Kobe Goes For 40, Gasol Becoming 2nd Star
In about a month and a half, I will no longer have to call my favorite Spaniard a one-time former All-Star. That’s because Pau Gasol has done nothing but prove he is by far the Lakers’ 2nd best player all year. He became only the 15th European NBA player to score 10,000 points in the 113-100 Laker victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.
Gasol had 21 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block. The Utah Jazz had absolutely no answer for him. This is a team known to bruise up opposing big men. But Pau is becoming a player who is looking like he is absolutely finished with being pushed around. With the rest of his game sound, this commitment to toughness all but assures Gasol his 2nd trip to the All-Star game. It also gives the Lakers a definite 2nd option. When Gasol is leading your fast-break, putting the ball between his legs from back to front, and delivering a no-look scoop pass to Ariza for the jam, you know he’s arrived.
The Lakers showed flashes of greatness, going up by 20 in the 2nd quarter. But the Jazz cut it all the way down to 4 deep in the 4th quarter. Deron Williams went 4-18 from the field. Fisher definitely did the job on defense, limiting Deron’s open looks. Williams did penetrate with relative success, however, dishing out 12 assists.
Kobe Bryant scored 40 points on 56% (13-23) shooting. With the Jazz defense concentrated on containing Kobe (just ask Lamar Odom, who strolled in for a layup because both Jazz defenders refused to leave Bryant when he gave Odom a screen), this is a ridiculous feat. In fact, it’s Bryant-esque. And that is the best news the Lakers can hear. They are champions when this Kobe shows up.
It has slowly hit me this year: Trevor Ariza is a phenomenal defender. Phil Jackson has noticed, he played Ariza 32 minutes. Trevor rewarded the coach with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals. Two of these steals came late in the 4th to seal the deal for the Lakers. He is a man possessed on defense, and the perfect athlete to put alongside Kobe when you need a stop. It would be wise for the Lakers to resign him to a decently sized deal right now: He’s a free agent after this year. Believe me, a lot of teams will come knocking at the end of the season.
OMG, that Gasol fast break was awesome!