Gasol (and everyone) Knows

Gasol wants the ball more. If the Lakers are to beat the Nuggets, the only way is to get the gd ball to Gasol. He has to be "the man." I doubt Kobe will let this happen.

But let's face facts: Kobe cannot win when he is "the man." He isn't good enough. Sure, he can seize control of the Olympic team and defeat crappy Euro/South American teams. He can win when he's got Shaq at his most dominant and he's the support. But he cannot win without someone else being the protagonist. He might be the best player, but he isn't a leader and he does not generate offense for his teammates. On the best Lakers teams, Kareem was the best player, but Magic was "the man." Does that make sense? Magic ran the team. Jordan was both the best player and "the man." Bird was the best player and "the man." On Denver, Chauncey is "the man," and Carmelo is the best player. This may change over time. Carmelo might become "the man," but I doubt it. This is a similar problem Tracy McGrady always faced. He is a great player, but doesn't generate offense for his team, only himself. Same for Kobe.

Kobe without Gasol or Shaq is one small notch above Tracy McGrady.