Shaq Vs Pau

I've created this blog to be able air out my feelings and emotions about the Los Angeles Lakers. I've become weary of the vacant stares of my friends as I once again regale everything I could possibly think about THE basketball team. Yet, I cannot keep my mouth shut and I continue to spread the good word whether they appreciate it or not. So, here I am in the dark corners of the internet putting my views and opinions into the public domain.

Enough jabbering it's time to begin the onslaught of Laker discussion:

Shaq Vs. Pau

Which big man will be more appreciated by Laker fans.

For any successful team in the NBA a dependable and dominant big man is essential. From the likes of Wilt Chamberlain to Kareem Abdul Jabar their mere presence on the court is invaluable. As basketball developed so too did the role of the big man, not just able to rely on size alone, they had to posses the skills to remain competitive like Hakeem Olajuwon’s signature move the ‘dream shake’ to redefining the big man’s role all together with the arrival of Dirk Nowitzki. The Lakers have had their fair share of talented big men most notably in the recent decade that of Shaquille O’neal and Pau Gasol. As the future unfolds players will come and players will go but these two will definitely be remembered by all Lakers fans for their enormous contributions they gave to the illustrious purple and gold. The question is which of them will hold the more favourable view amongst the Laker diehards?

Shaquille O’neal can easily be included on any fifty greatest players of the NBA list, with just his sheer dominance on the court and overwhelming, backboard destroying, player reducing power. Shaq made any guard encroaching on the paint feel as if he had just walked into the giants cave and could swear they heard him mutter fe-fi-fo-fum before they were reduced to a heap on the floor. Other big men were up against a man mountain and would be grateful for any opportunity to nab a rebound that they could get. With his footwork and power Shaq dominated the position of center and helped bring the Lakers three consecutive NBA championships a feat that will leave him admired for years in Los Angeles.

The acquisition of Pau Gasol in 2008 by the Lakers still makes every coach in the Western Conference shudder from just the mention of the Spaniards name. He joined Kobe and Phil to help a team struggling to make playoff position all the way to the NBA finals. Though they lost he came back better the next year and the Lakers went the whole distance. Pau Gasol’s skills on offence are undeniable, the patience, skill, finesse easily make him one of the best seven footers in the league. Pau Gasol shifted the balance of power in the west firmly into the Lakers camp.

To start this debate we should get into the nitty gritty world of numbers and stats. Shaq while playing for the Lakers averaged 26.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3 assists in 8 seasons, have I mentioned how dominant a player he was for us? Pau Gasol after one complete season with the Lakers has averaged 17 points, 11.3 and 3.4 assists, fairly studly. Unfortunately Pau hasn’t played long enough for the Lakers to really go into more detail on the meaning of the numbers. Shaq’s scoring average is much higher and he has produced it consistently for 8 years, the stats are in Shaq’s favor.

We’re going to have to delve a little deeper than just numbers to fully appreciate this debate. Character and team influence play a huge role, especially when winning over the fans. Shaq brought three championships home however in his wake, split the Laker faithful between him and Kobe. He was also part of the team that lost to Detroit in 2004. This has tarred Shaq’s reputation in Los Angeles and seems to overshadow his achievements, with Shaq’s departure from the Lakers it seemed to usher in a ‘dark age’ for the Lakers with Kobe the lone white knight doing his utmost to claw his way to success. Fast forward years later enter Pau Gasol and things are bright and rosy once again, the Lakers were back in the finals against the hated Celtics, but embarrassment ensued and Pau was heavily criticized for his lack of strength and toughness, the flaw in his game. However he came back the next year more determined than ever and improved himself and the team. Shaq’s presence on the team while at first making it great then drove a wedge straight through the heart of the team, something that Laker fans may find difficult to forgive despite the infamous ‘three-peat’. Pau on the other hand has done nothing but make the Lakers more cohesive, united and driven since his arrival. He continues to be a huge attribute to the Lakers and is sorely missed when he doesn’t play, however Pau has only brought the Lakers one ring……so far.

It’s a little to early to tell in my opinion which big man will be admired most amongst Laker fans, Pau just hasn’t been in Los Angeles long enough but if the trend continues it will be Pau that Laker fans will have the fondest of memories for. The situation in which The Diesel left the purple and gold is a bitter pill to swallow and as long as Pau doesn’t follow suit he is destined to be one of the Lakers all time great big men surpassing Shaq.