Pau Gasol looking forward to working with new Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown – NBA Update
Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol has given his backing to new head coach Mike Brown and declared that he is very much looking forward to working with him. Pau expressed his opinions through email from Lithuania, where he is currently
playing for the Spanish National Men’s basketball team in FIBA EuroBasket.
The Lakers franchise is in a period of transition after legendary head coach Phil Jackson retired at the end of last season. Jackson left behind a splendid legacy with the Lakers as the franchise won 5 NBA World Championships with
him at the helm, the last of them coming in 2010.
Pau played a part in two of those NBA World title winning sides under Phil Jackson and understands that it will be very hard to replace him. The Los Angeles Lakers management believed that it would not be wise to continue with
Jackson’s style of play in his absence and decided to move in a new direction this summer.
They hired former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown to replace Jackson. Brown is someone known for his defensive prowess, something the Lakers lacked last season, and many believe he will bring toughness to the side that has
been missing. Brown faced some early pressure when it was rumoured that Lakers super star Kobe Bryant was not happy with his appointment, but relations between the two are believed to be smooth at the moment.
Now Pau Gasol has giving his blessing to the new coach and lavished him with praise,
“He has proven his value and I look forward to be coached by him. When we get together as a team, it'll be an exciting time.” Pau said.
Mike Brown has already made it clear that the Lakers will be moving away from the famed Triangle Offense come next season. It is believed he favours a system designed to get the best out of the formidable front pairing that the
Lakers possess in the form of Pau and centre Andrew Bynum. Brown is looking to bring a tandem in the low post similar to one that was witnessed at the San Antonio Spurs with David Robinson and Tim Duncan, when he was an assistant there.
Pau believes that he would be able to adjust to the change of playing style for the team and stated that the system should be designed to bring the best out of the Lakers.
“I have played for many different coaches both in the NBA and in Europe, and I have good fundamentals both defensively and offensively. If there's more activity, there won't be a problem at all. The most important thing though
is always involving the whole team and getting as much as possible from every player. We have a powerful interior game, and we need to produce at a high level.”
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