Written by: Emily Wilson
What was a valid question then seems laughable now. “Was the Gasol Trade a Good Deal for the Lakers?” asked an ESPN.com article on February 3, 2008, just days after the Lakers traded Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and two first-round draft picks to Memphis for the versatile, 7’1” Pau Gasol.
At the time, the Lakers were in desperate need of size. Bynum was hurt and Kwame Brown was a non-factor. On paper, the trade seemed like a certain boon to the Lakers on both offense and defense.
But it would have been difficult to predict just how important Gasol would turn out to be within the trajectory of the Lakers’ success. In just three years with the Lakers, Gasol can celebrate three straight finals appearances and two consecutive championships.
Here’s to hoping that such a streak continues; four straight trips to the finals and three consecutive championships sound rather lovely. And why stop there? Next year, make it five and four!
I realize that’s getting overly excited and it’s better to live in the present, but when talking about Pau, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the idea of unrelenting consistency.
That’s because in terms of statistics, Gasol is doing exactly what he’s been doing for this team since he arrived those three seasons ago. In fact, his numbers have remained almost eerily consistent.
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While with the Lakers during the ‘07-‘08 season, he averaged 18.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. In ‘08-’09, it was 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds; in ‘09-‘10: 18.3 and 11.3 respectively; so far this season: 18.8 points and 10.5 rebounds.
It’s not really any wonder how, with consistency like that in the center of a team’s formation, the Lakers have achieved so much success since Pau’s arrival.
This is all not to say that he’s the perfect player. Fans and critics often chide him for his lack of toughness around the basket against high-caliber teams, and sometimes, rightfully so. But regardless, it’s hard to dispute that without Gasol, the Lakers wouldn’t be in a position to contend for a three-peat this season.
This season’s trade deadline has come and gone, and while many other teams made significant changes to their rosters, the Lakers didn’t make a peep. Beyond the argument of financial restraints, the non-move seems to indicate that there is still confidence in this existing group to get the job done.
And if Pau’s continued consistency is any indication of such a thing, as is has been for three years now, success is coming to L.A. again at the end of this season.