What were those Grizzly idiots thinking-hell do they want the Lakers to win?

Update: I was right about this trade and its significance. The Lakers wouldn't have made it to the Finals against Boston if not for Gasol. His trade was extremely important in how the Western Conference played out.

2/9/2008 - Gasol isn't a huge name like Shaquille O'Neal, but he is an All Star caliber player. Pau and Kobe isn't Shaq and Kobe, but it will definitely help the Lakers improve as they head towards the playoffs. This makes them a real threat in the West, and this story will become bigger if the Lakers keep rolling with Gasol as Kobe's sidekick. 

Even diehard NBA fans have to admit the league has slipped off the map recently in terms of popularity. The Super Bowl, steroids, and upcoming March Madness will put this sports story on the back-burner for now.

Giving Kobe another superstar to take the load off his shoulders is going to be a big deal.  There are some great teams in the league this year and the Lakers needed a guy like Gasol if they want a shot at the big show.

As much as I dislike the Lakers, and wish that another team had acquired Gasol, this definitely makes the Lakers a contender if they can manage to get healthy. I still can't believe that someone was willing to take Kwame Brown off of their hands. Everyone has been talking about a possible Jason Kidd trade, but I think the Gasol trade will end up being this years biggest mid-season trade.