[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

ESPN
Updated: March 5, 2010, 7:31 PM ET

Coach takes a jab at power forward
By Dave McMenamin

ESPNLosAngeles.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the Lakers’ last two losses, a three-point overtime loss in Miami on Thursday and a five-point loss in Dallas 10 days ago, production from Los Angeles’ three-time All-Star Pau Gasol was conspicuously absent.

Gasol, who is averaging 17.0 points and 11.1 rebounds this season, averaged 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in the two losses while playing his normal amount of minutes (33.5 minutes in the two games as opposed to his season average of 36.6).

“I really don’t like to talk about that aspect of a person’s game … other than the fact that he’s been weak and sickly,” coach Phil Jackson said before the Lakers played the Bobcats on Friday, setting up the delivery of the jab with a pregnant pause.

When asked to clarify, Jackson said that Gasol has been feeling “under the weather” and he will have to monitor his 7-foot power forward’s playing time.

“I’ll start to work the bench a little more and see if I can’t spell some minutes for these guys,” Jackson said.

After Thursday’s loss, Jackson reserved judgment on Gasol, simply saying, “He just had a tough night tonight.” Gasol, while stretching out on the Time Warner Cable Arena court before the game, acknowledged that he has been affected by a cold.

When informed about Jackson’s comments, Gasol frowned and said, “That’s funny.”

Dave McMenamin covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com

[quinceyhodges]

i read this earlier on hoopsworld. same thing ive been saying about gasol for years. very very skilled but sometimes can be the softest guy on the court. if it wasnt for the lakers always stepping it up come playoff time i would be getting on his case alot more. i hope theres more talking to the media so more peopel can doubt the lakers and be over confident thinking there run is over when it has only just begun

[NYK2010Participant]

I’m guessing you think their headed for a 3 peat with Titles in 2010 &11.

[bobbybParticipant]

Gasol was brought in for finesse everyone knows that, They brought in Ron Artest to bust heads.

[kurtu17Participant]

you can never count out my lakers no matter how bad they are playin in the season…but i expect them to pick it up soon….

[the I in winParticipant]

nobody is counting out the Lakers, they are still either the favorites or a close second. They will pick it up in the playoffs, when Kobe has motivation to actually try.

[quinceyhodges]

of course im counting on the three peat. they are the mostlylikely to do that plus im a fan so its pretty much th best bet if i had to pickany team. this is exactly why im glad we got artest. he will really show how important he is come playoff time

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