Pau Gasol is one of the most skilled players ever in the NBA. Standing over 7 feet all, Gasol has a very soft touch around the rim, and can pass beautifully.
Gasol is the perfect compliment to his teammate Andrew Bynum, the Lakers starting center. Bynum is a thick and rugged player. A physical presence that is a shot breaking presence.
Gasol and Bynum’s play together is crucial to the Lakers success this postseason. No one in the entire league can matchup for 48 minutes with Gasol and Bynum.
The only team who can match them for a series is the Celtics. WIth Garnett, Perkins, and Wallace, they can throw many people at the Laker duo.
But Gasol has improved immensely after a lackluster 2008 NBA Finals loss to the Celtics, where he was labeled “soft.”
Gasol is no longer a soft player, and his aggressiveness is perfectly balanced with his efficient pace at the offensive end.
Gasol is a dual threat as a power forward with his very good jump shot, and his great post play where he can score well with either hand.
The Lakers must give Gasol plenty of shots to beat the Suns in the Western finals. The Suns have no one to guard him, and his play could lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals sooner rather than later.
