Pau Gasol and The Fountain Of Youth
Pau is doing it.
When I heard Sunday morning that 2-time NBA champ Pau Gasol scored a monstrous 46 points the previous night, I thought “ooh might be Killing The Breeze worthy material.” Instead, the seas parted and I took notice of Rae Sremmurd, which by then had drowned out the Pau hype.
Cookin’
Fast-Forward Monday night, and a birdie tells me he also managed to pull down 18 boards, hit 17 FG’s from the field (career high), and shoot a nearly perfect 12-13 from the charity stripe. What? Could that be? A 34-year old, who for the greater portion of the past two years was either on the sidelines or appeared nearly useless on the hardwood, having an absolute career night like the one he had on Saturday against a surprisingly decent Milwaukee Bucks? Oh yeah, def #KTB worthy.
Finding the whole situation inconceivable, immediately I took to my iPad (fine, iPad mini) where I visit my beloved NBA Gametime app. Needing to see this with my own eyes, I recognize instantly that simply put, the Spaniard HAD IT GOIN. Hitting the Bucks with an array of moves from spinning left-handed hook shots to fade away jumpers from 13 feet, the former Rookie of The Year essentially put his entire arsenal on display for the Bulls fans.
Despite putting up remarkable numbers, coach Tom Thibodeau felt Pau’s overall performance exceeded the stat sheet, “He wasn’t going to let us lose tonight,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Not only his offense, [but] his rebounding [and] his defense.”
With new teammates in Chicago, it’s appeared to be a match made in heaven for both parties, as Pau seems to have resurrected his now 14-year career. I still remain somewhat dumfounded though. What’s gotten into this guy? At 34 years of age, he almost drops a 50 piece (for a big man at that), then about a week prior chalk up another career high with 9 blocks against Denver? It has to leave you thinking this man has discovered the fountain of youth, or at least Mike’s secret stuff from SpaceJam, something’.
Pau Gasol
Leading all eastern conference center’s in all star voting (Thanks España) the 7-footer has indeed been having an exceptional year. With career averages of 18. 3 ppg and 9.3 rpg, its no wonder he’s a 4x NBA all-star. Gasol is a proven champion, who is improving his already illustrious career. Maybe coach Thibs said it best, “You’re talking about a guy who is as highly skilled a big guy as there is in the NBA,…He’s been that for a long time.”
