Extra! Extra! (11.11)
If you've ever watched an interview with the man, then you know Sean Penn can bring a room down. So perhaps his rare courtside presence was to blame for the Lakers seeming out of sorts throughout the entirety of their 97-83 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Or maybe Tayshaun Prince is just a huuuuuuuge "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" fans, which might explain the his need to show off for the actor by leading the beatdown. Eighteen of Prince's 31 points came in the third quarter, often pushing past Kobe Bryant, who's still struggling with the directional changes needed on D. For that matter, Kobe's first three quarters made those monitoring his post-knee surgery progress a touch squeamish. He did, however, muster up some strength for a patented fourth quarter rally, but by that time, the damage had already been done (and running mate Lamar Odom had already been tossed). One look at the box score and it's no surprise thought the evening was "as bad a performance as I think we've had here in some time."
Those with Chris Mihm on their fantasy roster should start rethinking their options. His ankle will require yet another surgery and he's likely to miss between 5-8 months. For those not adept at counting, that would basically be the entire season. To say the least, Mihm is disappointed, but after taking every rehab step to get back on the court, this would be his only remaining option. Like his "brother in center," Kwame Brown's return to the court has seen its share of stalls, although he'll definitely be back at some point.
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I am telling you this for the last time. Trade Sasha & Parker. They are useless. Listen to me CupCake.
Posted by: Sunny | November 11, 2006 at 11:43 AM
THE JACKSON JOURNAL: 7th Game- Detroit Pistons (4-3)
By Michael C. Teniente
A thumb’s up for Phil Jackson! I don’t blame PJ or the players for this one. This one was against a team that has players that have been playing together for a couple of years now. The absence of Ben Wallace may take them out of title contention, in my opinion, but they’re still a good team. This game showed that the Lakers are short handed. It’s that simple.
KEY OBSERVATION:
Luke Walton, Smush Parker, and Andrew Bynum: This combination doesn’t work for me. Andrew Bynum, I can understand. We need him! I appreciate him! But he’s 19 years old, and with his shortcomings on the basketball court, due to inexperience, it’s just too much to overcome when we play him with Smush Parker and Luke Walton. Obviously we can’t replace Bynum in the starting line-up. Think about it!
If you watched the game, you saw how ugly the offense was. What I saw was the Pistons double down on Bynum enough to deny him the ball and make him a non-factor. Bynum had 4 shots in the game. He made 3, which is great, but it wasn’t enough, to say the least. To me, Smush Parker doesn’t bring enough to the game to sustain the contributions of Luke Walton. The contributions of Luke Walton, in no way, are enough to translate into victories. Think about it! Smush Parker, Luke Walton, and Andrew Bynum as starters? It was too much to overcome against the like of the Seattle Supersonics and the Portland Trailblazers. Now the Detroit Pistons! That was ugly! But, again, we were short handed.
2nd OBSERVATION:
I don’t know about Kobe Bryant. I could have sworn that I saw his knee buckle a couple of times. Hey, man, forget about the 55 wins. Forget about the 60 wins. In other words, forget about the fans. Heal, man! The most important thing is that Kobe can play Kobe Bryant basketball. If that takes longer than expected…we’ll be waiting! Kick it, man! Relax! It’s early in the season. Get healthy! I know that we, here on the blog, talk a lot about how good this team can be. But that’s just pride! I’m willing to swallow my pride for a 2nd half run. I rather have the team struggle with our players getting healthy than to have our players play with an injury and jeopardize their usefulness for the long run.
3RD OBSERVATION:
I saw PJ stumble and almost go to the ground. My heart went out to him. God bless you Phil!
4TH OBSERVATION:
Smush Parker doesn’t belong in the starting line-up. At this point I would go with Sasha as the starter. I would approach it with the same mind-set that PJ used with Kwame, last year. Last year, PJ allowed Kwame to play through his mistakes and it paid off for the Lakers. The benefit of having Sasha play is his shot. He would spread the defense.
I would also play Vlad Rad over Walton. Vlad Rad, it seems to me, is having trouble getting open at the 3-point line. What I’m seeing is the Lakers trying to get the ball down low when he’s in the game. I really don’t think that Vlad Rad, Farmar, Evans, Odom, and Turiaf/Cook, is working for Vlad Rad. There is no real threat to do damage down low with that combination, which makes Vlad Rad useless as a threat from the 3-point line. Did we commit to Vlad Rad for 30 million over 5 years to play him like that? It was sold to us that Vlad Rad would spread the opponents defenses, which would allow Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom more freedom to do damage down low. There’s no way that is happening with Luke Walton starting at the 3 spot. All teams have to do is sag and clog the middle because without Sasha and Vlad Rad there’s no outside shooting threat.
You know, I was excited about seeing Vlad Rad get hot and do his thing from the 3-point line. The way the Lakers are playing right now I’m starting to wonder if it’s going to happen. That combination he’s playing with doesn’t allow for Vlad Rad to spread the defense.
I won’t even mention, in detail, Tayshaun Prince’s 31 points at the Detroit’s 3 spot.
5th OBSERVATION:
It’s obvious to me that opponents have been studying the Lakers team ball concept. Did you see how the Lakers were passing the ball around the horn? They weren’t really doing anything down low. I don’t blame them because Detroit was sagging and basically challenging the Lakers to try to do something down low. It wasn’t happening. Why? It’s because we don’t have a deadly 3-point shooter on the court to make room down low for Bryant, Odom, and Bynum. Also we don’t have an aggressive Kobe Bryant, either. My point is that this team ball concept can only work if Kobe Bryant is himself and if we have a real threat from the 3-point line. Kobe Bryant is not himself right now and teams are toying with the Lakers.
6th OBSERVATION:
Brian Cook is like a two-edged sword. He’ll bring instant offense but there’s no presence with him in the middle of the lane on defense. I don’t blame PJ for playing Cook because it was desperation time.
NOTES:
It was sad to hear about Chris Mihm. I know I was hard on him during the summer but I never want stuff like this to happen to players. Not just players on the Lakers, but any player in any sport. Forgive me Chris. I hope you get well soon.
PHOTO OF THE DAY:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/photo?slug=ecd8785031684e8e888200d032ac98af.pistons_lakers_basketball_las107&prov=ap
I ain’t mad at ya!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 11, 2006 at 11:45 AM
Hey, good idea Sunny! I'll bet we could trade Sasha & Smush to the Hornets for Chris Paul. How could they resist an offer like that?
Posted by: Laker Larry | November 11, 2006 at 11:56 AM
laker larry, I think you might need to throw in a 2nd rounder, just to be sure.
Posted by: greek dude | November 11, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Mike T., I agree that Smush definetely doesn't belong in the starting lineup, as he forced up a lot of shots in the first half. But since sasha needs confidence, and maybe it would be wise to actually put him in the game for a little.
The Lakers were just passing the ball around the perimeter, and not attcking the hole. I don't know if lamar attacked the basket ONCE!!! And if he did, it was only a couple times. He just shot jumper after jumper.
Mo Evans, although showing promise in the first game, has been playing terrible. He missed all three FT, and has just been shooting jumpers. When he attacked the basket yesterday, he was totally out of control.
Another thing, Bynum barely got the ball. There were a few chances when he was single teamed, but the entry pass never came.
I don't think that the the Pistons played too well for us to win. We just played terrible, not attacking the basket and shooting the J.
Posted by: greek dude | November 11, 2006 at 12:14 PM
Our problem ain't Kobe, our problem ain't Smush, our problem ain't LO and our problem ain't Bynum. our PROBLEM is we don't KNOW ourselves. WE DON'T KNOW HOW, we're gonna try to win. One game we run, in nother we go slow, in another we run and go SLOW. I just hope we find ourselves SOON.
Mike-
As a Phil Jackson oppologist, I put this loss SOLEY on Phil's shoulders. I think he would too. For the FIRST time in his very YOUNG career, JUSTIN was HOT. But, for the first time in this season PHIL took him out before he lets him SETTLE. The SCORE was 27-27, if I'm not mistaking, on a Laker bench come back. After a Detroit time out, Phil switched JUSTIN and SMUSH(who by the way was our worst player last night) after Farmar was 2 for 2. That SCREWED UP the ENERGY and we didn't get it back till LO shot 2 TREYS in a row to end the 3rd and that was, APPEARENTALY, too late.
When the team LOSES bacause they are playing with NO ENERGY, that's on the COACH.
ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY, POWER POWER POWER POWER
Whisper that when it's playing time LAKERS!
NOOOOO ENERGY
Posted by: rayray | November 11, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Lakers are high in these departments: No leadership, no toughness, no low post scoring, no outside jumper, no rebound, no defense, and no bench. Record-wise: Bubble team at best, early Spring '07 vacationers at worst.
The Laker malaise is linked closely with two elements: the enigmatic nature of Lamar and the matador defense of Laker guards, most notably Smush.
As a Laker catalyst, along with the hobbled Kobe, who's still finding his way, Lamar seldom show up and play cerebrally and consistently, especially against higher echelon teams. He often defer to teammates instead of taking ownership of his marquee role on the team as the second option to 'Twenty-Four.'
Coaching on Lamar should be for him to do more of recognizing mismatches and exploiting his height advantage, and scoring on easy buckets down in the low post instead of settling for long jumpers.
As far Smush, same soft defense and on-court spectating as he watched his counterparts blew by him for easy layups. Memo to Smush: you want to be a spectator, buy a ticket and sit in the crowd instead of on Laker bench. Smush's journeyman status is well deserved based on his erratic on-court performance. My advice: sit him down on the bench; start the tenacious Mo Evans and get Farmer to come off the bench.
Posted by: Rollo Tomassi | November 11, 2006 at 12:18 PM
Smush isnt the answer...
SASHA definitely isnt the answer ...
as much as I hate to admit it, it looks like Farmar might have to play as a rookie because we cant have inconsistent PG play.
The PG must play under control and be a steadying force...
aaargh, my Lakers got problems
Posted by: Korey | November 11, 2006 at 12:19 PM
The Lakers are a deeeeep team, but you've got to face facts...we're injured right now. It's that simple.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 11, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Detroit had lost 2 games and wanted it more than the Lakers. I have a feeling they'll loose tomorrow too. Memphis is also on a 2 game losing streak.
I think people forget that Kobe hasn't played basketball in 5 months and it's going to take some time for him to be back. I know we all think it shouldn't take that long because he's Kobe, but even Kobe needs time to come back.
He's trying to compensate by getting his teammates involved, but unfortunately his teammates were not up to the task.
Kobe threw the ball to smush 3 times and Smush was open and he couldn't even make the basket. On another occasion Smush and Lamar were on a fast break and Smush missed the lay up and Lamar was mad he just said F@##k.
I'm not just blaming Smush, but for some reason I think he is just not right for this team. I don't know if I'm making to much of one thing that I saw last night.
Smush got fouled and fell on the floor real hard, none of his teammates went to him to helped him up. Smush stayed there for a while, but none of the players went back to help him up, they went to the bench as a time out was called.
Maybe it was nothing, but for some reason I think the players are getting a little frustrated with Smush.
But all in all is just 7 games into the season. They'll have 4 days off and maybe they can regroup and focus on the problems. It's better to see what's wrong right now than later on in the season.
I still believe Phil and Kobe know what they're doing and are trying to make the players rely less on Kobe. It hurts to loose, but in the end it may be better for this team.
Posted by: lakofan | November 11, 2006 at 12:43 PM
KOREY! ARE YOU OFFICIALLY ON THE "START FARMAR BANDWAGON"??????
Posted by: WILCOX2020 | November 11, 2006 at 01:24 PM
Everybody needs to calm down, the Lakers are simply out of rhythm, they need to make a few adjustments and start to play D-fense. First adjustment start Vlad and put Luke with the bench because he knows the offense, Establish Bynum more often (3 for 4 thats not enough shots and if you think his D-fense is a weakness, I mean B. Cook aint that much better, I'd rather put my money on Bynum in the post than B. Cook shooting open jumpers) and we'll be fine. Theres too much tenative play and once they all work out of it there will be more W's.
Posted by: Relaxyourselves | November 11, 2006 at 01:34 PM
Sasha & Parker for KG.
Posted by: Sunny | November 11, 2006 at 01:51 PM
YOU KNOW WHAT, IM TIRED OF THIS CRAP......FROM TODAY I'M ON THE CLIPPERS BANDWAGON
Posted by: JD | November 11, 2006 at 01:54 PM
I didn't watch the whole game because it was making my head hurt...I thought Farmar played well from what I was seeing. Nice to know he got his shot back. The few times Odom went inside he got fouled and they didn't call it, after that he seem to not try to go inside anymore and just took jumpers.
I heard kobe picked it up in the 4th but I think he took too long. I have seen signs of what this team can be, but i'm not sure why they can't bring it every night. I know kobe is really trying to get the team going, but at what point does he stop and take over the game?
I'm over smush and sasha....well not really sasha because he hasn't played. Something has to happen at the PG spot soon because we are really getting burned there. At times it looked like every one was just passing the ball and no one was doing anything with it. We need a PG that will make the O/fense move.
I still believe this team can be a champ team. It is only a few games into the season and phil will whip us into shape. Once kwame comes back that will be a big plus, and maybe Mackie will take over for smush when he gets back?
Posted by: bob | November 11, 2006 at 01:56 PM
HEY, THAT LOOSER OF MICHAEL TENIENTE DOESN'T HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO THAN TO APOLOGISE FOR THE LAKERS. BECAUSE OF MEDIOCRE FANS LIKE YOU IS THAT MANAGEMENT DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT GETTING BETTER PLAYERS.
Posted by: JD | November 11, 2006 at 02:03 PM
Mike T., Rayray,
I agree to your observations as well as Rayray comments that we don't know ourselves. They played as though they're still in preseason inventing on their front court what kind of offense to execute. How many times did the Pistons commit turnovers or interceptions, still Lakers could not capitalize those opportunities. What makes it boring is they kept on running back and forth without accomplishing anything, only once did I see LO hustled for the ball, most of the time they're spectating. Smush is a good spot shooter if he will just try his best, but he's careless with the ball as though he's not a professional but a mere street b'baller with his buddies. In the case of Cookie, he has problem with his footwork, they guy needs to play another sport like soccer or football to develop his running game. Anyway, here are my starting five on Sunday
1. Sasha/Farmar/Shammond
2. Kobe/MO
3. Lamar/Turiaf/Cookie
4. Vlad/Luke/Cookie
5. Bynum/Kwame/Turiaf
I completely agree with your starter Mike T., and also with that observation not to play Smush with Walton or Smush with Cookie. Walton is OK once in a while but he lacks the height to be a power forward.
Mitch K., there is something brewing up with GS (hoopshype.com), Earl Watson wants to be traded cuz' he disagrees with his playing time of 10 minutes per game. Why don't you make your own combination of Smush/Sasha/Shammond? I think Bruin Earl will be a good addition than agonizing our dismal inconsistencies on the PG. Watson will blend with Farmar and he's a reliable shooter and slasher.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 11, 2006 at 02:19 PM
Second Guessing on a Trade made in 2004.
Well, part of evaluation of Mitch K's effectiveness were trades made in the past. He made good decisions so far on draft picks of Bynum, Turiaf, Farmar and MO but not on Van Wafer, Green and Pinnock that is given. With Smush and Sasha, Vlad and Shammond they are still playing so let's reserve the evaluation later. Those are draft picks.
Now that Chris Mihm will be unavailable due to injury from March to this date or perhaps throughout the season, so in effect we threw away his salary of $4.2M. to the drain. If we did not trade Da'Glove Gary in exchange of Mihm, Lakers could have reached the playoffs in '04 then perhaps made it to 2nd round in '05 and talkative Peyton will still be serviceable in '06-'07. Nobody wants to be injured for so long but Lakers were plain unlucky in their choice in that trade. Management are always evaluated on actual performance of the enterprise whether intentional or caused by bad luck. In conclusion, getting Chris Mihm was a bad decision.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 11, 2006 at 02:40 PM
One thing that I noticed last night was our struggle against the zone defense.....again. They had a triple team everytime we went down low and our guys just tried to force it. We turned it over like 10 times attacking the basket. Phoenix did the same thing against us last year in the playoffs when they beat us 3 in a row. Guys need to make outside open shots, i don't know why it's so hard for us.
In other notes. I can't wait for kobe to get healthy again. If we play the way we did last year in the playoffs with our new deeper talent we will be a top 4 team in the west.
Posted by: David | November 11, 2006 at 02:41 PM
Up in Sacramento, our boys are expected to bring it EVERY possession no matter the score. As a result, we now have one of the best defensive squads in the game. When we start shooting above 35%, we can expect to start winning some games. Working as a team, with no superstars, we are in the hunt.
For this Kings fan, it would be a great honor to face the Lakers in the WCF, but I'm more than a little worried about you guys. I hope you can pull it together. The league is less fun when the Lakers aren't any good.
Posted by: sonnybelfast | November 11, 2006 at 04:14 PM
look at all u female dogs bitchin now the lakers are playin to their talent. first 2 games had everybody dazed and confussed "can this really be". ready to label Bynum the next Shaq. 99% of you female dogs dont know ishhh about basketball and cant even play it. fat, lazy people like Mike T. sit here and talk out of their butt hole. all u suckers lakers dont have talent. if odom is such a great player why has be been traded so many times. ill repeat myself. Bynums stock will never get any higher then it is now. give him up along with lamar and if u have to a 1st round pick and get KG. KB + KG will = many championships. throw in a kindergarden point like farmar and a dumb ass of a human being in brown and an unathletic luke walton and bammmmmmmmm.
Posted by: Dwayne | November 11, 2006 at 04:29 PM
listen, this is not time to panic yet. Remember three years ago when KObe came after shoulder surgery with a certain incident in Colorado, At that time Kobe was also being really Passive and wasn't scoring much till Phil Jackson went to him.
I think right now Kobe is trying to figure out how not to be selfish and how to a scorer at the same time. But Lamar has got to play better.
Lets just hope Kobe doesn't lose the Locker Room with everybody questionning wether he came back too soon.
Posted by: DoLLarBill | November 11, 2006 at 04:30 PM
Oh and i forgot to mentionned this, Smush needs to be benched, he's not worthy of being a starter. I question a lot of his decision last night, not only that, but through all the seven games.
Maybe being benched will make him more productive. How come Phil doesn't start Shammond williams who's a vet and has a lot of exp. Or Farmar who's i think is a better point than smush.
I think that If Sasha wasn't in a slump he'd start ahead of Smush because he can shoot and he's a tenacious defender. Remember his defense on Nash, not only Nash but who he guards always end up getting irritated and Foul him.
Posted by: DollarBill | November 11, 2006 at 04:35 PM
Hey Sup everyone...
Man Its sad to see Kobe going through whats he going through mentally and physically regarding the knee. But his competitiveness willed us back in the game.
Our biggest problem is the point guard position Smush Parker by far isn't the answer we need to hurry up and throw his butt on the bench the guy is killing us. Long run I feel what Mike T is saying Vlad needs to be in the lineup with Kobe and Lamar because of what he brings to the far shooting wise if that man is wide open he will knock down 50% of his 3's easy I think Sasha should start also been pleading that case all year. TBH I rather have Shammond Williams out there then Smush no defense parker. I really hope Kobe can get that knee back to 100% It was really bothering all of the laker fans watching the game at my house to see this man get beaten so much and watching his knee buckle on him almost every other play.
Posted by: Paul Lee | November 11, 2006 at 04:39 PM
I was at the game last night, and I got the sense that the Lakers are still working out who they are and what they want to do on offense. The Pistons' defense was great and the Lakers couldn't do anything with it--for the first three quarters. When the real Kobe Bryant surfaced in the 4th, you could see how much he means in terms of being able to overcome any kind of defense.
Vlad had an off night. He'll be back.
Smush just looked horrible at times (should Lindsey Hunter be blowing by him?) but the fact is he's a more reliable shot maker than any of his rivals right now, and the Lakers need a scorer at that position. That being said, Justin ran the offense beautifully in the 4th, and it was obvious Phil knew it, since he left him in there the whole time. I can't believe I'm saying this, but LakerTom may have been right about Farmar getting the starting job THIS YEAR.
Cook had a nice game, showing very quick hands. I don't know where or how he's going to get playing time, but he's a good piece to have.
The Lakers need to feed Bynum more and more.
Posted by: rjlink | November 11, 2006 at 04:58 PM
I agree JD,
It is Mike Tenientes fault the Lakers aren't getting the job done. It is more than apparent that management knows he doesn't give a hoot about getting better players.
Posted by: sonnybelfast | November 11, 2006 at 05:28 PM
Just for the record. Nobody picked the Lakers to win 55 and 60 games with all these injuries. As a matter of fact those predictions were made before the season began. Before the preseason began, too. That was before we knew Kobe Bryant and Kwame Brown were going to be out. Get real! Nobody expect Kobe to be playing like he is. That's because he's injured. Do you think we factored that in on our predictions? Face the facts, this team is injured from PJ to Kobe to Kwame to Vlad Rad to Chris Mihm to Aaron McKie to Shammond Williams. And now you "realist" feel like you were right about something? Please! My predictions were based on Kobe being Kobe Bryant and Kwame Brown holding down the middle. Without that...all bets are off as if you have to be told that. It's common sense. Even if Kwame returns there's no telling how long it will be until Kobe returns to being himself. And without Kobe being himself...I don't put my trust in Luke Walton to leading this team to be more than anything than a bubble team.
How these GHE people have the nerve to say anything just goes to show how their minds work.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 11, 2006 at 05:45 PM
In Vegas they won't give you your money back when a team has injuries. Anyone making predictions must factor in the posibility of injuries.
Like, I've said all along, who cares about the regular season? Even if the Lakers finish 6-8th in the conference, if they are playing well and have most of their team healthy (even if Mihm and McKie are out, who cares?) they can make some noise in the playoffs. It's what happens at the end that matters. If this bad start keeps them out of the playoffs, that's another story.
Keep the faith. We'll be fine by the first of the year. Then watch out!
Posted by: rdlee | November 11, 2006 at 06:02 PM
defensively we're...I can't even say. I definitely think that we are going through some major growing pains...and I hope our team will arise from this funk sooner rather than later. In my opinion our injuries are much bigger than we coulda figured...it's not even that...our injured are playing...and it's not pretty. I have faith in my team, I have faith we'll turn it around. Go Lakers!
Posted by: Faith | November 11, 2006 at 06:05 PM
heres a good lineup
PG: Lamar
SG: Kobe
SF: Walton
PF: Radmanovich
C: Bynum/Kwame
the only thing is that on defense Lamar would guard the opposing PF
Posted by: DollarBill | November 11, 2006 at 06:14 PM
rdlee,
That may be true if we were in Vegas but we're just doing this for fun and nothing more.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | November 11, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Michael T.,
Kudos to you.
You have reformed.
And you've become quite a writer.
You are the third most important member of this blog.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 11, 2006 at 06:46 PM
JD,
You're an idiot. If you go to the Clippers, you are not worthy of them. You're not a fan to anyone. You're just an idiot.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 11, 2006 at 06:47 PM
People are down on Sasha and Smush, I sympathize, but I think both players can and will offer tremendous benefit for the Lakers.
They just aren't starters.
Jordan Farmar is a starter and will be the starter at point guard for many years to come.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | November 11, 2006 at 06:48 PM
Phil is tinkering. He doesn't care about now the way we do. He plays with lineups and impossible combinations to see reactions. He generally blows off the first part of the season.
If it's turnable, look for it to turn come mid Janurary. I believe Kobe might have mentioned that date as well.
Posted by: Vman | November 11, 2006 at 06:59 PM
Wilcox,
People think Smush is so bad, but then want to replace him with Sasha, one of the worst players in the NBA bar-none. I think every team in the league has 2 PGs better than Sasha.
So just becaue Smush isnt the answer, it doesnt mean that Sasha is the answer by default.
Think, what do we really need in a PG.. consistent decision making and playmaking ability ... even when the shot is not falling...
However, I am not on the 'START FARMAR' bandwagon just yet... I need 10 more games to evaluate but so far it's not looking good for ole Smushy...
The most concerning part is that 'good players' should consistently make bad decisions with the ball. Drive into traffic and throw up garbage. It's almost like he reverted back to his pre-Laker days. He was almost better 'without' confidence because he weighted his decisions more.
I hate to see such talent wasted!
Farmar is more polished when it comes to running a system, taking a mid-range jumper when available, and also setting up the defense for a playmaking opportunity.
However, Smush's outside game and overall ability (and even triangle knowledge) are allowing him to hold on to the job.
10 more games... and I might just be on the bandwagon...
Posted by: Korey | November 11, 2006 at 07:01 PM
The problems are obvious. The Lakers have no consistent low post threat like Garnett,Brand,or Randolph. Bynum is just not ready yet. We are also getting killed on the boards and giving up easy hoops inside due to lack of a strong 4. We need to trade LO for Garnett if possible. He is talented but inconsistent and most importantly lacks the killer instinct of a Kobe,KG,Brand etc. LO is just not a prime time player. He too often disappears when you need him most, and he is a soft defender. Kwame needs to stay at center. We also need a point guard that can shoot and play D. Smush is a matador Ole and Sasha is not the answer. Hopefully Farmar will step up and perform on a consistent basis. KG would open things up for Vlad, Kobe and everyone else. Until Bynum fully develops, defenses will do what Detroit did and play a collapsing zone, daring us to beat them from outside. We just do not have the shooters, and Kobe is obviously not ready to do what he did last year. He needs consistent support,not the LO rollercoaster. Pack the paint and LO disappears. He doesnt trust his outside shot. Pray for KG, the rapid development of Bynum and Farmar,and more from Evans and Vlad. If not, we may not make it this year. Utah, New Orleans and Sacramento might overtake us. A healthy Kobe would make a huge difference but who knows when that will be.
Posted by: Mitch Rascano | November 11, 2006 at 07:06 PM
M T,
"Just for the record. Nobody picked the Lakers to win 55 and 60 games with all these injuries. As a matter of fact those predictions were made before the season began. "
For the record, that issue was raised repeatedly before the season when you were talking championship, and a number of us noted that Kobe was coming off of surgery, Mihm was not recovered yet, Bynum and Farmar were unproven, etc. We noted repeatedly that last year was unusual for the low amount of injury, and that that could not be planned on. So don't try and back out of your prediction now.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | November 11, 2006 at 07:21 PM
SASHA AS STARTER???
Since when the F*** has Sasha become our best option at the PG.
Let me get this straight because I think im missing somethign. Some Bloggers have mentioned for Sasha to start for a guy whose lost his backup position to a rookie? A guy whose been benched and didnt even play Friday (why?). Averaging:
12mgp, 1.8pts,2.0ass,1.0ass
14.3% 3pt, 15.4% fg, 50.0%ft
WTF??? OK now Farmar maybe...well not really he has yet to show the can do much. He still struggling with his shots and for a pure PG he doesnt get too many assists. So?? You expect to replace a mediocre player for another mediocre player? I know there's a lot of Smush haters but come on Sasha? PJ wont even give him mins right now and all of a sudden Sasha is suppose to start?
Smush is Smush. You get what you pay for. For $800,000 your getting 8/2/2 and thats with him playing "poorly". If some of you blogges want a superstar PG that can defend and give you....15/7/7 then go ahead and write management and Cupcake letters telling them to go out and spend $10million dollars for a better PG.
The Lakers play as a TEAM. They WIN as a TEAM and LOSE as a TEAM. The Lakers losing is the Laker's fault (which includes Smush) and by no means does it fall squarely on Smush's shoulders. Seriously this is one of the reasons the Laker Bloggers are called "wack jobs"!!!
Posted by: Shady | November 11, 2006 at 08:22 PM
I agree with the majority of sentiments on this blog: BENCH SMUSH!!
Farmar makes better decisions, plays hustle D, doesn't give up on plays, and can score.
START THE ROOK!!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: befuddled | November 11, 2006 at 09:00 PM
I'm watching the Warriors-Pistons game and GS is killing Detroit! They are outrebounding them. How the hell did those same Pistons beat us is a mystery.
I think we are really missing Kwame is the middle. He can do what Bynum cannot and that's bully people around the Basket.
And yes i think we should bench Smush.
Posted by: DollarBill | November 11, 2006 at 09:03 PM
Earl Watson's on the market, it seems?
Anyone's thought of him in a Lakers uni?
Posted by: befuddled | November 11, 2006 at 09:04 PM
The simple reality is we continue to overrate our talent. We have two legitimate NBA players. There's not one other than the big two who could start for any other team in the league. All of our Sashas and Ronys and Waltons and Smushes don't add up to one real player. Add to that that the two stars still don't know how to play together and that our star MAY be on the downside of his career and we may have serious long-term problems.
Not only do the pieces not fit, there are 10 minor league pieces in the mix.
Posted by: Cookiemonster | November 11, 2006 at 09:07 PM
u guys have short MEMORY about SASHA, during the playoff He was the only person making those 3's , and kobe bryant needs to sit down because if he's not in full strenght he shouldn't play , he is killing the team chemistry,i'm the biggest fan of Kobe and everybody knows when he is healthy what he is capable of doing and i agree with the smush parker trade he is not a true point guard because point guard doesn't have that low percentage in free throws,ighht any FINE lakers girls fan holla at me
Posted by: Ti zeb | November 11, 2006 at 09:48 PM
Wow!! that game was hard to watch. Here are some random thoughts about what is going on.
DIFFERENCE IN COACHING STYLES: It seems to me that PJ's experimentations with substitution rotations have thrown a monkey wrench into the team chemistry that was built during pre-season under the tutelage of Kurt Rambis. Kurt's rotations became more routine as the season approached. Phil seemed to follow Kurt's lead in that first game against the Suns, and of course, Kurt coached the game against the Warriors. It's understandable that PJ needs to find the combinations he is looking for to maximize execution of the offense, but as we fans scratch our heads wondering what the heck he is doing, it is obvious that the players are tentative when playing in unfamiliar rotations. Insecurity in offensive execution may lead to a confusion on defense, loss of intensity and effort. Does this make sense?
BYNUM'S POST PLAY: Against teams that play little defense or who do not have size in their low post players, such as Phoenix or Golden State, Drew found it relatively easy to receive the inlet pass close to the basket where he could use his footwork to work his way to the hoop. However, against Detroit, we saw that he had trouble both in receiving the pass down low and in reacting quickly when receiving the pass at the high post. Drew does not use his length well coming to the ball, resulting in having the ball tipped away by the defender. At the high post, Drew seems tentative in deciding where to pass, holds the ball too low and too long, making it easy for defenders to make the steal. Hopefully these mistakes will diminish as the season progresses.
SMUSH, SASHA, SHAMMOND, OR FARMAR: I think that it should be, and probably already is obvious to Phil and staff that Justin (lol) has the greatest upside of the PG group. Although Farmar is making expected rookie mistakes, in general, he is showing greater ability to man up and stay in front of his man than the others. He has trouble with hard screens, but how many point guards in
the NBA are great at this? I'm not sure about Shammond's defensive ability since I haven't seen him play very much. Without a doubt, Jordan has the ability to penetrate and score (I love his tear drop!)and has superior court vision and decision-making ability. I believe that PJ will continue to give him the minutes he needs to progress in the offense, and will become the starting PG probably sometime after the All-Star break.
VLAD OR LUKE: Phil has expressed many times that he prefers Luke to come off the bench to lend stability and energy to the second unit. I believe PJ is waiting for Vlad to become more conversant with the Triangle and to demonstrate understanding of where his shots will come. In the meantime, Phil is starting Luke to enhance the execution of the starting unit in an attempt to maximize the early season record. Eventually, with the return of Kwame and Kobe to health, Vladi's deficiencies in the Triangle will be reduced leading to his insertion into the starting lineup.
Posted by: freakylakerlover | November 11, 2006 at 10:22 PM
Rdlee,
"Keep faith, we'll be fine by first of the year."
I'll take your word for that, Rdlee. A day later, perhaps that should be the attitude of every Laker fan that these are not normal times. Lets hope more when Kobe, Kwame and Vlad are 100% healthy. But how about Smush & Co., they are supposed to take care of team while the big guns are indisposed. They are playing the same game we saw in the playoffs, running around in the floor like a mad dog without any kind of court management. Shall we put the team responsibility under their leadership in doing all the shooting and missing. Anyhow, we have 11 other players, can they not lead this Lakers while Kobe & Kwame are not in good shape? Searching for answers.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 11, 2006 at 10:32 PM
I watched the game and it was a mess ... I'm ok with getting beat ,,, but i'll be damned if i support a team that doesn't try. Guy's just need to step up their game and more importantly understand their damn roles.
Coaching staff is also to blame, I mean when you have smush camped out beyond the 3 point line and vlad rad attacking the basket, that to me is an upside down world.
Stop making us out to be whack jobs o laker squad, in u we've placed our trust. Enuff Said.
Taliq
Posted by: Taliq | November 11, 2006 at 10:51 PM
Hey Laker fans,
I had a feeling the sadness was going to be overwhelming once we played a real defensive minded team, but the blog went 6 feet under - jeez have a little patience. I am totally happy with Bynum getting tough minutes and learning the game now, the sooner the better! He will have to focus on defense, guarding the paint, rebounding and his attention of where the ball is in relationship to who he is guarding. Last night it seemed his peripheral vision was pretty bad. Too bad Kwame and Mihm are out, and to hear that Mihm is gone for the season, that really sucks we didn't find another big man in the off season. Kwame might be hurt worse than we think also so, Bynum is it and he is the future. His legs and endurance are no way ready for the NBA pounding but he will adapt and his strength training over the summer is one of the biggest improvements we have seen from any of our big men in years. I love the upside of this kid and his attitude is all about the game, he wants to be a player.
The one guy I would have loved to see come here, was Monta Ellis, of the Warriors, who will be a legit player before the season is out. He was a steal last year and to not approach him when we have such a weak backcourt - other than Kobe is just a shame. Don Nelson will inflate his numbers and he might just become a big star with his desire and dedication. The Warriors killed Detroit tonight and that is a tribute to how hard the Lakers made them play last night. Monta is not a real point guard but he would work fine here. Only if anyone ever read the blog in that front office. The Pistons sucked horribly and had no D at all for the quick release and running style of the Warriors tonight. I know we are stuck with what we have…
I truly think Farmar is going to start soon just because we need someone who can push that ball up the court for easier baskets. Smush is on again off again. Smush needs to use his size and get inside more. His game is too easy to guard. Lamar, well we all know Lamar just needs a great shrink, Anthony Robbins and Zig Ziglar tapes for the rest of the year! He is such a phenomenal player with so much talent that it is hard to not want more from him every game. Dang, while Kobe was out for a few games I thought he had made his mind up he was going to run this team and make sure the offense went through a few options of the triangle before bombing away something that looks like 4 guys standing stagnant and one guy saying give me the ball and go away. We have seen that too much in Kobe's world, which works for players like Kobe and MJ but the rest are not that fortunate.
Kobe needs some more rehab on the knee and just some time to come back when it is right. The way Detroit ran around him he looked like an injured slow player. Phil did a good job of resting him, but to put him back in after the team was so far gone mentally, I am not sure we weren't risking an injury. I mean he looked that weak. Unbelievable performance by a lame dude though, he almost had me believing we could comeback for a while. The season is young and I am loving the progress of the younger players, we are lucky to be home for so many games and to have already seen some great improvement from our newer players. Vlade, Mo, Bynum, and Farmar are going to make a big difference down the road! Well chances are we will not look that bad again for a while, and of course the Pistons have already had their hangover. The NBA is a league where you just never know who is going to show up on any given night.
I love this game, I hated last nights performance though.
Posted by: Peter Maguire | November 11, 2006 at 11:14 PM
I don't know why everyone is so concerned... we still have a positive record and we will pull it together. I still have no worries we will win 50+ games. As for trading Lamar and Bynum for KG... while it will help us immediately and for the next 2-3 years, I think management is looking at the long term Lakers. After all, it is a business and as long as the Lakers are in contention, it would be wiser to have the Lakers be in contention for 10 years using our current young talent than to have a great 2-3 year run. Businesswise, trading Lamar and Bynum would be devastating. As a Lamar fan, I wouldn't really be too happy to lose Lamar... but KG is great. I don't think we should make this trade happen and instead just let Lamar develop his game more. Lamar is one of the best if he can be consistent.. or willing to be. ANYWAYS, don't worry everyone... Lakers will come back strong.
Posted by: David Whang | November 11, 2006 at 11:21 PM
hey JD - Bye
Posted by: Peter Maguire | November 11, 2006 at 11:24 PM