Pau Gasol: Lakers’ Super Acquisition

If you want to bring a quick smile to the face of Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, ask him if he recalls what happened February 8, 2008.



That turned out to be a red letter day for the fortunes of Los Angeles Lakers basketball with one special player finding a solid niche in the fabric of Phil Jackson’s team, forming a devastating one-two punch that has been playing havoc with the defenses of opponents and moving the L.A. team resolutely toward Jackson’s 11th NBA title.

Pau Gasol was acquired February 8, 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers also received the Grizzlies second round draft choice for 2010. Memphis received forward Kwame Brown, guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol and first round picks in 2008 and 2010.

Gasol’s seasonal statistics have held firm since he arrived in Los Angeles from Memphis, where he played his first six seasons before performing his last two in L.A.

Kupchak had plenty of reason to enthuse going in since the seven-footer from Barcelona, Spain has consistently averaged near 20 points. In the important rebound department he delivers a consistent average of around nine total rebounds per game.

At playoff time, Gasol, in the manner of great players, steps up his game. Gasol has taken charge on the floor alongside the superstar with whom Kupchak saw Gasol forming a natural tandem.

During World War Two the Black Knights of Army formed a formidable one-two football punch called “Mr. Outside and Mr. Inside” with each player winning a Heisman Trophy.

Glenn Davis was the fleet-footed outside runner who won the Heisman Trophy in 1946. His power-running teammate who secured a Heisman one year earlier was Doc Blanchard. Their brilliant successes resulted in Army going undefeated with a 27-0-1 mark from 1944 to 1946.

The “Mr. Outside and Mr. Inside&rd...

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