who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

[dossier]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

ex carraba, I don't understand your argument. If you think Dirk is a better player, why would you take Pau if you're building a team from scratch? Because you live in southern California?

basically ex is saying that it depends.

I got a question ex, what if the batman was a center? then who would you want?

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

I'm not really saying it depends. I'm saying Dirk's style of play doesn't appeal to me more than Pau's does.

As far as your question goes, well name that center. Dwight Howard? I don't really think that would make a difference. Having Pau + elite center would be hog heaven on the boards, I'd still prefer that over Dirk hovering on the perimeter.

Here are the elite PF's:

Dirk, Amare, Boozer, Bosh, Pau, Duncan, KG, Zach Randolph, David West, David Lee, Al Jefferson, Aldridge, Gerald Wallace

I really would probably take Pau number 1 out of that group. Not sure who I would go with next either.

[dossier]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

I'm not really saying it depends. I'm saying Dirk's style of play doesn't appeal to me more than Pau's does.

As far as your question goes, well name that center. Dwight Howard? I don't really think that would make a difference. Having Pau + elite center would be hog heaven on the boards, I'd still prefer that over Dirk hovering on the perimeter.

Here are the elite PF's:

Dirk, Amare, Boozer, Bosh, Pau, Duncan, KG, Zach Randolph, David West, David Lee, Al Jefferson, Aldridge, Gerald Wallace

I really would probably take Pau number 1 out of that group. Not sure who I would go with next either.

o my mistake, i thought you were saying you would rather have dirk if the pf was your best player, and then pau other wise

and isn't gerald a freak of a sf?

and I was referring to a traditional center like shaq or whoever overall talent wise is comparable to kobe

[jfsolo]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

No, not because I live in So Cal

I don't know how else to put it, it's pretty clear IMO.

You've made your argument six different ways, if someone doesn't get it by now, I'm not sure that they're ever going to get it.

I'm going way back, almost 30 years for this comparison, but I find it to be similar to the Worthy, Dominique discussions. Many people loved pulling out the stat sheet and the highlight reel to advocate that Nique was the better player and the player who they would take between the two. I would never argue, I would just say that you and I aren't looking for the same thing in a basketball player, especially for a sidekick, and luckily, IMO, the Lakers had that same P.O.V.

I feel the same way about Dirk and Pau.

[J_Posse]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

People don't realize that Dirk's rebounding numbers continue to taper down, while on the other hand Pau had a career-high in RPG. Gasol is just the superior player between the two, and only two big men are his equal/superior (Duncan & Howard). Nowitizki has too many flaws on defense and rebounding to be considered better than Gasol, IMO.

Here are the elite PF's:

Dirk, Amare, Boozer, Bosh, Pau, Duncan, KG, Zach Randolph, David West, David Lee, Al Jefferson, Aldridge, Gerald Wallace

Honestly, Tim Duncan really shouldn't be considered a power forward any longer. The Spurs have stuck to Timmy's wishes of not being refereed to as one, but he is. He isn't mobile or athletic enough to player PF and Duncan regularly defending centers proves that. Crash shouldn't be considered a PF either, IMO.

I'm taking Dirk no matter what because we all can agree he's the better player, and the toughness/defensive capabilities of Gasol are not enough to look past what Dirk can do. I also don't buy that Gasol is the more cerebral of the two as Bucher pointed out. I think that if anything, they are equal.

I entirely disagree that Dirk is a better player than Pau. The fact that Gasol is a better defender, rebounder, passer and is more physical inside, while Nowitizki is only the better scorer/shooter only proves that fact. Yes, Dirk has a non-traditional game, but that same style has hindered him from becoming a champion and top 20 all-time great. Gasol and Garnett came into the right situation to win titles, but their abilities to play a more tradition role helped in winning those titles. Nowitizki would need a special team that could enhance his strengths (perimeter offense) and completely hide his weaknesses (post-defense, rebounding & inside scoring) to win. What team other than L.A. possesses all of those traits in today's NBA?

[z4ckdabeast]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

Yes, Dirk has a non-traditional game, but that same style has hindered him from becoming a champion and top 20 all-time great.

What? How?

[ZB9]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

Dirk gets ate up defensively by anyone with a modicum of a post game.

BS

Dirk is not a great defender obviously. However, you rarely see anyone "eat him up" all game defensively

and you rarely see the opposing PF outscore Dirk (Mavs are easily #1 in PER difference at the PF position)

http://www.82games.com/0809/BYPOSIT.HTM

[MVP23]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

Pau Gasol before he came to the Lakers his team was a playoff team. Imagine if the Lakers would have never ripped the Grizzles off in the trade and keep Gasol. Oj Mayo Rudy Gay with Gasol.

[dossier]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

Pau Gasol before he came to the Lakers his team was a playoff team. Imagine if the Lakers would have never ripped the Grizzles off in the trade and keep Gasol. Oj Mayo Rudy Gay with Gasol.

they would almost be good enough to loose to the mavericks in a series

[Eman5805]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

BS

Dirk is not a great defender obviously. However, you rarely see anyone "eat him up" all game defensively

and you rarely see the opposing PF outscore Dirk (Mavs are easily #1 in PER difference at the PF position)
http://www.82games.com/0809/BYPOSIT.HTM

Stats can be misleading, but there's no disputing facts like, to be sure. Sure doesn't pass the eye test, but then, most of the time I even pay attention, he's matched up on David West, Tim Duncan, or Gasol.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

Wow tied up at 19

Interesting. Glad to see

[ybtherockstar]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

I'm taking Pau because he really impressed me in the playoffs. Dirk is a solid shooter and a guy who can get to the line frequently. But recently Pau has become almost unstoppable because of his footwork, length, and his jumper. He's knocking down that 10-15 footer with ease if he's open. So pau is my vote but you can't go wrong with either.

[jeebs9]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

^^Solid shooter?^^

Dirk is a Solid shooter now....lol... Just to wake up all the Laker fans out there. Gasol is playing the same way he was playing in Memphis. Nothing has really changed. It almost like when Mike Bibby came over to the Kings. He is playing the same way he played through his career. Just now he has better teammates around him. Gasol still gets pushed around by those "mean dirty defensive players". To say "Gasol was unstoppable in the playoffs"....makes me SMH.

[JBH3]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

^^Solid shooter?^^

Dirk is a Solid shooter now....lol... Just to wake up all the Laker fans out there. Gasol is playing the same way he was playing in Memphis. Nothing has really changed. It almost like when Mike Bibby came over to the Kings. He is playing the same way he played through his career. Just now he has better teammates around him. Gasol still gets pushed around by those "mean dirty defensive players". To say "Gasol was unstoppable in the playoffs"....makes me SMH.

Agreed. LA fans only begun to take notice of Gasol once he was on their team. As if some uncharted facet of his game has now suddenly awakened after 8 previous NBA seasons outside of LA. Please. Any one area he accels in now is by default of the "supporting" cast around him. He's a 2nd/3rd option if Artest isn't chucking, and no defense keys in on stopping Pau Gasol.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: who would you rather have, Dirk or Pau?

You guys are funny.

Pau is nowhere near the player he was in Memphis.

Fact: Pau never touched a weight in his life until he was traded to Los Angeles. His defense and rebounding ability were purely off of his athleticism.

The guy you see now is pretty much the most fundamental and well-rounded big man in the world outside of Tim Duncan-- which he is on his way out as a cream of the crop player.

Also Jeebs, your point sort of goes along with my point. You put Dirk and Pau in a pretty good supporting cast and I'll take Pau's team every time. He simply brings more to the table at this point in time. Pau's team in my eyes has a chance to go further than Dirk's team would due to all the things previously mentioned: post offense, rebounding on both sides of the floor and post defense.