Rhythm lessons

As bad and slow as Webber is on defense, his offense (shooting and passing) will make things a lot easier on Kobe and the whole team. Bring him in!

Sounds too dark BK.

On a Bynum 10 scale, how bad is it?
8 out of 10 bad?
Meaning we'll lose 8 of the 10 games we would have won with Andrew?

4 out of 10 seems reasonable. With a Kobe that isn't gasping for air every minute of the game, Vlad and Sasha back, we'll lose 4 of 10 games we would have won with Andrew... and the wins will be closer.

If the vets don't wear down, the prime time minutes the "other" guys get, could be a plus in the playoffs.

GO Lakers

Elton Brand a Laker?

Is it true he can opt out this year?

If so, I can see him taking LESS money and let's just say we sign him using Kwame's $8 million a year.

The only problem with that is Bynum is going to get max money too...

first place is all ours!!!!!! lets keep it that way on thursday.

GO LAKERS

I think it's possible that we could find the same type of rhythm we had last season with Bynum out. It'll take at least 4-5 games which unfortunately is probably the toughest 5 game stretch of the season.

The second unit seems to have maintained a level of cohesion despite the Bynum injury. I enjoyed the moments when the second unit was in the game because they were disruptive and moved the ball offensively.

AK/BK, assuming the Lakers are able to sign C-Webb, do you think it'd be a good idea to play him with the first unit. I know it wouldn't be fair to whomever had to be removed from the lineup but I just can't see him playing with that uptempo second unit effectively. Obviously with our offense he can't be plugged into the lineup the day he gets to LA, but I think he'd be able to excel with the first unit guys.

Vman-

C'mon! I ended on a positive (haha). I don't think it's necessarily catastrophic, in that they should (metaphorically, of course) pack up the circus and leave town. It's just that they're no longer a team that can be considered among the best, if not the best, in the West. They're more like last year's bunch, which was competitive, but not elite. And I, for one, was beginning to buy into the notion that they could finish this year as they started it, and certainly make the top four, if not higher.

This ends that, since Bynum's influence was the big x-factor in their rise. They're back to the bottom four, I believe. The margin of error is so thin up there. A few extra losses is all it will take to knock them back. But if he's healthy come playoff time, who knows?

BK

AK / BK

Can we bring ROD BENSON to LA?!!!

http://www.toomuchrodbenson.com/index.html

If it's 8 weeks, with a 3 week period to learn the 3-angle, it won't hurt to give this 6'10" high flyer a try.

If anything, at least we'll get a laugh with Boom Tho shirts.

BK,

Not sure if you saw but I asked a question about where you think C-Webb could fit into this team.

Looks like the Lakers will hold onto first place for more than 1 day. Thank you Clippers

BK

there hasn't been any news on Vlad's injured wrists. that injury basically cooled off his hot start... and then the ankle. just wondering if it's still bothering him because even if he is able to run around, if he can't shoot then he's basically useless.

For those seeking bright sides, I do think a positive that hasn't been discussed much remains a possibility.

Should the team weather Bynum's absence in respectable form (like I said in my post yesterday, .500-ish ball would be more than commendable), the cushion they've created with this great start should keep them in the playoff race. From there, if Drew returns on schedule and doesn't take too long to round back into shape, this team returns to more or less the form they were running at, which was very good. Because of that, I'm not positive their seed will matter as much (home court advantage aside and even then, they've been winning on the road).

For example, Phoenix might win the Pacific, but unless they crank it up another notch (and deepen their rotation), they remain a team I'm predicting the Lakers would beat in a 7-game series (pre-Drew's injury, obviously). Unless the Lakers happen to go against SA (who can never be counted out) in the first round, I wouldn't be too worried about them ending up a 7 seed. Assuming the best case scenario I described above regarding Drew comes into play.

AK

I don't understand why it's so pessimistic! Seriously, I'll I'm saying is that they won't win enough games without Drew to stay at the top of the conference! It's not that bad! (haha)

Anyway, Xodus-

I'm not a huge fan of Webber, but obviously he doesn't hurt. He's just not my first choice because he's so immobile these days that I don't think he'd help defensively at all (and they don't have enough guys to cover for him adaquately), and offensively, he could hinder their efforts to push the pace. On the other hand, he still has skill on that end, for sure, and would be a good player in the triangle. He certainly played some good minutes for the Pistons last season.

I'd love to see them pick up a better defensive presence, though on the other hand, they're not likely to find someone who can fit in as well offensively. So pick your poison, I guess. In the end, it'll be hard to find any street free agent (perhaps not named Brown or Webber) who will make much of an impact.

BK

REPOST OF EARLIER POST IN CASE IT WAS TOO DOWN THE LIST OF PREVIOUS BLOG 377 SO FAR

Wow, read a lot of comments and I will respond to a few. Mainly to the ones I disagree with but I will apply constructive critcism and respectfully disagree with a few.

First I disaree with the blogger who said Odom should stay away from the 3 point line. Odom needs to practice those shots more and become more consistant in the game. If his 3 pt shot is taken away then D can play off him so his dribble penetration would be less effective. As for his dribble penetration he needs to finish with more authority (dunk) than finesing his shots. Yes he needs to to use both hands left and right and dribble and muscle up players in the arc instead of out of it so he does not pick up a charge foul. Things Lamar can work on to improve his game.

I think Kwames problems are more mental than physical. I saw why he blew that 2 handed dunk. He grabbed the rim hard and when he let go the rim snapped back and knocked the ball away. In the next game he made the dunk but he held on to the rim briefly (not as hard as last time) so the ball went in. I think he is still afraid to come down hard on his ankle for fear or reinjury as it might not be fully healed. So he is hanging on the rim. The problem with that is that he can be called for hanging on the rim and have points taken back. He needs to give up that mental crutch before it hurts the team. He also needs to practice, practice practice free throws then practice some more.

I will comment on his D later so that this is not too long winded.

As for 2nd option Lamar is not suited for that, not his game so instead I think every one else has to add a few more points output to spread the burden out. Takes team ball to do that.

The safe choice is to bring in an experienced big with set mindset as someone aluded to. That does not make sense to discount a vet since getting Fish back disputes that. Vet came in with set mindset.

If the guy works out he can deepen our bench and allow our bigs to play far more aggresively on D. We are deep enough to spread the load and not burn anyone out. Plus we can play our guys to match up better against other teams to create mismatches in our favor.

If there is not one available then maybe the Warriors guy or D leaguer. C Webb said he was reviewing proposals with his agent to see where he wants to play. So if he is not available or PJ brown oe others mentioned then D leaguer would be way to go.

Just my opinion and I stick by it.

Posted by: JustaLakerFan | January 15, 2008 at 09:36 PM

BK,

Yeah I'm not in love with Webber but with limited options he may be the best we can get. P.J. Brown is interesting because of his defense and ability to hit the midrange jumper, but I don't see him coming out of retirement.

Bynum's absence exposes several weaknesses on our part.

1) Odom's inability to be a true, consistent #2 guy. With Bynum's emergence, Odom was able to slide comfortably into the #3 spot on the team, where he had greatly reduced pressure to score and create his own offense. Now he's going to be expected to score consistently and be agressive in doing so, which has never been his nature.

2) Kwame's lack of effectiveness in most facets of the game. PJ was starting to play Drew 30+ minutes a game, and Drew was responding with very positive play. Kwame's role was reduced to a more appropriate back-up position with limited minutes. Now playing starter's minutes, his inabilities to score in the post, dominate the boards, or control the paint are revealed. When Kwame gets the ball in the post, the other team simply denies everyone else the ball, forcing Kwame to make a play--something he just can't do.

3) Chris Mihm's (so far) failed comeback. If we had a healthy Mihm, our situation would be much better. But as has been mentioned here before, even before Mihm had his most recent setback, he just wasn't effective.

4) Our lack of team defense. With Bynum in the middle, blocking multipe shots a game (and altering many more), our oftentimes poor rotations and lapses in communication were covered up. Now without a shotblocker in the middle, we could be seeing more fouls and/or more layups.

So the main questions for the next 8 weeks are: 1) Can LO step up and be a #2? 2) Can Kwame be at least a decent NBA center? 3) Is Mihm going to play good ball this year? 4) Can we become a good defensive team?

I think LO can step up; whether he will or not is another question. I don't think Kwame has the skill set necessary to do much more than he ever has. I think Mihm is finished. And I definitely think we can get better team-defense wise. But keep in mind when comparing this team now to last year's start; the start of last year was a very home-heavy schedule, whereas our upcoming schedule is the exact opposite.

Bynum's injury was like a punch to the gut. I was soooooo into this team and really, really enjoyed watching Bynum get better with every game....and then, poof, it's all gone in an instant.

So as much as I love the Lakers, I'm pessimistic. I think we're going to be much more inconsistent than we have been. One thing about Bynum is that he was very consistent and gave us a double-double just about every night. I now expect Odom to have his good nights and his bad nights, thrown in with some very bad nights and some very good nights. Kwame will put up a few of those 2 point, 3 rebound games and maybe...MAYBE a handful of decent games.

Sorry guys....I'm venting a bit, 'cause I'm still very, very down about the whole thing.

LTLF

>>>Suns gon' lose tonight... So even if we lose tomorrow night, we are still
>>>in 1st place in Pacific...

Nope. Suns loss puts them 1/2 a game behind the Lakers. In the imaginary
world where they beat the Lakers, they would be 1/2 a game ahead.

But of course, the Lakers are going to win that game, after which they will
have a 1 1/2 game lead in the Pacific Division, though their lead in the Western
Conference might be smaller than it is now, as San Antonio and Dallas have
some cupcake games coming up, so they could make up some ground.

Sorry but I have to disagree with the half game thing. The game would be a half game if played against other teams. But since this is a head to head competition it equals a full game difference 1/2 game for win and 1/2 game for loss equals full game.

Mike T.,
I used some of that Zen stuff too. I thought to myself, " Larry, how can I prove that Mike T. is so full of BS it's spilling out of his ears? And, then it came to me, "let him babble on, and on, and on about his basketball philosophy, his theories on how good Kwame is, how bad Phil Jackson is, how mediocre Andrew Bynum is, etc., etc.. Sooner or later, everyone will notice that brownish stuff oozing from his ears and dripping off his earlobes. It's BS! You've finally reach the maximum level any human body can sustain and it had to come out somewhere. It reached your mouth a couple years ago, but now it's up to the ears.

Why not stop now with the Kwame\Bynum thing. It's over. That old dog won't hunt anymore. There is no argument. Bynum is, and always will be, the far superior player in every facet of the game. Kwame will never be more than a journeyman backup center at best. The only heavy lifting Kwame will be doing after this year is carrying the water bucket on and off the court. Why waste all your time fighting a losing argument on this issue? Why not move on to something more debatable like the value of Luke Walton?

I have absolutely no confidence in Lamar. Its been what three years now that we've been waiting for Lamar to become consistent? I hate to say this but it's just not going to happen. Whatever Lamar's problems are, he will not work them out while he is a Laker.

The national press is lauding Kupchak's eye for talent. Whoaaa! Let's slow down a minute lest we forget that the Lakers DO NOT HAVE A CERTAIN CARON BUTLER.

tim,

Completely agree with you. He's a nice guy and plays great when he is on, but more often than not, this guy is just too inconsistent. Was he like 3-10 last night?

lamar hasn't been the same since his injury last year. if you flip back your memories to our hot start last year, you will see that lamar shot relatively well from 3 point land, and luke was phenomenal (even lead the league for a bit) from there...

since lamar has been hurt, his range has really tailed off.. he needs to get it back to where it used to be.. i do agree with the overall sentiment that at least for now he needs to stop taking them until he can shoot 33% from there.. i think he's at 25% right now.

I predict we will be torched by the Suns..the Nuggets..the Spurs...the Mavericks.....

I'll be riding this sinking ship....

On a more serious note. I'm actually more worried about Bynum getting his rhythm back. I'm sure his knee will be fine but his production may be greatly affected.

BK, I appreciate your honest attempt at prediction.

I do think there are a few things you did not take into account.

1. The Sonics are a lot healthier than they have been. They lost Wilcox for a few games and Ridnour is finally back.

2. The Sonics really stepped up this game. And it wasn't just lax defense (which certainly contributed). Collison has always been a very mobile effort player with efficient (though meager) stats. I believe if the Sonics played as they had even with Bynum, Collison would have caused problems. They needed to use Turiaf to try to cancel him out.

3. The Lakers did just get crushing news and were on the second end of a back-to-back. If there's a time when the team is likely to take a game off a bit, this was it.

4. The Lakers are better than last year with Trevor Ariza and D-fish. Not having a Bynum (from last year) and Brown (from last year) does hurt a bit, but I think overall we're close to as good, if not a little better than last year, especially if Kwame gets less "smooth" as the announcers on NBA League Pass kept calling him (I think they were the FSN NW announcers, not sure).

5. We're not likely to play so Kobe-centric in the next few games. Kobe's gotten out of the habit of doing so and has met success with doing so. The coaching staff will fix that some, though I do predict close games at the end with people not sinking shots and Kobe shooting us out of the game at the end, but less than last year.

6. There's no way Lamar could play any worse. From the bottom, the only direction you can go is up!

Other than that, I felt your blog took all factors into account perfectly to make a fair and accurate prediction.

BK

I think you're being overly pessimistic. This is now basically the team that started last season 26-13 before Lamar, Luke, Kwame, and Vlad went down with injuries. Sure the schedule was a bit soft, but the team had some quality wins and six losses to truly terrible teams. I think the addition of Fisher, Ariza, and a vastly improved Farmar (and the loss of Smush, Cook, and Shammond) actually makes this a better team than the one that started the season last year. I know they also had Drew last year, but he wasn't that much of a factor. The Lakers are in shock now. They need to shake it off. If they take on the attitude that you're projecting, they are doomed. If they focus and stay positive, they'll be fine.