Know thy enemy: The Western Conference, Part I

I copied this from Lakersnation.com. Enjoy.

Blkthght06

Very interesting read on Kobe and passing from Truehoops

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-28-246/Thinking-Like-Kobe-Bryant-in-Crunch-Time.html

“To try to get an idea of how Kobe’s seeing his teammates, let’s examine how these passes turned out.

* Five passes to Luke Walton. Four times it comes back to Bryant, one time Walton gets fouled.
* Two passes to Jordan Farmar, leading to two missed jumpers by other players.
* Twice to Ronny Turiaf. One time it comes back, the other time it’s a missed jumper.
* Once to Maurice Evans, who passes it right back.
* Once time to Andrew Bynum, who passes it back.
* Once to Derek Fisher for the game-tying basket.

After considering how productive Bryant was on his own, and how little came out of his passes, one could make the argument that in his head, most of his teammates were not worth passing to with the game on the line.”

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For what it's worth, there's definitely a team in the Pacific with more ill-matched or unimpressive parts than the Lakers. You just don't hear about them, since nobody cares about the Kings anymore.

AK,

No wonder sonnybelfast is spending more of his time in the Lakers blog. Even if your opinion is right on the spot, hope it doesn't turn the belfast off. Afterall, him coming is still counted in the blog hit counter. Right?

THE TRUE BLUNDER:

The state of the Lakers goes back to some serious miscalculations on part of PJ and whoever, in the Front Office, approved of his evaluations.

The Lakers, since Shaq was traded, have had trouble winning more than two or three games in a row. That led the Lakers to make another deal. They traded Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins for Kwame Brown.

Before that trade they drafted Andrew Bynum. By drafting Bynum and trading for Kwame Brown the Lakers basically acknowledged their need for a defensive presence in the middle. That meant Chris Mihm wasn't really the answer in the middle.

The problem with all that is that Kwame Brown had trouble with the 4 spot when he first got here. That coupled with Kobe Bryant over shooting the ball and not allowing any of the new players to intergrate into the flow of the offense. But all that's water under the bride.

The spark of hope was ignited the night we beat the Detriot Pistons. After that game it seemed everyone realized that defense was an important part of the game.

A few games later we beat the Spurs and the spark of hope grew to the audacity to believe.

Then Chris Mihm was injured. We won a couple of games and lost a couple. The evaluation at the time was that Brain Cook, who was starting at the 4 spot at the time, was compromising the defensive game of the Lakers.

PJ then moved Odom to the 4 spot and brought Walton in at the 3 spot. The removal of Cook worked wonders for the Lakers. The Lakers went on to win 11 of their last 14 games and took the Phoenix Suns to seven games in the playoffs.

There was excitement in Lakersville.

Injuries took their toll in the following season. But the Lakers with Kwame Brown, as the starter, did very well iin the wins and lose column.

The media during the time Kwame was out gave an adnormal amount of credit to Luke Walton as to why the Lakers were losing. It was because the Lakers missed Luke on the offense, even though, at the time the Lakers were giving up 110-points per game. But what the media didn't report was that while Walton was out either Kwame Brown or Lamar Odom were out, too.

In fact there were only two games that Luke Walton was out by himself. The rest of the games Luke was out both Kwame or Odom were out, too. That was a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

Somehow, the Lakers came away from last season thinking that they needed a center and a point guard. The point guard they got, in Derek Fisher, is truely an upgrade over Smush Parker.

But how they came to the conclusion that they needed a center is beyond me. With Kwame Brown's defense the Lakers are winners with Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers were sure that they were stable at the 3 spot with Luke Walton. So they signed Walton to a 6-year contract at 30-million. That was the blunder that has led to this state of the Lakers.

It was during a FSN post-season report that Jack Haley leaked that the Lakers were probably going to resign Luke Walton and Chris Mihm. That was on a Friday. By Saturday reports were circulating that Kobe Bryant was going to be making the rounds on the radio talk shows to present his case.

On the following Monday Kobe was demanding a trade.

Why? His reason was that the he and the Lakers were going in different directions.

Signing Chris Mihm was going backwards. Signing Luke Walton was standing still. I can't disagree with Kobe on this one. Going backwards was the Lakers blunder.

I mean, I'm not really against Luke Walton's game if he comes off the bench. But to evaluate that the Lakers, when they were winning was because of Walton was absolutley insane. Teams don't win with a slow footed defensive liability at the 3 spot.

Teams win when they have someone who can protect the rim. That is basic common basketball knowledge. For the Lakers to market Luke Walton as the reason for the Lakers winning was a huge blunder. The reason why the Lakers started winning was because, originally, Brain Cook wsa pulled from the starting line-up. But to then sign him for 30 million over 6 years was to act as if Brain Cook wasn't the reason could win. The instead convinced themselves that Luke Walton was the reason for the winning. The real reason was because Lamar Odom was moved to the 4 spot. That strengthened the defensive 4 and 5 spots that did wonders for the Lakers. You see, that's how good Kobe and Lamar are. With defensive stability at the 4 and 5 spot they could cover for Walton and Parkers defensive shortcomings.

But what do the Lakers do? We got rid of Parker and signed Walton for 30 million.

That money used to sign Walton and Mihm could have been used to sign a PF. And it didn't have to be an all-star PF. All it had to be was an upgrade over Brian Cook and allow Lamar Odom to go back to the 3 spot.

Talk about a miscalculation. You're seeing it on the court.

mike

Some random observations:

- Considering the propoganda campaign from the front office and the media (LA Times) to blame this whole mess entirely on Kobe (just like with the Shaq trade), is it any wonder there was some booing by the gullible blind sheep in the audience? I heard more Baaaas that Boooooos.

- Farmar - Has an uncanny resemblance to that cute little mouse from "American Tail".

- Cook - Why is he still in this league? if it wasn't for Kupcake and Jim, Cook would be flippin burgers. Cook owes Jim and Kupcake his life.

- Kobe, "who will most likely tank the games" comes to the game three and a half hours early. Meanwhile, a "rededicated" Bynum comes to the game half hour late. Hmmmmm.

- Turiaf - has a huge heart that his skills wil never match. Too bad.

- Mihm - I didn't think it was possible, but the Lakers managed to sign a player that is possibly worse on defense that Cook and Luke. Now I know why nobody wanted this "skilled" seven footer on the cheap in the summer.
If Mihm, Cook and Luke are on the floor together, Holy &%%^%$$! We are toast.

T-Mac - What a luxury to have Battier defend the other team's best player and spread the floor for you, while Luke is guarding you most of the game. You lucky bastard! Oh..and I forgot to mention he has Yao.

- Kwame - the biggest flop since Ryan Leaf, Teen Wolf 3, Men's thong underwear, and Vlade Divac's defense. The sad thing is, Kwame is by far our most effective center this season, and will be a key factor in determining a playoff berth.

- If Crittenton is given minutes, he will be twice the player Farmar is THIS year. Play him Phil, let him learn from his rookie mistakes, and you will be rewarded by the end of the year.

Mike T,

"But what do the Lakers do? We got rid of Parker and signed Walton for 30 million. That money used to sign Walton and Mihm could have been used to sign a PF. And it didn't have to be an all-star PF. All it had to be was an upgrade over Brian Cook and allow Lamar Odom to go back to the 3 spot. Talk about a miscalculation. You're seeing it on the court."

What you're describing isn't possible. The money used to sign Walton and Mihm was specifically available because they were resigning their own free agents without it counting against the cap. The Lakers couldn't have have signed another team's free agent with that money. That's how the rules work. The money they used to sign those two could only have been used on those two, Smush, Shammond, and McKie. That's it. Otherwise, they can't use it on anybody.

Now, if you think the team would have been better off splitting up the MLE money on 2 or 3 players (which might have kept them from signing Fish) and getting a SF or PF that way, fine. Or if you think they should have let those two go and tried to replace them with vet minimum guys, also fine. If you think they should have tried to use them as sign and trade bait, fine a third time. I don't agree, but that's not the point. But in any event, signing Walton and Mihm in no way prevented the Lakers from signing a FA power forward. It's entirely separate money.

AK

But really, what does it matter? Evaluating Walton as the reason for winning was the blunder. Signing him for 6 years at 30 million was just compounding on their miscalculation.

mike

Mike T,

"Are you telling me that the 6 million the Lakers are spending on Walton and Mihm this year couldn't have been used for a PF? The Lakers didn't need to spend the whole 6 million on a PF. I'm not talking about the rest of the years. I'm talking about this years money. I know it doesn't count against the cap this year. But what is 6 million or less for a PF who is an upgrade over Brian Cook? The used part of the MLE for Fisher. They could have used the other half to sign a defensive PF to share the spot with Turiaf."

Yes, that's exactly what I'm telling you. Again, that money allotted towards Walton and Mihm was only able to be used on those two (or Smush, Shammond and McKie). The Lakers' own free agents. Period. Nobody else. That's how the salary cap works. There's a link on the right side of the blog (Larry Coon's NBA Salary Cap FAQ) that explains every question you might have about it.

Beyond that, since the money spent on Walton and Mihm didn't count agains the cap THIS year, the Lakers, had they desired, still could have used part of the MLE or a vet's min to sign a PF that you're describing IN ADDITION to Walton and Mihm. Thus, one has nothing to do with the other.

I don't think the lakers would have been able to find the player you're hoping for, since the FA pickings this season were slim and they had little money to spend. But take a look at who was available and got signed this offseason (along with their contract) and tell me if the Lakers should have gotten him.

AK

The single most encouraging thing about the game: Kobe's post game interview.

After an off-season of pointing fingers and blaming everybody but himself, he sounded like a guy who could still pull it off and lead this team.

When asked if the call on Battier should've been a three-shot foul, he mentioned, "I took 27 d*** free throws. I got nothing to complain about. And I missed 9 of 'em. So it's my bad."

He also mentioned how hard "we" played, that "we" were in position to win the game at the end, and, "That's where we grow as a team."

I'm really looking forward to the Phoenix game now, the scene of the crime so to speak.

The Drive for 55 is Alive!

So the picking were slim? How does that calcualte to signing Walton for 6 years at 30 million? That's a rhetorical question.

mike

Mike T,

"So the picking were slim? How does that calcualte to signing Walton for 6 years at 30 million? That's a rhetorical question."

Rhetorical aside, I'll answer it, anyway. It doesn't calculate in any way. That's my point. if you think resigning Walton was a bad move, so be it. I don't think you're taking into account that without signing Mihm and Walton, they might have had trouble just filling out a roster with anybody of quality (not even starting quality, just quality of any kind), but I'm honestly not looking to debate your position. But Walton's contract has nothing to do with them not pursuing an outside FA power forward this season. That's all I was getting at. They're separate issues.

AK

Just because we had money to spend doesn't mean we had to spend it. Especially when they aren't very good at the defensive end...the Lakers biggest problem.

mike

Signing Luke was debatable. Paying him that much money for that long was just plain wrong.

AK,

Why haven't you mentioned that Bynum is the #2 scoring option. It seems Kobe is the only one who doesn't know that. He doesn't pass to Bynum or even look for him down low. What's up with that?

ts

Mike- Teams don't win with a slow footed defensive liability at the 3 spot.

DId you forget about that slow footed guy from Boston- Larry Bird, he was pretty good.

Luke is fine for what he is - a role player and good passer, average defender. You can win with him if there are other scorers on the team. The Lakers need guys who can score consistently. That isnt going to happen with the Kobe shoot 1st stratedgy when he is handling the ball so much.

The problem with Luke and the Lakers for several years now is they dont have a guy who can break down the defense and get his teammates easy shots like Nash and Parker.

I saw that on another board. It does seem to confirm my suspicions that the Lakers do not want Ben Gordon but... Ben Wallace??? Wha??? maybe they would look at him as a Rodman at PF?

That's definitely out of left field. Say what you want about Artest, but he's a good team player.

Fisher/ ? / Sasha?
Artest/Mo Evans
Odom/Walton
Ben Wallace/Turiaf/Radmanovic
Kwame/Bynum

Wow, 2 guys who can't score in the starting lineup? That would be a defensive monster though. I would assume Farmar would get moved in the trade as well? Crittenton is probably a year away from being dependable so we would then have to get another PG?

Kobe for Ben Wallace and Artest? Nice defense when it's not locked up in the mental hospital, but who would our #1 scoring option be in that scenario? Odom when healthy? This is exactly why I think this stupid trade talk needs to die down. There's nothing out there that can viably replace an openly disgruntled Kobe Bryant. Why bother with inequal value in return? Just leave Kobe on the team and people will eventually tire of this soap opera. Trading Kobe for anything less than 1 real scoring star and a solid defensive player along with picks will make the Shaq trade look like the Kareem deal. This team will have absolutely no identity, and if you think the Staples center will continue to fill up because of the brand alone, I'd point you in the direction of all those empty seats at the United Center in 2001. When I lived in Chicago during the 95/96 season, you couldn't get a seat if you offered a night alone with Cameron Diaz for the tickets. 5 year later, you could get courtside seats for a 15 minute session in a parking lot with Roseanne Barr.

Why haven't you mentioned that Bynum is the #2 scoring option.

I did't know Bynum was the #2 option... I don't think bynum knows that either. Maybe he, kobe, I and everyone else but you missed that memo.

Hey Mike T -
OK, OK if I give Kwame some slack, is he better suited to play the four?

starters bench

1 - Fisher - Farmar
2 - Kobe - Evans
3 - Lamar - Vlad/Walton
4 - Kwame - Turaif
5 - Andrew - Mihm

Situational subs: Sasha when teams go zone...
Cook should NEVER play!!!

While I agree Picks and doing little things win games, you must agree that while Walton can't guard anyone one on one, he is a decent team defender and has a knack for coming up big in late game situations, forcing turnovers and jump balls....
And while Walton does not have the athletic ability to be a starter, especially playing the 3, he is not the only overpaid starter in this league!

Brian Cook = The New Smush Parker.

Or at least it seems like it. And altough he's shown that he's willing to work hard, perhaps (though harshly) this is the one time that hard work does not pay off. He stunk.

REPOST

Thanks Peter, tripgame, and benjamin for your posts. Thank you Kiwi, although I strongly disagree with your statement:

"This situation with Kobe Bryant is breaking new ground in the history of sport.You have a star player that wants to actually control business operations...as much as the Buss's hate to lose Bryant they CANT go agianst their business instincts."

Franchise players having a say-so in personnel decisions is nothing new. Actually, I would submit that super-star input is very critical to the capitalistic business model that you referred to in your post. A "happy" franchise player is one that feels he and management or on the same page, which leads to better performance, which leads to better chemistry, which leads to more free agent signings, which leads to more wins, which leads to more tv and sponsor revenue. And all of this affects the bottom line in a multitude of ways.

Anyway, the problem with the Lakers as I see it is that Kobe became the franchise player at the exact same moment that Jim Buss (non-basketball person) began having the final word on basketball decisions. Therefore, the aforementioned symmetry between management and franchise player never happened. Shaq was given respect by the FO. Shaq publicly got rid of Del Harris, got rid of Nick Van Exel, and got rid of Eddie Jones. Jerry West understood the importance of listening to the franchise guy. But with Kobe, Jim Buss couldn't care less, and much of that is due to his own hubris and arrogance. Jim Buss drafted Bynum even though Phil wanted Danny Granger. Jim Buss traded away Caron Butler, Kobe's friend and work-out partner, WITHOUT EVEN CONSULTING THE FRANCISHE GUY. History teaches that this is not how you run an NBA team.

Kiwi, please understand that Kobe is not demanding more money and is not demanding control of the team's basketball operations. But he is demanding that the Lakers FO make good on its stated committment to winning by ACTING as if it wants to win. And you do that by setting ego aside, admit that you're not a basketball decision maker and then go out and bring in a good basketball decision maker (FYI: The young guy who was the assistant GM to the Spur's RC Buford was just hired to be a GM) Unfortunately, the Lakers are loyal to Mitch and he is loyal to them. Yes the Lakers are trying to make changes now, but where was this at last year's trading deadline or this summer's free agency period? James Posey could have been had for a song and a dance, but the FO would have looked like idiots because they signed Radmonivic last year, and gave Walton a big contract this year. Thus, the Lakers bureaucracy stays true to form. Nevermind that Posey is 3 times the defender that those guys are. Posey is just an example. But I bet that a very long list of questionable to outright dumb basketball decisions made by the Jim Buss could be created. And I bet that Kobe has kept a running list of these blunders as well.

Furthermore, you claim that Kobe wants to control business operations. I don't see it like that. Kobe wants better basketball people making better basketball decisions. He publicly pleaded to have Jerry West brought back to make basketball decisions. Kobe doesn't care about ticket prices, vendor agreements, network contracts, etc. He does not care about the Lakers' business operations. He is disgusted by the 6 straight years of bonehead basketball decisions.

Anyway Kiwi, thanks for your post. I just disagree with what seems to be your killing of the messenger while ignoring the message.

Blkthght06

"DId you forget about that slow footed guy from Boston- Larry Bird, he was pretty good."

That's true. Very good point. But Bird was the exception to the rule. The offense rolled through Bird. This offense doesn't roll through Walton. And Walton can shot like Bird.

Bird was a killer. Walton is just heady.

mike

The more I think about it, the more I fear the Nuggets. With the re-addition of Kenyon Martin, I'm kind of afraid of their D. And he's no slacker on offense either.

AVERAGE JOE,

I WANT TO OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE TO THE WORLD THAT I THINK YOU ARE THE GREATEST LAKER BLOGGER EVER. I MEAN WITH YOU POSTING SUCH INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS REPEATEDLY HOW CAN THIS BLOG DO ANYTHING BUT THRIVE ON YOUR WISDOM, YOUR PASSSION, AND YOUR GENIUS.

PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, WE IN LAKERNATION ARE COUNTING ON YOU.

GO LAKERS AND GO AVERAGE JOE (MY HERO, EVEN MORE THAN KOBE)!!!

With JO"NEAL playing last night, The Lakers would have won that game easily.
Think in this offensive triangle:

Kobe with the ball in one corner.
Fisher in one side.
O'Neal keeping defense honest inside.

There is no way the game have being lost.

We need Jermaine,...(Lamar and Critt for him)
Kobe need help.
We need Artest. (Cook, Vla and Kwame for him).

If the fans in LA are just that ignorant to recognize that thiis FO isn't up to the task.
It's not worthy. Is what Shaq said:
Idiots.