Empty the Bench

We understand that he’s one of the most skilled big men in the NBA at the moment, and certainly one of the few legitimate guys on the current Grizzlies roster that the team can theoretically build around. We acknowledge that his post-up game is rock solid, and that he’s come damn close to averaging a double-double all five years he’s been in the league. He’s an above-average shotblocker, averages over 3 assists a game for his career (which isn’t too shabby for a seven-footer), and that he’s shot higher than 50% from the field every season but one. Pau Gasol is a talented NBA basketball player, and he’s still only 27 years old.

But Pau Gasol is not a talented NBA leader. He’s not captain material. And if I’m an NBA GM looking to improve my team not just in terms of on-court talent but in overall character, chemistry, and cohesiveness, I take a deep breath and pass on any opportunities to acquire Gasol, and look elsewhere.

I just don’t believe he’s a winner, and that he never will be.

This past season, Gasol was clearly and audibly frustrated with his team’s lack of tangible improvement and/or competitiveness, often voicing his anger directly through the media and hinting that he’d had enough, it was time for Memphis to trade him. Fine. But it didn’t happen, and now he’s still “stuck” with the Grizzlies. And, likewise, Memphis is still “stuck” with Gasol. It’s not a happy marriage, but in my opinion, the franchise is the one who should be crying foul, not Gasol. They should get rid of him while the gettin’ is good.

Look, Memphis finished the regular season with the worst record in the league. They’re fielding a lineup that’s dominated by rookies and second-year players. Talented players, but nonetheless very green players. Losing is par for the course in times like that, but the ultimate goal is that these guys will take their lumps, learn from them, and improve over time, hopefully sooner rather than later. Eventually, some veteran help will need to be mixed in to balance it out, but this is the *right* approach by the team’s decision makers. They’re trying to improve their franchise from the ground up.

Gasol refuses to think positively about it. It’s a shame the Spaniard still bitches and complains and moans about his franchise, when he should be taking this time to take a good, long look in the mirror and question whether or not he’s part of the problem, whether he indirectly played a leading role in the team’s malaise last season. To decide whether he’s going to take this opportunity to step forward and be a leader, or shrink back and point fingers.

Sadly, it still looks and sounds like Gasol is choosing the latter approach:

Pau Gasol awoke Wednesday morning on the other side of the world and rushed to a computer searching for how his Memphis Grizzlies fared in the NBA draft lottery. The Grizzlies’ center immediately wanted to go back to bed. “We just don’t have any luck,” Gasol said via telephone from Spain.”

“It was a tough hit for everybody,” Gasol said. “It’s hard to accept the reality. The franchise will still get a good player. But there was a chance to get a great player with the first or second pick.”

Gasol requested a trade in January but seemed to back off that stance when the season ended. While acknowledging that he could still be traded, Gasol said he wants to remain a Grizzly. “I do,” Gasol said. “But the draft (lottery) didn’t go our way, and now other things are going to have to happen to be a better team. I’m talking about the (next) coach and general manager. I don’t know how much this affects my situation. We’ll see. Let’s see how the franchise reacts.”

And let’s see how *you* react, Pau. Okay, so your team has the fourth pick in the draft, not the first or second. Deal with it. You are paid to be the leader on this team, the All-Star, the guy that all your teammates are supposed to follow. Don’t cry about the lottery to the media. Don’t insinuate that all hope could be lost now. Man up! You’re a grown man, and this sulking, “poor Pau” act has grown more than tired.

The best players in this league are supposed to make their team better. Does Pau Gasol do that? Does he elevate the play of his teammates? Does he ooze with confidence? Would his teammates follow him into battle with no reservations or qualms? Maybe, but I wouldn’t. Gasol has never–never–really accomplished anything in this league. He has never led his team to any playoff victories. That’s right–the Grizzlies have gone to the playoffs three times since his arrival, and three times they’ve been swept. That’s 0-12. That’s inexcusable.

It’s time for the Memphis Grizzlies to move on. They need to move Gasol for the good of their franchise, not to bend to Gasol’s trade demands. The compensation should still be substantial enough to make it worthwhile–would the Bulls part with Tyrus Thomas and their lottery pick? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s time to open up the bidding Bob Barker style and send Gasol to the bidder whose offer is closest to the actual market value of their “franchise” player.

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