Weird, right? Considering the two have routinely butted heads since D'Antoni took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers last season, Magic Mike is one of the last people we would expect to see defending a noticeably absent Gasol.
But that's just what D'Antoni did after a source told ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin that Gasol could've played in the team's most recent loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
From McMenamin:
It was Gasol's decision to sit out as his team extended its season-high losing streak to five with a 111-104 defeat to Philly. It's not like he has been bedridden or completely unable to exert himself physically. According to a team source, Gasol still showed up to Lakers shootaround to lift weights Sunday, and when he told longtime trainer Gary Vitti he wanted more time to get over the infection and was not going to play against the Sixers, Vitti said to not even bother showing up to the game.
D'Antoni took exception such comments, per Lakers.com's Mike Trudell:
He also dismissed the notion that Gasol was milking his illness, via the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina:
After missing the last two games with an upper respiratory infection, though, the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan writes that Gasol's return is considered imminent:
The Lakers even provided a picture of Gasol taking reps at practice:
But while Gasol figures to be ready for Los Angeles' next game against the Milwaukee Bucks, was it completely necessary for him to sit out against Philly?
Gasol apparently showed up to lift weights before the Lakers faced the Sixers, and his decision to sit thereafter is questionable at best, something Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding tackles head-on:
Is it possible Gasol could've played? Yes. Is it possible ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
