LOS ANGELES -- Taj Gibson's happy homecoming to the region where he starred for three years at USC will get a jolt tonight when Pau Gasol makes his season debut for the Lakers.
Gasol, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is expected to play roughly 25 minutes, according to Lakers coach Phil Jackson.
"They're not only adding a guy, they're adding a star player," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He's so big into what they do. He's another post-up guy, another guy with length who can rebound. They feed off him."
And thus, the ball will be in Gasol's hands often, although not as often, of course, as it will be in Kobe Bryant's. That said, Gibson will have a challenge defending Gasol.
Gibson fouled out of Tuesday's victory in Sacramento in just 11 minutes, 27 seconds. It was clear from the start that the Kings' strategy was to go at Gibson with Jason Thompson. Gibson said he needs to do a better job of moving his feet against Gasol.
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