Chicago Bulls’ Pau Gasol in for a big season?
After missing out on New York Knicks’ star forward Carmelo Anthony, the Chicago Bulls immediately turned their attention elsewhere and signed veteran big man Pau Gasol to a three-year deal.
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Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders thinks Gasol could be in for a big year and could flourish playing with the second unit.
"I agree with you that he did not look great the last couple of years, and he really struggled defensively. However he has looked incredibly spry so far in the World Cup, including blocking shots yesterday and getting on the offensive glass. The issue for him with the Bulls will be whether he can hold up defensively out on the floor. His best position on both ends is the five now, and with Noah on the floor there may not be enough spacing for him to postup. He really should get a lot of time with the second unit alongside Nikola Mirotic to facilitate his postups."
Gasol’s ability to pass and his uncanny knack for finding the open man could help him co-exist with Noah, but Duncan is right that he could really flourish playing with Mirotić.
Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game last season while shooting 48.0% from the field, 28.6% from beyond the arc and 73.6% from the free throw line. In his 13-year NBA career, the third-overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft has put up 18.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.
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