Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies in a 2008 trade that was more like charity, NBA success has been painted in purple and gold.
Another NBA championship. Two Finals appearances in as many seasons. A winning percentage well over 75 percent when the Spaniard is in the starting lineup.
And those are just the tangibles.
If not for that deal, would Kobe Bryant likely be a lifelong Laker? Would Phil Jackson have established himself as the greatest NBA coach by winning his 10th title? Would L.A. have begun its transformation from Lakerland to a Clippers town?
You could argue that Gasol is more valuable to the Lakers than Kobe. You could debate that, without the former, the latter would have never achieved both individual (an MVP) and team glory (another ring).
You could contend that the Black Mamba's impact on the NBA would be more like that of a garden snake.
But amid all the appreciation and admiration that Gasol has garnered during his short stint with the Lakers, he is far from being the Luigi to Kobe's Mario, jelly to Bryant's peanut butter, ink to his printer.
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Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Josh Hoffman
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