Pau Gasol’s best 5 seasons
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Ladies and gentlemen, when you think of Pau Gasol, the immediate imagery that may spring up in your head is the versatile 7-footer with a game so silky smooth it makes Frank Sinatra’s voice seem like nails on a chalkboard. You see, over his illustrious NBA career, Gasol had more than a handful of memorable seasons, but if we were to nitpick, and believe me, nitpicking is my thing, which are the five standouts?
For the love of basketball, let’s go down this rabbit hole.
5. 2016-2017 (San Antonio Spurs)
We're starting off with a season that may surprise a few. It wasn’t Pau in his absolute prime, but boy, did he adapt to Popovich’s system like a fish to water. Remember when I compared Tim Duncan's ability to age gracefully to Paul Newman in "The Color of Money"? Well, Gasol at the Spurs was like Robert Redford in “The Old Man & the Gun” - a seasoned professional, thriving in a new environment.
In this season, Gasol played fewer minutes, but guess what? His efficiency went through the roof. Averaging 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 50.2% shooting in just 25.4 minutes? Those are the stats of a player who knows his role, sticks to it, and elevates it. And let’s not forget that juicy 53.8% from three! He wasn’t just shooting from the outside, he was knocking them down like Rocky in his prime.
4. 2008-2009 (Los Angeles Lakers)
Ah, the year of the Laker's redemption. After the Celtics - yes, my Celtics - humbled them in 2008, the Lakers returned with a vengeance. And who was right at the center of it? Pau 'Butter Soft Touch' Gasol. Averaging a double-double (18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds), he paired with Kobe like wine and cheese - different flavors, but oh, so complementary.
This was the season Gasol focused on doing everything – scoring, passing, and even defending the rim. With an assist rate of 15.6%, he was setting up his teammates like a world-class maestro, and his defense? Let’s just say opponents had as much luck getting past Gasol as a vegan at a steakhouse.
3. 2010-2011 (Los Angeles Lakers)
Though the Lakers fell short of the three-peat, this might've been Gasol’s best all-around performance. With 18.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, he was like Neo in “The Matrix,” seeing everything on the court before it happened. His USG% stood at a hefty 24.9%, hinting he wasn't shy to shoulder the offense.
Comparing his versatility to another movie analogy? Think of him as the Tom Hanks of that Lakers roster - regardless of the role, he nailed it. Need him to score? Check. Need him to be a playmaker? Check. Need him to battle it out in the post? Triple check.
2. 2006-2007 (Memphis Grizzlies)
Now, let's turn the clock back to his Grizzlies days. I know, I know, the Grizzlies didn't have the postseason successes that the Lakers did, but Pau's individual brilliance was akin to Scorsese in the 70s - pure gold. In this season, he averaged a monstrous 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. And yes, the Grizzlies weren't contending, but Gasol was like a rockstar in a local band, outshining everyone else by miles.
This was his high scoring, "I've got this" mode. With a usage rate of 28.2%, he wasn't just the main option; he was the only option. This was prime, 'I can do everything including cooking up a Spanish omelette during halftime' Gasol.
1. 2009-2010 (Los Angeles Lakers)
And now, the pièce de résistance! In the year that the Lakers clinched their second straight title, Gasol was in GOD mode. Averaging 18.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, he was the ultimate Swiss army knife. But it wasn’t just about the numbers, was it? He was clutch. Remember Game 7 against Boston? When the Lakers were struggling, who stepped up? Gasol was like Batman on a dark night in Gotham, bringing hope when everything seemed lost.
His 35.6% assist percentage that year tells a story, doesn't it? It's like saying Marlon Brando had a 'bit' of an impact in "The Godfather." Gasol was not just scoring; he was making everyone around him better. It was poetry in motion.
