Pau 6MOTY?

I know, I know...relax but Pau is playing well off the bench. The spaniard is handling the demotion adequately despite reported dissatisfaction of D'Antoni's decision.

In his inaugural 4-games as a reserve he's averaging 14-points/8-rebounds and is shooting 54% (FG). I understand it's just four games but let's give Gasol some credit here. The man has been on everybody's hit list for years now and should be acknowledged when he doesn't live up to expectations. ["doesn't" used in reference to this season's woes]

He's getting just a tad over 26-minutes when subbing in for Clark. Certainly minutes he's not used to but minutes regardless in the D'Antoni system that's still as acquired as the taste for salt and vinegar chips - eventually you'll like it.

Lakers are 1-3 with the...

• 2× NBA champion (2009–2010)
• 4× NBA All-Star (2006, 2009–2011)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (2002)
• All-NBA Second Team (2011)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (2009–2010)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2002)
• J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2012)
• FIBA World Cup MVP (2006)
• FIBA EuroBasket MVP (2009)
• Spanish King's Cup MVP (2001)
• Spanish League Finals MVP (2001)
• All-Euroleague Second Team (2001)
• 2× FIBA Europe Player of the Year (2008–2009)
• 2× Mister Europa Player of the Year (2004, 2009)
• 3× Euroscar Player of the Year (2008–2010)
• 2× All-Europeans Player of the Year (2009–2010)

...cheering alongside Sacre or playing alongside Duhon. It all depends on how full/empty your glass is I guess.

The above-mentioned accollades are a subtle reminder of the kind of talent the Lakers' bench just picked up or sat down in this case.

If you're wondering about Gasol's shooting efficiency vs Pringles chosen successor Earl Clark, read this article:

System Failure: Pau Gasol Must Come Off The Bench

Don't count Gasol out quite yet - D'Antoni might have something going here.

References: Wikipedia