Minnesota Timberwolves star point guard Ricky Rubio is standing up for Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol. Rubio doesn't think it's right that Gasol is being brought off the bench and playing limited fourth quarter minutes in some games. Rubio or Gasol don't think it's right that Earl Clark has been starting in his place.
Gasol has also been the subject of trade rumors for the past two years, and Rubio would gladly take him on his Timberwolves squad if the Lakers don't want him.
"He proved to the league he is one of the best," Rubio told USA TODAY. "He can pass. He can shoot. He can rebound. He can do a lot of things. I think if you use him in the right way he is a top player in this league. If they don't want him, we are more than welcome to get him.
"It's been the last two years that it seems like they don't want him, but actually they need him. He's a great player. He can do a lot of things and he had some issues with the knees, too. It's been a lot of years without resting for him. But he's a veteran. He knows how to play."
Even though Gasol is having a tough year, the Timberwolves would have to give up something of significant value, such as possibly a person like Kevin Love, to get Gasol. Minnesota has been mentioned as a possible trade partner, but I don't see it happening, no matter how much Rubio wants his fellow countryman on his team.
Gasol has said that he wants to remain a Laker, but he must swallow his pride and just play ball. Maybe if he focused on that and blocked out his distractions, he and the Lakers can turn their season around.
