After being part of a Lakers team that went to three straight finals and won two championships, Pau Gasol is not taking a liking to the rebuilding stage. Following the Lakers second blowout loss in as many days, Gasol started to voice some frustration with how the team has been playing.
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According to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters, Gasol feels the team must be more selfless in the way they are playing:
Pau: “What can we do? we can try to be a little more selfless.” (on @twcsportsnet)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 15, 2014
With everybody not named Kobe Bryant or Steve Nash playing for a new contract, it is understandable that players are trying to do too much. The team seemed to have a great chemistry on the court at the beginning of the season, but with the Lakers struggling and officially eliminated from the playoffs now, the players are starting to look toward earning that next contract.
In addition, Gasol feels the Lakers need to stick to the basics in order to have a chance to win games in the final month of the season:
Pau simply breaks down what the Lakers need to do: “Not try to win it on your own, basics.” (on TWC)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 15, 2014
Gasol has always been one of the more selfless players when it comes to the court, so it is easy to see his frustrations. As the season has slowly slipped away, Gasol has become more and more frustrated with everything from the coaching to his teammates.
With only pride left to play for, it will be interesting to see how the team reacts to Gasol’s comments. Jordan Farmar has already called Gasol the key to the Lakers success, so hopefully the team can rally around him and play some more team-oriented basketball.
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