L.A. Lakers: Would Pau Gasol Be a Top-5 Power Forward Without Kobe Bryant?

Some people love to point out that Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant owes much of his success over the past three seasons to the Lakers' ability to acquire forward Pau Gasol early in 2008.

But many of those same people fail to mention the equal effect Bryant has had on the career fortunes of Gasol.

Gasol was a great player as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, and he deserves all the respect in the world for leading that franchise to the playoffs three consecutive times during the 2004-06 seasons.

Former Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown called Gasol one of the most-skilled power forwards he had ever seen, and he went on to say that Gasol could possibly be the game's greatest power forward if he ever became interested in that goal.

Gasol has always faced questions about his toughness, but during his tenure in Memphis desire was also an issue, but that may be because basketball was not the only thing that captured his attention.

Education was always a main priority for Gasol's parents, and he was an accomplished scholar long before he was a gifted basketball player.

In fact Gasol's first career choice was to be a physician, and he still regularly volunteers at hospitals in and around the Los Angeles area.

Gasol eventually discovered his physical gifts, and his intellignce made him one of the more cerebral players in the NBA, but his game lacked focus.

The Lakers' decison to acquire Gasol after center Andrew Bynum was a major turning point in his career, and Bryant embraced Gasol's arrival and helped him find his purpose.

Some observers say that Gasol's acquisition saved Bryant's career, but in truth the Lakers' situation at the time of Bynum's injury was not as dire as some would have you believe.

Bryant did make numerous threats and demands to be traded after the 2007 season, but there is a reason that he quieted down and signed his contract extension before the 2007-08 season started.

Bynum had begun to show the type of development that the Lakers had hoped for, and the team was actually challenging for the West's top seed when he suffered the first of several knee injuries.

The Gasol trade was an act of desperation on the Lakers' part to save a promising season that was disrupted by Bynum's injury.

It just so happened that Gasol was the perfect counter point for Bryant in the triangle, but more importantly, his game blossomed because he no longer had to lead.

In Memphis Gasol often seemed disconnected, and he was criticized for his lack of leadership qualities and failure to take command of the team.

This may not be fair considering Gasol was the major reason for the Grizzlies' success, but as a member of the Lakers, Gasol was absolved of all leadership duties.

Bryant took the lead and quickly established a bond with Gasol, and he also relieved him of the pressure that is associated with being a team's best player.

Gasol has responded by elevating his game and reputation as one of the best power forwards in the NBA, and the Lakers have been Finals participants since Gasol arrived in Los Angeles.

Gasol never managed to average double-digit rebounds in Memphis, but as a Laker he has averaged double-digit rebounding numbers two consecutive seasons, and he is currently sixth the NBA in that category at 10.3 rebounds per game.

Among other power forwards, Gasol also ranks seventh in scoring at 18.9 points per game, third in blocks at 1.7 per game, first in field goal percentage at 52.2 percent per game and third in assists at 3.4 per game.

Those numbers are a reflection of the diversity of Gasol's game, and the bright lights of Hollywood have cast off the obscurity of his days in Memphis and proved how good of a player he truly is.

Well, Los Angeles may have provided Gasol with a stage to highlight his talent, but Bryant's encouragement, criticism and passion have helped shape Gasol into the player he is today.

I doubt Bryant will ever deny Gasol's importance in earning his fourth and fifth career NBA championships, and Gasol will be the first to tell you he would have never earned his first and second rings without Bryant.