⌕/
Pau Gasol · Throughout the early-to-mid 2000s, it became well-established that even up-and-coming Western Conference bigs had to be prepared to pay their nightly dues — sometimes in the form of a “Big Ticket” — before graduating into a proven great at the talent-rich position. A problem for the league from Day One, Pau Gasol took the challenge, using his trademark footwork to create his own unseen entry. Forced to calcuate his way through a high-post, high-profile clash against future Most Valuable Player winner Kevin Garnett, Gasol shifts nearly his entire frame away from the basket, feigning a middle drive convincingly enough to shift Garnett from the baseline. Nimble in a sweep through the left side, Gasol powers up, lifting off into a two-handed facial over three different defenders, followed by a staredown thereafter. Tested in a league where most newcomers are understandably wide-eyed, Gasol left that honor solely to the fans and observers, seamlessly working himself into a near-unanimous 2001-02 Rookie of the Year award. Productive in a loss against the postseason-bound Minnesota Timberwolves, the eventual Hall of Famer deposited 22 points (on 8-of-13), 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three blocks on December 6, 2001. · State of Mint · State of Mint