In October, if you asked any NBA fan worth their salt who would be the Chicago Bulls All-Stars this season, they would most likely say Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. It’s not very likely they would say Pau Gasol and Jimmy Butler.
Sure, Rose had the best scoring average for an entire month of his career in the January that just passed, but Gasol has been unexpectedly superlative.
The Bulls acquired Pau Gasol and the Lakers acquired Carlos Boozer this summer. Huge upgrade for the Bulls, and a big step down for the Lake Show. Well, more so than we even thought actually. Truly, people underrated Pau Gasol heading into this season. Or at least that’s what his play has shown.
Grant Hill was on media conference call to preview the NBA All-Star Game and the shared the following insight.
Hill on Bulls All-Star Pau Gasol: “When we watch and see what he’s done this year, we are all kind of shocked. I think a lot of people are surprised. In reality, the talent has been there, but Pau Gasol wasn’t used properly the last few years in Los Angeles. He was an afterthought. Some may even say he was marginalized a little bit. We forgot his talent level. This year in Chicago with [point guard] Derrick Rose’s uncertainty and [center] Joakim Noah’s health issues, [Bulls All-Stars] Jimmy Butler and Gasol became the center of attention for Chicago’s offense. Pau Gasol has certainly delivered and reminded everyone of truly how talented he is.”
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