KG

[EJPLAYA]

Not to hijack the thread but speaking of underappreciated performances, I think Perk's defense in the final minutes and Tony Allen's defense on JJ earlier in the period were critical in this win. Perk had a huge block on in the final minute, and Tony kept JJ from getting into any rhythm in the fourth when they had a real chance to start pulling away. 

So who is to blame for Gasol getting to the front of the rim multiple times at the very end virtually sealing the game? It was either Perk or KG. I actually thought they played great D all night until the very end. They made a very soft Gasol look like an aggressive rim attacking player. I think one of the two should have given a hard foul to Gasol and that would have ended his drives to the rim.

[cordobes]

Gasol was very good, props to him, he stole this game for the Lakers. And since when it's a surprise seeing Gasol attacking the rim? He has one of the best face-up games in the league, he's very fluid and quick, plus a great first step for a big man and goes to the foul line at a very high rate. Regarding this aspect of the game the "Gasol is soft" mantra is pretty much out of place.   

[drza44]

Yeah, I think that Gasol has become almost criminally underrated since he got to the Lakers.  Gasol led a Grizzlies team without another major star (just a series of solid role players) to around 50 wins and the playoffs in the stacked West for 3 straight seasons before his injury led that team to collapse in '07.  Kobe never led the Lakers to 50 wins after Shaq left, until Gasol got there.

This isn't to say that Gasol is better than Kobe, but it IS to say that Gasol is one of the better big men in the league.  At least on the level with players like Bosh or Boozer.  Yet many act like the Lakers are Kobe and a bunch of supporting talent...Gasol is a legit All Star big man, and frankly, those that spun the Lakers loss in the Finals as Kobe being by himself and facing the Celtics Big Three are allowing Kobe a cop-out he doesn't deserve, because Gasol is strong enough support to count as legit in any context.