After more than 60 mostly disappointing games in D'Antoni's oft-criticized offense, the veteran big man finally voiced his dissatisfaction, per The Los Angeles Times' Bill Plaschke:
The fact that I'm not getting the ball in the post affects directly my aggressiveness. When I'm not getting the ball where I want to, where I'm most effective, where I can bang guys and utilize my skill, that affects my aggressiveness and overall intensity.
Gasol has seen his numbers plummet since D'Antoni took over early last season. The 33-year-old attempted a career-low 11.8 field goals per game last season and wound up averaging a career-low 13.7 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the field, also a career-worst.
Now, a quarter of the way through the 2013-14 season, the Lakers are flirting with .500 and Gasol is playing even worse, shooting a dismal 41.7 percent from the floor and averaging 14.4 points per night.
Even D'Antoni has admitted that Gasol's frustration is warranted given his recent change in roles, per Plaschke:
Pau is a great guy, a great player, but the focus has gone away from him a little bit in the last few years. After a while it gets frustrating, you lose your confidence, you get a little nicked up here and there, you don't battle through it, it's tough.
And while Gasol must shoulder a portion of the blame as the player missing the open looks, it's become clear that D'Antoni's system is the No. 1 issue here. It's obvious that D'Antoni would rather let Gasol waste away than tweak his game plan in an effort to get the Spaniard going or play to the strengths of one of his biggest assets.
While the box score may say Gaso...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
