunately, I had to go through two weeks of this respiratory infection that has been killing me. But now I feel better. I finally feel like I’m over it. I was able to push myself better, and I felt better (Sunday). So I look forward to continuing to build on that and get closer to that hundred percent.
While Gasol has never been the most explosive athlete, this year has been especially bad. His lack of lift on his jumpers and hooks has led to numerous shots blocked by the likes of Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis. His struggle to get his conditioning in order has led to him averaging only 28 minutes per game.
With Steve Nash’s injury issues not going away, the Lakers really need Gasol to step up and lead this team on the court. If he is unable to get back in the groove, it could be an even longer season for the Lakers.
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Pau Gasol On The Loss, His Health, Steve Nash’s Injury
