The rejuvenation of Pau Gasol
Reports of Pau Gasol's demise were both greatly exaggerated and embarrassingly premature.
Two years ago, a 32-year-old Gasol struggled through an injury-plagued season for a disappointing Los Angeles Lakers team that failed to live up to lofty expectations. The four-time All-Star missed 33 games due to foot and knee injuries, as well as a concussion, and posted career lows in games played (49), scoring (13.7 PPG), field-goal percentage (46.6) and Player Efficiency Rating (16.7).
His once formidable defense faded with his health, and many wondered whether years of heavy minutes, deep playoff runs and international duties with Spain helped ensure that a steady decline in the seven-footer's play was under way.
Last season, however, Gasol bounced back. Sure, he missed another 22 games, and his defense left plenty to be desired, but with averages of 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds, Gasol's mini resurgence was one of the few reasons to watch a depressing Lakers team.
Unfortunately, Gasol's return to form in the second half of 2013-14 wasn't appreciated on that 55-loss Lakers squad, and it was fair to wonder whether the last great stretch of his career had been wasted playing out the string on a lottery team.
Chicago Rebirth
Thankfully for Gasol and fans who enjoy watching him operate, the Chicago Bulls came calling in free agency. And thankfully for the Bulls, Gasol is into orchestras and plays (sorry, Oklahoma City).
Gasol exploded out of the gates to start his debut season in the Windy City. The 34-year-old - in his 14th season - is averaging 19.9 points, a career-high 11.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 blocks to go with a 20.9 PER.
He hasn't averaged 20 points or two blocks in eight years.
The most enjoyable part is that Gasol is doing it for one of the NBA's best teams. The Bulls are 12-7 and sit atop the Central Division, impressive considering they've already dealt with an unfortunate rash of injuries and absences.
Gasol's play, other than when he was sidelined with a calf strain, has been a key component in Chicago not only surviving, but thriving amid the early injuries.
"It's always great to be a part of a team that has an opportunity to win every night," Gasol said in the Bulls locker room before a November win over the Toronto Raptors, when he poured in 27 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
"Last couple years have been rough, because I think we weren't in a position to do that on a consistent basis with our team due to injuries and many unfortunate situations."
For a vet much closer to the end of his career than the beginning - who has been successful at almost every level - going from playing mostly meaningless basketball to suiting up for a contender again has been rejuvenating.
"When things go right and it's functioning and the environment is good and the chemistry is good and you're winning, it makes your life easier," Gasol added.
"Unbelievable"
The gaudy numbers for a winning team are nice on their own, but it's Gasol's defensive renaissance that has been perhaps the biggest revelation in his surprising start to the season.
Gasol is facing nearly 11 opponent field-goal attempts at the rim per game, according to NBA.com, which means teams aren't afraid of trying their luck against him. But they're converting only 46.9 percent of those attempts, which is only slightly better than players convert with DeAndre Jordan protecting the hoop.
The folks at Nylon Calculus have come up with a fun metric that tracks points saved per 36 minutes at the rim. Gasol ranks in the top 10.
He may not be what he once was on the defensive end, and those numbers don't tell the whole story, but considering some believed an aging Gasol wasn't much of a defensive upgrade over the sieve-like Carlos Boozer, his effort on that end of the floor has to be seen as impressive.
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, one of the game's best defensive minds, also still sees value in Gasol's D.
"I think he's very good because of his length and his intelligence and his rebounding. He's a very good body position guy," Thibodeau said before that game in Toronto. "He knows the league well. I think he's added a lot to our team."
Thibodeau used one word to describe Gasol's impact on the Bulls: "Unbelievable."
Gasol credits the Bulls' devotion to defense under Thibodeau with helping his own play on that end. "I think it's contagious," he said.
"You pick up your slack. You try to contribute to the team. You feel confident that the guys have your back. You know that somebody is going to be there behind you to cover the guy that you left," he added.
"It's where you want to be," Gasol said of Chicago and the Bulls' collective effort, which must ring especially true after his last two frustrating seasons in L.A.
The East remains wide open, and the Bulls appear to be the conference's best team when healthy. If Gasol continues his resurgence, he may help Chicago, too, get to where it wants to be come June.