NBA Special Report: Analyzing Chris Bosh vs. Pau Gasol
Miami Heat and Los Angeles have are said to be the alpha dogs of the National Basketball Association. Although Miami has yet to prove to the NBA they are actually strong, nevertheless they are already predicted to be up to par with this year’s champions, the Lakers. The Heat’s All-Star cast includes Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
In short, the experts say the two teams would provide endless story-lines to the media and quite possibly make records of the most viewed match in NBA history if the two end up in the Finals together. The match-up will not only put Miami Heat being the strongest team theory into test, it will also negate the fact that critics seem to ponder over of how Kobe has never faced a real young team to compete against.
One of the most captivating plays of the match-up would be the game between Chris Bosh and Pau Gasol. Chris and Pau play at a similar position on court, both of them are the starting power forwards for their respective teams.
However, the two have an entirely different game play; Bosh is much of a shooter who does not hesitate taking shots at times from the 2-point line and throwing rim hurting dunks, while on the other hand Gasol is more of assister to Kobe Bryant and likes being close to the rim.
Pau also plays as centre and stands at 7feet, conversely Bosh at 6feet 10inches, hence Gasol feels more comfortable around the basketball rim. The two have elegance to their game and they use more intellect than sheer force unlike most power forwards present in the league. Their game fundamentals rely solely on mental power and aiding their teammates.
Some may argue Chris is a better player as his scoring average last year was 24.0 points per game with 9.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 2008’s playoffs, compared to Gasol which was 19.6 points per game with 11.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. As experts say, numbers prove which player is better, but it does not change the fact that Chris has only appeared in two playoff games, while Pau has appeared in six playoff games.
One more reason Chris has a better scoring average as oppose to Pau is because he was undoubtedly a team leader in Toronto Raptors, while Pau has been a batman to Kobe Bryant throughout his career with the Lakers.
Despite the fact that Gasol had to face smaller defenders in this year’s playoff games at the perimeter, he kept an astounding average and helped his team to a championship title. On the contrary, Bosh is known to be an offense player and does not have defensive capabilities; this tag has been on him since before he joined the league.
Basketball purists since Bosh is likely to defend Gasol in the offense zone, the Spaniard might just dominate his way through giving Chris an extremely tough time. As Gasol’s arms can extend to 15 feet after a huge hope, there aren’t many players in the league who shoot past him.
Gasol has a great edge over Bosh when it comes to defence, however, Bosh has an advantage over him at the offense. This is one of the reasons the two will captivate the audience and make them sit at the edge of their seats, as they watch the two of the best power forwards currently present in the league go at each other.
Nonetheless, both the teams will be tested on upcoming Christmas day when the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers take on the underdogs Miami Heat.
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