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In the past, it wasSounds like the Grizzlies are it wasn't always certain who was the leader, the engine of the Grizzlies. The three past coaches put forth a philosophy of trying to overwhelming the competition with their intense defense and 10-man rotation. Gasol was always their leading scorer, but never really looked at as someone that would lead them. Not until this year did Gasol really turn up his game, averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Gasol was rewarded with an all-star selection in the forward-heavy West (which included Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Rashard Lewis etc)... now Gasol is being relied on to jumpstart the Grizz in the playoffs. Will Pau ever be as important to the Grizzlies as he is to Spain's national team?
From the AP/San Francisco Chronicle: Link to article
From the AP/San Francisco Chronicle: Link to article
Grizzlies Need Gasol to Get Rolling Early
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
(04-25) 15:24 PDT DALLAS (AP) -- Pau Gasol came out shooting, hitting a 14-foot jumper on Memphis' first possession. He nailed a 15-footer soon after, then had a dunk, all of it coming before the Grizzlies went on an 11-2 scoring run.
Problem was, this was the third quarter, not the first. And Gasol had gone the entire first two quarters without a basket.
The rally Gasol finally started was only enough to get Memphis within a point of Dallas in Game 1 of their first-round series. The Mavericks eventually won it 103-93, leaving the Grizzlies in need of a better start from their best player in Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Gasol knows it, too.
"I've got to be a little more aggressive, bring it from the beginning," said Gasol, who still ended up leading Memphis with 24 points. "We can't afford to have a first half like we did the first game."
The Grizzlies had only six rebounds at halftime, while the Mavericks had 24. Half of them came on offense, giving Dallas a bunch of extra shots and leading to a whopping 60 points against a team that allowed a league-low 88.5 for the entire game in the regular season.
Gasol was 0-for-5 in the first half, his only points coming on three free throws. He was so out of whack that he didn't even take a shot in the second quarter.
His meager effort was magnified because Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki already had 19 of his 31 points at halftime, many coming while covered by Gasol.
"Obviously I'd like to get myself going earlier on, like Dirk did, making his jump shot, getting yourself in a rhythm, confidence and comfortable in the game," Gasol said. "I have to be aggressive, try to be a little more selfish shooting the ball from the get-go."
As poorly as Gasol and the Grizzlies played those first two quarters, they were down by only nine.
"So it's a consolation?" Memphis coach Mike Fratello said, smirking. "I should feel better?"
Fratello spent Monday and Tuesday getting back to basics, reminding players to do things like, "Turn, find the body, block out, get your arms out." He also went over the importance of pressuring passers and cleaning up the sloppiness that led to 19 turnovers — and 28 points off turnovers, many coming on uncontested plays.
As in any playoff series, both teams will make adjustments for Game 2.
Fratello could do something as simple as getting Gasol the ball behind more screens. He also could shake up his rotation, perhaps letting forward Hakim Warrick log some time against Nowitzki. Warrick did pretty well against Nowitzki in the only game the Grizzlies beat the Mavs this season, but he wasn't used in the opener.
Dallas coach Avery Johnson also is vowing changes against Gasol, despite the success of his Game 1 strategy.
"We just know that we can't give him the same look," said Johnson, who won the league's coach of the year award Tuesday. "He's just too crafty. We've just got to keep mixing up on him, just try meet him early and keep a body on him as much as possible.
"When you don't do those things, obviously from what he showed in the second half, he can get away from you."
The Mavericks also were far from perfect in the opener. Devin Harris failed to score in his return from a long injury absence and Josh Howard had an off night because of fouls, a back injury or both.
Still, Dallas has a chance to win their first two playoff games a year after opening the playoffs with two home losses.
"It's not even so much 2-0 for us, it's just trying to play this game like there's no tomorrow," Johnson said. "When we do that, we seem to play better, we seem to play more focused, and that's the only way you can play against Memphis."
Grizzlies fans would really be singing the blues if their team comes home for Game 3 down 0-2. Memphis already is 0-9 in its playoff history; another loss would leave the club halfway to a third straight sweep.
"Don't give up on us," guard Bobby Jackson said. "We just didn't rebound the ball well, which has been hurting us all year, and the turnovers. If we can stay between 12 and 13 turnovers, we'll be fine."
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
(04-25) 15:24 PDT DALLAS (AP) -- Pau Gasol came out shooting, hitting a 14-foot jumper on Memphis' first possession. He nailed a 15-footer soon after, then had a dunk, all of it coming before the Grizzlies went on an 11-2 scoring run.
Problem was, this was the third quarter, not the first. And Gasol had gone the entire first two quarters without a basket.
The rally Gasol finally started was only enough to get Memphis within a point of Dallas in Game 1 of their first-round series. The Mavericks eventually won it 103-93, leaving the Grizzlies in need of a better start from their best player in Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Gasol knows it, too.
"I've got to be a little more aggressive, bring it from the beginning," said Gasol, who still ended up leading Memphis with 24 points. "We can't afford to have a first half like we did the first game."
The Grizzlies had only six rebounds at halftime, while the Mavericks had 24. Half of them came on offense, giving Dallas a bunch of extra shots and leading to a whopping 60 points against a team that allowed a league-low 88.5 for the entire game in the regular season.
Gasol was 0-for-5 in the first half, his only points coming on three free throws. He was so out of whack that he didn't even take a shot in the second quarter.
His meager effort was magnified because Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki already had 19 of his 31 points at halftime, many coming while covered by Gasol.
"Obviously I'd like to get myself going earlier on, like Dirk did, making his jump shot, getting yourself in a rhythm, confidence and comfortable in the game," Gasol said. "I have to be aggressive, try to be a little more selfish shooting the ball from the get-go."
As poorly as Gasol and the Grizzlies played those first two quarters, they were down by only nine.
"So it's a consolation?" Memphis coach Mike Fratello said, smirking. "I should feel better?"
Fratello spent Monday and Tuesday getting back to basics, reminding players to do things like, "Turn, find the body, block out, get your arms out." He also went over the importance of pressuring passers and cleaning up the sloppiness that led to 19 turnovers — and 28 points off turnovers, many coming on uncontested plays.
As in any playoff series, both teams will make adjustments for Game 2.
Fratello could do something as simple as getting Gasol the ball behind more screens. He also could shake up his rotation, perhaps letting forward Hakim Warrick log some time against Nowitzki. Warrick did pretty well against Nowitzki in the only game the Grizzlies beat the Mavs this season, but he wasn't used in the opener.
Dallas coach Avery Johnson also is vowing changes against Gasol, despite the success of his Game 1 strategy.
"We just know that we can't give him the same look," said Johnson, who won the league's coach of the year award Tuesday. "He's just too crafty. We've just got to keep mixing up on him, just try meet him early and keep a body on him as much as possible.
"When you don't do those things, obviously from what he showed in the second half, he can get away from you."
The Mavericks also were far from perfect in the opener. Devin Harris failed to score in his return from a long injury absence and Josh Howard had an off night because of fouls, a back injury or both.
Still, Dallas has a chance to win their first two playoff games a year after opening the playoffs with two home losses.
"It's not even so much 2-0 for us, it's just trying to play this game like there's no tomorrow," Johnson said. "When we do that, we seem to play better, we seem to play more focused, and that's the only way you can play against Memphis."
Grizzlies fans would really be singing the blues if their team comes home for Game 3 down 0-2. Memphis already is 0-9 in its playoff history; another loss would leave the club halfway to a third straight sweep.
"Don't give up on us," guard Bobby Jackson said. "We just didn't rebound the ball well, which has been hurting us all year, and the turnovers. If we can stay between 12 and 13 turnovers, we'll be fine."
, and pesquera is just a normal-acceptable coach.
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