Marc Gasol could have done his best since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuesday’s 110-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors, but Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel remained determined: Andre Drummond is the starting center of the team.
“No, we’ll start Andre. That’s why we signed him here,” Vogel said. “We need to achieve this [Drummond] a ton of minutes to adapt him to our system with only X games before the playoffs, and he will be our headline. … [Gasol’s performance] that doesn’t change “.
Vogel made his statements after being asked if Gasol’s performance on Tuesday gave him anything to reconsider. Gasol hit the 13-point high of the season and tied the highs of the season with nine rebounds and four blocks, helping the Lakers gain a 34-point lead.
Gasol, who initially opposed a role change, told reporters last week that Drummond’s addition was “a hard pill to swallow,” he was completely on board with the idea of leaving room for the addition. of the aftermarket game of the Raptors game.
“I will stay prepared. I will tell you this: I am totally committed to the team. I will be ready when my number is called,” Gasol said. “I understand we have to get Andre used to what we’re trying to do. We have to get our two main guys back: Bron [LeBron James] and AD [Anthony Davis] every time they come back, and they have to run this group and get some chemistry with the first unit for them. I will be ready no matter what happens. It doesn’t matter if it’s five minutes, 10 minutes, if it’s the position. If it’s a few nights, I may not play. But I will stay prepared, come what may. I made that commitment.
“It’s been a process to revalue this situation a bit, but like I said, I’m fully committed to this team. So, whatever I throw at myself, I’ll be ready.”
Drummond has missed the Lakers ’last three games since his debut due to a big toe and a torn toenail on his right foot. Vogel said Drummond attended the Los Angeles practice in Tampa Bay, Florida on Monday, but that he was still experiencing some “tenderness” in his foot before the Toronto game.
“We’re hoping he plays against Miami,” Vogel said of Drummond, who was looking forward to the Lakers ’next game on the calendar Thursday against the Heat.
Vogel insisted that the “three boys” (Drummond, Gasol and Montrezl Harrell) will need a play center for Los Angeles as the team moves into the postseason in hopes of defending their championship.
As for Gasol, who has averaged 9.7 points on 60% shooting, 7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 blocks in the last three games Drummond missed while the Lakers went 2- 1, the 36-year-old remembered what he did. has left in the tank.
“You know, I can make a couple of shots. I can play the stick. I can pass the ball,” he said. “I can do a couple of things pretty well from time to time.”