Pau Gasol may be out until Christmas

[elcheato]

The Los Angeles Lakers are cruising without their gimpy big man, and they might have to limp along longer than expected.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said that Pau Gasol, who is trying to rehabilitate a sore hamstring, might not return until Christmas, the Los Angeles Daily News reported on Wednesday.

"I find that hard to believe, that it's gone backwards. ... Right now, he's capable of doing only so much and nothing else," Jackson said, according to the newspaper. "But it is mysterious, no doubt about it."

The defending champion Lakers are 6-1, and Gasol is expected to miss his eighth straight game when Los Angeles hosts Phoenix on Thursday.

Asked if he knew when Gasol would practice or if he had a target date for his return, Jackson said: "No. We're starting to look toward Christmas, though. Some time out there."

The Spanish forward missed just one regular-season game last year and was the Lakers' second-leading scorer while averaging 18.9 points, a team-leading 9.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Jackson was asked why Gasol's injury is mysterious.

"Yeah, because with most hamstrings you see bleeding or bruises or holes in the hamstring," the coach said. "His has been one of those things wasn't a big concern to us, but has turned into a month-long injury."

 

[playmaker7]

NOOOOOO that would just suck. But if they're getting along fine without him, then might as well rest him.

 

[snipezo]

Damn. I guess he's kind of a Christmas present for the Lakers lol.

 

[Mexi]

doesnt really matter

Lakers have a soft ass schedule the rest of 09. from today til Dec. 31, we also have 15 home, 8 away.

In years past i'd be super worried and pissed, but this Lakers team is deep.
sucks that the Lakers now have to start Lamar Odom right? lol

 

[Mexi]

instead of editing my post, i'm just going to bump this.

Turns out Phil was just joking and messing with the media as usual.
Pau should be back next week

sorry NBA

 

[.GR]

Lies.

 

[yezzir]

Lol yeah, he's deff not out till Christmas.

 

[elcheato]

instead of editing my post, i'm just going to bump this.

Turns out Phil was just joking and messing with the media as usual.
Pau should be back next week

sorry NBA

He also said Bynum would be back earlier on both his knee injuries..

 

[Mexi]

no he didnt


ignore anything Phil says anyways

doctors are saying probably next week for Pau