Is Pau Gasol still among the best active power forwards in the league? NBA Special

Is Pau Gasol still among the best active power forwards in the league? NBA Special

After having another outstanding regular season in Los Angeles Lakers uniform, the Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol's performance received a major setback in this year's play-offs which brought forth a burning question on Gasol's competency for the first time in his sparkling career.

Looking to defend the NBA title for the second time running, the Los Angeles Lakers crashed down against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semi-finals. They were swept by the eventual NBA Champions 4-0 and a part of that thrashing has to do with Pau's poor performance.

After the Lakers exit from the playoffs, many questions were raised as to whether Pau Gasol is still worthy of the reputation of being among the top power forwards in the league.

Although Gasol has lost the agility and athleticism at the age of 31, however it's too early to remove him from the list of top active power forwards in NBA on account of just one play-off trip.

Coming in NBA with the third overall pick during the 2001 NBA Draft, the 31-year-old Gasol grasped all the attentions with his extra special abilities and strength on the court. During his first year in the league with the Memphis Grizzlies, Pau averaged 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds and went on to win the NBA rookie of the Year award.

On the start of his career, Gasol earned the reputation of a constant double-double threat and transformed a weak Grizzlies' line-up into a formidable threat. Four-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol played six complete seasons in Memphis Grizzlies uniform and helped the team to race away into the play-offs three times.    

The ultimate attention that was drawn by Gasol pushed the Western Conference elite, Los Angeles Lakers to make a run for the big man. During the 2007-2008 season, Lakers acquired Pau which eventually brought a much needed boost up in the team after the departure of the legendary Shaquille O'Neal.

Los Angeles Lakers was struggling big time since Shaq left the franchise as the whole burden was shifted on the sharp-shooter Kobe Bryant. Lakers missed a play-off berth and were eliminated in the first round two times before having Gasol on the roster.

Pau Gasol's arrival turned out to be the revival for Los Angeles Lakers. Playing first complete season with the power forward Gasol, Lakers busted who ever came in their way and became the NBA champions once again. The next season depicted the same scenario in which Gasol and Bryant absolutely dominated the NBA teams and clinched the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the second straight year.    

After making into the play-offs as expected in the last season, Gasol's performance descended considerably on the big platform which ultimately pulled Lakers out of the Championship contention in the Western Conference semi-finals.

There is no doubt that Pau Gasol's performance was no up to the mark in the post-season in which his scoring average dropped down to 13.1 points from 18.8 in the regular season. However, considering the incredible talent he carries, it's too early to have him out of the top active point guards list. Pau Gasol still has some good years left in his career and he will definitely recuperate in the next NBA season.