Chicago Bulls: Pau Gasol Has Returned to Elite Status

By many accounts, Pau Gasol is one of the greatest international players in NBA history. He’s a two-time NBA champion, a three-time All-NBA honoree and a four-time All-Star with a Rookie of the Year award to round it all out.

Despite piecing together a tremendous resume, Gasol has been unable to land what most players of his caliber take for granted: job security. Commonly at the heart of trade rumors, his future has been in question for years on hand.

In 2014-15, that’s no longer an issue.

The Chicago Bulls have placed their faith in the 34-year-old power forward. They signed Gasol to a three-year contract, thus making both their intentions and his role clear—something the Los Angeles Lakers often failed to do in recent seasons.

With his job safe and his role defined, Gasol is putting forth one of the greatest seasons of his illustrious career.

At 34 years old, Gasol has returned to elite status.

All-Star Lock, Part I: Production

At the time of his signing, a significant population ruled Pau Gasol out as an over-the-hill contributor. He still had value, but the theory claimed that his age and declining athleticism meant he could no longer be a star-caliber performer.

Rather than crumbling under the weight of failing expectations, Gasol has performed at an All-Star level.

Thus far, Gasol is averaging 18.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.4 blocks per game. He’s shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 81.6 percent from the free throw line.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Gasol and Anthony Davis are the only players in the NBA who are currently averaging at least 17.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game

Not only is Gasol in line to be an All-Star, but behind LeBron James, he’s arguably the most deserving frontcourt player in the Eastern Conference. Even James could be usurped in that regard given his issues with injury and a pending two-week absence due to back and knee issues.

Being as that’s a matter of opinion, it’s neither here nor there. What does matter is the fact that, at 34 years old, Gasol is doing things that he’s never done before.

On January 1, Gasol set a career-high with nine blocks.

In the following game, he dominated the opposition in every phase.

That was his first career game with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks.

As a player who made his name via his world-class skill-set, this should come as no surprise. A decline in athleticism inevitably hurts every professional athlete, but Gasol has always relied on his fundamental ability over his explosiveness.

The one thing that should surprise you: this may be the best defensive season of Gasol’s career.

All-Star Lock, Part II: Defense

The general consensus about the Chicago Bulls’ decision to sign Pau Gasol was that it’d help the team offensively. Defensively, there wasn’t as much excitement about the arrival of a 34-year-old big.

Gasol offered a reasonable on-paper upgrade over Carlos Boozer, but he’s been more of a shot-blocker without substance in recent seasons. Going from Mike D’Antoni to Tom Thibodeau breeds different defensive results.

Thus far, Gasol’s been one of the best defensive big men in the NBA.

Gasol is currently No. 5 in rebounds, No. 3 in defensive rebounds and No. 2 in blocks per game. He was expected to help Chicago excel along the offensive interior, but he’s been just as important on defense.

Check the numbers.

According to NBA.com, Gasol is limiting opponents to 46.1 percent shooting when he meets them at the rim. That’s especially impressive considering he’s facing 10.6 attempts per game in such situations.

The only player who faces more is Terrence Jones of the Houston Rockets. Opponents are converting at a clip of 54.5 percent against him.

That’s a difference of 8.4 percent.

With Gasol motivated and contributing elite numbers on both ends of the floor, Chicago has its dream power forward. Not only is the Spaniard skilled in the post, but he’s a shot-altering defensive presence who fits mentoring Nikola Mirotic in along the way.

It’s no coincidence that the Bulls have improved so dramatically from 2013-14 to 2014-15.

Massive Improvements

The Chicago Bulls are currently 24-10 overall, 10-6 at home and 14-4 on the road. They rank No. 6 in offensive efficiency, No. 8 in points per shot and No. 9 in points per game.

A season ago, Chicago ranked No. 22 in points per shot, No. 29 in offensive efficiency and No. 30 in scoring offense. It’s jumped from 93.7 points scored per game in 2013-14 to 102.6 in 2014-15.

That’s a massive jump of 6.9 points per game.

In 2013-14, the Bulls didn’t pick up win No. 24 until February 4. Not only has Chicago reached the plateau more than a month earlier in 2014-15, but its done so in 14 less games.

At the time of its 24th win, Chicago was 24-10. It didn’t get No. 24 until it reached .500 at 24-24.

A major reason for that improvement is Pau Gasol’s arrival and influence.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Chicago has a net rating of plus-5.9 with Gasol on the floor. That’s to be expected given his star-caliber level of offensive and defensive play.

As the Bulls gear up for a run at an NBA championship, Gasol brings something that statistics cannot account for: a championship pedigree.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach on the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics. Chicago’s roster is flush with talent.

Gasol, however, was the featured interior player on two championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2014-15, he’s showing why.

Between his immense value and individual quality of play, Gasol is a lock to be an All-Star in 2014-15. More importantly, he’s showing that he can still be an anchor and a leader on an elite team.

In some Benjamin Button form of player development, Gasol has returned to an elite level of play at 34 years old.

It all starts with job security. Behind his contributions, it could end in championship glory.

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