13-34.

That was the Memphis Grizzlies’ record with Pau Gasol this season. And following a 22-60 record a year ago, it was becoming painfully obvious that the Grizzlies needed to start over. Many Memphis fans wanted management to keep the former All-Star and build around him, but the team had other plans.

On February 1, the Grizzlies pulled off a stunning trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, sending Gasol to L.A. for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and two first-round draft picks. On paper, the trade looked incredibly lopsided, and that has proved to be the case. The Grizzlies finished the season with nine wins in their last 35 games, while the Lakers flourished and earned the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

It really has been an amazing turnaround for the Lakers. Without the acquisition of Gasol, the Lakers might have missed the playoffs completely, considering the Golden State Warriors were sent packing with 48 wins. Even if Los Angeles had snuck into the postseason, they would have been a lower seed and would have stood little chance in advancing past the first round.

Now, the Lakers are entering the playoffs with 28 wins in their 37 games since the acquisition. Gasol has obviously been the key, giving the Lakers a second scoring option behind Kobe Bryant. Gasol has averaged 18.8 points and 7.9 assists since joining the Lakers, shoring up Bryant’s supporting cast and making Los Angeles formidable again.

Los Angeles will have home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs and appear to be a favorite to make it back the NBA Finals. And if Gasol continues to play the way he did against the Denver Nuggets in the Lakers’ first playoff game, a world championship is a definite possibility.

Gasol was an absolute monster on Sunday, putting up 36 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks in 45 minutes. The Lakers won the game, 128-114, for Gasol’s first career playoff win. He had previously been swept out of the playoffs all three times he was there with the Grizzlies.

The West is obviously full of juggernauts, so it will be no easy task to make it to the NBA Finals, but if Gasol continues to shine, the Lakers have the inside track. Both the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs match up well with the Lakers, but L.A. would only have to play one of those teams at most to make it to the Finals. Regardless of scenarios, it will be an entertaining month of basketball for Lakers fans, thanks in large part to Gasol.