"Kevin Garnett literally posted him deep in the lane, knocked him down, and dunked the ball" - Phil Jackson recalls the Finals play that fueled Pau Gasol to work on his strength
"Kevin Garnett literally posted him deep in the lane, knocked him down, and dunked the ball" - Phil Jackson recalls the Finals play that fueled Pau Gasol to work on his strength originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Phil Jackson deeply understood the emotional toll that the Los Angeles Lakers experienced after their loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. While Kobe Bryant was undeniably the team's leader and driving force, "The Zen Master" also felt the heavy disappointment that weighed on Lakers' All-Star big man Pau Gasol.
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The memory of that series remains vivid for Coach Jackson, particularly one specific play that served as a turning point in his perspective on Gasol. Despite Pau's impressive skills and relentless effort on the court throughout that playoff run, it became clear to Phil that he was not yet equipped to handle the intense physicality that NBA championship basketball demands.
For Jackson, this realization highlighted the challenges the team was about to face if they really wanted to get back to their winning ways. Moreover, it also served as a rude awakening for Gasol.
"The humbling defeat by the Celtics during the Finals was a challenge to Pau," the legendary coach reflected. "In the final game, early in the first period, Kevin Garnett literally posted him deep in the lane, knocked him down, and dunked the ball. Probably an offensive foul, but not a call in that Finals."
Pau took it personally
Like what Jackson sensed in his star power forward at the time, Gasol was also devastated. Though it was only Pau's first trip to the NBA Finals, the feeling of being so close to capturing the coveted championship and ultimately failing left the Spaniard dejected.
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Instead of staying depressed, Gasol took it upon himself to spend the summer getting better. With the unwavering moral support of Coach Jackson and Kobe, "Meal Ticket" found the strength to rise again. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to rigorous workouts, channeling his energy into building and strengthening his body.
"Pau took the challenge and worked on his strength game and was able to fight back in the 2010 Finals," Jackson fondly recalled.
As the muscles in his body were developing, Gasol's mind was undergoing a transformation as well. He was laser-focused on achieving nothing short of a championship victory next season, determined to not only contribute to the legacy of the storied franchise but also achieve his ultimate goal.
With the entire Lakers organization rallying behind him, Pau felt the immense encouragement that fueled his ambition and drive. The combination of physical conditioning and mental fortitude set the stage for the versatile big man's inspiring comeback, reaffirming his commitment to winning the chip.
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"It had a big effect. The frustration and the pain that it caused us and me personally," Gasol confided as he looked back at the Lakers' championship loss in '08. "It definitely fueled me. It made me a better player. It made me work harder. It made me more prepared. It made me more determined about winning a championship."
"Kobe was the same way," he continued. "He had that fire in him. He wanted to win it so badly. That's why he always motivated me along with Phil to be the best version of myself and to be the best player that I could be. To push me and challenge me to be better, I took that personally. That's what mattered to me. It wasn't so much about comments made on the outside. It was a feeling that we didn't get this one, but we're going to do everything we can to get the next one. We put ourselves in a position to do that, and we did," Pau explained.
Related: "Dad, you at 17, me at 17, who was better? I said, 'Listen, son...'" - Dominique Wilkins on the moment he realized his son didn't know how great of a player he was
Pau got his revenge
Just as how he envisioned it, Gasol bounced back stronger in the 2008-09 season. He showcased his all-around skills throughout the year, playing a pivotal role in leading the Lakers to an NBA championship victory over the Orlando Magic.
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Building on this success, the six-time All-Star even elevated his performance to new heights in the following season. Pau delivered the most outstanding playoff performances of his NBA career, impressively averaging 19.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in the 2009-10 postseason.
What made this achievement even more significant was Gasol's chance to redeem the Lakers after their disappointing defeat in the '08 Finals. In a thrilling rematch, the Lakers faced off against the Celtics once again.
Alongside Andrew Bynum, Gasol played a crucial role in helping his team secure the chip in seven hard-fought games and finally avenging their upsetting defeat.
"Of course, Andrew Bynum was unable to play due to injury in the 2008 Finals," Phil further recounted. "But he was injury-free in the 2009 win over Orlando and the seven-game series vs the Celtics in 2010. He and Pau were a potent force together with that Laker team."
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In retrospect, Gasol's championship journey with the Lakers is not only defined by his resilience and talent. It also solidified his place as a key figure in the franchise's history.
Related: "They don't think he passes to Pau enough" - Grizzlies fans turned on Jason Williams for not getting the ball to Gasol sufficiently
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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