NBA Rumors: Why Pau Gasol Shouldn't Take His Talents to China During Lockout

Pau Gasol is arguably the most prominent Spanish player in the league today. The two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers is currently undergoing the most scrutinized offseason of his extraordinary career.

His name surfaced in trade rumors leading up to draft day after an abysmal postseason which saw him play as soft as ever. He pulled a disappearing act against the Dallas Mavericks that may have even been worse than LeBron James’.

With the potential of an NBA lockout, Gasol is making headlines as he weighs his options going forward.

According to the CBSSports.com staff:

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Pau Gasol says his preference is to play in Spain if the NBA season is canceled, although the Los Angeles Lakers center isn't ruling out China either.

Gasol says "if there is a lockout, Spain would be the first choice -- I wouldn't say only one, but the first" on Friday [sic].

China, he adds, has "great potential" as an alternative to Spain.

Gasol says sitting out a season would be too "weird" especially as the NBA is coming off a "great year" with the Dallas Mavericks beating the favored Miami Heat in the finals.

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Please, Pau, you’ve got to be kidding me. China!? Say it ain’t so, big man. Say it ain’t so!

China might be the worst place for Pau to take his talents during the lockout in light of being visibly disturbed during the playoffs. He is already considered one of the softest big men in the Association today and needs to get tougher in the paint.

China is the home of Yao Ming, who may be the softest big man in the history of the game.

Gasol needs to head to Spain—or better yet, the prison yard so he can finally acquire some much-needed toughness.

Gasol is too easily pushed around down low in the block and heading to China will not help him progress as a player. Despite being one of the top veterans in the world today, he still has phases of his game that need improvement.

If there is ever a time for our favorite ballplayers to hone their skills and work on their weaknesses, the lockout is the perfect time.

This service announcement is not just for Gasol, but for all players looking to head to China.

Youngster Jeremy Tyler was drafted in the second round this year despite having the supreme athleticism to compete in the NBA, yet one of his major concerns was his ability to play up to his size, strength and talent after living down to his natural gifts overseas in Asia.

That league enables big men to play down to their size and strength. They reward players for playing outside of the paint, which will not help them succeed as low post players in the NBA.

Gasol could very well regress by playing there, which would effectively destroy Kobe Bryant’s pursuit of tying Michael Jordan’s six NBA championships.