An open letter to Pau Gasol

Since everyone has been doing these, I figured I might as well get this off my chest.

When I first found out about the trade, I was initially like the rest of our fan base. I got angry and irrationally debased this trade deal as stupid and outlandish. I admit, I was being bias when I had that mind set considering Speed Racer was one of my favorite players.

I couldn't bare losing Scola after all he's done for us, but then again there's a lot that he hasn't done for us. And then, when I found out that we were losing the Dragon as well, I prayed that this trade wouldn't go through. After all, I wasn't really thinking about the facts.

Then it happened, the NBA jumped in and said "Nope." At first, I was overjoyed, thinking to myself, this was a stroke of luck, preventing an utmost error. Then, after the emotions died down, and the bias moved out its way, I realized how disappointed I was. I was left with a feeling of wanting and dissatisfaction. I was unsatisfied with our current roster. As much as I wanted to keep all of them, I knew Daryl Morey was on to something when he tried his best to move my favorite players.

That's where you came in Pau. You could have brought hope into a city that needed it. I understand that you didn't really want to be here, but just think about it for a moment. This hope that I was talking about, it's the kind of hope that has been repeatedly stepped on by the likes of Stern and his fellow staff members. Spitted on by ill-timed injuries to our stars, and ripped apart by stars refusing to even glance at us.

You wouldn't have been a glue guy, or support. You were suppose to be the guy that would have put together the pieces of our hope and have it shining again. We would have done everything we possibly could, well not me, but I know Daryl would have. We would have had another big guy next to you, making a great front court possible. Those criticisms of you being soft would have been drowned out by the cheers of us Houston Rockets fans as we cheer you on as the Big Guy In Charge, or BGIC if that sounds any better.

If anything, there would have been some semblance of us having Yao back. Before I cause any insult or confusion, I meant that as a compliment. You would have brought the length and body of a big man, with the added finesse of course. A great shooting stroke who can rebound with the best of them. Of course, that's just my inner fan making those comparisons, but it still would have brought some joy to me after all the Rockets have been through.

As much as I really didn't want you, I knew we needed you. And now, all I'm left with is wanting. Thinking about what possibly could have been. I would have gone to games to cheer you on, even though past years have left me screaming at the T.V. as I cursed your name while the Houston Rockets played against the Lakers. All of that could have changed, for the better.

But, things didn't work out, and unlike us, you got what you wanted. You were able to stay in L.A. while we're left moping and doping around, trying to salvage the remaining pieces of our hope, using whatever we can to keep it together.

As much as I hated you, I really would have loved to see you in a Rockets jersey. So, this is to you Pau Gasol, and to the hopes that you can erase all those criticisms of you being soft this season.

Sincerely,

A hopeful fan