Talking with Vlad Radmanovic
I don't think it's going out on a proverbial limb to say nobody -- from Laker management to the dudes hawking bootleg tees outside Staples -- was thrilled with Vlad Radmanovic's first season in purple and gold. Nor should they have been, considering what a mess everything from a preseason hand injury to Snowboardgate made of it. No surprise that Vlad's trying to forget the season ever happened and start from scratch. So far, the results have been promising: 13 ppg, 67% from behind the arc and a serious spike in general activity -- hopeful hints he'll be an important part of this year's rotation.
"He's a little more comfortable with what's going on out there," said Phil Jackson of the player he famously dubbed a "space cadet" last season. "Obviously, last season he had a terrible start and a terrible end, so he didn't really have an opportunity to perform the way he wanted to."
Jackson has also praised Vlad's size and athleticism, assets he thinks can serve the Serbian sharpshooter in a versatile fashion. The jury's still out on whether Radmanovic will seize this second chance, but he's moving in the right direction. I talked with him after Monday's practice about his increased triangular confidence, appeasing the Laker fans and "Crossing Oceans With Children," tonight's dinner-auction being held in conjunction with the Vladimir Radmanovic Children's Foundation to benefit orphaned kids in Serbia and Montenegro. Here's what he had to say.
Andrew Kamenetzky: How important was it for you, given everything that happened last season, to start out with some productive regular season games right off the bat?
Vlad Radmanovic: I'm really trying not to think about last year, in a way of "I have to come out and do this and this and this." I'm just trying to play the game in the right way. The last couple games, things have been working out -- not only for me. I think the team is playing really good basketball and that's the most important thing. It's a lot easier to play that way than when things are not working out, trying to figure out something new and how to help. If we keep playing like this, I think everybody's going to benefit from it.
AK: Do you feel more comfortable now in terms of both what's expected of you and how to make it happen?
VR: I do. It's a lot easier now than when I got into the offense, figuring out things I needed to [know] last year. It's just a simple reaction sometimes, but if you're in the wrong spot, everything's sort of screwed up. Now it's a lot easier in that way.
AK: Is it more about knowing where you're supposed to be or reading your teammates' reactions and anticipating where they're going to be?
VR: I think it's more reading your teammates, because in a game situation, it's not going to be perfect. Every once in a while, we're gonna get out of our offense, and in that situation you have to be able to read and find the best position for you and your teammates. If you don't do it, everything is out of control. You're gonna get beat on a fast break or something like that. I feel a lot more comfortable. When you really don't think about it, it's a lot easier to play the game.
AK: Have you reached that comfort level where you're not thinking as much?
VR: Yeah, definitely. I'm coming out and having fun out here.
AK: When Phil made comments about you freelancing a lot in the offense last season, was that often the result of just being confused and trying to figure it out as you go?
VR: Definitely. In a situation where you don't know what you're going to do ... [laughs]
AK: You're sort of making it up as you go?
VR: That's right. To make something happen, you make a good guess. [laughs] If it's not a good guess, you're freelancing.
AK: How frustrating is it to feel like you're constantly making the wrong guess?
VR: It's frustrating, but it's a process that you have to go through. This offense is different than anything else ever in my career. Once you get comfortable with it, you pick up the options and everything makes a lot of sense. At first when you're trying to run it, you're like, "Why are we doing this?" But it's a very good offense.
AK: Do you feel like your role is more defined right now?
VR: I think everybody knows what is expected of me and I just try to bring it out. I come out and don't think about anything else but making good plays and bringing energy into the game.
AK: From the outside looking in, you look more focused these last couple games than you did a lot of last season. Does knowing the offense and system help make you more centered?
VR: [Pause] You know, I had a "year off" last year, with all the injuries I had in the beginning of the season with a sprained finger and the snowboarding accident. Everything I went through last season, it was a nightmare. This year, like I told you, I'm just trying to come out and have fun. When you don't play for three months, watch the playoffs from the bench and then you have another four months of a break, it's really hard to just forget about it. But at the same time, you can't put too much thinking into it. You just have to come out and do your job.
AK: Do you feel a more increased confidence in yourself or more confidence from the coaching staff in you?
VR: I think it's a little bit of both. You have to feel your own confidence, but at the same time, you have to have coaches confident in you. And also your teammates. That's a big part too. It's not like you're gonna come out and OK, "Let's give this guy the ball for no reason." Things are happening when you're on the floor and everybody has faith and confidence in you. When you get an open shot, people expect that shot to go in. I know I'm not going to make 100% of my shots, but I want to be a good shooter.
AK: Phil mentioned your increased activity and liking what he saw -- you going after more rebounds, going after them with two hands and just a general effort in trying to make something happen while you're out there. Has that been something you're consciously aware of as well?
VR: I don't think too much, you know? Whether it's one hand or two hands. I'm just trying to get the ball. If I cannot get a ball, I'm trying to get the ball to one of my teammates. I'm not a "number guy." I'm not going to count my rebounds and assists and shots. I never play that way, and to be honest with you, the first time I got here is when I figured out there were "stats" in basketball. Some people play for it. I'm not one of those guys. All I really care about is playing a good game. Sometimes, things that you do on the floor, you can't see them on a piece of paper.
AK: How much does it mean to you personally to show Laker fans what you're capable of doing?
VR: It means a lot. I was the first guy that was signed [when last season's free agency period officially began]. Like I said, a lot of faith was put in me and a lot of people expected me to play well, and unfortunately, last year, things didn't happen that way. I understand the fans' point of view that if you don't perform one year, they'll forget about everything you did before that. They don't care. It's not like you have credit or anything. As a basketball player, you have to come out each and every year and show those fans you can do something you're capable of, the things that they expect you to do. This year, I'm just trying to do my best the best I can.
AK: Did you feel any extra pressure with it being your first long-term contract?
VR: Not really. I'm not playing for contracts. I'm playing basketball because I like it. I love it. Money is something that comes with it, obviously, but I'm just trying to put it on the side. Money is money, but to me, the game is something that happens every night. I'm not thinking, "Shoot! I have to do this or that because I signed this much." I'm just trying to be as good as I can and hopefully, it's going to be better and better.
AK: And your event [tonight]?
VR: I'm having a dinner-auction benefiting orphaned kids in Serbia and Montenegro. It's kind of a little program that we're going to try to run over there for those kids once they come out of orphanages. At the age of 18, they're basically on their own. Most of those kids, they never had anybody to teach them things in life and show them the right way. We're trying to put something together where they're going to be able to have a job once they come out and start a new life. This dinner and auction is going to be a good source of income for that program, and hopefully if that works out back home, we're going to start doing it out here too.
AK: Is it hard to keep tabs of what's going on back home while you're here, or do you have a pretty good pipeline for information?
VR: It's hard. I'll be honest. I don't know most of the basketball players over there now. It's not because I don't want to. It's just because I have such a busy schedule, you don't have time to pull off everything. You kind of lose track of things that are happening over there, because you live in a different country so far away. At the same time, I'm trying not to forget where I'm coming from. That's my home and that's my country. I'm trying to help it. But as much as my country needs help for kids that don't have parents, there are so many kids here also. I don't want to make any [distinction] between the kids over there and the kids here, so I'm trying to help all of them.
AK: Being here long-term could also help you make an impact in the Los Angeles community too.
VR: Definitely. And it's not only in Los Angeles.... I don't care if I'm the guy who's going to finance it or collect the money for it, but the program we're trying to do is something that I'd like to see all over the country. These kids need help, and if they don't get it, they're going to be lost in the world once they get out. Hopefully, we're going to have everything we need for this year. Serbia has 10 million people in the country. There's not as many people over there as here. It's gonna be a perfect model for future projects here. And like I said, if it works out over there, we're gonna plan it here. And if it doesn't work, we're gonna try something else.
this just show how many here were mistaken of late... the problem with the lakers is the management... not KOBE, nor shaq, nor anyone from the roster... management just couldn't get thier act together.
Posted by: dice8up | November 08, 2007 at 02:45 AM
Now we can talk about basketball....
I like what I am seeing... there is some sort of normalcy....
Posted by: dice8up | November 08, 2007 at 02:47 AM
Ex...um wasn't watching the game just saw the scores online.Im guessing they were haha...thats a lot of flukes
Posted by: Kiwi | November 08, 2007 at 03:48 AM
Kobe Still Wants Off the Buss
By Ted M. Green | L.A. Confidential, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, Column
You’ll be happy and (I’m guessing) relieved to know this column will NOT be about the pros and cons, the merits and demerits, the whys and why nots, of trading Kobe Bryant.
I’ve read enough of those to be www.bloggedout.com.
Besides, there’s really only one reason the Lakers can’t trade him right now, or maybe not at all this season: It’s called $89.24 per ticket, highest average ticket price in the NBA.
You think Laker fans are gonna want to pay that to see Luol Deng? Deng right they don’t.
No, this isn’t about wins and losses, the quality of Kobe’s teammates, his court compatibility with Lamar Odom or the ticking of Kobe’s athletic biological clock.
For professional purposes, Kobe and his Laker teammates get along just fine.
If the Lakers changed owners tomorrow, Kobe would buy two more mansions here and sing “I Love L.A.” on Leno.
Plain and simple, this is about a broken marriage, a love affair gone sour.
It’s about a high-end employee who has decided he hates his bosses and can’t work for them anymore.
I mean, he WILL work for them because he has to, and because he’s a pro, and because it’s a lot easier being unhappy on the job when you’re making $22 million a year, $14 million of which you’ve already collected up front in one very fat check.
But Kobe Bryant is working for the Buss family under strong, silent, yet unmistakable protest.
This is about the relationship between Bryant and the two Busses being over, done, kaput, finito. Get it?
Or as Kobe himself would tell you because he knows Italian, capiche?
This is about hurt feelings and bitter resentments and (figuratively) having to be in bed with someone who makes your skin crawl.
I don’t know Kobe personally, but I know people, I feel Kobe’s vibe, intuit his emotional withdrawl from the Lakers; so when I watched his face and body language Tuesday night against New Orleans, I saw a man seething on the inside, a man now fully disconnected from the people who sign his check, a man who does not want to be where he is one second longer than he absolutely has to.
Laker fans, I hate saying this as much as you dislike reading it, because who doesn’t love watching Kobe Bryant play basketball? But it is over. Irrevocably and irretrievably finished. The Lakers improving by 10 wins or Andrew Bynum morphing into his mentor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, isn’t going to change that inalienable fact.
What Kobe said last summer, Kobe meant. He wants out, and that hasn’t changed at all.
Chicago, Dallas, Washington, Pluto, Wherever.
Just out.
If anything, Kobe today is even more firmly entrenched in his position than he was in July.
He has boxed himself into this corner and there are four defenders around him that even he can’t dribble through.
Now, there is a big part of me that wants to tell him: C’mon, kid, grow up. You don’t like YOUR bosses? Try working for jerks when you’re making 10 bucks an hour! You’re in the real world now and it ain’t always pretty. But look on the bright side: You still take the most shots, play the most minutes, sell the most jerseys and make the most money. And you live in Newport Beach. So over this you’re unhappy? I want to tell him: Son, you’re a long way from a thousand feet underground breathing coal in a mine in Pennsylvania, so instead of wallowing in pettiness, can’t you just be happy for the many blessings you do enjoy?
The other voice I hear, maybe not as strong but present nonetheless, tells me that if the Fat Lady indeed has sung on the Bryant-Buss relationship, then fine. End it. Cut the cord. It is becoming more joyless watching Kobe’s nightly highlight show while knowing he can’t wait to get the hell out of Dodge.
And because the story is still out there, etched on the very face of Kobe Bryant, you tried and true Laker fans might as well come to grips with the idea that there is no such thing as equal value in a trade, unless it’s Lebron James. At least then you’re in the conversation. But even if the Bulls give the Lakers everyone they want–Deng, Heinrich, Gordon and Tyrus Thomas–the Lakers will still be missing the one thing you can never replace, the one thing their fans are making a house payment to see, the incredible star power of Kobe Bryant.
And so unless both aggrieved sides go to mediation, or marital counseling, this looks likes it’s going to end badly, one way or the other. Like War of the Roses, with Michael Douglas dangling from a chandelier and Kathleen Turner crumpled on the perfectly polished marble floor.
Even if Kobe sucks it up, they win 54 and go to the Western finals, it looks like nothing short of a one-way plane ticket out of Los Angeles is going to soothe the hurt feelings or repair the fractured dynamic.
Right now Kobe Bryant is with the Lakers, but he is not of them.
Posted by: jorema | November 08, 2007 at 05:55 AM
James Katt,
To follow up with what Ex said, I think this team is deep and talented, but not well-rounded. Don't know if that makes much sense, but I feel that the players that we have are very specific in their strengths and we could use 1-2 more dynamic players. However, I think players like Bynum, Turiaf, Farmar, and Crittendon (from what I've seen) have the ability to become more dynamic with time and hard work. That's a nice thing to have, solid potential, especially coupled with good work ethic. But right now they are still too inexperienced to make that impact night in and night out.
Best case scenario is that by the end of the season, with the increased minutes they're all seeing, they will pick up and improve enough to help Kobe, LO, and Fish make some noise.
I do like this team for next year though, I think we'll be considered contenders then.
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 08, 2007 at 07:52 AM
lakers_sth,
Gotta give the Clips some credit, they're playing inspired basketball.
Hey maybe Donald Sterling sees they can win without Elton Brand and doesn't want to give him an extension. Maybe he would be willing to clear him out for cap space, say in a deal for Kwame Brown and some draft picks.
Sorry, I started dreaming there for a second.
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 08, 2007 at 07:55 AM
NO-118 LAL-104
sf-Peja-36p5r0a 12/21fg 10/13-3p
sf-Luke-7p4r5a 3/8fg 1/2-3p
NO-90 PORT-93
sf-Peja-5p2r0a 2/13fg 1/4-3p
sf-Martell Webster-20p4r2a 8/14fg 3/8-3p
Posted by: jf | November 08, 2007 at 08:23 AM
i take it back...
Turiaf should be our Starting P.F.!!
-->Fish/Kobe/Odom/Turiaf/Bynum = Starting Line-Up
...i still think Bynum should be our starting center, experience is the only thing that will teach him to stay away from picking up them silly fouls + he is becoming more efficient game by game.
then would u look at our main bench rotation:
-->Vlad Rad/Walton/Evans/Farmar/Brown
yes sir... DADDY LIKE!!!
-Fowl Out
Posted by: Flagrant Fowl | November 08, 2007 at 08:35 AM
jf,
I just saw the same thing, that Peja went stone cold against Portland and they lost. Every now and then you run into a 10-13 from behind the arc buzz saw. When the best shooter in game gets on a hot streak your screwed.
Posted by: Andrew Z | November 08, 2007 at 08:41 AM
Bethlehem Shoals has decided to take upon the real heart of the Lakers: Ronny Turiaf.
Link here, but I'm sure AK and BK are already on it:
http://freedarko.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-dance-to-all-wrong-songs.html
Posted by: Alec | November 08, 2007 at 08:42 AM
I always felt that every team in the league gets up to play our Lakers. The Hornets lost last night to the Blazers and Peja stunk up the joint last night going 2 for 13. I knew his game against us was a fluke. If the Lakers defended the 3 point line better we win easily against the Hornets. I still think the Lakers need to go more inside to Andrew, especially when he has the advantage. There were times when he had the shorter Armstrong guarding him when Tyson Chandler was on the bench and the Lakers failed to get him the ball. Also, by getting Andrew the ball early and more often causes the other center to have to play defense and expend more energy and possibly pick up fouls. Can't wait to see LO get going this Friday. We also have a tough back to back next week at the Spurs and the Rockets. Go Lakers!!!
Posted by: Nemaia Faletogo | November 08, 2007 at 09:10 AM
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* THURSDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2007
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55 WIN BANDWAGON MEMBERS:
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1) LAKERTOM………………………..…(21) TALIQ VIOLATER………………………………(41) PURPLE AND GOLD
(2) MAMBA24…………………………....(22) SLO GAL ……………………………………….(42) LAKERTRUTH
(3) LONG_TIME_LAKER_FAN……..…(23) DEREK………………………………………….(43) WHITEMAMBA24
(4) JUNO………………………………..(24) NIK KANAN……………………………………...(44) JUSTIN
(5) GENERIC_ONE……………………(25 BOB
(6) HOBBITMAGE………………….…..(26) FAITH
(7) MARTY……………………………....(27) LAKERLOVER
(8) DAVID WHANG………………….…(28) COMPLEX_BROTHA
(9) ROKY…..……………………….…..(29) ISSANG
(10) KEIFO……………………………..(30) WHITE MAMBA24
(11) VIOLATER…………………...……(31) LAKALOVA
(12) DICE8UP………………………....(32) EASTCOASTJESSIE
(13) HUBBIT…………………………...(33) Q WUOR
(14) BD…………………………………(34) LAKERAHOLIC –> GUNNING FOR 60
(15) JONNIN IN JAPAN………………(35) TSIRY
(16) ALEXINHO17…………………….(36) DREW
(17) TWOODY…………………………(37) Nestro’s Bistro
(18) KIWI……………………………….(38) BLAZE1BX
(19) FEARLESS WHACK JOB………(39) BZAR
(20) DAN DAN THE LAKER FAN…..(40) CHRIS H.
(55) CBUCK - When we reach 55 cbuck will be number 55 so climb aboard folks
READY TO JUMP ON THE BANDEAGON BUT:
(45) RICK FRIEDMAN - NEEDS APOLOGIES FROM KOBE, FO AND ALL CONCERNED FIRST
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* 60 WIN BANDWAGON
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(1) LAKERAHOLIC
(2) BOB
(3) MAMBA24
(4) WHITE MAMBA24
(5) JOE
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* KOBE FOR MVP BANDWAGON
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(1) NIK KANNAN
(2) MAMBA24
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*VLAD RAD BREAKOUT BANDWAGON/ I REMEMBER WHY WE CREATED IT
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(1) VIOLATER
(2) MAMBA24
(3) SIXONEZERO
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BYNUM BREAKOUT BANDWAGON
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(1) LakerFaze_________________ (4) Mamba24______________(7) DEREK
(2) RDLEE____________________(5) LAKER TOM____________(8) BENNY BLANCA
(3) Violater____________________(6) Jon Kavulic_____________(9) BD
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AND NOW ROLL CALL:
(1) FAITH, MIKE T. TALIQ, Edwin Gueco,, KEIFO, Wolf, Q WUOR, CLEON, EastCoastJessie
Mamba24Fan4Life, Fan of Mamba, WhiteMamba24, BlackMamba24, LakerTRUTH, CBuck,
KIWI, Wow, Peace, J_CooL, DAVID WHANG, AdamKiley, LakersryDeordie, AngryLaker
TIM-4-SHOW, THA_ SHOW, WESJOENIXON, BAYWOOD, The_D, SBPIMP, DAXMDD
utzworld THE BANNER HOLDER, CaliKing, RICK FRIEDMAN,Thirty2, ExheloDrVr,
GENERIC_ONE, TWOODY, JJ, Ajax, MITCHELL., LAKERTOM, LAKERFAN, Charles,
JOREMA, VMAN, Korey, Xtro, MCGarnagle, Gugy, GDChild, Laker4Life, Blkthght06
KL BEAST, FearlessWhackJob, MARTY, JANDRO, LAKERFAZE, PhxLkrFAN,
TexasLaker, BOB, TreacherousBalloons, EagleBoy, JR., Zakee, KOBE’S T., ZEN
Tully Moxness, KobeRocks, David Peterson, centralk, 244Life, SamII, FKILLAH,
Swettual, Andrew Z, LAL Fan, Brandon C., Kinglakernidas, HUBBIT, GREEK DUDE,
CYRUS(Ventrilquist), RespectMyAuthorith, Hariyahu, Laker Sth, KobeFromManilas
SARCOCOP,Staples24, Bobby, COMPTONS FINEST, MIGUELINHO, MAN
TUKLAW, CDUB0512, MRBARNEYDANGLES,BENJAMIN,MJCMAN32, PFUNK36,
SOCALIFE, HAL9000, Greekdude, Michael J, Michael H, Michael A., ALEXINH017
Gunner24, GINO, FATTY, LAKERGURL, CRITICAL BEATDOWN, LEELO
PAUL LEE, Jay EL, SocalSpider , WEAVE MAN, JON KAVULIC, Tajluck, Caesar
BERKLEYLAKER, Dice8Up DION, KARL, CRAIG, MITCHELL, B4HOOPS, RYAN
JR, Dascilla, tellitlikeitisNik Kannan, GABE, SEAN P., HanSoulFood, HollywoodJack,
RICO TICO, BZAR, TSIRY, DREW, NESTROSSBISTRO, LAKERAHOLIC, laKOBEr
PURPLE AND GOLD, DREW , Q WUOR, GiantSquid, DEREK, Ray Ray, THI
Jay Jay, TaosHum, HOBBITIMAGE, Caeser, Obel, CHITOWNLAKER,
wiZo, MagicShaq, HugoBoss, OSCAR, RDLEE, RealityBites, LakerLarry, Bucky,
Juno, LakerLifer, C.S. Jova, BLAZE1BX, Tripgame3, TSPHERE, SIXONEZERO,
Mfeige, Reggie, Reality Check Time, SLO Gal, East Nyboer, Houston Laker
JONINJAPAN(INCANADA), VIOLATER, LT Laker Fan, , KATE, TROY, Mainor,
JEFF, ANDY B., SwanWorld, PUPLE&GOLD_4EVA, Benny Blanca, CS in Virgina
EMMA, TIM IN SYDNEY RISING STAR, LakerBake, JuanMan888, Man,
Any_One_mouse, 10milliondollarZen, Shiva, Laker_Hopeful, LakerDawg,
,Ghost of Spiderman, Steve in Denver Guy Owanlele, Lincoln Laker,
MITCH KUPCHAK, JERRY BUSS, PHIL JACKSON, KOBE BRYANT, Jennifer
Marc Gasol, Sun Yue, Shamond, Williams, Ronny Turiaf, V. Radmanovic,
Maurice Evans, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Luke Walton, Brian Cook,
Kwame Brown, Andrew Bynum, Coby Karl, Chris H., Mihm, Sasha Vujacic
Jordan Farmar, Jarvis Critterton, JERMAINE ONEAL???, Larry Fulcher
ALL TOGETHER NOW:
WE ARE THE FREAKIN LA LAKERS THE WINNERS OF 14 NBA TITLES
THE HOME OF WILT, KAREEM, GEORGE MIKAN, SHAQ, MAGIC, KOBE,
ELGIN BAYLOR, JERRY WEST, PAT RILEY, JAMES WORTHY, SILK
COACHED BY THE 9 TIME TITLE WINNER PHIL (9RINGS) JACKSON AND
NO ONE WILL EVER CONQUER OR DIVIDE US
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
Posted by: MAMBA24 | November 08, 2007 at 09:12 AM
Caron Butler is averaging 20 pts and 9 rebs so far this year, BUT ONLY 0.7 assists. The Wizards are such suckers...hahaha. Seriously, Mitch is solid for GM of the year.
Posted by: C.S. | November 08, 2007 at 09:13 AM
If VLAD can gives us 10 points coming of the bench i would be a very happy camper.
We can have 6 guys flirting with double digits
K. Brown - 7
R. Turiaf - 10
L. Odom - 16
K. Bryant - 30
D. Fisher - 12
A. Bynum - 11
V. Radmon - 10
L. Walton - 9
M. Evans - 8
J. Farmar - 7
Things looks RIGHT , What you guys thing???
Last year we have 4 guys in doulble figure. Kobe -32, Lamar - 16, Luke, 11 , Smush - 11
I really like this rotation and our second unit is just a good as the first , they both have great scoring options.
Posted by: RICO TIco7 | November 08, 2007 at 09:45 AM
Jorema,
I think the writer you quoted was accurate with that report. Based on body language of Kobe, he loved the fans, the place, could tolerate with his the raw weakness of his teammates but can't go along with Buss. I think the relationship has created a huge SCAR that each one is just thinking of their own interest. The biggest mistake in this, is that no one has the power or personality to mediate them. Secondly, the team is not prepared to ship out Kobe because we become a virtual developmental team like Sonic, Blazers and T'wolves, if he's not around and highest-paying fans in NBA will not watch a developmental team. They will go for Clipper games or watch other shows as an alternative rather go to a NBA game watching Brian Cook and Luke Walton consume two hours of their entertainment time. The mistake there is that we don't have good players to replace Kobe. Supposing at the end of the season, we could get quality players who would opt out and ended up with JO, Agent Zero or Davis and Elton Brand - then and only then we can ship out Kobe. I think with these players lakers become competitive even w/o Kobe. Don't quote me on that as an imperative situation, it's just an example of the standard of players we have to acquire, a scenario I'm trying to describe. But to absorb the star garbages of Chicago like Deng, Gordon, Hinrich as fillers for Kobe....a laker fan will say "no way, that's no parity, this city is big enough to have other things to do w/o the Lakers, get back to me when you're competitive and I'll buy your club seat and/or season tickets."
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 08, 2007 at 09:55 AM
RICOTIco7 -
I totally agree, the offense looks solid. If we can get 40 points a night from our bench, we'll score 110 a game.
Unfortunately, I don't think that's the problem right now - if we score 110 a game we're still going to lose if we give up 119. What's going to be key to this year's success isn't how many points we score, it's how many points we allow.
Hustle. Rebounding. Stopping penetration. Staying home on shooters. Rotating to help.
THESE are the things that will determine our success this year.
Posted by: SBPimp | November 08, 2007 at 09:57 AM
AZ,
"I think players like Bynum, Turiaf, Farmar, and Crittendon (from what I've seen) have the ability to become more dynamic with time and hard work. That's a nice thing to have, solid potential, especially coupled with good work ethic. But right now they are still too inexperienced to make that impact night in and night out."
You hit the mark based on my observations as well. There is a lot of potentials but still raw based on what we have seen in the last 4 games. If you ask each of them to produce double-double every night for 10 consecutive games, they're not ready to achieve that pace yet. We will be banking on Kobe, LO and Fish. Well, you can see also for the PG position, Fish is getting old on that job with guys like Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Tony Parker and Steve Nash night in and night out we really need to accelerate the progress of Farmar and Critt' or else we're not at pace for that positon. In the case of Walton, we need shooting and his D for that positon, he cannot just be good in passing and other Lakers will absorb the handicaps. He has to stop those power forwards on his way.
Having said that, there is no way or no excuse that Lakers will lose to a developmental team like T'wolves who have an empty shell. They have Ratcliff, Antoine Walker, Al Jefferson, Jaric and Howard. With LO coming in and the improved Lakers and playing at home, there should be a full guarantee of W.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | November 08, 2007 at 10:12 AM
SB PIMP
I agree, that is why we go with the starting line of
Kwame - defense at C (keep guys of the block, rebounding)
Ronny - defense at PF ( hiustle , rebounding)
Lamar - defense at SF ( taller than virtually all SF , athletic , tough to shoot over huge rebounder)
Kobe - defense SG ( stealing and the 2008 version even blocking)
Fisher - defense at the PG ( smarts, veteran , toughness)
Posted by: RICO Tico7 | November 08, 2007 at 10:16 AM