Add Ricky Rubio to the growing list of people who feel like the Los Angeles Lakers are not getting the most out of Pau Gasol this season. Since Mike D’Antoni took over in L.A. several weeks ago, there have been questions about whether or not Gasol is a fit in his offense. Rubio feels as though Gasol has given the team plenty and is not seeing any reciprocation.
“Pau Gasol has given the Lakers a lot and I don’t feel he’s getting enough in return, especially as far as confidence,” Rubio said earlier this according to HoopsHype. “But he’s a pro. If he goes to another team, I think he would make a contender out of that team. Wherever he goes, he’s going to be fighting for the title.”
After his first game back from injury on Tuesday, Gasol expressed disappointment in having to watch the final two minutes or so of his team’s win over the Charlotte Bobcats from the bench. There have been questions about the big man’s conditioning, as D’Antoni’s offense requires a lot more running than he may have been used to.
Therein lies the problem, according to critics like Magic Johnson. Magic recently said he feels that having Pau on the perimeter and not in the post is a waste for the Lakers, and many others have expressed a similar opinion. Regardless of what Steve Nash may have been promised, I wouldn’t be surprised if Gasol doesn’t make it through the entire season in L.A.
Chest bump to Hoops World
