Gasol helped will his team into the finals once again, this time facing the Orlando Magic. He made quick work of more athletic but undersized Dwight Howard, winning in five games. And the Lakers would become NBA champions after a 7-year drought.
Now he’s at the waking opportunity of making another statement: defeating the rival Celtics.
Game seven. Where only one thing matters…win.
For the Lakers, its evening the score from 2008. For Bryant, its becoming possibly the greatest Laker of all-time.
But for Pau, its solidifying himself as the NBA’s best skilled big man.
If not Gasol, then who?
It can’t be Tim Duncan. Don’t get me wrong, Tim’s still elite. But in a system that demands so much of his prime day ability, he’d have to average at least 18 ppg and 10 rpg for the Spurs to even be a conference finals contender.
Not Kevin Garnett. KG’s was once the league’s best player. Averaging 24 ppg and 13 rpg in his 2003-04 MVP season. But he doesn’t have the lift to dominate the paint anymore.
The argument would go on and on. But it would comparing him to players in their prime, rather than now.
To think it all came from two major acquisitions. The return of Derek Fisher and a big Spaniard by the name of Pau Gasol.
This is Gasol’s time to be the best.
Tonight he has the chance to prove that once again, he has what it takes to be a champion.
And how sweet the victory will be.