Following the Los Angeles Lakers' third straight loss, a 114-105 defeat to the Orlando Magic on Friday night, Kobe Bryant said that Gasol went off, per ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin:
How bad was his "tantrum?" According to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan, pretty bad:
Can you really blame Gasol? At 16-29 following Sunday's loss to the New York Knicks, the Lakers have the Western Conference's second-worst record. More than halfway through the season, they're also over eight games back of a playoff spot. As a 10-plus-year veteran, frustration with this kind of situation is inevitable.
It's important to note, though, Bryant's initial "tantrum" description is inaccurate.
Tantrums are something Bryant despises and has called Gasol out for in the past, as recent as last season.
"Put your big-boy pants on," Bryant said of Gasol's pouting last December, via McMenamin. "Just adjust. Just adjust. You can't whine about it. You can't complain about it."
This outburst is something Bryant supports, indicating it was more of a leader taking control than it was a petulant 7-footer waxing personal grievances:
Here's where Bryant loses me personally.
Seeing the usually passive Gasol take some ownership of this Bryant- and Steve Nash-less Lakers team is encouraging. Los Angeles needs leadership beyond Nick Young; its band of misfits needs guidance.
No active L.A. player is more decorated or better suited for the role than Gasol. If he sees something he doesn't like, that thick Spanish accent of his must take center stage.
But let's not pretend it's about winning championships in Hollywood. The Lakers aren't a championship team. Not even close. Even with a healthy Bryant, they're mediocre at best.
Effort and pride is all this team...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
