Los Angeles Lakers: Sorry Kobe, Pau Gasol Is the Most Important on the Floor

Pau Gasol is the most important player on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Notice I didn’t say the "most talented."  Notice that "most important" doesn’t give any indication as to how much more important he is.  Notice I didn’t say Kobe Bryant. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I am all for Jelly Bean taking the forefront in all of our discussions with respect to the Greatest Laker of All Time (G.L.O.A.T.) and the G.O.A.T.  His contribution to the organization is undeniably galactic.

But bear with me while I tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a man who wore a 'fro on his head and a No. 8 across his chest.  There was another man who proclaimed to wear a red cape on his back.  No. 8 was the future; the latter was a really big man.  As a tandem, the two soared to great heights.

When the time came to shine the spotlight though, each refused to make room for the other.  Bridges were burned, hatred was spewed and hearts were broken.

The big man was shipped away to another land.

Sound familiar?

From my understanding, it takes more than one superstar to win a championship, let alone three.  Kobe is your first. Pau Gasol is your second.

But the fact that Gasol is the most skilled big man in the league isn’t why he is the most important. 

Then what could it possibly be Feed? Please enlighten us!

My pleasure. Gasol is the most important Laker because of his ability to play second fiddle to Kobe Bryant.  With the Spaniard comes inside presence, skill and most importantly, humility.

Because Pau lowers himself to beta male status, Kobe is allowed to thrive in his position as the general of the troops.  He can proudly claim that the Lakers are "his team" and LA is "his town." Pau offers all the benefits of a talented superstar without the problems created by a big head.

Unlike the Shaq and Kobe tandem,—an unhealthy, corrosive relationship—Pau and Kobe’s relationship is symbiotic.  Kobe maintains his status as "the man," and Gasol becomes a champion.

It doesn’t hurt that Pau will never have the same amount of rings as Kobe, at least not while the "Black Mamba" is still in the league.

So before you say Pau Gasol isn’t assertive enough (although you are probably right), remember that his gentle ego is his most important contribution to the team.