Gasol doesn’t believe he said anything “too crazy” and was sharing his frustration.
Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni has hit back at Pau Gasol for his recent comments and admitted that he is disappointed that he went through the media with his criticism.
The Lakers are 19-39 this season and have lost 26 of their last 32 games, leaving them in last place in the Western Conference and all but already eliminated from the playoffs.
Injuries have undoubtedly been a major factor in their struggles this season, but D’Antoni has insisted that he doesn’t appreciate players airing their frustrations with the media.
Gasol has downplayed his remarks and insisted that he didn’t say anything “too crazy”, but his coach is disappointed that he would discuss it with the media in the first place.
“The thing I just don’t appreciate … You just keep it in-house,” D’Antoni said, as reported by ESPN.
“It’s very easy just to come over and talk about your frustrations. We’ll try to work something out. We’ll figure something out.
“But to go to (the media) and to do it in the papers, that’s disturbing. I just don’t think that’s the way to go and people should understand that we’re all trying to solve the same problem, so let’s just put our heads together and do the best we can.”
It is just the latest problem facing the Lakers this season as the two engage in a public difference of opinion, as D’Antoni added that he had “no idea what he was talking about” with regards to the team lacking discipline.
The Lakers coach went on to defend new recruits Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks, while Gasol was keen to stress that he wasn’t singling any player out in his critique and is pleased that the former Golden State Warriors duo have a chance to shine with the franchise.
Meanwhile, D’Antoni claimed that he would continue with the small line-up, another decision that irked Gasol in the loss to the Indiana Pacers, but believes that the frustration is normal and he expects his team to react and put some wins on the board down the stretch of the regular season.
With Gasol set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, it remains to be seen how long the Spaniard remains with the franchise despite long-time teammate Kobe Bryant being a significant advocate of keeping him on.
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