“The Kobe days are over

The Kobe days are done

The Bulls are coming

So you better run.” (In Florence and the Machine voice)

Pau Gasol is free from the Los Angeles Lakers and entering his second season with the Chicago Bulls. His career has been revitalized after the transfer, and fantasy owners last year were blessed night after night with Gasol’s stat line. He had his best rebounding season in his 14 years in the NBA, averaging 11.8 a night, fourth in the NBA and first for all power forwards.

Pau’s rebounding wasn’t the only stat to climb with the Bulls, he also scored 18.5 points a game, his most since the 2010-2011 season with the Lakers. On top of that, Gasol led the league in double-doubles with 54, six more than any other player. He was ranked down below number 40 on most fantasy sites, but after last season’s antics, he’s set to be a late second-round choice for anyone who missed out on a big man in the first.

Just to make his fantasy resume more appealing, Gasol played magnificent defense, adding around two blocks a night to his line. Fantasy owners with a power forward totaling upwards of ten blocks a week are in good shape, especially in a 12-team league. Combined with a later round center like Robin Lopez or Marcin Gortat who can also add one or two blocks a night, you’ll be looking at an easy W in the block category week after week.

The categories that are often overlooked in fantasy basketball are percentages. Gasol is one of the best big man shooters in the league, knocking down nearly 50 percent of his attempted 15 shots a game. He’s efficient from the line as well, making 80 percent of his free throws. Unfortunately, Pau turns the ball over an average of two times per contest, a lot for someone not handling the ball much. He does rack up three assists though, fifth amongst all power forwards. His turnovers are down from previous years, where he totaled nearly three a night back in Memphis.

Through Gasol’s 14-year stretch in the NBA, he’s had numerous injuries that have sidelined him for large chunks of the season. With the Bulls, he managed to play 78 of 82 games, but did miss a few key playoff games in the series against Cleveland. Looking into the future, it doesn’t appear that Gasol will miss much time like he has before with Los Angeles. The Bulls seem to have an eternal injury bug. However, Pau’s minutes are down from the last couple seasons, and with Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson both healthy, he isn’t required to play heavy minutes each game.

Pau Gasol was one of the most consistent big men last season. He reached a double-double in 70 percent of his games, and scored under 10 points just four times. Thanks to constant Chicago injuries, Gasol occasionally became the primary offensive contributor and broke out for record games, like in a win against Milwaukee where he scored 46 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in 39 minutes of play.

If you miss out on a big man in the first round, which is highly possible with the guards now flooding the top ten, Gasol could be a solid late second-round option. He provides solid point numbers, league leading rebounds, and double-doubles, at least two blocks a night and above average percentages both from the field and the line. Coupled with a mid-level center who can also block shots, you’ll be looking at an easy win in blocks, rebounds and most likely field goal percentage every week.

Durability: B+

Overall Stats: A

Consistency: A

Mock Draft Ranking: #17