Jan 25, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots over Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the first half at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

There comes a time in every player’s career when he just can’t do the things he used to do.  Usually, the decline can be noticed first by watching a players’ rebound totals from season to season.  As the rebounds begin to fall off, so does the rest.

It’s a pretty safe formula for watching a guy devolve into a shadow of the player he once was.

Gasol’s rebounding has declined every season since 2009-10, and this year it is the lowest since 2007-08.

Pau Gasol isn’t quite on “shadow” status yet.  He did just, after all, dominate Team USA in the Olympics in the summer of 2012.  His game is still sharp.  He’s just adjusting to a role that doesn’t best befit his skill set, and also finding that Earl Clark may be on his way to becoming a solid starting power forward for the L.A. Lakers.

Truly, Gasol’s demotion is more about the promotion of Clark than it is rendering Gasol to linger in the Lakers’ second unit.

Moreover, with Jordan Hill out for the season Gasol’s role must change.  The Lakers do need a 7-footer off the bench to man the middle in the second unit.  Also, Howard and Gasol are still seeing minutes together.  Gasol’s benching by no means indicates he cannot play in crunch time when his experience may trump Clark’s superior defensive skill set.

Clark gives the Lakers a look that Gasol can’t.  He matches up very well against the more physical power forwards like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony; and even, not so much the physicality, Kevin Durant.

Jan 25, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz power forward Derrick Favors (15) defends against Los Angeles Lakers small forward Earl Clark (6) during the first half at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Clark had a tough time with Durant on Sunday (Jan. 27), but the Lakers emerged victorious on the strength of Clark defense that was just good enough to keep Durant from going totally unchecked.  Teammate Kobe Bryant played pitch perfect defense on Russell Westbrook, and if for one game only, the Lakers looked like the team that many projected them to be prior to the beginning of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Ideally, one must always remember the Lakers are a team with four future Hall of Famers.  At some point, talent is going to win out.  Chemistry takes time to develop, and it’s not as though a team that truly features three alpha dogs (and Steve Nash) is going to suddenly transform into the San Antonio Spurs.

Yet, that is exactly what needs to happen.

Manu Ginobiili has long been a top-10 NBA shooting guard, yet he is a sixth man, and was the example cited by ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy when he said that Gasol must learn from Ginobili.

Why does Pau Gasol insist that he can’t embrace a similar role?  Does he still think he is in the heart of his prime?

They are vastly different players, save the fact that both are international superstars.  Gasol would be doing it to give the Lakers some size off the bench and a more flexible (defensively) starting five.  Ginobili does it to give the Spurs a spark offensively off the bench.

Driving this further is the fact that Gasol could get more touches with the second unit.  Bryant doesn’t rest often, but when he does, Gasol should be on the court.  Mike D’Antoni will be wise to make use of Gasol the most when the other high usage players are off the court.

There’s a place for Gasol, and he’s not requesting a trade, so let’s hope that he embraces a Manu-like role in L.A. for the sake of the Lakers’ playoff hopes.

“The first thing I told him was, do not play Superman…Take care of yourself. I know you think you’re young, but you’re not that young. He’s old in a young body, if you will. But take it seriously. Go get second opinions. Live right … He’s played through a lot of things you guys have no idea about, nor will I share now.  The game in Sacramento, he shouldn’t have even played that game. I’ve seen Paul (Pierce) play through some stuff, I saw Ray (Allen) when he was here muscle through some stuff. He’s a tough kid and I learned that the first day I got here. It’s no surprise. That’s why I said what I said to him: Hey, you’re a human being, take care of yourself.” – Kevin Garnett per Boston Herald

Dec 18, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (left) and Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (right) talk on the bench during the game against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls beat the Celtics 100-89. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Garnett knows a thing or two about having miles on his body, and he knows how to make a solid career last.  KG has been around now since 1995-96, and he’s played 76 games or more in 12 of his 17.5 NBA seasons, including three straight seasons without missing an NBA game.

The importance of resting one’s body cannot be underestimated, and the rigors an NBA player goes through tax the joints and tendons intensely.  Thus, when an ACL is torn, the ligament must be rehabbed even harder to withstand taxes that only professional athletes put their bodies through.

Garnett alluded to the fact that players often play through injuries that should keep them sidelined.  But he also wanted Rajon Rondo to know that wouldn’t be the case here; that no comeback should occur until his body is ready to handle NBA game play.

The Bulls have been cautious with Derrick Rose, and KG wants nothing less for the Celtics’ floor general.  Rondo made his fourth NBA All-Star appearance this season, and was voted in by the fans to start in the backcourt for the Eastern Conference team.

But Rondo isn’t that young.  He’s about to turn 27 and is now heading into his prime.  This isn’t the same injury it would have been had it occurred during his first season in the league.  Rondo has now played 563 NBA games (regular season and playoffs).  Because he’s played on a contending team, his 92 games of playoff basketball end up equating to another entire season of games.

Fortunately, Rondo will spare himself of the torture of year round basketball.  He said he never wants to play for Team USA.  After this injury, that would be even more foolish, as Rondo will need to keep his body as rested as possible when its not undergoing practices and games.

KG’s parting words were just “take care of yourself.”

Since Rondo took care of himself by going to Cancun while suspended, we’re willing to bet he takes good care of himself.  But he’ll likely work hard to return to form and regain his place as one of the best ball distributing point guards in the NBA today.

Size obviously Celts’ priority if they do deal before Feb. 21 trade deadline but word is they hope to work way into Redick mix if they can

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 25, 2013

Jan 23, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger (7) shoots over Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia (27) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

With news that Rajon Rondo is now out for the season, this may be even more so the case.  Redick is averaging a career high 4.4 assists per game this year.  With Rondo due to miss the remainder f the season, Redick’s ability to create shots for his teammates would help Boston save what could be a disastrous postseason sans Rondo.

Moving forward, the 28-year-old Redick would figure into Boston’s short and long-term plans.  The Celtics rank 28th in the league in three point production, with only 16.5 points per game coming from distance.  Redick would immediately ameliorate that shortcoming and help the C’s hit more from outside.

The problem for the Celtics may be how much Orlando is likely to ask in return for the Duke product.  The Magic reportedly required both Derrick Williams and a first-round pick from Minnesota, so one would assume they would ask for a package of similar intrigue from Danny Ainge.

Jared Sullinger would obviously have mass appeal to a rebuilding team, and it wouldn’t be too surprising if the Magic sought to bring back Courtney Lee in the deal, as he thrived in Orlando to start his NBA career.

Lee left as a fan favorite in Orlando, and though his

Jan 27, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Courtney Lee (11) dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

promise as a player isn’t as high as people were billing it his rookie season with the Magic, Lee could find a home in Jacque Vaughn’s rotation as a great backup for sharpshooter Aaron Afflalo.

Danny Ainge must realize that to get Redick, he’s going to have to part with some talent, and that Rob Hennigan won’t back down and accept a weak offer from a team like the C’s who have some assets.

Sullinger and Lee is a good salary match and works under the cap for both teams.

The Hollinger analysis on ESPN’s Trade Machine predicts that the Celtics would improve by one win in the win-column, while the Magic would get four losses worse with the potential deal.

Maybe that’s exactly what they want in Orlando, with contention nowhere on the immediate horizon.