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08:03 AM ET 01.29 | First, Pau Gasol isn't OK with coming off the bench, but he's a team player for now. [Gasol] told CBSSports.com Monday he will not request a trade before the Feb. 21 deadline and is committed to the Lakers for the rest of this season. "Not right now," Gasol said when asked if he or anyone on his behalf would lodge a trade request before the deadline. "I don't think now is the time for that step to happen. Right now I'm very focused and committed to our team." Gasol, a four-time All-Star and one of the most gifted 7-footers in the world, has struggled with his demotion to the second unit. ... "It's hard for anybody who considers himself one of the top players in the world to say, 'OK, I'm OK with coming off the bench,'" Gasol said.

Pau Gasol, Getty Images

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January 29, 2013 08:51 AM ET

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The guy has all the "right" stuff about him, but it's clear that he does not fit D'Antoni's system. It would be a disaster to lose this guy to any team; he's a game changer, the problem in LA is Dwight Howard need a lot of space to operate in the low post and having Gasol around only complicates space and movements. The Lakers are on to something with the recent wins but will this hold up or will the team revert back to getting in each other way. I believe the Lakers could catch the 8th seed team (Portland), however, that would spell "Oklahoma" in the first round and that would be a tall order for a team that seems to be just finding their way at the end of the season.

mdelaneyd45

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January 29, 2013 09:13 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:23 AM ET 01.29 by LL Cool AJ

by saying he wasn't ok with it at first, he wanted everyone to be aware. Now he's willing to play off the bench, but that doesn't mean he's ok with it.Think how Alex Smith feels.

Pau played 36 minutes on Sunday. It shouldn't matter if he comes off the bench or not if he gets minutes like that and is playing at crunchtime.