The Pau Gasol Effect

After years of losing in the post-Shaq Laker era, Kobe “She Consented” Bryant appears to have found a running mate that is poised to give him a shot at that coveted fourth ring (more importantly known as “the Ring Without Shaq”). That running mate is none other than the bird-looking, high-flying Euro Pau Gasol. Gasol came to the Lakers last season in a near deadline deal and he and Kobe have been like two peas in a pod ever since.  Seeing the Lakers succeed with a white superstar has Laker fans remembering the days of Jerry West and Gail Goodrich and hoping this team can accomplish what great Laker teams before them have…..many championships.

Seeing the Lakers succeed with Pau Gasol, as well as recognizing the number of top European white talented players who have entered the league in the last decade got us thinking about who are some of the best white NBA players to have played in this league (notice that none, save Larry Bird, would make the top 10 NBA players of all time list in our mind)?

1. Larry Bird:  When you think white basketball player, you think Larry Bird or Jerry West.  Larry edges out Jerry as he played in the years where the NBA had its comming out party and televised broadcasts were rampant.
2. Jerry West:  Sharp shooting and with a competative drive that is only found in the Jordans and Kobes of the world.  West was a winner, as a player and a GM.
3. John Stockton:  NBA’s all time leading assist man made a living wearing short shorts and dishing it out to fellow Jazz star Karl Malone.
4. Steve Nash: A two time MVP and leader of one of the most exciting offenses to ever play in the league.  If only he had won a ring or two, he could rank as one of the best of all time.
5. Dirk Nowitski:  Smooth shooting big men who can move like the wind and score at will don’t come around every day.  Mark Cuban got lucky with this one.
6. Bill Lambier:  The tough guy on the Pistons 1989 and 1990 championship teams, Bill was best known for his rough house nature and decent outside shot (for a big man).
7. Pau Gasol:  Pau is stil just 28 years old and has been an all star twice.  Playing with Kobe will no doubt allow him to achieve some lofty numbers in the coming years.
8. Peja Stojakovic: An amazing shooter who would rank a lot higher had it not been for the multiple heart break losses to the Lakers in the Kobe/Shaq years.
9. Toni Kukoc:  An often overlooked force in the secon threa-peat Jordan team.  Toni was a great scorer who was part of one of the early waves of Euro talent to invade the NBA.
10. Vlade Divac:  He may have been a chain smoker in hiw playing days, but the Flopper was a very good NBA player in his prime.  Great passer and unexpectedly agile.