Blake vs. Gasol Argument...

[Mr.B!!!]

...can't remember exactly what it was or when it was, but I think that it is safe to say Blake had a better first year than Gasol at this point. Anybody disagree?

 

[NickZepp]

Blake's going to be an all time great. Gasol is one of the top post players in the league right now. Blake will be there in time.

 

[boksooner]

The argument was whether Blake's first year numbers would be better than Gasol's career averages.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Got these from NickZepp in another thread on Blake: 22.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists.
Got these from NBA.com as career for Gasol: 18.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists.

 

[gracefor24]

The argument was whether Blake's first year numbers would be better than Gasol's career averages.

It was more than that. It was also that Griffin would be better this year than Gasol and people argued they would take Griffin over Gasol TODAY.

 

[152219]

The argument was whether Blake's first year numbers would be better than Gasol's career averages.

And they were

Higher in points, rebounds, and assists/game

 

[152219]

It was more than that. It was also that Griffin would be better this year than Gasol and people argued they would take Griffin over Gasol TODAY.

Just looking at this season, Griffin's numbers were better, but Gasol is easily the better defender.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Just looking at this season, Griffin's numbers were better, but Gasol is easily the better defender.

I'd say you are right overall and I think that is why their efficiency rating is so close. Blake = 25.6, Gasol = 25.4.

 

[152219]

Griffin's points, rebounds, assists numbers are the best since Shaq. If you take defense into account, it is probably the best rookie season since Duncan's.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I can still remember on rivals.com main basketball board getting into it with oSu fans on how crappy they though Blake was going to be coming out of HS, that he was really only 6'7" etc., then I guess after his first year at OU someone had the gall to say he might be the #1 pick [okay, it was me] and they all freaked out again. Ahhh, memories...

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

not taking sides but blake, for most of the season, was the clippers only bullet in the chamber. gasol has plenty of support. what would his numbers have been if he was the only option?

 

[152219]

not taking sides but blake, for most of the season, was the clippers only bullet in the chamber. gasol has plenty of support. what would his numbers have been if he was the only option?

Look at his numbers in Memphis which show he never averaged a double-double there.

 

[JBaker]

not taking sides but blake, for most of the season, was the clippers only bullet in the chamber. gasol has plenty of support. what would his numbers have been if he was the only option?

Gasol's numbers are better BECAUSE his team has other options.

 

[skyvue]

Gasol's numbers benefit from the opponents' defensive focus on his surrounding cast (especially Kobe). Replace Blake on the Clippers with Gasol, and would Gasol equal Blake's numbers? I suspect not. I'm not sure he could handle being the other team's main focus and still come through with the same numbers.

 

[gracefor24]

Gasol's numbers benefit from the opponents' defensive focus on his surrounding cast (especially Kobe). Replace Blake on the Clippers with Gasol, and would Gasol equal Blake's numbers? I suspect not. I'm not sure he could handle being the other team's main focus and still come through with the same numbers.

You guys are all forgetting what Gasol did in Memphis when it was similar to what Blake has in LA. Gasol led the Grizzlies to the playoffs 3 times I think.

They are totally different players so the numbers game doesn't always work.

Griffin is a monster and will ultimately have a better career than Gasol and put up better numbers. He does, however, have weakness that he needs to work on which will determine his greatness.

 

[scrybe]

Argument? We don't need no stinking arguments!

 

[boksooner]

It was more than that. It was also that Griffin would be better this year than Gasol and people argued they would take Griffin over Gasol TODAY.

The original argument was as I described it. Others misunderstood and took into a different direction.

As for the discussion of Blake vs. Gasol TODAY, you won't find a single GM that would trade Blake for Gasol. And I am not just talking about potential. In many ways Blake is already a better player than Gasol. Gasol is the better defender, smarter player and has the better midrange game, but in almost every other respect, Blake is the better player.

 

[DenverSooner]

It was more than that. It was also that Griffin would be better this year than Gasol and people argued they would take Griffin over Gasol TODAY.

Wouldn't that depend on the situation. For example if you are a contender and one player away I might take Gasol due to experience. If I wanted to be a contender for years to come, I would take Griffin. If I wanted to sell tickets, I would take Griffin. I might even take Griffin if I were a contender and just needed one more player but that is a scenario where I could see taking Gasol.

 

[stoops4pres]

Wouldn't that depend on the situation.

Exactly.

I don't think if the Lakers were trying to win this postseason they would take Griffin over Gasol. There's more factors than just points and rebounds in this discussion.

I would bet that Griffin ends up being a better player down the road. Right now, however, I would take Gasol.

 

[gracefor24]

Exactly.

I don't think if the Lakers were trying to win this postseason they would take Griffin over Gasol. There's more factors than just points and rebounds in this discussion.

I would bet that Griffin ends up being a better player down the road. Right now, however, I would take Gasol.

Exactly.