It comes at no surprise that Gasol spoke very highly of his teammate Steve Nash today, calling him the “most unselfish player in the NBA“. Talk about a great supporter. With all the chemistry talk lately, it is comforting to know that Gasol will always bring an upbeat vibe to his teammates. In the face of negative emotions, Gasol will surely be a beacon of truth and good spirits, keeping everyone’s heads focused.
More great news for Pau. The ESPN poll Lakers Nation has been talking about listed Gasol at number 15 in this year’s edition, with Tony Parker at 16 and Carmelo Anthony at 17. Gasol got a score of 8.24, but was ranked #11 last season, slipping 4 spots. In the 2011-12 season, Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Not yet to be ranked is Kobe and Dwight.
Planning on taking a road trip to Las Vegas this year? Well your odds on betting on the Lakers just got better. The Lakers entered the off-season with 12-1 odds of winning the championship, and once they acquired Steve Nash their odds rose to 6-1. However, now that the Lakers have Dwight Howard to go alongside Nash, they share 9-4 odds with the Miami Heat. This makes the L.A. Lakers co-favorites with the Miami Heat.
Despite the Las Vegas odds, Lakers legend James Worthy still believes the Heat are the team to beat next season. He favors Miami over Los Angeles, stating:
“I would have to say Miami still has a little edge simply because they won last year. It will be so much easier for them to win again because they know how to do it. With them adding Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, they have tremendous scorers and three-point shooters off the bench. Then they also have the greatest player in the game with LeBron James. I give them the edge because they’re defending champions.”
Lakers Nation News
Pau Gasol on Steve Nash: ‘The Most Unselfish Player in the NBA’
Lakers News: Chris Duhon Wants Role on Lakers Roster
ESPN Ranks Lakers Forward Pau Gasol at 15 in #NBARank
Video: Outside The Huddle – Mamba Gettin’ Maked Up?
Lakers and Miami Heat Considered NBA Co-Favorites in Las Vegas
NBA News: New York Knicks Considering Signing Rasheed Wallace
James Worthy Believes Heat Still Favorites Over Reloaded Lakers
Lakers News
The Other Guys Countdown: Rick Fox [Forum Blue and Gold]
Lakers, Heat Boast Best Odds To Win Title In Vegas [Silver Screen and Roll]
The Lakers Girls Gallery [Hoops Hype]
Lakers Guard Blake Out Three Weeks With Foot Injury [NBA.com]
Chris Duhon on travel dance: “It was just the heat of the moment” [LA Times]
Blake Griffin, Pau Gasol Make ESPN’s Top 15 [Silver Screen and Roll]
Is the bench good enough? [Land O’ Lakers]
Player Capsules 2012, #175-177: Chris Duhon, Kawhi Leonard, Joakim Noah [Gothic Ginobli]
Player Capsules 2012, #169-171: Michael Beasley, Ian Mahinmi, Steve Nash [Gothic Ginobli]
Player Capsules 2012, #142-144: Jared Dudley, Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson [Gothic Ginobli]
Snoop considers the Lakers the ‘team to beat’ in NBA [Lakersholics]
COMIC: The Formidable Opponent Forms (Bx3 #64) [Bounce x3]
Lakers Coach Ready for Good and Bad [OC Register]
Chris Duhon on Role With the Lakers: “I want to play” [LA Times]
Lakers the Team to Watch in L.A. [Silver Screen and Roll]
Snoop Dogg thanks David Stern for the Lakers getting Dwight Howard [The Basketball Jones]
In Las Vegas, The Lakers are Rated as Best Bets [LA Times]
NBA News
Josiah Turner Replaced By Brandon Wood In Hungary [SB Nation]
What I Learned at the Sports Analytics Innovation Summit [Golden State of Mind]
SBNation.com NBA 3-On-3 Tournament: Eight Teams Remain [SB Nation]
Let’s Fix NBA TV: We Are Getting Dramatic Here [I Go Hard Now]
Kawhi Leonard and Throwing the Haymaker [48 Minutes of Hell]
Bad Team Branding Update: The Magic and Bobcats Have Hot New Slogans [Ball Don’t Lie]
NBA Players Give ‘Peace’ Tournament a Chance [NBA.com]
Brooklyn Nets Offseason Review: How Much Will Joe Johnson Help? [SB Nation]
Return of NBA Normalcy Creates Must-Watch Camp Storylines [NBA]
The 1992 Lithuanian National Team Takes the Medal Stand in ‘The Other Dream Team’ (VIDEO) [Ball Don’t Lie]
Avery Bradley Injury Update: Celtics’ Guard ‘Nowhere Near Returning,’ Says Doc Rivers [SB Nation]
Blake Griffin #NBArank: Return of the Blakelash [Clipper Blog]
Penny Marshall is Working on a Dennis Rodman Documentary [Ball Don’t Lie]
The Mailbag of Ed: What Woman Would Make Ed Quit His Job? Plus, Is James Harden Replaceable? [SB Nation]