Kobe Bryant Thinks Pau Gasol is ‘Coasting’ in the Los Angeles Lakers’ Offense

Every season, almost without fail, Kobe Bryant publicly throws teammate Pau Gasol under the bus. Here’s the latest example, as Bryant told the media that Gasol is used to “coasting” in the Laker attack, something that needs to change immediately with new head coach Mike D’Antoni on board. Reports the LA Daily News: “Following the Lakers’ 113-97 loss Tuesday at Sacramento, the team sounded frank on what ailed Pau Gasol after posting only eight points on 3-of-10 shooting and one offensive rebound. ‘Pau is used to laboring up the floor and coasting a little bit,’ Kobe Bryant said. ‘In this offense, we have to put the motor on the first few steps we move up the court.’ That didn’t happen. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins beat Gasol on two consecutive drives in the second quarter. The Lakers forward looked frustrated after defensive breakdowns. And as coach Mike D’Antoni noted afterward, ‘Pau didn’t have his legs’ after logging 37 minutes. Gasol took ownership of his shooting woes, but downplayed how his conditioning could fare in D’Antoni’s fast-paced offense.”