Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 8:00 am  |  198 responses

SLAMonline Top 50: Pau Gasol, no. 31

The definitive ranking of the best players in the NBA today…

by Marcel Mutoni

I like having Pau Gasol on my team. Really, what’s not to like?

Dude scores at an All-Star level, is one of the League’s better big men, a guy with a feathery soft touch, he can find the open man with ease, rebounds well, he’s been reasonably durable over the course of his career, and has something of a preternatural feel for the game.

(OK, so he doesn’t play a whole lot of defense – more on that in a bit – but overall, he’s a damn fine hoops player.)

So, why don’t I love him?

Well, the defense (or lack thereof) is certainly a part of it. In the NBA Finals this past June, as the series wore on, the Lakers’ paint – that sacred area of the floor that must be protected at all costs – was invaded with impunity by the Celtics time and again.

Boston pushed Gasol and the rest of the Laker bigs around, grabbing boards, scoring in bunches, and generally just had a grand ol’ time down in the trenches. It was demoralizing.

Still, there’s something else there; something other than just a lackadaisical approach to defense. Pau Gasol strikes me as the type of athlete who’s blessed with a ton of skill, but lacks that special DNA ingredient that separates the very good players from the immortals. An edge if you will.

Part of being a great NBA player, a rather large part actually, is the inner (and outer) belief that you are the baddest motherf*cker on the floor. Swag, confidence, cockiness, arrogance. It may not win you too many sportsmanship awards, but it’s absolutely necessary if you plan on separating yourself from the pack.

Gasol, I’m afraid, does not have nearly enough of this. Which, luckily for him, isn’t a very big problem in Los Angeles. After all, he plays with a guy who has an overabundance of those missing qualities.

Even better for Pau, lord willing – picture me on my knees here, desperately praying to the hoop gods – Andrew Bynum should be back with a vengeance next season. And Young Andrew has an edge alright.

(You remember the little incident with Shaq from a couple years back, right? Only someone with a supreme self-belief would’ve had the gusto to go back at O’Neal like that, in front of national television audience no less. Well, that, or a crazy person.)

In many ways, Pau Gasol landed in the perfect spot after he was rescued from the basketball hell-hole that is otherwise known as Memphis last year.

Yes, Pau’s very good, but he may not have the necessary makeup to serve as the type of sidekick Kobe needs to hoist a championship trophy again.

Health permitting (knock on wood!), Bynum will allow Gasol to continue being the multi-talented basketball player that he very much is, while supplying the Lakers with the bad-assness they desperately need down low. Not a bad deal, huh?

Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

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  • Squirt

    If Pau was still on Memphis, there’s no way he is 31. Laker hype.

  • i am the walrus

    pau is a beast(on the offence)

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Really? This low? I mean its reasonable, but if Andrew Bogut proceeds to make this list, than we’ve got a serious error.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    BETCATS, if you really want to make a wager with your Crapcats, you must be dumber than I think you are. Wait…

  • http://www.nba.com/celtics/ Moose

    @ Teddy: Bogut will not make this list.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    @ fluxland: Are you seriously trying to diss Kevin Garnett on an intellectual basis? If so, then quoting P. Diddy (a.k.a. Snitched on Shyne) really won’t help you out a whole lot.

  • http://moneybills2cents.blogspot.com/ Money Bill Williams

    Teddy, why in gods name would bogut make this list?

  • fluxland

    Teddy the Bear – huh? Sorry, what do you mean? I think all my comments are pretty explanatory in what I am trying to say, no? Also, Moose I saw on the other post you claiming to be 13. If this is so, don’t let my opinion cloud your judgement regarding KG, seeing how you were born when he got into the NBA. As I am sure you wouldn’t anyway. Your perspective will be much different then mine.

  • fluxland

    Teddy the Bear – to clear it up – KG pretends to be someone who he is not. He acts as a tough minded, intimidating, not to be messed with individual. His actions, however, when confronted with adversity or when that toughness is questioned speak the opposite of that (Anthony Peeler) and when he finds himself in pressure must deliver situations he FAILS. REPEATEDLY. Allenp said how he really tries to intimidate weak-minded cats and that to me is funny because he is as weak-minded, IMO, as they come. Remember the reports of him not having slept in weeks during the playoffs? Somehow, I really doubt that was out of excitement. And you may not remember this, but KG had this interview with John Thompson on TNT the year after the Wolves got bounced out of the WCF, where once he stopped the interview because he started crying (like a little schoolgirl) and then later on actually cried during it. He even claimed he didn’t sleep for 2 months!?! Also, and this is my favorite gem… during the interview itself he says “I don’t really like showing emotion man, cuz you know, it exposes you” Really? Could have fooled me you didn’t like to show it. And yes it exposes Kevin, yes it does. Oh, the irony. Does that sound like a tough or even tough-minded (as opposed to weak-minded) cat? There is a lot of other stuff in that interview, that from my POV, says a lot about him, but somehow people interpret it very differently then I do. Either way… the man FRONTS. He pretends to be someone who he is not.. and I have very little respect for that. The game is about a lot more then stats and numbers and those same numbers can be very deceiving.

  • http://twentythreenine.blogspot.com Russ Bengtson

    Kevin has said on multiple occasions and to multiple questioners (including yours truly) that the cussing and outbursts are directed at himself, not any particular opponent: “That’s why sometimes you see me—I get a really good one and, ‘That’s what I’m talking about boy, that’s what you should be doin’ the whole muf*ckin’ game’ A lot of people think I be cussin’—a lot of it do be cussin’” You said twice that he pretends to be someone he is not. Which means you know who he is. Please elucidate. Who is the real Kevin Garnett?

  • fluxland

    I never claimed to know who he is. I do have the ability and option of forming an opinion based on what I see, however. The fact the told you or anyone else those outburst are directed at himself only make me question his mental state further. And just because the said that to you, does not mean it’s true. (Consistency in lying makes people believers.) It wouldn’t be the wisest PR move, don’t you think. Also, in this same discussion on another post during the playoffs, more then a few commentators indicated that his outburst were directed at opposing players and even fans. This as a result of them being at the games and witnessing for themselves. The fact is, IMO as I stated earlier, that someone that acts as tough as he does and the proceeds to fold like a cheap tent in the middles of a storm when it counts the most – is not as though as he pretends to be, mentally of physically (when confronted so). I am not sure what makes you think that because I claim that he is not who he pretends to be that I would, in turn, know who he is. I may not know who he is, but I have a pretty good idea who he is not – and that’s who he portrays to be.

  • fluxland

    *the = he x2 and of= or

  • fluxland

    Looking into the crowd, while screaming profanities(as he did numerous times during the playoffs) also doesn’t indicate speaking to oneself. But you Russ, are entitled to your opinion as am I, remember? And don’t let me forget the Zaza incident where he back off when head butted, not say a word and then proceed to bark at 10 feet away from the guy.

  • http://www.ravingblacklunatic.blogspot.com Allenp

    Let me say something right quick because my comment has been taken to a place I don’t agree with. As a person who has played pickup basketball most of his life, there is not a single player in the league I would rather run with than Kevin Garnett. Allen Iverson is my favorite player, and I would rather run with Garnett. Garnett is not fake or lame. No, he’s not the tough guy he comes across as with all the cursing as glaring, but I don’t consider him soft either. He’s tough, mentally tough, in a lot of ways. This is a cat who basically went to live by himself and raised a relative while in high school! This is a cat who took in a kid off the streets to give him another shot in life. Kevin Garnett, from what I’ve seen, appears to be one of the most genuine human beings in the NBA and someone who loves his teammates and the game of basketball. To insinuate otherwise is just lame. Like I said, if I could fantasy draft any player to run with it would be Garnett just because I know that every time I succeeded he would be happy for me.

  • fluxland

    Allenp, please tell me where I implied that my opinion had anything to do regarding the guy off the court? I think it’s pretty obvious that I was referring to his conduct on the court. Or where I implied he doesn’t love basketball or his teammates? What the man does off the court is of little interest to me. Also, if in my comments I portrayed you in a negative light my apologies, I will, from now keep your “name” out of them.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    I’ve been a KG fan pretty much from the get go. Where you see posing, I see firing up his own squad. Let’s be real here, no stars are throwing punches unless they’re dumb (Melo) or insane (Artest) or both (Jax — still love him to death though… let’s just say that he doesn’t always make the right choice). The fines are hefty, the suspensions are long and it’s just not worth it. However, if it DOES give you an edge on weaker minded cats, why not use it?
    Oh and about the folding in crunch time… When people will understand that scoring is the worst aspect of KG’s game, they’ll stop wondering why he doesn’t deliver clutch baskets on the regular. Dude NEVER goes off for 40, let alone 50. Man-to-man d, help d, boards, blocks, steals, assists, setting picks, directing the O from the block or the high post, directing the D from the paint, setting picks, taking charges, being an emotional and vocal leader are all aspects of KG’s game that are more developed than dropping buckets.
    That’s why he thrives when he’s playing with pure scorers. However, that doesn’t mean that he’s not the leader of the team. Don’t let the scoring fool you. That championship doesn’t happen without PP giving the business to LA… but it damn sure don’t happen without KG doing absolutely everything else.
    The emphasis in the game of basketball is put on scoring but it doesn’t mean that it has to be the ultimate criteria. In soccer, the number of goals you score is quite marginal at times in determining the better player (see Zidane in his hey days).

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    I’m so enamored with the pick-setting skills of KG that I had to mention it twice.

  • scott

    The bottom line is KG will be in the top 10 without a doubt. Garnett may have had a small role in turning around Boston.

  • Anton

    Gasol’s weird. When he’s playing for team Spain he’s the undeniable team leader, looks confident on the court and leads in scoring.
    When he’s on the floor with the Lakers he looks like a big awkward banana fumbling around.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    What I meant was exactly what Russ said… sort of. And I thought that Bogut would make maybe top 50, him being a decent big man, a rare feat in today’s NBA.

  • scott

    Rudy Gay>>>>>>>>>>Andrew Bogut

  • scott

    Entering the conversation a little late buy my money is on either Boston or the LA Lakers do have the most wins this season.

  • fluxland

    Z.. I was talking about the antics only. Russ has already explained to us that the “firing up” is about KG and KG only, so it has nothing to do with his teammates. Apparently. If you are not going to throw punches don’t act and talk you will. Regarding his game – EVERYTHING? I do remember Posey hitting some key shots and this Rondo kid doing some things (steals, assists and whatnot) around the court as well, among others. People always talk about how Kobe doesn’t win anything without Diesel and I just think KG gets way too much credit for that chip – like you say it’s a team game. It’s not like KG did anything out the ordinary and carried that team to the FInals.

  • scott

    KG changed the whole culture in Boston. They went from 18 wins to 66 the following year. Garnett anchored the best defense the League has seen in years. I know there are alot of Brynat haters out there but to say KG did nothing to help Boston get to the finals is pure ignorance.

  • http://moneybills2cents.blogspot.com/ Money Bill Williams

    Kaman> Bogut

  • http://moneybills2cents.blogspot.com/ Money Bill Williams

    Bogut

  • http://moneybills2cents.blogspot.com/ Money Bill Williams

    > 50 players in NBA

  • http://moneybills2cents.blogspot.com/ Money Bill Williams

    and teddy, give the BET bashing a break, he doesn’t even write anything at you and you call him out, real mature bro

  • chintao

    P. Gasol + M. Gasol

  • chintao
  • chintao

    are not as good as Artest.

  • chintao

    There is some weird moderation thing happening here. I can’t get the “

  • chintao

    less than” symbol to show up. Why?

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com Hursty

    Because WordPress is gangsta.

  • fluxland

    Yes scott, because I said he did NOTHING! *rolls eyes*

  • scott

    It’s not like KG did anything out of the ordinary and carried the team to the finals. Give the man some credit. KG was the single the biggest reason why they won the Fianls.

  • fluxland

    Point was he did what he does. Nothing more. I never took credit away from him and I disagree about him being the biggest reason why they won the Finals. If that were true…who won the MVP?

  • http://www.ravingblacklunatic.blogspot.com Allenp

    So the MVP is always the person that was main reason why a Finals was won? Is that your Final answer?

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    I’ve never liked the Finals MVP going to the guy that was hot… It should be a playoffs MVP. I mean, Tony P was nice against CLE but none of that happens without Duncan being quadruple-teamed in the block. As Duncan goes, the Spurs go. As KG goes, the Celts go. PP is nice but, as scott said, KG changed the whole culture in Beantown. He’s just that dude. Now you don’t have to love him at all, but your bias is clouding your assessment of his value to that team.

  • fluxland

    Z… probably. Like I stated way up there..I am still bitter. But I still think his value is being overstated. It’s nice playing D and getting stops, but you still have to make them pay at the other end. Something he didn’t provide in the 4th as much as others, where I think buckets mean (not count) more. Others did that. So there is a balance there. Like you said one doesn’t happen without the other.

  • fluxland

    Allenp .. do you have a comprehension problem? That’s multiple times you are accusing me of saying things that I never said. I was making a point. One that you missed… (surprise surprise) AGAIN! I am not turning this into a MVP discussion. Something tells me we are not going to agree on that… just like any other topic that may come up, so why don’t we just stop wasting each others time? I don’t want to take things to a place you may not agree.

  • Jennifer J.

    I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Pau Gasol will always be the love of my life and my idol. He seems to be a dependable, eager, meticulous, dynamic hard worker athlete just like Kobe Bryant who’s my idol too. More power to them and the rest of the Lakers too who I think would kick it in the next NBA season.

  • Caleb

    I think whether or not someone has that “certain something (confidence, swagger, drive, passion, whatever) is not something any of us can really know. Yeah, sure… its apparent with guys like Bryant, Garnett, Jordan.. but unless its blatantly obvious I don’t think any of us really know what’s going on in the players minds. I think we ought to try and stick with the tangibles.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    The tangibles being him getting emasculated in the paint where them big boys don’t play. :) Tomahto-Tomayto… dude is soft. Still a very good player but a softie who shies away from contact.

  • Jennifer J.

    Give Pau a break. He’s got the potentials although he really has to be more aggressive to push it and shove it to these guys when he plays.

  • http://www.ravingblacklunatic.blogspot.com Allenp

    Flux said: “Point was he did what he does. Nothing more. I never took credit away from him and I disagree about him being the biggest reason why they won the Finals. If that were true…who won the MVP?”…..
    Flux what point were you making here? If you’re not insinuating that the player that won the Finals MVP was the biggest reason why the Celtics won the championship, then what are you insinuating? I actually don’t disagree with the idea that Pierce was more important than Garnett, but the logic that the player who wins the Finals MVP is automatically the most important reason why the team won the championship doesn’t fly for me. So, if that’s not what you were saying in that post, what were you saying?

  • http://www.ravingblacklunatic.blogspot.com Allenp

    And Flux, my reading comprehension is top notch.

  • CL SMOOTH

    The only guy softer than this guy on this list is Vince.

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