Gettin' Smushed

Heh

Smush is a funny name.

Hehe

I wanna reiterate a point BK raised, because I think people often lose sight of it. In an ideal world, Smush wouldn't be your starter. While he proved this season that he belongs in the league, he's (at least currently) better suited as a back up. He'd actually be a pretty good one, especially after the experience gained this season. But that wasn't his situation. He spent the entire season covering the top PG's, all better than him, which culiminated in 7 straight games guarding the NBA's absolute best. That is a very taxing assignment. Nash blows past many a starting PG, much less a starting PG's sub. Defensive aces sometimes look silly guarding Nash. And everyone on the Lakers who tried covering him looked silly, too.

I'm not making excuses for Smush, because bottom line, he played badly in games 4-7. He let the defensive lapses affect his offensive output and he eventually became useless on both ends. But he was obviously in over his head and I just don't think people were often realistic when it came to this match up.

AK

I feel for Smush, on one hand he's had probably the greatest year of his life. He was the starting point guard for the LA Lakers not many people can say that. But, on the other hand it may very well be over.

It'd be nice to see Smush back next year, I think he has the potential to be a solid NBA pg. But I definitely don't think he's ready just yet. It'd be nice if we can get a vet.

BK,

I know you said that Smush and Mitch were the last two exit interviews you were transcribing, but do you have any idea of what was said to Baby Bynum? And what his offseason plans are as far as improving his game?

If Smush wants to stay in LA and earn the starting spot he has to do the following:

Defense- Love the steals, can't handle the other basics. Sasha does it a bti better than Smush does. If he can make his defender work and be a better defender against Nash and most people (maybe the exception of Shaq or Ben Wallace), then he can re-earn his spot

Consistency- there are games where he scores more than 20 points and ones where he doesn't make any at all. Hit the three when open, mostly drive to the basket and hit the points when unopposed, if getting jammed to the basket, throw it to the wide open man. Assists is what a point guard must be able to do and Smush must increase that. And also score consistent and score at least 13 points while defending.

Strength- He said it, he needs to seriously work out. Him and especially Sasha. With the exception of Kobe, almost all of our Guards, both point and shooting, look weak physically, which might attain why many guards blow throw them. Work out big time, mainly upper body and his arms. Thats what all guards need to work out with.

That's what he needs to do. He hit the rookie wall this season. He already has a full NBA season under his belt with playoff experience. Now it is time for him to get working and step up to the next level.

In my recollection, since he joined the Pistons, every single "guarantee" that 'Sheed had made had come true.

Another great interview, BK.

GO LAKERS!

I am a big Smush fan, but Games 5, 6 and 7 showed that he needs to toughen up his on-court mental attitude.

As the wheels began to fall off on Smush's game in the latter part of the Phoenix series, it was obvious every time Smush came off the floor he was sulking and feeling sorry for himself.

That ain't going to cut it. That kind of attitude can be a cancer to a team - especially when that team is down in the middle of a competitive and tightly contested playoff series.

The Lakers definitely need a starting Point Guard in the short term. I really feel that Sasha Vujacic can develop into a solid starter; remember, the triangle offense doesn't have a conventional point guard. So tell me what you Laker fans think of this offseason move: The Lakers package Chris Mihm(affordable contract), Brian Cook(1 year left in contract), & Aaron McKie(1 year left in contract) to Golden State, who are looking for a starting center and to free up salary to sign their soon-to-be free agents, for Derek Fisher and their lottery pick in 2006 draft.

Hey Oscar is that is possible i would do it in a heart beat!

Mike T.,
Haven't seen you post on the last two days, but to answer your question, I'm happy to pose any question you have to Tex. Your passion as a Laker fan is something I respect much.
AS far as the Lakers making adjustments to the screen and roll, historically Phil's teams have been terrible against the main play in the NBA, the screen and roll. As great a Laker as D. Fish was, as much of a ball pressure guard as he was for the championship teams, he didn't play the screen and roll well. No Laker guard, no Jackson guard, has dealt with it all that well, especially the Lakers. It killed them in 2003 and 2004.
The main adjustment to the screen and roll would be to play zone, which would have been suicide against a sweet shooting team like the Suns.
Smush is a young guard learning to play the scr & roll, but everybody runs it differently. And Nash is an absolute killer with the scr & roll.

I've written a lot about the low blows Phil sent Kobe's way in seasons past. The excerpts from my book last summer fueled a lot of debate on the internet.
I think Phil and Kobe have made a pact to get along. Is there conflict still? Yes, of course. There's always conflict when you have a system like the triangle and special athletes like an MJ or a Kobe.

But would Phil sabotage the team? I thought he tried certain questionable things in years past to try to rein in Kobe. But no way he would lose intentionally. The whole coaching staff was alive when that team went up 3-1.
Besides, Phil has done things to undermine MJ as well.
Phil is a great coach; he has his flaws. Already a raging egomaniac in Chicago, he flew off the charts once he arrived in LA and began absorbing all the hero worship there.
The members of his staff who came with him from Chicago to LA say that Phil is now a very different person. He used to have personal regard for them. No longer. Phil's got his head way up his butt as a human being.
But as a coach, no way he tanks the series. He feels no allegiance to MJ. He's all about Phil. If there's any legacy he wants to preserve, it's his own. Winning that series would have been a huge star in his crown; losing that series really pissed him and Tex Winter off.
Now, maybe PHIL made a mistake or two from the bench in that series.
But he almost pulled off a huge upset with a very green roster.
He and Kobe worked to make that happen.
Frankly, they're more concerned about these young guys learning and stepping up.
The game got out of hand, Kobe was furious, furious with his teammates, and he was gonna make them play the right way.
He and Phil saw eye to eye.
It wasn't pretty. But it was about the future, not Kobe's shot-drunk past.
So the future is what we all face with the Lakers. It's better than it was, yet not what we wanted, once we allowed hope with that 3-1 lead (you may recall that I picked the Lakers to win 4-2 and was spinning with delight at the developments).
Things are going to be fun next fall when the Lakers open camp and get started again. The team will be much better, but so will a lot of teams in the West.
Actually, my main concern is off the court. I want to make sure the LA Times realizes what it has going with AK and BK. Give those gents a great big raise and let them have at it for next season. This has been way too much fun.
I'm only sorry that I have to work and can't mix it up as often as I'd like.
Michael, people fussed because you pulled in some 3,000 year old philosophy to discuss Phil Jackson. That's only natural. I don't know the entire history of zen buddhism, but I think it's at least as old.
Peace to all.

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show

A problem I feel Smush has to resolve, but probably won't be able to is his unconventional release point in his shot, its the reason he's a much better shooter in a catch-and-shoot than off the dribble. Smush's release point is set so much to the right of his head, that it forces his right elbow(his shooting elbow) to stick out. It can make taking a smooth jumpshot while dribbling to the left very difficult. For a right-hander, it should be easier shooting while going to your left than your right, because your shoulders are already set. I don't think I ever saw Smush make a shot off the dribble.

K Bros,
Since the last one for exit interviews is Mitch, is it possible to get a post with a synopsis on what was said to the other players. However, I will give my one sentence advice for all of them

Mitch - Get off the logo's legacy and get some better players.
Phil - Learn to coach against the pick and roll since you have never been able to stop it since you became a coach.
Kobe - Be yourself and stop listening to the media.
Odom - Show up to every game and work on your right handed game.
Kwame - Quit messing with those chickenheads and stay in the gym all summer learning how to hold on to the ball.
Mihm - Get healthy and work on your power game.
Walton - Work out with the Santa Monica Track Club and get faster.
Smush - Spend a few days on the And1 Mix Tape Tour guarding Hot Sauce to fix your on the ball defense (if you can stay in front of him, you can stay in front of Parker and Nash).
Cook - Work out with Kobe (in other words, get to work or get traded).
Turiaf - Stay hungry and listen to Kobe this summer when he takes you under his wing (on the court that is).
Vujacic - Weight room, have you heard of it?
Bynum - Spend some time on the Super Cat so you can improve your jumping ability to get better shots and be more of a factor next year (oh yeah, and handle your business in Long Beach this summer)
George - HOLLA!!!! Thanks for the memories.
Wafer - See George
McKie - See Wafer
Jackson - See McKie
Green - Keep improving and handle your business in Long Beach (gotta rep for the HBCU's)

If I forgot someone, let me know.

Give him some credit - Zen is only 1,500 years old.

Rich,

"George - HOLLA!!!! Thanks for the memories.
Wafer - See George
McKie - See Wafer
Jackson - See McKie"

That's very funny. And what's HBCU, with Devin Green? Does it have something to do with Hampton?

AK

Again, all the right questions, BK.

I'm not sure I like Smush as a backup point guard either even though he has obvious skills. His game seems more all around and we need specialists. A great defender / hit the open shot kind of player blends well with Kobe and the gang. A steal here and there and no confidence in mid range game didn't work this year and won't next.

Players make money in this league being able to do something nite in and out. Smush can put on a show around the rim but it sure would help his cause and ours if he never missed an open look...at least 1/2 the time anyway.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Hampton's a sweet school and a beautiful campus. I didn't know that Green had gone there.

I don't know any guards that play the pick and roll effectively. The thing that Parker and Nash and Chris Paul and Bibby and others do is come back at you on offense with the same medicine. Smush has to fight through the pick and then let his man rest while Kobe takes over.

Does anyone have any info on Dallas and Jason Terry? He's a free agent this summer, and with Devin Green showing up more, could be expendable if the Mavs are cap strapped. Does anyone know if they are? It sucks the Lakers aren't able to offer much of a long term contract, but if its possible, he would seem to be the perfect fit.

ML

Q. Who or what is to be blamed for the Lakers fiasco the past two seasons?

A. Kobe Bryant
B. Lamar Odom
C. The Front Office
A. Young / Inexperienced team

A. The Front Office
I'm going to make this precise and clear without writing an essay about it like most of the people here would.
You got the best player in modern basketball in Kobe Bryant and alongside him, you have 12 scrubs in the team that belong nowhere but the NBDL. Even Michael Jordan couldn't do it alone. Kobe needs help. He needs help fast. Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak, get your ass up and do something.
I feel sorry for Kobe Bryant, he is so talented but despite this, he's going nowhere in his career.

Tomorrow Kobe will be on tnt's pregame or the entire show, not sure.
But right now Ernie mentioned Kobe will be in studio tomorrow. And Charles said,"I'm going to ask him why he only shot 3 times." Lets see what happens.

On another thing I was watching Lebron's press conference and he said, that they never never never listen to what charles has to say. It was cool of Lebron to say that. Then Charles said that if the team didn't have anything better to do than to listen to him. So I guess Lebron doesn't like charles either.

Lets see what happens tomorrow with Kobe in the studio talking to them personally. I just hope that the media doesn't take what Kobe says in a bad game. But who am I quitting? of course they will.

Watching the Cavs/Pistons game Lebron was out of bounds when he made the 3 point shot and they let it go. When the ball when out of bonds almost at the end it when out of Lebron and the refs said it was cavs ball. I guess the NBA wants Lebron to play longer. It's just amazing how obvious they make it. It's obvious if people are willing to acknowledge the obvious.

Jon,

Okay, I gotcha. Interesting. I knew Green went to Hampton, but didn't know it was a historically black college. I guess we both learned something. haha.

Well, wherever he ends up, I wish Devin Green a lot of luck. He's a very nice kid who seems like a hard worker. But like most undrafted free agents, he's gonna have a hard road ahead of him when it comes to staying in the NBA. He is a tall guard, however, which always helps when trying to stick on a Phil Jackson roster. And I heard from someone in "the know" that they like him, so he's at least got a shot, if nothing else.

AK

Hey, Roland.

Always look forward to your posts on this blog. I've been trying to find your column/blog so I can follow your articles more regularly. I'm guessing it's HoopsHype?

I agree, the K Brothers should get a raise for their tremendous work here. I live in Asia, so most of the time, the only way I can 'watch' Laker games is via the Yahoo Sports pages. It's much more fun to follow the live format here and see the Kommentary as well. So, thanks AK & BK! You two deserve a LOT of credit for making this THE Laker place to hang out in.

As for Smush Parker, well... if we could keep him as a backup point guard, that'd be great. I think he had a fantastic season with the Lakers, but the meltdown in the last few games in the playoffs... sigh. Someone like Derek Fisher coming over would be neat.

I wonder what Kobe might say to Fat Albert.

"I ain't worried about these cats," he said. "There's no way in hell they beat us in a series. They played well. I give them credit. We lost. We shot 30 percent and they had to play their best to beat us."

Haha, you gotta love Rasheed.

Actually, that game was the Pistons until the refs turned into the three blind mice.

Nyla,

Nobody in the NBA makes better use of the phrase "cat" than Sheed. He's the king.

AK

I hate to say it but me and Smush are destined to be intertwined. The same day I comment on his "actions" during the playoffs...the same day the exit interview gets posted. LOL (Just kidding you guys!)

AK, BK, you're right. It is important to remember that he was never supposed to start to begin with. And as someone who has questioned Smush's mentality and attitude all season long, it's refreshing to hear that he doesn't think the position is automatically his (though seriously it isn't). Like many of the people on this team, I look forward to their growth. The problem is, outside of maybe 4 or 5, I'd rather they grow somewhere else (lol). Seriously though, I hope the conditioning (cause he did hit the wall this season) and the adjustments on his game can make him a better player. Bend you knees man, and put your hand up (defensive pose) ;-)

Roland Lazenby,
Thank you for the "insight" to our beloved team/(not sure beloved) coach lol. I think it's interesting that the ego of PJ is often overlooked, while Kobe's becomes overblown (not saying he doesn't have one, just that it's overblown). If you can, please answer why is it that historically PJ coached team has always suffered from pick and roll (and small teams in general)?

P.S. was it me or when you were reiterating AK...you were talking to me lol

Uppss sorry Kobe's presentation is on WED, not tomorrow, sorry.

I think it would of been better for him just to stay clear of that show. Right now Barkley was saying I don't even know who's that kid, wasn't Kobe supposed to be in the octagon, lets call Raja Bell, oh no he has bigger fish to fry. The hate, the hate.

Well, this summer Smush will be competing for a slot as 1). A back-up PG against Sasha or 2). Willing to stay again in NBDL and wait for Lakers' call or 3). Be included in the trade package for a veteran PG with the wisdom of Sam Cassel (but if possible more agile than Sam). That is one area Mitch has to solve. I like the theory expounded by "Let The Truth Be Heard". Please don't give Kobe, PJ & Lamar a bunch of SCRUBS as teammates. We are aware that you're in salary caps but it is really a struggle for your fans to watch another mediocre season. Every night during the playoffs we prayed and dreamt of Kwame's turn around. We fervently prayed and dreamt of Smush learning the fundamentals of being PG, avoid turnovers and be a consistent producers with those exciting tomahawk dunks. To our anguish in the end, we too, agree that they are bunch of REJECTS and SHRUBS thrown to the Lakers because of salary caps. IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF DAM* SALARY CAPS BUT THIS FRONT OFFICE KEEPS ON INCREASING THE PRICE OF SEASON TICKETS ANNUALY. We are equally dam* to buy those excuses that they are saving money for 2008.

"Mitch if you cannot stand the challenge, move aside, there are many Laker professionals who can do the job."

Sorry guys & gals for losing my cool!

aight i came in late on this one, but i was just wondering, or actually im concered, with all this talk about needing a PG, whats going to happen with sasha? is it going to come down to picking sasha or smush as our back up? honestly i wouldnt want to pick, i would rather let go of mckie which most likely will happen, but on the flipside we might end up with 3 point guards, will the lakers move sasha to the 2 spot? just wondering what you guys think about this, cuz i would really hate to see sasha go, and i do believe smush can be a good PG, i think both proved themselves this season and are worthy of remaining on this team...

Go Lakers...

AK

Can Smush just admit he sucks as a player? no knock on the guy but he sometimes does not see reality.

Just to clear up any potential confusion, these are full transcripts of the full media sessions- I wasn't the only one there. I asked some questions, but not all of them were asked specifically by me. I think I explained that before. I just don't want to take credit, as if it was a one-on-one. Wouldn't be right.

And TrueLakerFan- I think it's becoming clear that Sasha has a lot of work to do before he can be a PG, and must become a far more consistent shooter b/f he can be a SG. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of his. I think he's a marginal NBA player on his better days. Could he prove me wrong? Sure. But while I expect he'll be back next year (but not extended as Cook was), if I were him, I'd be renting, not buying.

BK

Xodus-

No interview on Bynum, but we're hoping to catch up with him this summer. There is some info in the Mitch interview, which will be posted in the next day or two.

BK

BK i agree with you on sasha being a marginal player (during the season) but he really stepped up his game during the playoffs and he is barely 21, he has so much potential as far as being a great shooter and phil has said on many occasions that he is in fact the purest shooter on the team, hopefully we can give sasha one last chance to prove himself next season...

Go Lakers...

TrueLakerfan,

I'd hesitate before describing Smush as having a truly huge upside. But I absolutely think it's bigger than Sasha's. By a long shot. I don't want to evaluate Sasha too much now, because I'll be eventually getting into all this with the upcoming "report cards," but there isn't much he does that particularly well, and doesn't do any of it consistently. He'll really have to work in the offseason to ensure playing time in 2007, much less a future in the league.

AK

The Smush-meister! I swear this guy has all the potential that any one can ask for and if he works hard he could become a truly huge pick-up for the Lakers.
The biggest ordeal with all this potential is that it takes time and patience and being apart of a winning organization -we all want to win now! The Lakers need to make a little noise and go after some of the 2nd and 3rd year players around the league, the ones whose contracts won't kill us. I can see just about everyone but Kobe being expendable after this seasons performance, but I do like the unit as a whole.
The talent pool that I see the most and have to point out again and again are the Warriors. Man the kid Monte Ellis has is going on, Ike Diogu same feeling he just gets it done and plays smart hustling basketball. Mickael Pietrus might be a little expensive but I would love to see him coming off the bench, instant offense and a fairly good defender. The Kings have Kevin Martin a decent shooter, playmaker and plays tough D - reminds me of Doug Christie, and the Mavs have a guy going ballistic as we speak named Devin Harris. I would love to see some kind of work done for any one of these players. Leonardo Barbosa is another budding talent that could be a huge piece and then there are a few others out there who not only look promising but have already stepped their games up to be noticed. Bobby Jackson seems to keep coming up but the guy gets injured way too much.
The Draft is OK this year and we might find a jewel but I like to see how the players react and play when given time. All the young players I have mentioned are in my opinion stronger than what we have. We need a versatile running back-up Forward who can score and get back on D like Andre Iguodala from the Sixers, he's more like a trade guy but it sure would be music to my ears to know we are talking about this kind of player.
I agree with some of the hard-core bloggers here in that Phil still has not truly learned how to better his team by playing good players to their strengths. The Pick and Roll and pick and pop you have to run it, it works to well not too. If you run it enough in practice then in games it doesn't make you look so stupid when you can cheat through weak picks or have team defense that saves you from being left out of the picture. It has been a great journey with Kobe and his persistence of wanting to win so badly but he truly embarrassed himself by not trying to step up somewhat in the second half of the last game. If Phil had this plan then shame on him for not having plan B and C ready one of which should have Kobe running through 2x picks and just shooting his tail off in order to give us a little credibility. We Stunk and gave up in game 7, that was not even a feasible game plan if you are continuing to dive into oblivion with no Kobe and he is giving up the ball to these guys who are in over their heads - then you have to use the ultimate weapon and at least go down with honor of letting the fiercest competitor in the NBA with his teammates backing him shooting the lights out. I would have much rather seen Kobe shoot 40-50% than what we did. Anyway its history and I hate to lose, I just cannot believe Phil had no back-up plan and wanted to embarrass the team so horribly.
Another season done and I have to sit back and watch the rest of the league develop and show signs of life and hope we either get Kupchak up and moving or Buss moves him for Kiki. We aren’t so bad that we cannot compete but we certainly have to put some more effective players together. We might have really strengthened our big men in a big way with Kwame’s coming out party and Mihm continuing to improve. The mid-range and outside shooters just were not to be found. Somehow we found no use for the best all around game of that style in Jim Jackson, still very puzzling to me he didn’t earn minutes in front of Sasha or Smush?…whatever its over and its wait and see time and I am just running on here- thaks for aloowing us all to vent and share our hearts passion and compassion for the Lakers.
Keep up the great work AK and BK, outstanding work here!

I definitely think we're going places. It was a great last season and after losing the way we did in the first round I think it really showed front office that this team really needs to do something this off-season.

As far as our backcourt goes, yeah we do need help, but where do you go? I think management has a potential championship team if they can open their pocketbooks; however this is not my money. Jason Terry, with Devin Harris doing well now, could bring us over the top if we can convince him (pry away) that he could be a better version of Ron Harper (note: Ron is on the Dallas coaching staff).

The guy I see as not returning would have to be my man Devin George. I think he feels the same way. And of course his salary coming off the books is key. I see him going to Boston, he could fit nicely there, in fact, that could be a possible place to send him via sign and trade for one of there plethora of guards the Celtics have, I am thinking Dickau. But is that really the answer?

The lost experience and knowledge of the triangle lost with George can be replaced with Toni Kukoc, who should fill the role that Mckie and JJ did not do so well (they can go too). In the end I can see Smush and Sasha getting consistent and even quite a few minutes next season. Bring back Laron, hes a great bench guy too, and we might have ourselves a team almost.

VG24

They really "like" Devin Green. Very impressive. Actually, I should have known since they gave him a shot on a roster spot that was overloaded with SG (Kobe, Profit, and Wafer). Hey K bros (hopefully from Andrew, but since MVP race is over, Brian would suffice) I know that anything (rheotircally speaking) is possible but can Green actually take over a roster spot over Von Wafer? I think he can personally seeing as they didn't cut him and sent Wafer instead to the D-League. Seeing that "officially" we have 3 SG (Kobe, Wafer, Green), 3 PG (Parker, Vujacic, McKie), 4 SF (Odom, Walton, Jackson and George who actually might be leaving), 2 PF (Cook and Turiaf), and 3 centers (Brown, Mihm, Bynum), I think that first we should resign Profit or Rush as Kobe's backup and lose Jackson. Unless Kwame really can hit consistent jumpers and drive to the basket in a matter similar to LO, he should stay at Center. That way LO can move to PF and Luke gets a chance at SF. We resign George to a smaller contract as the primary backup to Luke and draft a SF in the 1st Round. The PG rotation stays the same except in the case where we get Derek Fisher through trade and lose Von Wafer. So we have an equal position numbers (3 each) and not be overloaded on one particular position.

That way, an actual improving Kwame stays near the post, LO creates mismatches to Power Forwards by his speed (he creates mismatches in SF by his size), Luke becomes a better defender and shooter while retainig his passing and IQ skills, Smush/Fisher improves during the summer with defense and consistent scoring, and Kobe trusting his teammates even better, which should happen with him on Team USA. Backups are good (Mihm, Cook with outside shooting, George as an all around, Sasha with defense, and Profit as good backup or Rush with another nice wave of shooting) and we should improve as a whole this summer. Nobody expected this team to make the playoffs, next year will be even deeper.

My proposal for Derek Fisher? Simple.

Los Angeles Lakers trade: Smush/Sasha, and 1 or 2 secound round picks for Derek Fisher from Golden State Warriors. It would be very possible and profitable for both sides. Golden State gets more cap space and a good young backup to Baron Davis and a couple or just one draft pick. Lakers get back "0.4" who also knows Phil's system inside and out more than anybody on the current roster other than Devean George (who might leave) and Kobe Bryant. Mitch made the Kwame Brown trade, hopefully he can get back "The Fish that saved L.A."

wow Edwin Gueco...lol

AK...are you going to explain that "upside" in the report card (or lack of w/regards to Sasha)...if not can you clarify? I'd like to know ;-)

Faith,

As far as upside goes, I wouldn't regard either's as "off the charts." But in a nutshell, Smush is more athletic, more versatile offensively, a more consistent shooter, a better playmaker and quicker. Defensively, he's not great, but Sasha mostly gets used, too. I can't think of anything he does consistently better than Smush.

AK

The big guards on Phil teams could be part of the reason that the pick and roll is the first option for teams that can run it well. Hard for the bigger slower guards to chase over picks all night.

Utah killed us with pick and rolls on the Shaq, Kobe and Del Harris teams. I always thought the Laker weakness there was because of Shaquille's inability or unwillingness to "show". IN any case, Phil's plan was superior to Del's in dealing with it, given the result.

I don't know why Phil's teams would be more vulnerable to the play than other teams. It's a hard one to cover. Could be that Phil takes other options away with his D scheme so that's the one left.

The thing that makes the play lethal is a point guard that never misses. To me that's what makes Nash. He can flat out shoot the basketball so you can't just play him for the pass. Smush's last 3 games show the opposite.

Faith,
Vman is right. Shaq was a huge factor in the failure of screen and roll defense. Just didn't like stepping out, or showing, to slow down the guy off the dribble. Some relate it to not wanting to help Kobe, but I think that's not really the case. Shaq was powerful and just never bought into worrying about other team's gimmicks.

And, yes, Phil using big guards is a factor, too. They fill the passing lanes nicely, but often have trouble with the play. But so do little guards. It's about knowledge and toughness.
Payton has been an excellent screen and roll defender over the years, but even he caught the disease when he became a Laker. He would get really angry when Shaq wouldn't show.

One of the big reasons they have so much trouble with it is that the Lakers are a ball pressure team. Ball pressure is great for keeping teams flummoxed. YOu stay all over the other team's guards and make nothing easy. One major counter to good ball pressure is setting a good high screen.

So ball pressure vs. the screen and roll. It's the age-old basketball showdown.

Phil's teams have won that showdown more often than not. He's had superior personnel and he's gotten them to do superior things.

The Lakers won three titles despite weaknesses with the screen and roll.

It's the oldest play in basketball, and every great guard and forward combo runs it differently. Stockton and Malone used to kill with it.
Steve Nash and his Suns will screen and roll like crazy, setting and resetting when it doesn't work.

Mr. Chen,
I write a column once a month for hoopshype. I also edit Lindy's Pro Basketball Annual, which goes out to 200,000 readers each August (Tex Winter has signed on for another season of his All-Winter team). I also contribute to Dunkshoot in Japan. And to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Most of my writing effort goes into my book projects. I'm working on another Laker-related project. My current book is The Show, about the team.
I think it would be fun, one of these days, to write a book with a group of people, sort of like a blog. But I think AK and BK would be much better suited to do that. It would be interesting to see a book with your greatest hits from the blogs, the interviews, the comments, the crazy stuff. Highs and lows. The suffering and anguish.
All you need is a title.
Something like:
LAKERSBLOG GROUP THERAPY:
SUFFERING IN GOLD AND FORUM BLUE (subtitle).
Ha!
Or,
SLEEPLESS IN LA
NOTES FROM THE LAKERSLOG FAR SIDE
Or,
THE KAMENETZKY REVOLUTION
HOW MALEKE, JON, AND THE GANG KEEP A BEAD ON MITCH KUPCAKE

Or,
HOW PHIL JACKSON'S MIND GAMES MADE US ALL CRAZY
NOTES FROM THE LAKERSBLOG UNDERGROUND

Or
LAKERS UNDERWORLD
NOTES FROM THE BLOG

Or
LAKERS UNDERWEAR
LATE, LONELY NIGHTS OF INSANITY AND REVOLUTION ON THE KAMENETZKY LAKERSBLOG

I love that last subtitle. I think we're on to something.

GO LAKERS!!!!! (PLEASE!?!)
LATE, LONELY NIGHTS OF INSANITY AND REVOLUTION ON THE KAMENETZKY BLOG

OR
THE LAKER REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE STREAMED
NOTES FROM THE KAMENETZKY UNDERWORLD

Yes, we need to get that Dostoyevski thing going.

THE LAKER BROTHERS KAMENETZKY
LATE, LONELY NIGHTS OF GRIME AND PUNISHMENT, OF INSANITY AND REVOLUTION ON THE BLOG

Or we could go Xs and Os!

POSTING UP THE LAKERS
LATE, LONELY NIGHTS OF INSANITY AND REVOLUTION ON THE KAMENETZKY LAKERSBLOG

Just one question. Can a book have 10,000 authors?

More peace to all.

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show

One other quick note:
Phil once told me that the worst time in his coaching career came in 1990, when his team suffered a humiliating loss in Game 7 to the Pistons. He told me it was really hard to sit on the bench during that second half. Yet he credited the pain of that loss with forging his team into the kind of club that could withstand all pressure. You may remember that MJ wept on the team bus after that Game 7 humiliation.
I think Phil sees this loss as a tremendous motivating factor for the guys who really care. I'm not saying it's good or bad, not saying he allowed this to happen intentionally.
It is what it is, and Phil is what he is, a tremendous mystery of a man, a really odd duck who doesn't look at things the way the rest of us do. That and Tex Winter and the opportunity to coach the greatest players in history are why he has been so successful.

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show

For me, we have to blame on the young and inexperienced team.

That is what maked smush disappear, and the lakers lose after the 3-1.

I think that the Lakers need for next season a starting PG, not a true PG, but a Jalen Rose, Ron Harper type PG, veteran and with experience, and smush and Sasha at backup, gaining confidence and experience.

I also think that the lakers need a C, a good C! I cannot have faith on a team starting mihm or cook.

That said, I want to ask (I'm from Europe) when the trades negotiation and signings begins in the NBA.

And one more thing: What about signing Big Ben? is it possible? Here in Europe some rumour have arrived.

Thank you FAITH for noticing the change of tone.

Just like the passion of M.T. on PJ, I get agitated whenever I listen or read the beaming overconfidence of Smush or Kwame during interviews. (It is like listening to your teenager of his achievements in class, when in reality, he's ditching school.) It seems that these players do not realize the RESPONSIBILITY that goes with wearing that Laker jersey.

There were players in the past like: Madsen, Peeler and include here our current radio commentator, Mykal Thompson and Asst. Coach Rambis - these guys don't have the qualitites of superstars but you can see the EFFORTS and SPIRIT in their games that they TRY HARDER NO MATTER how difficult the tasks in front of them and for this reason, they're mobbed and LOVED by Laker fans.

The Lakers of today appears to be like a bunch of journeymen representing a small town, a small city, you keep hearing this phrase..."WE WILL BE BETTER NEXT SEASON." LOL! .... In the first place, don't join the Lakers if you're not BETTER than better!... Because in every game, you're being evaluated by millions of people. They are the most sophisticated basketball afficionados in NBA who do not even know how to read or write English, (so they're not represented in this blog) but they know the game because the legendary Chick Hearns taught them the fundamentals on the radio. (they could tell when the fridge is coolin' or wide open.) They were inspired by Laker greats like: Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt, Kareem, Magic and big game James and all the way to Shaq & Kobe. In the street corners or donut stores or even in a hospital bed just how LOLO described it, you can feel their passion, they talked and breathed about their Lakers with AUTHORITY. Tempers flares up when Lakers lose a game. They could tell who is a Laker and who is just a pretender or a passerby similar to the likes of: Rice, Hunter, Rider or Richmond. These guys are superstars in other teams but not with Lakers.

So please Smush, Kwame, MITCH don't use the Laker team as a training ground.

Thanks for the Smush interview, that was one I was looking forward to more than others.

I have to say, I have given Smush his helping, and probably seconds, of crap this year for his defense, but I have to say one thing about him. I think his attitude, his appreciation for what he has, and his heart will keep him around. Unlike Kwame Brown who seems to feel that the world owes him something and is entitled to greatness, Smush seems genuinely to know that he needs to work harder than ever to stay around. he seemed much more receptive to PJ/Mitch's comments and I hope he's around next year.

Roland,

Thanks for the post. Maybe it was just me, but after reading that it seems the re-hiring of Phil Jackson was much more of a PR move than anything. You have to admit that the $10 million Buss spent this year on his salary has done wonders to season ticket sales (remember the rumored letter sent to Buss by the expensive seat holders?), the team's publicity (still talked about more than the Clippers even though the Clips are much, much better), and especially Kobe Bryant. Even with this second half of Game 7 I think Kobe's image has improved dramatically over the past year or so and Phil definitely has something to do with it.

My guess is that PJ isn't around for his entire three years and that Brian Shaw takes over this team. I remember the interview with him and when he was asked about the Triangle he said it wasn't the only thing he would use. Well, after reading Roland's post and MJ and Kobe in the Triangle you begin to see where going a different route might benefit this team. With players like LO and Kobe (saying they're both around) you would think a more free flowing, improvised offense might work better. I think this team needed the structure and the psychological lift PJ gave, but in time that might not be so necessary, especially at $10 million per.

Anyway, this has been a long post, I apologize.

Smush is a shrimp without a tail. He cant swim in NBA or in Lakerland. He sucks. On the other hand Sasha will become a very good player. His shooting style is excellent. He is very young and needs to improve. Lakers should keep him and flush the Smush

Roland,

It is always a pleasure to read your posts.

By the way, Zen Buddhism began as Ch'an Buddhism with a monk named H'ui-Neng (if I'm not mistaken) at around 800AD (again I need to check my books on this stuff, but my memory of this kind of stuff is usually pretty sharp.)

"The Buddha" himself was born as late as 600BC, so... there's no 3000 year history of Buddhism happening.

Anyhow, Roland... you know I truly am excited when I read your posts, but, honestly, I sometimes wonder if you have just a little bit of an unhealthy bias against Phil Jackson. Hey, I could be completely off base here, but whenever you discuss Phil there's always a current of resentment in your writing style. Am I missing something?

Anyhow, I can't wait until next season. We just need a new point guard. Personally, I'd rather see Sasha play a bigger role than Smush. I'm just not confident in his ability to "get it."

I've been wrong before, hopefully I'll be wrong in a positive way this time.

GO LAKERS!

Oh... if you trace the beginnings of Zen to Tamo... then Zen is older than 800AD, but I wouldn't do that. Most of that stuff is legend.

GO LAKERS!

GO Lakers!

It also should be mentioned that Smush comes on the cheap. Above all else, this is a business for Dr. Buss and if can pay Smush $800K a year as opposed to $7-8 million for Jason Terry, Smush Parker looks like an All-Star.

Jon,

Thanks for the kind words. I have mixed feelings about Phil. Tremendous admiration for his coaching. Some resentment for what he has done to people I admire. I think I summed it up. He's an odd duck. He has this wonderful public image. That's not who he is.
The close friends and associates he now puts off say that his second wife June knew how to bring out his goodness. His current girlfriend is an excellent person, from what I'm told. But she's no June, at least not in terms of helping to shape the mystery that is PJ. Just maybe Hollywood will bring his undoing, his drowning in ego, but I doubt it.
I wrote a column earlier this year calling for him to be coach of the year. That's how fine a job I think he did this season. Does that mean I'm going to let him off the hook for the low things he has done?
No way.
With a guy like Phil, you've got to weigh the good with the bad. He's both, a very complex gray scale that doesn't translate well into simple black and white.
Without him, the Lakers are as boring as Saltine crackers. The NBA is a minor league. He has challenged the game in ways it has never been challenged. We've all benefited and learned from that, including the people he's coached against.
Yet there's a side of him that's pure skank.
I don't try to reconcile it.
It is what it is.

Peace,

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show

Smush should not always shooting 3, improve your mid range game. Lakers should begin to look for a young coach, strong will, defensive mind, don't count on Phil too much, he has everything already, why he has to work harder ? The success of Lakers in the future depending on how to build a team around Kobe, who is the best outside shooter behind Kobe ?

Roland,

Ah!

So, effectively, the place where your writing shows up most frequently online might actually be here, the Lakers Blog! Excellent, excellent.

I remember the first time I came here... you had a fascinating piece on Kobe, and someone said that you had a blog or something. I searched on Google, but to no avail.

Which of your books would you recommend more? Mad Game: The NBA Education of Kobe Bryant or The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers In The Words of Those Who Lived It? I'm leaning towards the first, if only because I really hate carrying around hardbacks. I read while I walk, on buses, trains and ferries, so the added weight is a pain.

Thanks in advance!

... and yes, it would be interesting to see if the K Brothers would put together a book on this blog. My humble suggestion would be: BLEEDING PURPLE AND GOLD - THE LAKERSBLOG

Roland,

I was wondering, Do you think Phil will coach the entire 3 years of his contract? I have this sense that him and Kobe think that in the last year they will win a championship.
I know that they have to think like that in order to make it or try to make it happen, but could it happen? I feel they can make it happen.
There's a reason why Phil came back and is not just the money, he wants to be the best and he's thinking of that 10 ring.

Also who do you think will be the Lakers next coach? I think it will be Brian Shaw or maybe Byron Scott if his available

It's been a few days since I posted & its great to see Mr. Lazenby on the blog!!! Being from New York, I've held a bias for LO & Smush all season!! I love having two NY cats in purple & gold!!! With that said, I think Smush should back up Kobe next season & not really concern himself with running the point. I think his offensive game is better suited to 2 guard than point.

Overall, I love Smush's atittude all season (except for his hater-like comments the night of the 81 game) & I think he has the makings of a solid pro. Not a superstar but a productive pro for years to come.

I think the answer to our point guard lays somewhere between Sasha & Mike James!! I think James has the experience that Sasha lacks but I've become a fan of some of the things Sash does on D. I gave him the nickname "The Gnat" because other pg's are always swatting at him. I believe his upside is really high especially if he can get some consistency with his outside shooting. Sasha, to me, is the Bizarro Euro player cause most of them come in with a water "J" and suspect "D" & he is the opposite.

For anybody that wants to kill me for saying this remember that Nash runs on everybody (he's currently doing it to Sam-I-Am & Young Stick Figure w/Cornrows) so we need to give both Sasha & Smush a break in that regard!!!

I've got a suggestion for the title of our book:

Real Laker Don't Sit Courtside, They Blog

by

The K Brothers & The Purple & Gold Blog

Roland Lazenby,

Thanks for responding to my post. It's always a treat.

When you refer to part of Phil as "pure skank", I raised my eyebrows in disbelief and chuckled. So... what are we talking about when you say "pure skank"? Can be discussed in an open forum?

As I understand it (which is a very limited understanding), Phil seems to enjoy playing games with Ego. He realizes that the somewhat unhealthy competitive energy that comes from imbalanced Ego is a major factor in competitive greatness in sports. So, he's always trying to "push" this competitive urgue within his players by creating mind games, even by sometimes turning teammates against each other so their competitive urges are inspired while at the same time the healthy Ego necessary for true compromise and teammateship (is that a word?) is challenged.

A healthy Ego cannot develop without being challenged.

That's how I see it, but I'm only seeing the public side of Phil, not the "pure skank".

So, what's the real deal, yo?

Thanks, as always, Roland.

Brian Shaw as the next Head Coach?!!? I HATE that idea!! Hate It!! It's obvious to me that Rambis is being groomed as the Heir to the Triangle! As NY transplant that moved to LA in 94' I've often marveled at the allegiance the Laker organization has had for Rambis sometimes to the detriment of some of the other Laker greats like Coop & Kareem (up until this year)!

Then I saw an episode of IN MY OWN WORDS on Casino night & saw that Kurts wife is entrenched as a planner of that event. Its obvious that Kurt is the nexy guy in that throne seat Phil sits on. Please stop the Brian Shaw stuff! I think he only got that job cause Harper was on Flip's staff in the D.

One quick comment before I bounce, as a pure basketball fan this years playoffs are really, really good!!! I love the Cavs-Detroit series and the Mavs-Spurs series is about as good as it gets!! Again, I'm not talking as a Laker fan but as a fan of the sport, its great theater!!!

Duncan should be on the All-Sulk First Team!! I love to watch him hang his head heading back to the bench! I remember back when Kobe & Shaq used to do him like that!! Props to Avery Johnson for an incredible gameplan cause I never thought Dallas would play THIS GOOD!!

Roland,
How about

"That was Zen, this is now"

Mitch,

You can bet Kobe has a say on the next Laker coach, that's the only reason I would see B.Shaw in that role. However, I do believe the next coach will have to be someone who can take a team to the elite level. After the next two seasons the Lakers should have the talent and players (and EXPECTATIONS) of being a title contender. It's going to take a hell of a coach to deal with a Kobe on the tail end of his career, desperate for another ring in the face of a rapidly closing window.

Robert Chen,
The Kobe book is in paperback, published in 2001. It's also published in Tiawan and Italy, if you read either of those, in paperback. Plus, it's cheap on the internet.

Lakofan,
My guess, and it's purely a guess, is that Phil will fulfill his contract, unless the Lakers have more days like Game 7. If they win, he'll stick around. He is interested in the promoting of the triangle, and now that they have a dev league team, the Lakers are in the business to grow their own triangle culture.
And, yes, Tex says Phil definitely wants no. 10.
My guess, and again it's a guess, is either Kurt Rambis or Brian Shaw.
Tex used to be the only one to stand up to Phil. But Tex pointed out that Rambis stands up to Phil these days, challenges him on things. So that's a good sign. Tex insists that Phil's ego always needs to be checked by someone close to him.

Jon,
As far as the skank comment, well, I probably shouldn't have described him that way. But he has done some very low things. Like one of his old friends and co-workers said, it would be okay if Phil would just be Phil, but he's got to put on that holier than thou act, like he is some religious figure. He's sanctimonious at its worst.
June, his second wife, used to keep all of that in check.
Like I said, he is what he is, which includes being a fine coach.

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show

What I liked hearing from Smush, in agreement with some of the other posters, is his desire to improve over the off-season. He's a talented player that needs to improve his defense, decision-making, and on-court attitude (not moping so much when things aren't going his way).

If the young players can improve this summer, we don't need major moves before next season. Really, smarter decision-making would have won quite a few games for us this year, and maybe the Phoenix series. So we have a lot of potential to improve, and this is where coaching can make a difference (as it has already).

On another topic, I believe Phil will stay long enough to win a championship with this team, solidifying his legacy.

Mitch,

I mentioned Brian Shaw, because somewhere I read and heared that Brian is the one that is being groom to be the next coach. Phil is grooming him to be the next coach, don't remember where I read it or heard it but I did. And obviously if Kobe has something to say about it, of course Brian will be up there, because Kobe and Brian are really close.

As for as Kobe worrying that his time to get another ring is runing out well his only 27, I mean if Shaq at 34 is still looking to win, what makes us doubt Kobe will not win another ring. Many years are still ahead for Kobe and the Lakers. The future is not yet determined.

Vman, i agree. Smush was nice to have. but he's basically a worse version of a starting pg. what we really need from a backup is a smart player that can play d...and a decent shot would be nice.
i also agree that there just isnt any lockdown defenders at pg anymore...but chris paul is very good and is quick and strong enough to play the pick and rolls.

ive hated phil for a long time now...but i have to interject that the bulls did play teh pick and rolls well. pip, mj, and horace/rodman were long and athletic enough to trap and force TOs on pick and rolls. of course, i dont give phil much credit on it when you have 3 of the best perimeter defenders of all time on the same team.

i have to fully agree with Letthetruthbeheard. we could talk about smush,kwame,etc all we want. when the core problem is the front office. and that includes phil. not only is he not a great coach...but he's actually very bad in terms of talent evaluation (and we all know he has influence on the draft).

my last hurrah: (oh, and you forgot laron profit =) )

Mitch - Retire. or get better players. or retire. either one is fine.
Phil - Learn to coach...period. Terrible game-time strategician.
Kobe - Just keep doin what your doin.
Odom - "Show up to every game and work on your right handed game." i agree. and work on your finishing, mid range game, and cutting while your at it.
Kwame - do hand exercises and get hand massages every day this summer!!!
Mihm - take some classes on How not to foul out in 8 mins.
Walton - work on your jumper! you dont want to be the worst white shooter in the nba!
Smush - get a new name...i think its making you soft. but i have to disagree with the Hot Sauce comment. please. hot sauce is what , 5'10? and not even quick. there isnt a single nba guard that wouldnt lock down on hotsauce.
Cook - Work on your damn post game. even tho you can shoot, its not good for the team for you to hang out 28 ft from the rim....youre a freakin PF and your name isnt Dirk!
Turiaf - Stay positive and keep up the energy.
Vujacic - Weight room!
Bynum - Weight room! bynum already looks a lot bigger than in summer league last year. he still has those chicken legs tho. once he gets stronger, oh man, he'll be good.
Profit - get healthy. not a bad backup for us before he got hurt.
George - HOLLA!!!! Thanks for the memories.
Wafer - I wanna see what wafer can do still. he was awesome in summer league. wafer, i know you pissed off phil and so he refused to play you. dont piss off phil!
McKie - RETIRE! YOURE OLD! ....so useless. another awesome phil signing.
Jackson - RETIRE! (actually, jackson is the type of player that will revitalize his career as a veteran shooter AFTER he leaves the lakers. thanks a lot bro.)
Green - ah, not even worth saying anything about.

Mitch - Get off the logo's legacy and get some better players.
Phil - Learn to coach against the pick and roll since you have never been able to stop it since you became a coach.
Kobe - Be yourself and stop listening to the media.
Odom - Show up to every game and work on your right handed game.
Kwame - Quit messing with those chickenheads and stay in the gym all summer learning how to hold on to the ball.
Mihm - Get healthy and work on your power game.
Walton - Work out with the Santa Monica Track Club and get faster.
Smush - Spend a few days on the And1 Mix Tape Tour guarding Hot Sauce to fix your on the ball defense (if you can stay in front of him, you can stay in front of Parker and Nash).
Cook - Work out with Kobe (in other words, get to work or get traded).
Turiaf - Stay hungry and listen to Kobe this summer when he takes you under his wing (on the court that is).
Vujacic - Weight room, have you heard of it?
Bynum - Spend some time on the Super Cat so you can improve your jumping ability to get better shots and be more of a factor next year (oh yeah, and handle your business in Long Beach this summer)
George - HOLLA!!!! Thanks for the memories.
Wafer - See George
McKie - See Wafer
Jackson - See McKie
Green - Keep improving and handle your business in Long Beach (gotta rep for the HBCU's)

Roland,

I've studied martial arts for years and after I received my black belts my primary Sifu (martial and religious master), changed the way he treated me.

I had become quite a good martial artist skilled in some esoteric practices that not a lot of people were skilled at. I wanted to focus on these skills and make myself "great" in them.

Instead, at this time my Sifu forced all my training into the practices I did not enjoy AND I could do no right. Everything I did required improvement. I never received a "job well done" even though I was training seven hours a day six days a week.

All this from my Sifu who was no saint. He had plenty of personal issues. Though he required that we treated him with complete deference, he made quite a few decisions in his personal life that would raise the eyebrows of his students.

So... in short, after about two years of this kind of treatment, I got sick of it, rebelled and our relationship was ruined. Now I lack the guidance of one of the best martial artists in North America.

I've had some time to think about it and what my teacher was doing was testing my Ego. He was the teacher. I was the student. Period. Instead of accepting that, I wanted to be in charge of my training. I wanted to do what I wanted to do. Well, that wasn't the deal.

My Sifu was purposefully pushing my buttons to test me. To get me to let go of my false Ego and he did so in a way that on the outside seemed narcissistic and sanctimonious. It drove me nuts, but now that I've had some time away from it, I understand what he was trying to do.

I don't know how honestly deep Phil is into Zen, but this is a tried, true, and traditional technique in Zen and (certain sects) of Taoism.

I've often wondered if this is what Phil tries to do with his players. Do you think there could be any truth in this analysis?

Thanks.

Roland,

Thanks for the interesting inside to Phil in your posts. In my judgement the jury is still out on whether Phil Jackson is a "great" coach which is probably why Red Auerbach has such a problem with this guy.

I think Phil has been a coach who has been in the right place at the right time.....if timing is a talent then he is one of the best but if coaching such as making adjustments to maximize your strengths is a skill them Phil fails miserably.

When you get an opportunity ask Tex if imitation is the greatest form of flattery.....then why does no other coach in BASKETBALL run this "triangle" offense?

Do you see how Cleveland run the pick and roll for LeBron down the stretch of games and continue to run it until they get the desired matchup that they want......Do you see how Phoenix does this for Nash to create mismatches?

Ask Tex why do these teams do this? The Lakers have the greatest talent in the game but the triangle offense does not allow for this feature in the modern game.....ask Tex these questions?

Every coach that has tried to run this offense have been disciples of Phil and Tex and it resulted in their immediate dismissal.

Jimmy Cleamons in Dallas and Bill Cartwright in Chicago.....the players hated it....the first thing Scott Skiles did when he got to Chicago was scrap that offense......have you ever thought about these things?

Tex criticized Kwame Brown in your piece and deservedly so but why try to fit a square in a circle?

Ask Tex this question......Does a great coach force players into a "system" or does a great coach survey his or her talent and "create" a system for that unit to maximize "that" units talent? Which would you do?

I respect Tex but is he perfect? Does he have flaws?

P.S. Here is a quote from June Jackson from the L.A. weekly that sums up Phil beautifully......"My answer to why he's so frequently misunderstood is that he's unclear … it's even unclear to him," she said. "He learned early on to dodge, because people don't want to be pinned down publicly in their statements. So you just become kind of a master of obscurity, which people misinterpret as aloofness. What appears to be his standoffishness is just obscurity and opaqueness. And then people say, 'Oh my God, it's brilliance.' "

WELL I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT SEASON.....
Just heard of a GIANT 5-team trade rumor!
Wade to LA for Smush 'n' Sasha V. (sounds crazy, but Riley really likes Smush)
Lebron to LA for Odom. Flat-out. (I know, I know, but the GM in Cleveland is obsessed with Odom merchandise)
Kwame, Ronny T., B. Cook to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett (makes sense)
Chris Mihm, Baby Bynum to PHX for Amare S. (Mitch convinced the Suns that Amare "wont be the same with his injuries")

Yeah, I know it's amazing. I actually fell off my chair and rolled on the floor for a whole day when I heard of this "confirmed rumor"
That would give us a starting team of Wade, Kobe, LeBron, KG, Amare. Bench: Walton 'n' Wafer. Thats all we need, really.
Yeah, so I can't wait for next season. Way to go Mitch, you have now surpassed the Logo.
-Ajax

A coach who wears a sandal & sports coat on his 1st press conference on the day he came back to the Lakers is really weird. A coach who sneered the powerful 2Jerrys in Chicago after winning the last championship is really weird.

The Laker fans were alive again as soon as they heard that the weird Zen coach was coming back. When Jeannie Buss hinted on ESPN Radio that Phil wanted to come back but he was still vacationing in West Australia, the wires became hot again announcing: Zen is coming back.

Therefore, we cannot speculate on who will be the next coach of the Lakers. No matter how bad the situation is, as analyzed by insiders or bloggers, Phil is still the redemption of the Lakers. As Roland said, "Remove Phil and the Lakers will be a boring team." In fact, without Phil in 1999-'03, there would not have been championship in the purple and gold. Without Phil, maybe, Shaq vs. Kobe sparred for a kick/boxing/ultimate fighting in Las Vegas main event. LOL!

Robert Chen,

I recommend both books, with "The Show" providing the most up-to-date insight. I just don't know how available it is where you live. The reading is loaded with interviews and facts which helped influence my thought process from "Kobe the Villain" to "Kobe the Misunderstood." Remember, “The Show” came after the “uncoachable” comment by PJ and gives a different prospective. "Mad Game" was around 2001 which was before the Kobe/Shaq divorce.

Jon K,

Remember the 'id'. Roland's subtle dislike for PJ may come from his subconscious favoritism of Tex. LOL! Maybe your buddy Mike can provide us a dissertation in a 20 page post. Short and sweet. I’ve never appreciated the mouse wheel so much.

Great questions, Pfunk,
First, the triangle is a system. It's system basketball. As such, it allows for all types of play. The Lakers have quite often run the screen and roll out of the triangle. In fact, tney won their championships gloriously with Shaq and Kobe running some late screen and roll as a surprise.
But it is system basketball.
Some people like system basketball, others don't.
The triangle's success speaks for itself. Nine nba titles and many more titles in the women's game and even some in the early years of the men's college game.
Why don't more people run it? It's a b**tch to get everyone together in it. I actually ran it with an 11-year-old girl's basketball team a few years back and we went 46-5 in our age group and finished third in the shootout at AAU Division I nationals. I simply broke out all the fundamentals and taught them to a group of girls willing to learn.
I simplified it, but I had two 6=foot post players and we fed them the ball.
One of the reasons I agreed to coach was that I wanted to learn to use the triangle, so that I could write more intelligently about it. Unfortunately, I'm still struggling to do that.
Should a coach fit a system for his players? Or should he force his players into a system?
Well, that depends. Tex's life is the triangle. It has worked for him, worked for Phil, worked for the Bulls and the Lakers. Worked for MJ Shaq and kobe.
There's no question you look for a certain type of player to fit in the triangle. There's no question that a lot of players struggle in adjusting to the regimen.
But the key is, they learn to read the floor and take what the defense gives them. I got a real kick out of watching 11 year-old girls do that.
And I have to agree with Tex, the triangle in its basic precepts is not all that complicated.
Sometimes it is a little rough trying to execute it with a 24 second clock. That's why it's great to have a Kobe or MJ to bail you out when the clock gets down.
Anyway, sorry to run off at the mouth. Hope I answered the question.

Roland Lazenby

author of The Show

Two reasons why Phil Jackson teams suck at the PnR.

1. EVERY other team runs the pick and roll as the integral part of their offense. They practice the pick and roll in practice. Therefore, their defense practices DEFENDING the pick and roll. The Lakers defend against the triangle because they work extensively on learning and running the triangle in practice. Practice makes perfect. It is hard to do in games if you don't do it in practice.

2. Phil Jackson fundamentally doesn't like to double team. This stems from the days when he had Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman and others who could take their men straight up. If you have a team with weak on-man defenders you have to switch. IF you switch you are constantly practicing weak-side rotations. In defending the pick and roll you are constantly in switch situations which cause mis-matches. These mismatches must be met by weak-side rotation. If your defensive philosophy is based on not double teaming, then you don't practice weak-side rotations.

Maybe next year, if the team stays together, they won't have to spend the entire practice on triangle 101 and actually practice pick and roll defense. But don't bet on it. The Shaq teams never could get it.

Roland,
I loved the show! What an eye opener. I had no idea we could have had Jason Kidd for Nick Van Exel. And the inside stuff between PJ, Kobe, and Shaq made a lot of sense, looking back on it now.
I've always admired Jackson's love of how the game should be played. Although he has referred to it in his books, I'm surprised there are not more coaches speaking out about the lack of fundamentals in today’s game. I guess they don’t want to criticize their players. PJ’s ego explains a lot as well. I tended to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I think the way he handled Kobe during the Shaq years was very foolish.
Pfunk36’s question is great. Why don’t more coaches run the triangle? Is it that difficult to master? I do know when it is run properly it is very tough to defend. Is it a coincidence that PJ has 9 titles running it?
Thanks for your input on this blog!

Smush is MUCH farther along than Sasha. Otherwise, why didn’t he start? I think Sasha might become a good player someday but he has got to lose the addiction to the 3 point line. And learn to drive the lane. Both of them have good attitudes (now anyway…)
And Phil’s contract: 3 years = 30 million. I think he’ll last 2 more years.
If the Lakers don’t commit to being at least a good defensive team next year, it won’t matter what players they change. Effort and hard work won’t always make the ball go in the basket, but they will help to play good D until it does.
Have a cool summer bloggers. It’s 102 degrees in AZ!

Roland,

Thank You for answering me.

Reading your comments about Phil, I was wondering are Phil and Kobe similar in character?
The reason that I'm asking is that both of them seem to clash and I think is because they are very similar. Maybe Phil and Kobe are more similar than Phil and Michael ever were.

But I still think that Kobe is kinder and more in touch with people(even if he's not very personable, but with friends and family)than Phil is. I know Kobe is more into his religion and so on, I don't know if Phil believes in anything other than himself.

Roland,

Thanks for the response and I accept your apology for "running off at the mouth".....you started to sound a little mysterious ala Phil Jackson (LOL).

Although you are struggling to speak intelligently about the "triangle".....don't feel bad. The triangle is like the 2006 IRS Tax code book......can ANYONE speak about it intelligently!! You think President Bush KNOWS what is in that book?

I don't think Phil or Tex can speak about it intelligently......The "triangle" that is......The triangle has become this giant that lives in the hillsides that occasionally allows Tex and Phil to visit it so it can depart knowledge only to them so they in turn reveal bits and pieces of it......it never reveals its entire self because it wants to take the credit for everything but doesn't get the blame for anything.

So now when Shaq and Kobe run screen and rolls "as a surprise" Tex and Phil say....Oh, that's part of the triangle........or when Kobe goes off for I don't know......81 POINTS! Phil and Tex say Oh, that's "pinch post triangle".

Silly me I always thought the screen and roll was.....well.....screen and roll. How did the triangle get credit for that?

I guess if we use that logic Steve Nash's pick and rolls were really........the triangle......go figure?

Inca:

I agree with that analysis.....thanks

AK

i guess your right about sasha, theres not much to hold on to there, i guess in the end i would just hate to see him leave cuz he has heart, and always plays with so much feelings towards the game and thats something this ballclub needs, but in the end i would pick smush over sasha, and thanks to your comments it would make seeing sasha leave that much easier...

Go Lakers...

TrueLakerfan,

Yeah, I just think that between the two of them, Smush has shown more promise. Both have a ways to go and neither may end up an incredible player. And I agree, I like Sasha's moxie. I just don't think he often has much to back it up with. But that's just me. I'd love to be wrong, since he's likely gonna be with the team at least another year (kid ain't fetching much in trade).

AK

I don't feel as if I'm a fair judge of who has the most promise...but that ain't going to stop me lol

I think Sasha has more promise. Being a pure shooter (assuming of course if he starts to do it consistently in GAMES) is not something you can teach. Heart is not something you can teach. Sasha also seems to me to be more emotional in a positive sense, and he seems to me like he's more willing to work harder with Kobe (based on the clips they show in the news of Sasha and Kobe during practice, or after practice --which isn't much i admit). He also tends to be a better effort player, a better pressure player (which incidentally is why he gets into stupid foul troubles).

Smush on the other hand (maybe it's my biased but he) tends to play as if it's still streetball. Which is okay in some sense, but there's also a reason why not many streeballers have made it. There's a sense of arrogance that I've made it, this is what has gotten me here, and I ain't going to change or strive to improve(though admittedly maybe I misconstrued that during the season, if his exit interview is any indication). I don't like his jumpshots, I have a heart attack whenever he takes a 3 (especially early 3s) and at best, as an offensive player he is best in an open court (which doesn't and shouldn't happen much in the nba). I do think he is more athletic, which is good, but does he have the heart. Does he have the attitude? He also gets beat worst in a no-effort sense. Fighting through picks, putting your hand up...those are things he can do but doesn't, instead he sulks, he complains about chemistry.

I know the topic is upside, which is mostly talent wise. Who has the more talent, it's debatable. Hops is talent, Pure shooting is talent. But upside for me also means what goes with it, what's going to propel you to greatness (well actually in their case it's goodness haha). Attitude is a big part of it.

I'm hesitant to state that there's a reason that Sasha was drafted while Smush was not and has been all over...(I'd infer that GMs thought he'd have more upside)----hesitant cause I'm not sure I completely trust Mitch's talent evaluation lol

Faith,

First of all, don't sell yourself short. You're absolutelty qualified to judge. You've watched more than enough games to have an opinion.

That said, I don't agree with it (haha)

Smush shot better from 2 and 3 point range than Sasha, so at this point, he's the better, more relable shooter. And while Sasha has a great looking stroke (as BK often says, "Sasha could get cast in a movie as a basketball player), it's not terribly accurate. For a guy often labeled as a "shooter," he connects at a very low percentage. And it hasn't improved much since he was a rook.

You also have to remember, the major reason Sasha spends so much time with ball pressure and being that "gnat" is because he's too slow to stay with anyone. For all of his ability to "annoy other PG's," as some like to say, he mostly gets blown past. And also keep in mind, most of the success you see him have is against 2nd and 3rd string PG's. If you put Sasha up against the guys Smush guards (and the better screens Smush has to fight through), he'd be even worse, because Smush is stronger and faster.

Look, Smush has a ways to go, too. I'm not denying that. And I do like Sasha's moxie. I'm not certain it's quite deserved (haha), but I would never ask a player to run with less confidence. And he does work, I'll give him that (although I think you're sometimes confusing Smush's lack of relative talent to first stringers as lack of effort against them). But as it stands, if I HAD to bet on who'll have the longer NBA career, it's Smush.

But here's to hoping both succeed. Nothing wrong with that.

AK

I'm actually using my arguments with the undertanding, and the hope that after such a showing offensively in the playoffs he'll get out of his previous shooting funk. He's also a better free-throw shooter (though admittedly less taken).I'm not sure exactly who is more fundamentally sound, but as a european player, I'd venture to say Sasha does. As a ball-handler, apart from the last couple of drives, I think he's got a better move, compared to Smush's drive to 3 people, panic and turn the ball over at crucial times (though again, admittedly less instances). Granted he doesn't dunk on people, but that also means he doesn't miss crucial dunk points (haha). In the end, it's like comparing a Peja with a less less talented Jason Richardson (neither really plays great D, but are good in their own right).

However you made good points. It's also important to remember that even with Sasha's increased offensive output during the playoffs, PJ stuck with Smush. So maybe Smush has a better upside. I too hope the best for both of them, especially if they're going to stay and be in this team ;-)

P.S. it took me awhile to come up with a Smush comparison, lol

Sorry AK, I would agree with Faith with regards to Sasha. He's still young and learned his basketball in Europe, so he's not the type of player who dunks or play the inside game. Europeans plays ball on jump shots and perimeter shots or straight away layups like Vlade or the late Petrovich.

In the case of Smush, he learned a lot of bad habits because it's more of a play ground half court game. It's a "show-me-what-you-got" so he never look at defense as an important ingredient of the game. He thought it's a good D in stealing ball instead of blocking shots or impede the play. Such failed attempt in stealing balls draw fouls and also you let your opponent a vantage point of an easy layup. It goes without that you don't steal balls, you have to mix it up and surprise your opponent. I'm sure he was corrected by Shaw and Rambis but he's plain stubborn because it takes time to forget bad habits. You can only learn through constant practice and playing with great PG's like: Magic or Kobe.

Pfunk,

As a system, the triangle is more of a platform for doing lots of things. The triangle has always presented a lot of opportunity for screen and rolls, back picks, all kinds of interesting things. That's why it's so fun to use as a coach. Usually the triangle features lots of side screen and rolls. But the high screen and roll, long a staple of those boring NBA isolation offenses, is featured less out of the triangle. It caught people off guard when Shaq and Kobe went to high screen and roll looks to close out the 2000 championship.
By the way, I am totally sold on the basic triangle as a basketball system. It provides floor balance and discipline and all the smart stuff that a good system should.
Basically it requires the defense to shift to cover an imbalance. When the defense shifts, opportunity opens up for the offense. That's especially true when you get a talented player like Kobe or Michael on the weak side "behind the defense."

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show

MY PROPOSED LAKERS STARTERS FOR NEXT SEASON

KOBE BRYANT SG
JASON TERRY PG
LAMAR ODOM PF
BONZIE WELLS SF
KWAME BROWM C

COULD BE DONE!!

The pick n roll is one of the best plays in basketball....but you still need the right players to run it. So while we do actually do some pick and rolls (and they are within the offense), this team simply doesnt have the personel to consistently run it. While phoenix has nash along with 3-4 other guys on the court who can shoot, drive, or pass...most of our pick and rolls are pretty easy to predict. Kobe will get doubled, the defense will rotate, Cook will shoot a 20+ ft jumper. Its more Pick n Pop than Pick and Roll. Outside of lamar, the other guys simply lack the ability to create, finish, or pass after the pick and roll.

I agree with Roland. In general, I think the triangle is great. Like he said, it presents a lot of different opportunities during the course of running it. The problem is, it is due to all the various opportunies that presents itself that make it complex for players. It takes smart players that can read defenses and make good decisions and you have to have a good sense of where to be at all times. Thats something no Laker has got down well outside of Kobe. (and I fear someone like Kwame may never get it.) However, I think a fundamental question someone asked is, "Do you adjust your offense to your players, or force players to run a particular system?" In general, I think system basketball is the way to go....but there are also different systems. Going away from the triangle doesnt mean you have to start doing And1 freestyle moves. There are so many systemized offenses and combinations of offenses you can run. (ie. should the Nets (as they are now) run the triangle EVEN assuming the triangle is the most superior system? no!) I have great respect for Duke's Coach K particularly for his ability to adjust his offense to the type of players he has. Granted thats college...but its type of flexibilty that Phil lacks. He simply refuses to ever go away from the triangle....ever. While Phil is decent at game to game adjustments (and im only saying decent cuz he's made some good ones in the past, yet it baffles me that he didnt make any adjustments whatsoever from game 5-7 this year)...and he is TERRIBLE at making adjustments on the fly. I really believe the reason we lost the Suns series is #1 our defense but #2 is that we simply got outcoached. I still believe in the triangle, especially with Kobe as the focal point. (Although if lamar gets very comfortable with it, he should be the focal point with kobe playing off of him). It also has the benefit of conserving energy throughout the season...but come on Phil, you have to ACTUALLY COACH this team. This isnt an MJ/Pip/Rodman team or a Shaq/Kobe team you can just let them play "better" than the other team. Especially in the playoffs when making adjustments to confuse your opponents are especially critical.

PS. Roland, I really enjoyed your story of running the triangle with 11-yr old girls. =) I have several friends that coach young girls. I think they mostly run very simple flex offenses. I should tell them your story so that they can start dominating. ;)

Roland,
That is all you could say on Phil? That he has a huge ego? Well, we all knew that! Why wouldn't he have an ego? He is the best coach in the NBA. I think what is REALLY troubling you is that he clashed with Jerry West a few years back. They both had egos. Phil earned the right to have more control over player decisions. He has 9 championships! West just couldn't put his own ego in check.

I may be wrong, but I see a lot of Smush's problems guarding the pick and roll stemming from the fact that he shies away from the contact of the pick. It seems he is a little afraid of getting hit, which is understandable because most of the guys setting the picks are pretty big. Not being able to deal with this play is a team thing and the blame has to be spread out, but Smush is at the point of attack with on the ball defense and as such takes most of the blame. I think that getting stronger in the weight room and being able to stand up to the physical side of the game will result in a big improvement in Smush's defense and overall game.

Ok ppl lets be realistic if we keep the roster we have at the moment we wont be winning for atleast another2-3 seasons because of the youth and lack of experience. I really like all the lakers we have and i would hate to see them be traded but all of them except Kobe and Odom(even him if we get good deal) can be traded. All the starters we have would be bench players if traded(again excpet Kobe and Odom). I say get starters and stop getting young players and having the Lakers as the 2nd youngest team in nba. If u do keep this roster than we wont be going past the first 2 rounds for another 2-3 years. Smush and Sasha are good guards but they arent great. Either one would be a decent backup but none are starters. Smush wasnt even suppose to be a starters and we saw that in a lot of games including the postseason. Its good to plan for the future by having young players develop like Bynum and Sasha but dont throw them in there with no one to teach them. I say get some real starters and let those other players develop as bench players that can later compete for starting positions but dont let the backups compete for a starting position because u dont have anybody. If the lakers are smart we could be saying goodbye to some players we have even though it would be sad to lose them. We can trade and move up in competition for a title or sit back and wait atleast 2 more years to even be contenders so we can "educate" our players on all aspects of playing the game the right way.

Roland,

Thanks for the response.......again I must reiterate,if the triangle presents all of these things.....WHY DOES NO OTHER COACH IN THE NBA OR COLLEGE RUN THIS OFFENSE?

Throughout my playing days there has always been on every level some running of the classic "UCLA" or even the "Princeton" offense....but no triangle...Why?

I think there is too much thinking in this offense instead of instinctual playing.....which is always better.

This offense calls for all five players to be on the same page.....with a young team that is probably never going to happen.....which is why that responsibility to make decisions should be left totally in the hands of Kobe......like Phoenix depends on Steve Nash to make those decisions.

If you surround Kobe with the "right" complimentary talent the offense should be run through Kobe......Kobe becomes "the system" which cannot be duplicated by other teams unless they produce another Kobe.

This way you wouldn't have to "surprise" other teams with running the screen and roll....as a matter of fact you could tell them exactly what you are going to do and then dare them to stop it.

The screen and roll should be continually set for Kobe until we get the matchup we want or mis-match we want........If you get other "players" around Kobe who can make plays the game becomes a lot more simple to play.

The best teachers are the ones who can simplify a process not make it more complicated.