Nov. 16--With a first-quarter assist in the Bulls' 99-90 loss to the Pacers on Saturday night, Pau Gasol joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan as the only players to record at least 16,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,500 blocks.
In the interest of Wilt Chamberlain, he and others would be part of the group if the NBA had recorded blocks before the 1973-74 season.
Still, it's impressive stuff. That it happened with Gasol in a Bulls uniform is something the organization must give thanks for every day, even on nights he shoots 4-for-15.
"I like the way it worked out," coach Tom Thibodeau said of a free-agency period in which Gasol also drew strong interest from the Lakers, Knicks, Spurs and Thunder. "Sometimes you have good fortune. When you look at the teams that were interested in him, it says a lot about him. He has been a great fit. You couldn't ask anything more from him."
Gasol struggled Saturday, finishing with 12 points and six rebounds against Roy Hibbert and the Pacers.
"I really couldn't get much of a rhythm. Obviously, he's long," Gasol said of Hibbert. "I probably should have attacked him a little more. He did a good job defensively. I'll move on."
Still, Gasol has six double-doubles already this season, and those numbers can't calculate the championship experience and leadership he brings.
At 34 and in his 14th NBA season, Gasol's leadership style isn't flashy. He didn't walk into the locker room his first day with his two championship rings glistening.
And he leads with actions as much as words.
"He comes in every day, takes care of himself, studies, prepares, practices hard, practices well, executes," Thibodeau said. "He's not one of those guys who pounds his chest and says, 'Look at me.' He plays for the team."
Joakim Noah is the undisputed emotional leader of the Bulls. Gasol consistently has stated how much he enjoys seeing Noah's energy and intensity on a daily basis.
But Gasol is picking his spots as well.
"I try to get a feel first of who we have here, the type of guys we have," Gasol said. "I didn't want to step on anybody's toes. You have to observe and see what's in front of you and then see how you can contribute to it. That's what I've tried to do, analyze the situation, get a feel for it and add to it."
With Derrick Rose sidelined for the fifth time in 10 games and a two-week, seven-game trip beginning Monday in Los Angeles, this is a time for leadership.
Thibodeau said Rose's hamstring is improving and he remains day-to-day.
"We just have to be patient," Thibodeau said. "He's coming back and playing a physical game.
"The thing I love about the team is we have a lot of guys ready to step up. And that's the mentality we have to have."
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
Twitter @kcjhoop
