Should We Feel Bad For A Tired Pau Gasol?

Pau Gasol has been playing 40 minutes or more lately because of injuries to other teammates such as Theo Ratliff and Andrew Bynum. For some reason I don't feel too bad for him. The guy makes about 18 million dollars this year and is expected to be one of the best players in the league again.

Players like Pau Gasol are relied on by their team to take the heavy loads and be the work horses. Granted that he has Kobe Bryant to help relieve some pain, he is still greatly needed. He averages almost 40 minuets per game so far this season and about 20 points to go along with that. Being the big 7 footer that he is, means he also grabs a lot of rebounds. Along with about 20 points a game, he averages almost 12 rebounds a game also. Gasol averages a double-double per game, and is a dominant force when he is on the court.

Theo Ratliff is supposed to be back soon, therefore the scare of Gasol tiring himself out too early in the season should not be in everyone's mindset for too long.