Pau Gasol: Quiet Dominance
Gasol’s per-game averages from the Western Conference Finals:
- 17.5 points
- 12.3 rebounds
- 63% FG
- 74% FT
- 2.5 assists
- 2.3 blocks
- 2.8 fouls
- And, most importantly - 42 minutes
Gasol can’t seem to shed his “soft” label, even as the Lakers return to their second straight NBA Finals. Some people believe he should be fighting more in the post, delivering hard fouls, and playing “no layups” playoff basketball. Of course, Nene Hilario did play that way - and played almost a full quarter less than Gasol in each game because of foul trouble.
Sometimes it’s better when your offensively-gifted seven-footer simply delivers pinpoint assists, instead of “playoff” fouls. Besides, if it comes down to it, Derek Fisher has shown he can be the enforcer.
