JustALakerFan

>>>Odom off the bench makes the most sense from what I see.

I mostly agree with this. If Lamar spends all summer working on his outside jumper and comes
into camp hitting 40% of his 3's, then I might change my mind. But having him as a wing player
and shooting 27% (or whatever he shot) from 3 allows defenses to sag off of him and clog the
lane. Thus, I'd rather have the starting SF be either a better defender (Ariza) or a better shooter
(Radmanovic).
[I don't disagree that at the moment he is better suited for the bench as 6th player. Even if he improves as you say I think he can situational start at FF depending on match up. Then Rad or Ariza can situational start again depending on matchups. I just believe we need to get away from starter to bench mentality and look at the team as 2 starting units with parts interchangeable. That would minimize egos and maximise productivity. no one can totally be thrilled with this approach but I agree with PJ on this that sacrifices will need to be made. That is a rare agreement with PJ so I hope he follows trrough.]

Now PJ just has to convince Lamar that he'll be the next Manu Ginobili. :-)

I think Lamar could be a stabilizing presence with the bench mob. The bench mob is more of
a running team and Lamar can keep up with them.

>>>>what about SUN YUE!! he could be a great off the ball defender.
>>I say leave him in china to develop more. Why add to payroll when PJ will
>>only sit him on bench and he will get little to no run? J. Buss already spent
>>a lot on players that PJ refuses to play, why add another?

I'm kinda torn on this one.

You're probably correct that Sun Yue wouldn't get a lot of minutes playing with the Lakers.
But the difference between Sun Yue and someone like MBenga or Newble is that those guys
were "rentals", while Yue would be a young player that they're grooming for the future. Newble
was brought in for depth in case Ariza never made it back. And MBenga was brought in to
give
depth at center where they already had Bynum and Mihm out. I never expected either of
those guys to see any big minutes.

[Both Mbenga and Ira were brought in for help and PJ chose not to use them even as a detriment to the team. I don't believe by extending Ira that PJ will use him so that will hurt our cap space to the fault of PJ for not using him. Mbenga when finally used showed marked improvement and under KAJ can improve more. I think we should keep him over Mihm who is a finese, foul prone player. Even if Mihm improves, his time in league he will ask for more money and DJ would be cheaper in long run. Sun Yue would just be a salary hit with no run under PJ so let him develop more in year in China, and bring him in next year and get time in D league.]

Farmar didn't get a lot of minutes his rookie season, but as his game matured, he's gotten
more and more minutes and become a solid contributer to the team. If Sun Yue comes to
the Lakers and works as hard on his game as Farmar does, the same will be true for him.
Even if they leave Sun Yue playing for Chinese teams for 3 more years, he's still not going
to come to the Lakers and start his first season. Why not let him come in and start to learn
the triangle and learn how to play the NBA rules instead of international rules.

[Here we disagree as Farmar got a lot of love and run his rookie season. Yes he worked hard but he fell in trouble is sophmore year and his weaknesses were exposed. At this point I still don't think he is ready for prime time and we need to add an experienced taller PG who can score, defend, and is younger than DF and older than JF. I stil believe no matter how Sun Yue works he will not get PT and will be salary hit. I don't think 3 years is right but one more year and then bring him in to learn in D league.]

On the other hand, I'm with Jon K that someone like Quentin Ross would be much more useful
to the Lakers right now than Sun Yue. A defensive guy off the bench.

But I will point out that Sun Yue has good size and speed and is a good shot blocker. He
could conceivably play PG, SG, or SF for the Lakers, depending on how he develops.

Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 26, 2008 at 08:45 AM

[ Q Ross would be o but I would rather see Mo Evans as he is familiar with system and he is FA too.]

No matter what I just hope all works out best for the Lakers.

Damn Celtics screwed us again. They picked JR Giddens who we wanted. Now it will be interesting who we draft now.

Dan,

" Bynum is good, but he won't be a game changer."

Are you freeking kidding me???

Did you not see how AB was playing the 10-15 before he got hurt? His return will make every player on the team better. Soft hands, great finisher, blocks shots, big time rebounder.

I don't think you are understanding the impact he will have next year.