The Indispensable Man

“It was a close call, tough call for me, a tough decision to make,” said Gasol about last summer as the Bulls Sunday come into San Antonio for the noon (feels like 6 a.m.

The Bulls are in a tough stretch, their final four games in five days set with the Spurs Sunday and the Memphis Grizzlies at home Monday.

Though the Bulls were spurned by Anthony, who is now out for the season with knee surgery, Gasol, despite offers from more successful teams and more money from the Lakers, chose Chicago.

And while the statistics are impressive along with one of the best mid range jumpers in the game, Gasol has been a team leader, not only urging the players through tough times but as another coach on the floor with his perceptive view of the game.

The E’Twaun Moore game winner against the Thunder Thursday, one of the highlights of the season, was special not just because of the way Gasol read the defense and made the instant pass for the winning shot.

In that formation for the play, both he and Gasol saw Russell Westbrook getting ready to smother Gasol.

But not only does Gasol remain an excellent scorer, he’s one of the best passing big men the league has seen and combines with Joakim Noah to give the Bulls unusual free flow ability through their big men.

But with a player like Gasol, who can score and make plays down the stretch given his presence and success in such big games, it helps spread out the defense against the Bulls because of myriad options.

The Bulls Sunday also will be seeing an improving Spurs team on a four game win streak coming off their Rodeo (Drive) road trip.

“Every game is a different story,” said Gasol as the Bulls move on from the loss to the Pacers.