Pau Gasol feeling 'some tension'

Los Angeles Lakers All-Star forward Pau Gasol has struggled in the postseason, as his scoring average has plummeted by more than five points per game and his rebounding average has gone down more than two since the regular season.

"Obviously there's some tension inside of me," Gasol said Friday night. "I guess it's -- you can see it. It's tangible."

With the Lakers on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-0 in the Western Conference semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks, Gasol addressed rumors published on Internet gossip websites that suggested relationship problems have led to Gasol's on-court problems.

"I stay away from them but people close to me read them," Gasol said before practice Saturday. "At some level it's affecting some people that are close to me, very close to me. To me, it's sad, because if there was any truth to it, you deal with it. But, when there are lies or they make up stories, it's not pleasant. I don't think they help at any level. But, it's part of the business. We're surrounded by a lot of media and the media try to do their job the best way they can and some try to do that."

One report intimated that Gasol's situation had spilled into the Lakers locker room and caused an argument between him and Kobe Bryant because Bryant's wife became involved in Gasol's relationship issues.

When asked if he was aware of any of the Internet stories about him and Gasol being published, Bryant responded with a pointed "No."

Gasol was also asked about his relationship with Bryant and if he was on the "same page" as his fellow All-Star.

"Chemistry is great, actually," Gasol said. "There has been a lot of talk, even rumors and stories made up that I don't know where they come from, but it's unfortunate. Apparently it comes with the situation that we're in. People try to find reasons, throw stones at us at this time, and it's part of the deal."