Baby steps from a 7-footer are awkward and makes getting from point A to B agonizingly slow.
That best sums up what Pau Gasol is experiencing in the infancy of his comeback from a broken foot.
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As Gasol prepares for his third game -- tonight against the Seattle SuperSonics -- the reality is that he made a significant stride in Game 2 following a rusty Game 1.
But don't expect Gasol to turn into an overnight sensation just yet.
Patience still is the operative word until the Grizzlies' franchise player regains NBA-caliber conditioning and the team develops continuity playing with its best low-post player.
So far he's averaged 17 minutes with coach Mike Fratello using Gasol in four-minute stretches each quarter. The measured approach is one the Griz will employ for the foreseeable future.
Gasol appears comfortable, which is the best news given his nearly 14-week layoff following surgery to repair the fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot.
"I've been away for so long that I'm just looking forward to getting back in a groove," Gasol said. "I'm right where I wanted to be, but now all that matters is that I help this team win some games."
The organization, though, wants to guard against Gasol doing too much too soon. His teammates can't expect too much too soon. Neither can the fans.
"Pau is in a difficult spot because the expectations are so high," Fratello said. "He had only two practices. He didn't have a training camp. He's got a long way to go."
Still, Gasol took a leap Saturday in a loss at Miami.
He established deep position on the low block and made quick, decisive moves that resulted in easy scores within 5 feet of the rim. His offensive rhythm resulted in 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
That Gasol added two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal was an indication of his increased activity compared to the season-debut Friday night.
"Confidence, legs, rhythm, wind -- there are lot of things that factor in when you've been out for so long," Gasol said. "Right now, I'm just excited. I'm really motivated and I think I can make a difference. I want to change the mood around here. The chemistry is good. It's just that losing affects you. I don't want that to be our habit.
"We have to become a winning team again. That's what we've been about the last few years here. We can't go back to five or six years ago when we were a losing franchise."
Gasol's season debut took him and the Grizzlies back to their infamous days.
He appeared lost on the court and teammates did little to make the comeback comfortable against an Atlanta squad playing without star Joe Johnson.
Gasol's timing was clearly off. He whirled in the lane and tossed up hook shots that nicked the rim. His only mid-range jump shot appeared way off from the baseline. Gasol's worst moment came when he reacted slowly on a drive by Marvin Williams. The Hawks' forward delivered a facial on Gasol, dunking over the 7-footer with brute force.
The box score might have been Gasol's worst as a pro -- 1-for-5 shooting, four points and three turnovers with zero assists and no blocks.
"I knew it would be like that," veteran guard Damon Stoudamire said. "You have to give him time to find a rhythm. Getting in basketball shape is playing games. There's no other way. Every time he steps on the court he's going to get better and closer to what people are accustomed to."
Gasol didn't attempt a shot through two quarters in his debut. Fratello said integrating Gasol isn't automatic, rather a process.
"If you just throw it to him and say, 'Here go to work and make something happen' I'm not sure that's best for the team," Fratello said. "If you force feed him, is everybody else standing around? We've got to find a balance."
Meanwhile, Gasol searches for the right perspective -- on and off the court.
"I want to compete hard every day, and I want us to play with confidence," Gasol said. "Stepping on the floor and getting down (by double digits) every first quarter, it's not going to cut it. It's just not.
