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NBA: Making Pau Gasol’s Case for Most Improved Player

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) reacts after scoring against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons 88-82. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) reacts after scoring against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons 88-82. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Leading up to the 2014-15 NBA season, Pau Gasol was widely-regarded as a future Hall of Famer. He was a two-time NBA champion, a four-time All-Star and one of the greatest international players to in basketball history.

During the 2014-15 regular season, Gasol not only solidified his Hall of Fame resume, but emerged as a deserving candidate for a surprising honor: Most Improved Player.

Gasol’s Chicago Bulls teammate, Jimmy Butler, is considered to be the front-runner for Most Improved Player. If Butler is to receive the honor, there wouldn’t be much of a reason to debate his deservedness.

If it’s not Butler, however, Gasol should be the player to receive the honor.

At 34 years old, Gasol is in the midst of a career rejuvenation. Not only has he been statistically remarkable, but he’s gone from a player with empty numbers in 2013-14 to the catalyst for a 50-win team in 2014-15.

It all starts with Gasol making NBA history in a number of different ways.

Double-Double Machine

Pau Gasol is known for being a consistent source of points and rebounds. What he’s done in 2014-15 is elevate his game to the point of helping the Chicago Bulls go from a borderline contender to a 50-win force.

A shining example: Gasol recently became the oldest player in NBA history to lead the league in double-doubles.

That alone is worth commending.

Gasol finished with 54 double-doubles in 2014-15. He’s done so in 78 games played, which offers one incredible measure for perspective.

As previously stated, Gasol tallied 54 double-doubles in 78 games in 2014-15. He had 45 between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, when he played in a combined 109 outings.

That’s an extraordinary improvement.

For further perspective, Gasol’s 54 double-doubles are the second-most by any player age 34 or older in NBA history. The only player with more: Robert Parish in 1988-89 with 56, per Basketball-Reference.com.

That’s Hall of Fame company.

At 34 years old, Gasol’s 54 double-doubles set a new career-high. He’d never before reached 45, let alone 50, and has done it by necessity for a Bulls team that’s been forced to endure injuries to key players, including reigning Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah.

At 34 years old, in his 14th NBA season, Gasol is having the best year of his career.

Statistically Speaking…

Pau Gasol finished the 2014-15 NBA regular season with averages of 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. He shot 49.4 percent from the field and sank 80.3 percent of his free throws.

In his 14th season, Gasol posted career-best marks rebounds per contest and has a career-best mark in double-doubles. Being the oldest player in NBA history to lead the league in double-doubles isn’t his only miraculous feat.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Gasol, 34, is the oldest player in NBA history to average at least 18.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

If you take one year off, the last 33-year-old to average that stat line was Elvin Hayes in 1978-79, per Basketball-Reference.com.

That’s not hard to believe; it’s legitimately unheard of.

Should one eliminate the blocks—a statistic first recorded in 1973-74—the company remains just as rare and intriguing. More so than intriguing, it becomes more Hall of Fame worthy.

Only three players in league history have averaged at least 18.5 points and 11.5 rebounds at 34 years or older. Those three players Wilt Chamberlain in 1970-71, Gasol in 2014-15 and Robert Parish in 1988-89, per Basketball-Reference.com.

Any time you’re in the same conversation as Chamberlain, Hayes and Parish, you’ve had an all-time season. In Gasol’s case, he’s had a Most Improved Player season.

Elevating His Game

In 2013-14, Pau Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. In 2014-15, he accumulated marks of 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocks per contest.

That statistical improvement may not blow you away, but Gasol’s case is deeper than averages. It starts with his health.

This is the first season since 2011-12 in which Gasol hasn’t missed at least 22 games. He missed 22 outings in 2013-14 and was sidelined for 33 in 2012-13.

In 2014-15, Gasol made 78 appearances, missing just four total games—three of which were in November.

Not only has he remained healthy for the first time in three seasons, but he’s elevated his game to a new level. The offensive and double-double numbers show as much, but it’s also been present on defense.

In 2013-14, opponents converted at a clip of 54.8 percent when Gasol met them at the rim, per NBA.com. In 2014-15, Gasol limited opponents to 48.0 percent shooting at the rim, per NBA.com—an different of 6.8 percent.

Going from below-average to above-average as a rim protector is just another example of Gasol aging like wine.

At 34 years old, in his 14th season, Gasol set new in-game career-highs with 46 points and nine blocks. He posted career-best marks with 54 double-doubles and 11.8 rebounds per game.

At a time in which most decline, Gasol went from a past-his prime player with empty numbers to the most statistically dominant big man in the Eastern Conference.

Most importantly, he did it for the team.

That type of improvement applies from offense and defense to health and leadership. It applies from his ability to thrive when key teammates were injured to his willingness to play the necessary role without a moment’s notice.

In a season in which a massive pay cut seemed to signal a significant decline in ability and importance, Gasol silenced his critics. He made strides as a player, increased his level of play and became the star of a 50-win team.

Come awards season, Gasol deserves Most Improved Player.

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