Some quick points

Phil was asked about his decision to look to push tempo more often this year.  He feels that between their three young point guards (Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Javaris Crittenton) and guys like Kobe, Lamar Odom and Luke Walton, they have the ability to push the ball up court and go at an opponent quickly.  Plus, with Fish back in the fold, adding another shooter to complement Vlad Radmanovic ("Hopefully, he'll come back and play the role that we think he has on this team), Jackson is hopeful his squad can spread the floor out and capitalize on the rapid fire attack.  Of course, this vision is still very much in the "theoretical" phase.  "We're still not convinced we can," admitted Jackson.

While it sounds like Farmar is currently enjoying pole position, the battle between him, The Critter and Vujacic for backup minutes behind Derek Fisher remains undecided.  Jackson sees a lot of potential in Crittenton, along with the ability to get white hot.  But potential and temperature can't always substitute for experience, which Crittenton is obviously lacking.  In the meantime, Farmar's got veteran status on him (relatively speaking) and PJ pointed out how well his training camp has gone.  "We're really pleased with his shooting and defensively, he's got an ability to get up court and do some things that are difficult for an opponent."  Ditto Sasha, depending on the size matchup.

And in "young guards with partially guaranteed contract news," Jackson is happy with how Coby Karl's played.  But praise aside, it's been hard for him to get the Nuggets coach's son on the court, since there are so many other young guards under guaranteed contract that are also in need of evaluation.  I don't know if the lack of PT will definitely crush Karl's chances of sticking, but Jackson's preference towards a fourteen player roster might.  "I don't like fifteen (man rosters), particularly.  I'd rather have fourteen, because of the injuries we've had over the last couple years.  It seems it leaves the roster a little more flexible."

-AK