Pau Gasol (Part 2)

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12 Mar 2024

Pau Gasol (Part 2)

Pau Gasol made an immediate impact in his first season with the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the first foreign player to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He showcased his versatility by averaging 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while playing in all 82 games of the season.
Gasol continued to excel in his second year with the Grizzlies, leading the team in scoring with an average of 19.0 points per game and once again playing in every game of the season. However, his consecutive games streak came to an end during his third year when he missed the first game of his career due to a foot injury.

Throughout his early years in the NBA, Gasol achieved several milestones, including reaching 1,500 rebounds and 3,000 points in his career. He also demonstrated his defensive prowess by recording 500 blocks in his career, becoming the 10th fastest player to achieve this feat since the 1973–74 season.
Gasol's contributions helped the Grizzlies secure playoff appearances in consecutive seasons. However, despite his individual success and leadership, the team was unable to advance past the first round in both playoff appearances, facing elimination without winning a single game in each series against the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns, respectively.

In his fifth year with the Memphis Grizzlies, Pau Gasol continued to solidify his place in franchise history by becoming the team's all-time leading rebounder on March 24 against the New York Knicks. During this season, he also showcased his skill at the free-throw line, making 29 consecutive free throw attempts, tying the second-best mark in Grizzlies history.
Despite Gasol's individual achievements, the Grizzlies faced another first-round playoff exit, failing to win a single game against the Dallas Mavericks. However, Gasol's stellar performance throughout the season earned him a spot in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game as a reserve center for the Western Conference, making him the first Spanish basketball player and the first Grizzlies player to achieve this honor.

The following season, Gasol encountered a setback when he missed the first 23 games due to a broken foot suffered during the 2006 FIBA World Championship. Despite the injury, Gasol returned to action and made a significant impact on the court. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, which Spain won, showcasing his dominance in international competition.
Gasol's contributions to the Grizzlies continued as he achieved several franchise milestones, including becoming the all-time leader in free throw attempts, field goals made, and minutes played. He also surpassed Shareef Abdur-Rahim as the team's all-time leading scorer.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Gasol demonstrated his versatility by recording his second career triple-double against the Utah Jazz, further solidifying his reputation as one of the premier forwards in the NBA.

On February 1, 2008, Pau Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that involved several players and draft picks. Gasol made an immediate impact for the Lakers, contributing to their success on the court. In his debut game against the New Jersey Nets, Gasol scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a convincing victory.
However, Gasol's season was marred by a sprained ankle suffered in a game against the New Orleans Hornets, which caused him to miss several games. Despite this setback, Gasol returned to action and helped the Lakers secure the best record in the Western Conference, showcasing his importance to the team.

Gasol's performance in the playoffs further solidified his status as a key player for the Lakers. He played a pivotal role in helping the team advance to the NBA Finals, where they faced the Boston Celtics. Although the Lakers ultimately lost the series, Gasol's contributions were notable, particularly his rebounding and defensive presence.
In the following season, Gasol continued to excel on the court, earning his second All-Star appearance and playing a significant role in the Lakers' success. He played a crucial part in the team's championship run, helping them defeat the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals to capture his first NBA championship.

Gasol's contributions to the Lakers extended beyond his on-court performance, as he signed a contract extension with the team in 2009. He continued to be a key player for the Lakers, earning multiple All-Star selections and helping the team secure another NBA championship in 2010.
Despite facing criticism for his postseason performance in subsequent years, Gasol remained focused on his game and accepted the challenges that came his way. His resilience and dedication to the sport earned him recognition as one of the top players in the NBA during his tenure with the Lakers.