Dissecting Pau Gasol's poor shooting mark in Game 2 against New Orleans
Detailing Pau Gasol's two-of-10 mark in the Lakers' 87-78 Game 2 win over New Orleans.
The statistics prove so daunting for Pau Gasol that he's trying to cling to the positive regarding his four-of-19 shooting clip (21%) through two playoff games against New Orleans. I don't think I can shoot any worse than im shooting now."
But when will it get better? After scoring posting only eight points on two-of-nine shooting and six rebounds in Game 1, Gasol somehow worsened that clip with nine points on two-of-10 shooting and five rebounds in Game 2. That's not how it was supposed to turn out, given the vows from Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Gasol himself that El Spaniard would play more aggressively. He certainly showed that in Game 2, but it came nowhere near his regular-season efforts against the Hornets where he averaged 22.3 points and 12.8 rebounds while shooting 70.5%. Gasol enters Game 3 at New Orleans with a vow that he both remains healthy and ready enough to show a better effort.
Said Gasol: "I have to keep myself being aggressive, figuring things out and watching tape to see where I can get better looks."
Below the jump is a look at that tape.
First quarter, 11:20-11:37
After Kobe Bryant threw an entry pass in to Ron Artest, Gasol immediately crashed the glass. Once Artest missed a layup in the lane, Gasol attempted a putback, but it hit off the rim. He couldn't maintain control of the ball, as Chris Paul swiped it out of his hands.
First quarter, 11:14 - 11:04
Following his inbounds pass to Bryant at the top of the key, Gasol cut baseline and established post position on the left block. Once Artest fed him a bounce pass, Gasol squared up in triple threat position and then attempted a 14-footer that hit off the backboard. Gasol had enough space to drive into the lane, but he opted for the jumper instead.
First quarter, 5:58-5:50
Derek Fisher threw an entry pass to Gasol, while Hornets forward Carl Landry defended him. Gasol spun and drove baseline, but Landry shut off his penetration. Gasol then picked up his dribble and settled for a 12-foot jumper that hit off the back rim.
Second quarter, 10:15-10:03
With Hornets forward Aaron Gray forcing Gasol to extend himself out on the wing, Lamar Odom fed him the pass and then cut baseline in hopes the Hornets could shift their rotations over and give more room for Gasol to operate. Gray gave Gasol the space to hit the mid-range jumper, but Gasol dribbled right into the lane. Gray adjusted and forced Gasol to pick up his dribble. He performed an up-and-under, but Gray blocked the shot.
Third quarter, 9:42 - 9:49
Gasol's tendency to settle for mid-range jumpers instead of attacking the basket remains befuddling. Once Fisher threw an entry pass to Gasol as he posted up on Landry, Gasol squared up and pivoted. Landry guarded him tight, so Gasol posted him up and settled for a 14-foot fadeaway. Said TNT analyst Reggie Miller: "You have a size advantage. Take the ball down low."
Third quarter, 3:53-3:47. Finally some aggressiveness. After Odom missed a free throw, Gasol tipped the rebound back to Bryant. Bryant then fed Gasol at the free-throw line. Immediately after catching the ball, Gasol noticed Gray out of position, so he drove into the lane for the left-handed layup.
Third quarter, 2:35-2:30. Gasol was about to set a screen for Bryant. But it wasn't necessary. Gray and Trevor Ariza double-teamed Bryant to deny him an open look driving, so Bryant fed Gasol a jump pass toward the right block. Instead of driving into the lane, Gasol pulled up for a 16-footer, which rimmed out.
Third quarter, :46-:40
Once Artest fed him inside, Gasol squared up, dribbled left and then picked up his dribble as soon as Hornets forward Jason Smith denied him space. Gasol twisted and turned into a forced 7-footer that clanked off the back rim.
What this means
Gasol constantly looked for his shot, but the minute New Orleans fronted him in the post, Gasol settled for a jumper. Gasol showed some willingness to do that with making all four of his free-throw attempts, but it proved not to be enough. Gasol is normally a consistent mid-range jumper, but there's no reason he should be backing down from Gray and Landry when Gasol has the size advantage.
--Mark Medina
E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Lakers power forward Pau Gasol tries to block a shot by Hornets center Aaron Gray during Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs on Wednesday night at Staples Center. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / April 20, 2011
If I'm right about the Lakers scoring more points than MM posts threads, we're in darned good shape tonight (regardless of the unholy trinity of refs)
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 22, 2011 at 04:34 PM
And just so you know, I LIKE having more to read - so TY
Posted by: Tim-4-Show | April 22, 2011 at 04:34 PM
So why can't Phil go to a big line up and exploit Chris Pauls height in the post? I just do not understand Phil sometimes. He could use that line up in streches.
Posted by: keen observer | April 22, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Keen Observer:
Paul is a crafty defender. Remember when he ended up guarding Odom on a switch? Odom immediately took him to the post, where Paul immediately flopped. Offensive foul.
Going big against Paul is a recipe for disaster, because none of our bigs can *really* chase him around. Kobe did a great job on him in Game 2. I'll think we'll see that happen again tonight. Limit Paul's assists, and it's a W for the Lakers.
Go Lake Show!
Posted by: The Outlaw | April 22, 2011 at 04:59 PM
Memo ...Gasol bombard mutible sharp elbows jabs pelting Carl Landry.
Posted by: Tomas | April 22, 2011 at 05:13 PM
Outlaw, but that should not stop us from doing it. Not all refs will fall for the flop. As ofor chasing him around. We really do not need to if we have 3 big guards (Kobe, Artest, Lamar). They can always switch since Paul is not a great 3 point shooter.
Posted by: keen observer | April 22, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Tim-4-show,
"If I'm right about the Lakers scoring more points than MM posts threads"
~~At the end of the game, it's still effective because the efforts were shifted on defense. The latter is more involved in every thread than traveling and composing threads, interviewing at the same time. lol!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 22, 2011 at 05:17 PM
@KEEN OBSERVER … I love your idea and have long proposed that the Lakers should play their Big 5 of Kobe, Ron, Lamar, Pau, and Drew. The game is about matchups. Who is CP3 going to guard? This is not the normal NBA team that doesn’t have guys who can post up people. Every one of the Lakers Big 4 has great back-to-the-basket moves. It’s not just the 3 bigs but also Kobe and Ron, who even have better post up skills against smaller players than Drew, Pau, or Lamar. Ron and Kobe could share time on Paul but who is he going to guard? It would be a great strategic move by Phil and would really send chills through the rest of the league. You don’t have to do it the whole game but just use it at key moments. I personally think it would be our best defensive AND offensive lineup. And a lot of fun.
…………………………………………..
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | April 22, 2011 at 05:33 PM
Edwin Gueco
05:17 - bahahahahaha
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 22, 2011 at 05:33 PM
It’s ironic that the Hornets’ defensive game plan for Pau Gasol is pretty much the same as the Lakers’ defensive game plan for Chris Paul – wear them out with physicality. And just as the Hornets players bang Pau every chance they get, watch tonight as Fish, Kobe, and Ron bump and grind Chris Paul even as he runs back down the floor after a made basket. In fact, one of the reason why the Lakers have owned the Hornets during the regular season is that Fish is the type of rugged physical defender that bothers him and can take him out of his game. Anyway, nobody would accuse CP3 of being soft but attacking defensively with physicality is not a strategy that is limited to soft players. It’s about taking the opposing player out of his comfort zone such as banging him physically with bigger players.
…
In line with the defensive strategy to physically punish Chris Paul, I think keen observer’s suggestion of playing the Big 5 would be a great way to force him to have to guard a bigger player in the post. It’s what every smaller point guard – the Chris Paul’s and Steve Nashes – dread most during a game. The best defense against smaller point guards is often to make them play defense. Putting a Big 5 lineup on the floor would give us the ability to force Paul to guard somebody in the post. Since Fish is not a great post up player, CP3 gets a pass. But with a Big 5 lineup, there would be nowhere for him to hide.
…………………………………………..
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | April 22, 2011 at 05:53 PM
That's mostly all I've done here. Someone[s] stated opinions about Luke that were biased and unfounded. I stated facts that proved their statements wrong or partially wrong. Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 22, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Fair enough... now lets play ball! but luke better not play tonight or we got big trouble in little china.
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It's really a thrill to watch how all this madness and how it will play out.
Posted by: Fannie | April 22, 2011 at 05:31 PM
do you have a brother named Freddie?
Posted by: yellofever | April 22, 2011 at 06:06 PM
let's go Lakers-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLFhZkl2s8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKEvV_bG9J4&playnext=1&list=PL110F6385EC8DF0E2
Pau:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbZeEt0CCdM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYiNeh0fKO4
enjoy the game, have a great night-
Posted by: ms | April 22, 2011 at 06:08 PM
@KEEN OBSERVER … I love your idea and have long proposed that the Lakers should play their Big 5 of Kobe, Ron, Lamar, Pau, and Drew.
Posted by: LakerTom | April 22, 2011 at 05:33 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9oX-kZ_9k
Posted by: yellofever | April 22, 2011 at 06:10 PM