Fansided

Gregg Popovich acknowledges Spurs recruited Pau Gasol hard

By Mark Carman

Jan 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) is defended by Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) is defended by Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs to meet tonight and Pau Gasol could have been on the other side.

Two teams with identical records meet tonight at the United Center in Chicago. The Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, who share 27-16 records, have both have had up and down seasons to this point. The Bulls have lost six of their last eight, a rough stretch the Spurs mirrored back in December.

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Both teams’ fortunes were impacted this past summer when Pau Gasol, who has turned out to have been the best free agent on the market, chose Chicago over San Antonio and other suitors.

Greg Popovich and the Spurs went hard after Gasol, something Pop acknowledged at shoot-a-round this morning at Moody Bible Institute.

Where the Bulls would be without Gasol is a scenario Tom Thibodeau and the front office would rather not think about. When the Bulls recruited Gasol, they were unaware of how difficult it would be for Joakim Noah to recover from off-season knee surgery. Noah is out yet again tonight, making it the 11th game he’s missed so far this season with knee and ankle ailments.

Currently, Gasol is second on the team in points (18.7), first in rebounds (11.4), and first in blocks (2.1) while averaging just under 35 minutes a night.

Imagine that contribution on the defending-champion Spurs.

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