Sike. Super classy and thoughtful blog from MVPau.

http://www.paugasol.com/blog

Last Tuesday I talked to the press at the Toyota Center. Nothing really surprising in that. It’s standard protocol when the season comes to an end. Players always comment on the past year. It may not have been particularly significant event. But then again, it may be. I’ve finished my contract and I’ll be a free agent in the next few days and it’s not clear whether I’ll sign for the Lakers again.

It may be that the press conference was my last official act with the franchise. I’ve been in similar situations for the last two years, with one foot inside and the other outside. I’m not quite sure where I am at the moment. The good thing is that I’m now the master of my own destiny. It’s me that makes the choices, and that’s a good situation to be in.

Re-signing for the Lakers is a possibility, but I’m not sure whether to say it’s a remote one. If there’s anything or anyone who could make me stay it’s Kobe Bryant. I’d stay for him, but there’d have to be significant changes. I’ve said it many times: I want to be in a team that has a solid chance to win another tournament and where I can be an important factor in the game.

Money is not important

Money isn’t important to me. I have other priorities. A contract lasting several seasons, the make-up of the team that signs me: I’ll need to think long and hard. I won’t just go to the franchise that offers me the biggest salary, I know that.

I would have liked to finish the season on the court, but my vertigo problems made that impossible. I just have to accept it. I’m feeling much better, but not enough to play basketball just yet. I feel like my vacation will help me to make a full recovery and to get ready for the World Cup in Spain. If Orenga calls me I’ll be there. It’s a tournament we’re all looking forward to. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.

It hasn’t been the best season for the Lakers, for many reasons. Our poor health was the main enemy. In all, we missed 319 games due to injuries. There’s never been anything like it, since records began in 1980. None of us escaped. Kobe, Steve Nash were out. In the end, I managed to play 60 games, but almost all our players were sidelined at some point in the season.

I can’t remember anything like it.

It’s been very difficult for the coaches too. They’ve had to be really patient to handle all these injuries. And they deserve credit for that. But it has obviously damaged the team and we can’t hide it. We’re all responsible for it. Like Kobe said, it’s been “a shit season”.

I’ve never concealed the fact that D’Antoni’s style doesn’t suit my game. Everybody knows this. I don’t know if my decision will be swayed by whether Mike stays or leaves. Obviously, the coach is a very important factor for any team.

had him as your avi and everything lol

He put it politely but essentially if D'Antoni is coming back, there's no chance Pau comes back (not saying that's the only criteria but it's a non-starter for Pau imo)

Pau might come back at a discount. I mean he'd have a legit beef with Kobe getting a huge payday but still...

>Pau might come back at a discount. I mean he'd have a legit
>beef with Kobe getting a huge payday but still...

But he eluded to that he might soooooo

He deserves better. I agree. But I'd keep him for the right price.

.

if they have the excitement of a real big pick and kobe's return, they can float another d'antoni year by the fans. if they have bad luck (e.g. teams below them move up) and/or kobe has some setback (seems unlikely) then they should get a cheap, familiar face to have another junk experimental season.

i know a couple guys pretty close to the team and both are convinced d'antoni will be back. who knows? things have certainly happened abruptly there before.

and all i can really think of would be a college coach

i'd only fire him in the offseason if it was gonna chase away a FA or impede a pick.

they can always just fire him and let kobe coach.

It's not even about having the worst record in franchise history, because anyone would have failed with this team. They were just bad.

But D'Antoni's attitude and shitty coaching has chased away Dwight and probably Pau, and I don't want any part of him when it comes to a big FA like Kevin Love.

i was JUST wondering what the Lakers were up to


thx for the update

basically said he wasn't coming back and fuck d'antoni but tried to soften it with uncertainty.

anyway, i'm looking forward to pau signing with OKC or the Spurs or some other relevant franchise for the MLE.