PORTLAND – Pau Gasol wants the ball more.
He’s said it several times throughout this current four-game Circus Trip, and continued to reiterate it moving forward.
But while it’s easy to take that as a “Me, me, me’’ attitude, that’s not what the Bulls big man was saying.
“It’s not so much about me, it’s about the team, I feel,’’ Gasol said. “Again, it’s something I said many times through my career. When I see that things get a little bit out of whack or out of balance … to stick that balance between inside and outside utilizing the abilities of your players and benefit of the team, making the game easier. For me I feel I always can make a difference on the floor — on both ends of the floor.’’
The 7-footer might have a good point.
Last season was a career-year for Gasol, as he averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds, while handing out 2.7 assists per game. Heck, the Bulls were up 2-1 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers before Gasol was sidelined with a strained left hamstring, and then lost three-straight.
With the Bulls trying to find play-makers in Fred Hoiberg’s up-tempo offense, Gasol’s attitude was throw him in that mix.
“Offensively, I have a great repertoire, an IQ to make things happen not just for myself,’’ Gasol said. “I’m a very unselfish player, I love nothing more than to get teammates good shots and good looks and get a better flow of the offense. But it’s all predicated on balance.
“It’s not about asserting myself or wanting more shots or anything like that. I’m passed all those things. Now it’s just a matter of how we can be a better team? How can we beat Golden State? How can we be smarter and play smarter and that’s what I look at.’’
Brooks was here
Aaron Brooks was moving forward from the injured left hamstring suffered last week in Phoenix, but according to Hoiberg, not only missed the game in Portland, but could also miss the Friday game in Indiana. Brooks was averaging 8.5 points per game.
