Last week I talked about possible off-season plans and expectations for Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. While Bryant and Bynum are expected to be in purple and gold for at least a few more years, these next two players’ futures in Los Angeles are not as concrete. The second part of this three-week series of off-season expectations highlights the possibilities for Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace. So, let’s get started.
Pau Gasol:
Since joining the Lakers in the middle of the 2007-2008 season, Pau Gasol has done great things for the team and the organization. Gasol’s presence and contributions helped the Lakers land in the NBA Finals during the first season he was in L.A., and played a major role in the back-to-back championship run in 2009 and 2010.
However, starting in the 2011 playoffs something started to change in Gasol’s performance. This continued this past season and in the 2012 post-season, causing most to believe that Gasol is on his way out of Los Angeles. Whether it is his age, Mike Brown’s position re-assignment or off-court pressures, a trade seems to be on the horizon for Gasol, despite recent comments from Jim Buss.
During his exit interview, Gasol attempted to give a possible explanation for his recent struggles:
I never had to search for offense or for looks in teams I’ve been on. They’ve always been, not given to me, but I always had them because of what I bring to table. So to have to go and search, I have struggled at points, at times with that. But obviously when you have certain players are also very good contributors on the offensive end, you have to make sure combine all those weapons, make them work at their best. And that takes a little bit of time, too …
I always like to be aggressive and proactive, but I was still trying to adjust to the fact it was different. I wasn’t getting the same things I was getting before. I’m not used to attacking from different positions on the court. Analyzing a little more made me think of it a little more. But I don’t like excuses at all. It’s just analyzing and seeing the fact and understanding why things happen a certain way.”
However, as Brian Kamenetzky of ESPNLA.com points out:
His shooting percentage was down, mostly because Gasol hoisted more shots from lower percentage areas on the floor (16 feet and beyond). It certainly wasn’t because he lost his touch on the block. Via Synergy, no Laker averaged more points per possession in the post than Gasol’s .968. More positives: Only Dwight Howard and Kevin Love had more double-doubles. Gasoltied for the team lead in offensive rating, and led in win shares. Via 82 Games, the Lakers were4.1 points better offensively with Gasol on the floor, and 4.5 points better defensively — the best margins among L.A.’s Big Three.
Bottom line, anyone believing Gasol wasn’t productive or somehow hurt the Lakers over the course of the season is simply mistaken.”
Something obviously changed in Gasol’s game that altered the Lakers this season. It comes down to synergy and the reality that Gasol’s time with the Lakers has run its course and has come to an end. The chemistry during offensive plays between him and Kobe Bryant just wasn’t as smooth as it used to be, especially in the pick and roll. Gasol’s aggression to get to the basket and to trust himself to make the shot faded away as well. This could have been cause by the hesitation and unfamiliarity of playing on the high-post and becoming a facilitator first.
There is no question that Gasol remains one of the top big men of the NBA. This is something he hopes to prove during the 2012 Olympics in London with the Spanish team. His skills, abilities, and basketball IQ is desired by other teams around the league. Change must happen to the Lakers’ roster this off-season, and Gasol will be number one on the trading block because of the value he offers teams. If and when the Lakers make a move on Gasol, they must ensure that they receive equal value back from that trade.
Next Page: Metta World Peace
Metta World Peace:
What is there left to say about Metta World Peace? After a disappointing 2010-2011 season, expectations for World Peace dropped. When new head coach Mike Brown assigned World Peace to a new role, coming off the bench to hopefully help fill the void that Lamar Odom’s December departure left, most thought that the new assignment made sense and might boost World Peace’s confidence and overall performance.
Well, the season started out much better for Metta and his new role as bench leader. However, this was short-lived and his contributions and presence seemed to fade on the court quite rapidly.
Adam Kamenetzky of ESPNLA.com wrote the following about the low-point of World Peace’s season:
MWP’s January and February splits likely constitute the worst numbers of his professional career, and on the heels of a 2011 campaign far below his standards. (I mean, 27.5 percent from the field in January? Not from Downtown. The field!) MWP has never been automatic at the line, but 61.7 percent on the regular season is just inexcusable.”
Now we know that Metta suffered from a constant back injury, which affected the nerves in his back during the majority of the regular season. After months of treatment with athletic trainer Gary Vitti, Metta’s physical health improved and the result of this was evident on the court. His leadership and performance drastically improved when Kobe was sidelined due to a shin injury in April. During that time, Metta averaged more than 16 points per game. Metta appeared as if he was back to the form that he was in when he joined the Lakers in 2009.
As Adam Kamenetzky forecasted Metta World Peace’s future in the off-season:
More than anything, dollars will dictate MWP’s future in purple and gold. The Lakers are in cost-cutting mode, and Metta’s contract isn’t one easily shed for relief. Thus, he could be an amnesty provision candidate, should the front office opt to use it. Basketball-wise, MWP proved his worth, even in slow burn fashion. Plus, with Ebanks unproven, Christian Eyenga’s credentials making Ebanks look like LeBron James, Barnes no lock to return and the Lakers low on ways to add quality pieces, MWP could even be viewed as a necessity.
However, when money matters, roundball doesn’t always break every tie. MWP is due $15 million over the next two seasons and that’s pricey for a near-33-year-old (next November) who’s been suspended in consecutive postseasons. If the Lakers can somehow find a reasonably priced and credible alternative, MWP might be on the outside looking in.”
Of course, Metta certainly has much to improve upon and doing so will be a challenge due to his age. Metta needs to improve his outside shot, which was an area of major struggle throughout the season. Metta’s health seemed to turn his game around in April and he became more confident driving the ball to the basket and setting up in the post. World Peace remains a solid defender and a great intimidator on defense, especially against high-profile opponents like LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
However, as Kamenetzky pointed out, Metta’s future with the Lakers will most likely come down to a numbers game. Not stat numbers, which Laker fans know Metta isn’t a fan of, but financial numbers that are in accordance with the new restrictions of the collective bargaining agreement. Metta isn’t letting this distract him during the off-season as he is filming a Liftetime movie with Jennie Garth. Classic Metta World Peace.