How the fuck did Gasol get a reuptation as a playoff choker?

[GangstaBoogy]

Not so much on this forum but I've been hearing a lot of sports analysts and people on forums saying that we should be worried about how Gasol performs against Denver because he "chokes" in the playoffs. So I had to do a lil breakdown...


2004 vs. Spurs (2nd best team in the West)

Gasol: 18.5ppg, 5rpg, 2.5apg, 1spg, 1.5bpg on 57.1% shooting

Grizzlies core: Mike Miller, Bonzi Wells, Shane Battier, James Posey, Jason Williams

Although they were good enough to go 50-32, they were by no means anywhere near ready to face the Spurs. But 18 ppg on 57% doesn't look like a choke job to me.



2005 vs. Suns (best team in the West)

Gasol: 21.2ppg, 7.5rpg, 2.5apg, 0.5spg, 1.7bpg on 48.8% shooting

Grizzlies core: Mike Miller, Bonzi Wells, Shane Battier, James Posey, Jason Williams

Despite their 45-37 record, they had to face the team with the best record in the West. This was Nash's first MVP season, and he had Stoudemire, Marion, Joe Johnson, and Quintin Richardson with him. But again, them losing the series isn't a reflection of Gasol, he managed to improve in every statistical category other than blocks and fg%



2006 VS. Mavericks (2nd best team in the West)

Gasol: 20.2ppg, 6.7rpg, 3apg, 0.5spg, 1.2bpg on 43.3 % shooting

Grizzlies core: Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Chucky Atkins, Eddie Jones

They were only 1 game away from winning 50 games again (49-33). Unfortunately, they had to face the West Conference champs that year, and this time their core was a lot weaker. I will hold Gasol accountable for this: his rebounding and shooting was horrible.



Bottom line: you can't judge a superstar for being on weak teams. This year Gasol has the best player in the league and the greatest coach of all time behind him. Don't label him a choke artist till he's givin a fair chance.

[Citizen-Y]

Cause he has never seen a playoff victory at all.

[Hatesrats™]

New Team, Diff Situation..
won't matter this year bro.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Cause he has never seen a playoff victory at all.

Yea...as the first option. Lets see what happens when you take an elite franchise player and put him in a secondary role.


Memphis was always a decent team, at best. No way should they have even won 50 games with those rosters. Gasol is a true competitor.

[GangstaBoogy]

Cause he has never seen a playoff victory at all.

Like I said, he always had to face one of the Western Conference's juggernauts. You can't hold that against him. I don't hold it against Mike Miller, Bonzi, J-Will, or any of those other guys. Those were just decent teams who managed to overachieve themselves into a fuckin dead end.

[Citizen-Y]

Cause he has never seen a playoff victory at all.

Like I said, he always had to face one of the Western Conference's juggernauts. You can't hold that against him. I don't hold it against Mike Miller, Bonzi, J-Will, or any of those other guys. Those were just decent teams who managed to overachieve themselves into a fuckin dead end.

Atleast win a game.

[Don Jacob]

when you got bryant and odom taking off the scoring and rebounding pressure for you i'm sure he'll be doing fine in the playoffs.

[OG Hack Wilson]

atleast Tracy Mcgrady can win a game lol

[WestCoasta]

seems to be doin good right now

[GangstaBoogy]

1st playoff win: 36 Points, 16 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 3 Blocks 

[Antonio_]

First of all.. i don't see him getting enought respect for that but.. this dude has won an European Championship for Spain. That's a great competition, with a lot of great teams. And Pau played extremely well leading his Nation to the glory. That said, his record was 0-12, true. He never really had a chance, tho'. I mean Memphis was always been the worst team in them 3 series, so i can't blame him. Like NIK said, he's an excellent 2nd team option.

Anyway... 36 pts, 16 rebounds, 8 assist.. you can update the record to 1-12.

[westsiderider323]

36 pts? choker?? naw that sounds more like T-Mac

[Don Jacob]

well you can now officially erase that notion!

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Gasol shitted on them suckaz.

[Turf Hitta]

LOL @ the thread title