Gasol's Lakers debut is coming up
LAKERS REPORT
NEW YORK — Pau Gasol practiced today and will make his Lakers debut Tuesday night against the New Jersey Nets, barring any last-minute back pains.
Gasol, 27, acquired last Friday by the Lakers, had missed three of his last four games with the Memphis Grizzlies because of a sore back.
"I feel much better than I have been feeling" Gasol said.
Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said Gasol would start at center if he played and that the 7-foot-tall Spaniard would give them a post presence in the middle.
The Lakers have been without a true center in their last two games because center Kwame Brown was included in the Memphis deal.
Gasol did not play Sunday in the Lakers' 103-91 victory over Washington.
mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
