Le Basketbawl

The biggest difference between NBA General Managers and NBA Head Coaches is perspective. The G.M.  looks at the long term while bench boss is worrying about today and this season. That is why it is so Frickin tough to wear both hats like Isiah Thomas tried to do with “MY BOYS” the New York Knicks. You are being pulled in two different directions at the same Frickin time.

The reason that New York Vinnie brings this up is an item that came across the wire on Monday concerning Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol. Gasol missed the last six preseason games as well as the first three games of the regular season due to a strained right hamstring.

The “Los Angeles Times” reported on Monday that the veteran would make the road trip with the team as they travel to Oklahoma City and Houston even though he has not been activated.  The paper reported that the big man is “close enough” to being activated that it is worth him making the trip according to the team’s head coach Phil Jackson.

Jacskon told reporters that it typically takes a player about six weeks to recover fully from Gasol’s type of injury. The veteran has been out so far for three weeks since getting hurt. Jackson said “We don’t have six weeks. There are ways to come through this without having to jeopardize him.”

Yo Jax; exactly what are these ways and if they exist why do other teams wait the full six weeks? Is this opinion yours or the team’s medical staff? And how will this effect Gasol down the road? Pau Gasol is only 29 years old at the peak of his NBA career age wise. If healthy he could most likely play until at least 36. Would these “ways” that you are talking about Jax shorten his career?

A hamstring is a tricky injury; if you have ever had problems with one you realize what New York Vinnie is saying. It is tough enough dealing with it in regular life; how tough is it for a Pro Athelete. Is Jax thinking about this season as opposed to Gasol’s long term good? New York Vinnie does not have these answers; but it sure is intriguing.