Gasol will be wearing Los Angeles’ uniform when they host the Houston Rockets, but what will be on everybody’s mind come tipoff is simply how close the Lakers ‘ forward came to wearing Rockets red this season. Football lines

On the eve of the opening day of training camp last month, Gasol was a part of a three-way exchange between the Lakers, Rockets and New Orleans Wasps that was vetoed by NBA commissioner David Stern. Gasol and Lamar Odom would have been exchanged to New Orleans for Chris Paul. Then Gasol would have been moved to Houston for Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and a future draft pick. Football betting lines

As an alternative, Paul is with the Los Angeles Clippers and Odom is with the Dallas Mavericks thru individual trades, and Gasol is still suiting up for the purple and gold.

“No matter who we’re facing, it’s a game that we want to win and we wish to continue to especially win our home games and then go on the road and do a much better job.” He said when asked if it goes against the Rockets will evoke memories of the failed trade.

In the case with Odom, he could not get around the undeniable fact the Lakers had dangled him in a deal and asked another trade be put together to ship him out of the city, Gasol continued to provide, averaging 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks on 55.4 % shooting through the Lakers ‘ first 6 games.

“He’s here and I don’t truly think about it,” Lakers coach Mike Brown recounted of the nixed deal.

Gasol’s early numbers have been even better compared to his averages of 13.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks on just 42.0 percent shooting during last season’s playoffs when the Lakers were simply swept out of the 2nd round by the Mavericks.

The 7-footer Brown was talking about, Andrew Bynum, knows a thing or two about what it feels like to hear his name in trade scenarios yet continue to perform. Bynum has been linked to trades for Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony in latest seasons. “He comprehends it’s a business and everybody is up for grabs at any point. I cannot imagine it’d be personal. It makes no impression. We got 2 titles, (and went) three times to the Finals, so just think you never can say where you’re going to be when you wake up in the morning. All you can do is play well and ensure your team wants you.”

“Pau’s playing great,” Brown said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the way he’s playing. He is even finding his way just like the rest of us are finding our way. He is scored the ball well for us, he’s bounced back the ball reasonably well for us and he’s done a nice job facilitating. The offense is what it is perhaps because we’ve got the two, 7-foot skilled players. Hence I haven’t got any problems with the way he’s playing and I’m happy to be his coach.”