Like nearly every other player on the roster, Pau came into this season with something to prove and looking for redemption. After being pushed out of his comfort zone last year while masquerading as a stretch four in Mike DAntonis spread pick and roll attack while flanking Dwight Howard, Pau would enter this season as the main big man and the key interior player.
Theoretically, then, Pau was set up for success as a fulcrum of the teams offensive attack.In practice, though, what followed was season filled with ups and downs, bouts of poor health, and, sprinkled in, some of that redemptive play sought from the beginning.
If anything, what Pau showed is that he can still be a very good player in this league. After dealing with the repercussions of not training all summer (basically, Pau had to work himself into shape) the season did not start as many of us would have hoped. Already in athletic decline, Pau struggled even more to play with a strong base and get the lift he needed to excel as a post player. Further, his diminished foot speed affected his ability to get by his man offensively and contain his man defensively. The results were some ugly numbers that translated more to a player who was close to being done as a solid contributor.
As the season wore on, however, Pau got more healthy and the quality play returned (at least offensively, but more on that later). As a pick and pop player, Pau showed the needed lift on his shot to start making his mid-range jumper. As a post player, he was able to better work his full arsenal and finish on his variety of hooks and turnaround Js set up through primary and counter moves.
In January he averaged 20 and 12 on 51% shooting. In February, those numbers dipped some to 18 and 8, but his FG% jumped to 54%. In March he put up 19 and 9 on 50%. Basically, he was back to approximating the player he was before last season. No, he wasnt championship level Pau, but he was a featured player on offense who could score one and one, drew some double teams, and still passed the ball wonderfully.
In April, however, the unevenness to Paus year returned. Bouts of vertigo caused nausea and headaches that had him in and out of the lineup. When he tried to play and/or travel with the team, the symptoms only worsened and he ultimately finished the season on the disabled list.
Not necessarily the banner year that Pau (and fans) hoped for, but there were definitely signs that hes still a very capable player. Though, clearly, not one that enjoyed playing in the all-up tempo-all-the-time style that Mike DAntoni preferred.
