Watch Pau Gasol Dismiss Doubters with Knockout Dunk vs. Knicks

Remember when you heard that Pau Gasol had nothing left in the tank? Yeah, about that...

Matched up with the athletically superior New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers power forward threw down a dunk-of-the-day candidate in the Lakers' 100-94 Christmas Day victory at home. Not only that, but Gasol's dunk did the most important thing imaginable.

It sealed the Lakers' victory.

With the Lakers leading 97-94, Gasol extended the lead to five points with 12.0 seconds remaining in regulation. The dunk secured the Lakers' fifth consecutive win and brought the team's record to 14-14.

Among the people shocked by Gasol's dunk was the Spaniard himself.

"

Pau Gasol: “I don’t dunk as often as I used to so it felt good to go to the hole with some explosiveness.” #GoLakers

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 25, 2012"

Explosive, powerful and clutch. What more could you ask for?

Sports Illustrated senior writer Lee Jenkins offered his two cents on the play. Jenkins referred to it as the best moment of Gasol's season.

Or past two.

"

That might be the best moment Pau Gasol has had in a couple of seasons

— Lee Jenkins (@SI_LeeJenkins) December 25, 2012"

The only way to describe Gasol's dunk is as an act of redemption. An act that will send reverberations through the rest of the NBA.

The Lakers are on the rise.