The Lakers have lost four out of the last five games played, close games and blow outs. One thing is consistent --- Pau Gasol isn't scoring as much or from the low post.
Gasol's points and rebounds stats are down from his career averages but his assists are up. That is a result of his positioning outside the painted area, shooting more jumpers than ever.
Mike Brown's offense features one set of plays that uses Gasol at the elbow as a distributor, keeping him open from mid-to long range and able to use his skills as a passer.
Is the Lakers new offense a hindrance to winning?
After the loss to the Pacers on Sunday night, a game lost after the Lakers couldn't hold a lead, Brown praised Gasol for his 10 assists, telling media that his contributions are important.
Gasol finally spoke his mind:
"I would like to get a little more inside, myself. I always like to have different looks, and be able to attack from different angles.I’m happy if I can average 10 assists a night. I’ll be really happy. But I can not only facilitate from the high post, I can do it also as I did during the first half at times attracting double teams and finding open guys, and making the offense a little more fluid and easy."
Oops. As Mike Brown pleaded for more time to accustom his players to the new offense, Gasol went further during a practice on Tuesday.
Lamenting the lack of use of the Twin Towers, one of the Lakers only true advantages over teams in the NBA, Pau Gasol decided to tell the emperor he had no clothes.
Gasol said that both Indiana and Orlando, the team's two previous opponents are using their interior games more than the Lakers, and gosh darn it, he thinks they are no more talented in the low post than he and Bynum.
A not so subtle swipe at what he sees as being misused and under used against teams that feature Roy Hibbert at center and Dwight Howard.
Gasol has been the ultimate team player and a consummate professional since he learned he was supposed to be traded to the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal that would have sent Chris Paul to L.A.
His frustration at being asked to facilitate from outside more than inside has finally bubbled up to the surface. What happens from here is anyone's guess.
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