>>>What do you think the Lakers should do if the
>>>Gasol/Bynum pairing does not work out?
Very very tough call.
The way I see it, there are 3 options:
1. Move Odom back to the starting PF and convince either
Drew or Pau to be the SUPER CENTER off the bench.
2. Trade Bynum. Me no likey. I think Bynum will be the
better defender in the long run, and with another year
of training with Kareem, he might be as good offensively
as Gasol. If they had to do it, it would be better if the Lakers
had not extended Bynum, as then there would be no issue
of base year compensation or poison pill.
3. Trade Gasol. This would still be hard to do, as his game
really fits well in the triangle. But he would be easier to deal,
since he's already fully realized as a player and his salary
makes him tradeable for good veterans. Here are a few
ideas:
Gasol for Luol Deng
Gasol for Tayshaun Prince & filler
Gasol for Brook Lopez, Yi Jianlian, and expiring contracts
So now we go from what if Lamar won’t work with Drew and Pau to what if Pau won’t work with Drew. The only person who I have heard voice any doubt whatsoever that Drew and Pau would not work great was Jerry West, who made a comment about their not being able to get back on defense in time, which really doesn’t make a lot of sense because both Drew and Pau actually run the floor very well for big men. Other than that, I have not seen another analyst or expert doubt that the two would be fine together.
When you look at their personalities and the way that their game fits, I think Drew and Pau are going to surprise everybody by fitting even better than expected. With Lamar, I think the three will essentially cover the 96 minutes of center and power forward time per game by each of the three playing 32 minutes per game. Frankly, if Drew and Lamar played great together and Pau and Lamar played great together, why would we think that Drew and Pau wouldn’t. Pau is not a center; he is a power forward.
Bottom line, I would not include trading either guy as an option until every other stone had been turned. And if I were going to trade either player, Pau would obviously be the one to be traded as he is not a center and not a franchise player, while Drew is.
Finally, it is now taking every ounce of my reserve and patience not to respond to the suggestion just made to trade Drew if he and Pau didn’t work well together, ostensibly because Pau is a better defensive and offensive player right now than Drew, which is so patently laughable I want to SCREAM at the top of my lungs in protest of the stupidity. As much as I love Pau Gasol, who will have no problem playing power forward to Drew’s center, Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive player than Pau Gasol will ever be. I’m done for now. Good night, all.
Simple, if pau and drew or even kobe do not work out... the most obvious answer FIRE THE COACH who may have created triangular confusion. He is being paid double which is 12M to make it work while most coaches in the league are 5-6M only.
It's interesting that you think Jerry West doesn't know what he's talking about (in this instance anyway). Personally, I think Jerry knows more about basketball at the NBA level than the entire Laker blog combined (unless Magic is posting here under a pseudonym)
I'm fairly certain someone brought up the possibility that Gasol and Bynum wouldn't work well together in today's chat. And I discussed it at length a few days ago. (When I asked my 15 yr old nephew, who knows more about basketball (and sports in general) than anyone I personally know, what he thought of this year's team, the first thing out of his mouth was "I'm not sure Gasol and Bynum will work well together". In any case, it was a hypothetical proposition. I have no idea how well Pau and Andrew will work together. They may be fabulous together. Maybe not. But to say you haven't heard anyone other than West bring it up makes me think you haven't been paying attention.
In any regard, I wasn't disparaging either Andrew or Pau. They're both great.
Is there any other thing to do except to discuss what if scenarios. Don't we have any fresh news in the NBA that is related to the Lakers? Are we not tired of discussing the future salary of Drew who is not even playing?
What is the news about Turiaf? Don't we have any inside man who can give a breakout news whether it's a GO of NO GO?
What's the news about Sasha?
What's going on with the Summer league for the Lakers? Do we need to chat or just type? I prefer to type fresh news rather than chat without end which leads to gossips. haha!
lakerTom,
"Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive player than Pau Gasol will ever be."
No way is he better offensively now than Gasol is. Maybe he will get there, but he isn't yet. He is a better defensive center, but Gasol plays defense decently at two positions.
"FIRE THE COACH". That's funny (I mean that in the best possible way). I don't think there will be any problem at all with the Lakers playing the triangle with Drew and Pau both in the game.
Exhelodrvr
What makes you think that Pau can play PF defense well? I'm not being snotty. I just wondered whether you've seen him play a lot of PF. Or perhaps you read that he plays defense well at that position. I've only seen him play PF a few times and his defense ranged from mediocre to awful in those few games. I haven't read or heard anything about it from other sources.
I didn’t say or imply that Jerry West did not know what he was talking about. I just said that he was the only analyst that I had heard express any doubt about Drew and Pau not working well together because they could not run the floor and the reason did not make sense to me since I think Drew and Pau both run the floor well for big men. And my recollection is that Jerry said that it wasn’t an automatic slam dunk for that reason but that he still liked the trade but he just wasn’t sure they would work as well together as the Lakers hoped. I have never wavered in my respect for Jerry West and I sure don’t think I said anything close to that in my post as I re-read it.
As for you or another poster commenting on the same, I must have missed those posts although I usually at least browse through every thread. I will try and pay more attention in the future. Bottom line, I think it is fair to say that “most” knowledgeable basketball experts, including Mitch Kupchak and Phil Jackson, expect Pau to fit in perfectly in the Triangle at power forward with Drew at center. But I guess even that is now apparently being questioned along with whether we should sign Drew to an extension. Amazing! Who would have thought that? Not me for sure. And not the Lakers front office either.
giantsquid,
I said he plays defense decently - he is underrated at defense. Certainly not great, but pretty solid. Look at how his opponents did in the playoffs.
I think the Bynum/Gasol combo will work. I think it all depends on whether Bynum accepts his role in regards to the defense and rebounding. I have no doubt that Bynum will accept that role considering the type of guy that he is. And it'll be good for him because he needs to learn that type of game before he becomes an offensive force. Gasol is a far superior player than Bynum in the post right now. So Bynum needs to accept the 'garbage man' type of role if this is going to work.
Bynum will get his share of alley oops, but the offense will probably in most cases go through Gasol from the post.
Damn, now I want to see some Laker basketball. What is it? 80+ more days to go?
news updates rony will be playing for golden states warriors and not lakers. so now we'll see if we will re signature sascha or lose him to. the big question is who are we going to get to fill up our roster. i bet we will bring back coby karl for sure. he can be signature for cheap. also expectt benga to come back for cheap.
i wonder what kobe bryant thinks about his buddy rony leaving. ok
>>>>>Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive player
>>>>>than Pau Gasol will ever be.
Let me change one word to clarify what I really meant:
>>>>>Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive “center”
>>>>>than Pau Gasol will ever be.
I think that is clear if you watched how Andrew was playing offensively before the injury compared to how Pau played throughout the playoffs as a center. All those missed layups and blown put-backs and weak weenie shots that Pau threw up most of the times he was near the basket in the playoffs would have been thrown down as thunder dunks by Drew. All of the lobs that Pau came down with without finished like he should have would have ended up as a “basket and one” for Drew. Additionally, Drew probably shot a better percentage from the free throw line and was a much stronger and aggressive rebounder on the offensive glass than Pau. That’s what you will realize once the season starts.
You’re entitled to your opinion. Now you know mine.
Please dont shoot.....But last season before Mike T went hiking he mentioned Al Jefferson for Bynum...I would have to think a little harder about this trade but it wouldnt be that bad..
(please dont shoot me yet)..jefferson has alot of upside as a defender and is ahead of Bynum on Offense ...
As the great Mke T would say....HE COULD SEAL THE PAINT ..The same way Kwame did but not miss any 1 inch lay ups.
Hate to poke my nose into a discussion, but this one got my attention- there's no way anyone can claim that Bynum is currently on par with Dwight Howard. Howard averaged over 20 points and nearly 15 boards a game, while blocking over 2 shots a night. In six January games, his best as a pro, Bynum averaged 17/12/2.3. That's six games.
I'm a believer in Bynum's skills and think he could get there but right now, Howard is the better player.
>>>>> I have no idea how well Pau and Andrew will work together.
>>>>>They may be fabulous together. Maybe not. (at 6:51p)
>>>>> They'll be terrific in the triangle together. Of that I have no doubt (at 7:49p)
You changed your mind between 6:51p and 7:49p? LOL.
Pray tell us what was the clincher? And you’re not really saying now that Jerry West
doesn’t know basketball, are you? LOL. JK. I couldn’t resist a little dig.
Bye, Ronny, thanks and have a great career except when you play the Lakers. You’ll always be remembered fondly. Godsend.
You are responding to ex’s cynical jab at me in the post to Faith, which I assume you knew or guessed, since I seem to have become the most vocal Bynumite.
>>>>>Obviously, Faith. Because he's already better than
>>>>>Dwight Howard, who is better than Gasol. – ex
I think I have been pretty consistent in my opinion that Drew is the 3rd best center in the NBA right now after Yao and Howard. While I believe that Drew will eventually surpass these two great centers to become the best center in the NBA, I have never claimed that Drew is a better center right now. At least, not that I remember.
And you might as well have addressed your post to me since everybody else has today. Have your fun and parse my words all you want, guys In the end, Drew will change your mind by the middle of next season. Again, it’s just my opinion so go to it and have your fun. But like AK says when he gets pissed, just don’t go and put words in my mouth. I can do that well enough myself, thank you. LOL. (Meanwhile, Long Time is surely running a Times search to see if he can find a lost quote or comment to prove me wrong to anchor another 20 page post).
We never shoot the messenger. At least not very often. LOL. You are just the messenger here though and not the creator of the message though, right? Just want to make sure before I let you go. LOL
The problem with Mike’s seal-the-paint strategy where your big men clog the lane with defenders by slacking off perimeter players and daring them to become jump shooters is that (1) they are vulnerable to teams with great outside shooting when they slack off and (2) they are vulnerable to getting beat off the dribble when they try to pressure the perimeter defenders with no shot blocker to protect the rim.
The Lakers will in a sense copy the Spurs defensive strategy which is to rely on your twin towers to protect the rim if a perimeter player gets beaten and have your perimeter players play a tight pressure oriented man-to-man defense without leaving their man to help out a teammate who gets beaten off the dribble. It’s Drew’s job to protect the rim in the case. Instead, the Lakers perimeter players are to stay with their man, especially if he is a 3-point shooter. That’s what San Antonio has done through the years and what the Lakers will try to do with Drew. It is a much better fit for their younger and more athletic team that wants to run more on offense and press more on defense.
Seal-the-paint? That’s what you do when you don’t have an Andrew Bynum. LOL.
Actually, I was responding to this comment from JustaLakerFan:
Justa,
"par with Dwight "
Not at this point he's not.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 18, 2008 at 07:47 AM
-----------------------
Ex,
Again I respectfully disagree. I think he is on par with Dwight right now and will pass him soon too.
Which was posted earlier in the evening. Certainly don't want to put words in your mouth or mischaracterize your argument (it ticks me off when people do it, for sure).
Let me clarify. The Laker offense will be excellent whether or not Pau and Drew are on the court at the same time. Personally, I think the Lakers would be much better at the defensive end playing either Ariza or Sasha than having Pau at PF.
I disagree and believe the Lakers are a better team with Drew at center than Pau. In fact, that’s why we lost to the Celtics in my opinion. It’s all OK. Thanks for all your posts. You’re always courteous and respectful as well as well informed and articulate. And president of the blog’s molecular biology wing. LOL. A true Renaissance man.
Wait. I agree that the Lakers are better with Drew at center. My concern is with Pau at PF. I would definitely start Drew over Pau if it came down to that. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear.
Sounds like Luke's surgery went well. Get well soon Luke.
The team needs you to earn your paycheck next season.
One Luke note, in case you haven't seen it. On NBA TV, at
halftime of the summer league games, they show top 10 or
top 20 clips from last season. One of them was Top 10 assists
from the 2007-08 season. The Luke passing through Shawn
Marion's legs to Kobe pass was #7 or 8 or something like that.
Number one was Kobe driving the length of the floor dodging
around and between two or three opponents and then faking
the layup and giving Ronny a wraparound pass for the
easy dunk.
We'll miss you Ronny. Hope you do well up in Sacramento
(except when you're playing the Lakers, of course :-)
Oklahoma City just offered CJ Miles a 4 year 15 million dollar
contract. That's one more team you can take of the list of
potential Sasha Vujacic suitors (unless Utah matches the offer,
of course).
Laker Tom...Just letting you know your bullet missed..lol
My real concern is the health of Bynum and what we the public have not been told..If the injury had been diagnosed correctly the scope would have fixed the problem and Bynum would have made a comeback already..But.....Something is still not right.Im not sure what the problem is but the water surrounding this problem is still very murky...Sorry to sound so skeptical but this injury and it diagnosis have been handled very poorly...
Some really good news that was silver lining of the Ronny Turiaf
story. In the interview, Kupchak said two very encouraging things.
1. The Lakers doctors have now examined Drew and cleared
him to workout and play, and he expects him to be back in great shape
at the start of camp. He said that they'd be meeting with Bynum
on Monday.
2. Mitch also said that he believes that Mihm will be fully
healthy at the start of training camp.
Those were the two reasons they gave for why they didn't
match Ronny's offer. They thought that with Bynum and Mihm
healthy and with those two and Gasol and Odom and Rad,
that Ronny's minutes would be very limited next season.
I'm crossing my fingers that the health reports are all true.
Another thing, they didn't show the game on NBA TV, so I didn't
see it, but the Lakers summer team fell flat on their faces today.
All those guys that had looked a tiny bit promising in previous
games like Caner-Medley and Dunston and Mata-Real and
Mitchell? The odds of any of them making the team just went
down to about the equivalent of the odds of the Clippers winning
the title next year.
Coby Karl has probably done enough in the Summer League to
keep his roster spot. Joe Crawford might still have an inkling of a
chance, but if they re-sign Sasha, then he's out. A couple
of the other guys might get invited to training camp or make
the D-Fenders, but that's about it.
"Bartelstein said the Nuggets have talked to him about client Kwame Brown, a free-agent big man. But Bartelstein doubts Brown is a viable Nuggets option.
"I think they're in a cost-cutting mode," Bartelstein said"
So Denver can't afford Kwame? Agent Speak? A sigh of things to come? (I meant "sign" but sigh may be more appropriate).
I'm guessing that collective mind of the blog would pay Kwame about 1 mil (lots of zeros out there I know). MikeT would probably be willing to go as high as 10 mil if that's what it took (really, how much do you think Kwame is really worth Mike?). I'm going to go waaaaaay out on a limb and say he'll sign a contract for around 4 mil (life isn't fair). If Mike T would promise not to whine about Kwame's lack of playing time 24/7 and Kwame is completely healthy (i.e. the circumference of his upper ankles does not exceed that of his massive calves), I would be willing to sign Kwame for as much as 2 mil.
I can't wait for Kwame to put ink to paper. With Mike T around again, it'll be fun whatever Kwame signs for.
You don't need to post just to tell me I'm crazy. On this, I'll concede in advance and then just wait and see.
Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky are contributing writers to ESPN The
Magazine and ESPN.com, and co-authored Fishing on the Edge, the autobiography of 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli, bass fishing's bad boy. While both grew up in St. Louis without NBA
basketball, Andrew became a die hard Lakers fanatic after moving to L.A. to attend USC. That he managed to find a job requiring him to obsess over his favorite team, the same activity that prompted him to waste time while working other jobs, is pretty incredible. As for Brian, his baptism into pro hoops fandom has been provided by the "All Lakers, All The Time" citizens of Los Angeles. Beats the hell out of covering the Bucks.
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ok do we keep posting here?
Posted by: Charles | July 18, 2008 at 03:51 PM
See Kobe Early!
http://tinyurl.com/6zt2o3
Posted by: Charles | July 18, 2008 at 04:09 PM
LakerTom and LTLF
Play along please.
What do you think the Lakers should do if the Gasol/Bynum pairing does not work out?
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Jon K
I have a question about your "venom".
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 04:16 PM
giantsquid,
What would you like to know?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 18, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Thanks for tips LakerTom, Ex, Faith, Jaime Sweet and Charles.
Posted by: Xodus | July 18, 2008 at 04:37 PM
giantsquid,
>>>What do you think the Lakers should do if the
>>>Gasol/Bynum pairing does not work out?
Very very tough call.
The way I see it, there are 3 options:
1. Move Odom back to the starting PF and convince either
Drew or Pau to be the SUPER CENTER off the bench.
2. Trade Bynum. Me no likey. I think Bynum will be the
better defender in the long run, and with another year
of training with Kareem, he might be as good offensively
as Gasol. If they had to do it, it would be better if the Lakers
had not extended Bynum, as then there would be no issue
of base year compensation or poison pill.
3. Trade Gasol. This would still be hard to do, as his game
really fits well in the triangle. But he would be easier to deal,
since he's already fully realized as a player and his salary
makes him tradeable for good veterans. Here are a few
ideas:
Gasol for Luol Deng
Gasol for Tayshaun Prince & filler
Gasol for Brook Lopez, Yi Jianlian, and expiring contracts
Gasol for Carlos Boozer and filler
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 18, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Jon K
Is your company doing clinical trials? Were you asking about p53 in relation to the effects of the venom?
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Doctor Giantsquid,
You can always email with your question about the venom, if you'd like.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 18, 2008 at 05:58 PM
LTLF
Gasol and Vlad for Artest and Miller?
(I am the founder of the Just Say No to Artest, but you gotta do what you gotta do)
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Gasol to the C's.
We'll give you another spanking in exchange.
"You're not Jordan!" Baastan Gaadan reminding Starlet Kobe that there is only one and you ain't it boiiiiii.
hahaahahahah
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 18, 2008 at 06:24 PM
giantsquid,
So now we go from what if Lamar won’t work with Drew and Pau to what if Pau won’t work with Drew. The only person who I have heard voice any doubt whatsoever that Drew and Pau would not work great was Jerry West, who made a comment about their not being able to get back on defense in time, which really doesn’t make a lot of sense because both Drew and Pau actually run the floor very well for big men. Other than that, I have not seen another analyst or expert doubt that the two would be fine together.
When you look at their personalities and the way that their game fits, I think Drew and Pau are going to surprise everybody by fitting even better than expected. With Lamar, I think the three will essentially cover the 96 minutes of center and power forward time per game by each of the three playing 32 minutes per game. Frankly, if Drew and Lamar played great together and Pau and Lamar played great together, why would we think that Drew and Pau wouldn’t. Pau is not a center; he is a power forward.
Bottom line, I would not include trading either guy as an option until every other stone had been turned. And if I were going to trade either player, Pau would obviously be the one to be traded as he is not a center and not a franchise player, while Drew is.
Finally, it is now taking every ounce of my reserve and patience not to respond to the suggestion just made to trade Drew if he and Pau didn’t work well together, ostensibly because Pau is a better defensive and offensive player right now than Drew, which is so patently laughable I want to SCREAM at the top of my lungs in protest of the stupidity. As much as I love Pau Gasol, who will have no problem playing power forward to Drew’s center, Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive player than Pau Gasol will ever be. I’m done for now. Good night, all.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 18, 2008 at 06:25 PM
giantsquid,
Previous clincial trials have already been done on the venom, but we are planning additional future clinical trials.
It works.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | July 18, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Vote: Kobe or LeBron
Who Is The Better NBA Player Vote Now In Our 1-Minute Poll
PollToll.com/Kobe-Lebron
SHOOT, it ain't even close. Lebron by a mile. I voted.
haahaahhaahahaahh
Posted by: Let's go C's! | July 18, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Simple, if pau and drew or even kobe do not work out... the most obvious answer FIRE THE COACH who may have created triangular confusion. He is being paid double which is 12M to make it work while most coaches in the league are 5-6M only.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 18, 2008 at 06:50 PM
LakerTom
It's interesting that you think Jerry West doesn't know what he's talking about (in this instance anyway). Personally, I think Jerry knows more about basketball at the NBA level than the entire Laker blog combined (unless Magic is posting here under a pseudonym)
I'm fairly certain someone brought up the possibility that Gasol and Bynum wouldn't work well together in today's chat. And I discussed it at length a few days ago. (When I asked my 15 yr old nephew, who knows more about basketball (and sports in general) than anyone I personally know, what he thought of this year's team, the first thing out of his mouth was "I'm not sure Gasol and Bynum will work well together". In any case, it was a hypothetical proposition. I have no idea how well Pau and Andrew will work together. They may be fabulous together. Maybe not. But to say you haven't heard anyone other than West bring it up makes me think you haven't been paying attention.
In any regard, I wasn't disparaging either Andrew or Pau. They're both great.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Forgot to mention: Jerry West happened to have the opportunity to watch Pau play, up close and personal, for several years in Memphis.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Is there any other thing to do except to discuss what if scenarios. Don't we have any fresh news in the NBA that is related to the Lakers? Are we not tired of discussing the future salary of Drew who is not even playing?
What is the news about Turiaf? Don't we have any inside man who can give a breakout news whether it's a GO of NO GO?
What's the news about Sasha?
What's going on with the Summer league for the Lakers? Do we need to chat or just type? I prefer to type fresh news rather than chat without end which leads to gossips. haha!
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | July 18, 2008 at 06:54 PM
lakerTom,
"Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive player than Pau Gasol will ever be."
No way is he better offensively now than Gasol is. Maybe he will get there, but he isn't yet. He is a better defensive center, but Gasol plays defense decently at two positions.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 18, 2008 at 06:55 PM
"Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive player than Pau Gasol will ever be."
Lakertom, seriously? Seriously?
Posted by: Faith | July 18, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Bye Bye Ronnie.
Enjoy that $$$$, it's gonna be rough up there without Baron running the point.
Posted by: Very Nearly the Absolute Truth | July 18, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Edwin
"FIRE THE COACH". That's funny (I mean that in the best possible way). I don't think there will be any problem at all with the Lakers playing the triangle with Drew and Pau both in the game.
Exhelodrvr
What makes you think that Pau can play PF defense well? I'm not being snotty. I just wondered whether you've seen him play a lot of PF. Or perhaps you read that he plays defense well at that position. I've only seen him play PF a few times and his defense ranged from mediocre to awful in those few games. I haven't read or heard anything about it from other sources.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 07:23 PM
giantsquid,
I didn’t say or imply that Jerry West did not know what he was talking about. I just said that he was the only analyst that I had heard express any doubt about Drew and Pau not working well together because they could not run the floor and the reason did not make sense to me since I think Drew and Pau both run the floor well for big men. And my recollection is that Jerry said that it wasn’t an automatic slam dunk for that reason but that he still liked the trade but he just wasn’t sure they would work as well together as the Lakers hoped. I have never wavered in my respect for Jerry West and I sure don’t think I said anything close to that in my post as I re-read it.
As for you or another poster commenting on the same, I must have missed those posts although I usually at least browse through every thread. I will try and pay more attention in the future. Bottom line, I think it is fair to say that “most” knowledgeable basketball experts, including Mitch Kupchak and Phil Jackson, expect Pau to fit in perfectly in the Triangle at power forward with Drew at center. But I guess even that is now apparently being questioned along with whether we should sign Drew to an extension. Amazing! Who would have thought that? Not me for sure. And not the Lakers front office either.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 18, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Not sure if this is official or not, as the report from JA Adande is from Thursday. But it's just been put up on ESPN.com.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3496084
Posted by: The Dude Abides | July 18, 2008 at 07:31 PM
giantsquid,
I said he plays defense decently - he is underrated at defense. Certainly not great, but pretty solid. Look at how his opponents did in the playoffs.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 18, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I think the Bynum/Gasol combo will work. I think it all depends on whether Bynum accepts his role in regards to the defense and rebounding. I have no doubt that Bynum will accept that role considering the type of guy that he is. And it'll be good for him because he needs to learn that type of game before he becomes an offensive force. Gasol is a far superior player than Bynum in the post right now. So Bynum needs to accept the 'garbage man' type of role if this is going to work.
Bynum will get his share of alley oops, but the offense will probably in most cases go through Gasol from the post.
Damn, now I want to see some Laker basketball. What is it? 80+ more days to go?
F-this!
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | July 18, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Faith,
"Lakertom, seriously? Seriously?"
Obviously, Faith. Because he's already better than Dwight Howard, who is better than Gasol.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 18, 2008 at 07:34 PM
news updates rony will be playing for golden states warriors and not lakers. so now we'll see if we will re signature sascha or lose him to. the big question is who are we going to get to fill up our roster. i bet we will bring back coby karl for sure. he can be signature for cheap. also expectt benga to come back for cheap.
i wonder what kobe bryant thinks about his buddy rony leaving. ok
ding how in prattville
Posted by: ding how in prattville | July 18, 2008 at 07:36 PM
ex and Faith,
>>>>>Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive player
>>>>>than Pau Gasol will ever be.
Let me change one word to clarify what I really meant:
>>>>>Andrew Bynum is already a better defensive and offensive “center”
>>>>>than Pau Gasol will ever be.
I think that is clear if you watched how Andrew was playing offensively before the injury compared to how Pau played throughout the playoffs as a center. All those missed layups and blown put-backs and weak weenie shots that Pau threw up most of the times he was near the basket in the playoffs would have been thrown down as thunder dunks by Drew. All of the lobs that Pau came down with without finished like he should have would have ended up as a “basket and one” for Drew. Additionally, Drew probably shot a better percentage from the free throw line and was a much stronger and aggressive rebounder on the offensive glass than Pau. That’s what you will realize once the season starts.
You’re entitled to your opinion. Now you know mine.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 18, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Please dont shoot.....But last season before Mike T went hiking he mentioned Al Jefferson for Bynum...I would have to think a little harder about this trade but it wouldnt be that bad..
(please dont shoot me yet)..jefferson has alot of upside as a defender and is ahead of Bynum on Offense ...
As the great Mke T would say....HE COULD SEAL THE PAINT ..The same way Kwame did but not miss any 1 inch lay ups.
Ok now you can shoot.
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 18, 2008 at 07:46 PM
ESPN reporting that Lakers are not matching offer for Rony Turiaf
Posted by: LakerBrown | July 18, 2008 at 07:47 PM
LakerTom
They'll be terrific in the triangle together. Of that I have no doubt.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Hate to poke my nose into a discussion, but this one got my attention- there's no way anyone can claim that Bynum is currently on par with Dwight Howard. Howard averaged over 20 points and nearly 15 boards a game, while blocking over 2 shots a night. In six January games, his best as a pro, Bynum averaged 17/12/2.3. That's six games.
I'm a believer in Bynum's skills and think he could get there but right now, Howard is the better player.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 18, 2008 at 07:57 PM
giantsquid,
>>>>> I have no idea how well Pau and Andrew will work together.
>>>>>They may be fabulous together. Maybe not. (at 6:51p)
>>>>> They'll be terrific in the triangle together. Of that I have no doubt (at 7:49p)
You changed your mind between 6:51p and 7:49p? LOL.
Pray tell us what was the clincher? And you’re not really saying now that Jerry West
doesn’t know basketball, are you? LOL. JK. I couldn’t resist a little dig.
Bye, Ronny, thanks and have a great career except when you play the Lakers. You’ll always be remembered fondly. Godsend.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 18, 2008 at 08:09 PM
BK,
You are responding to ex’s cynical jab at me in the post to Faith, which I assume you knew or guessed, since I seem to have become the most vocal Bynumite.
>>>>>Obviously, Faith. Because he's already better than
>>>>>Dwight Howard, who is better than Gasol. – ex
I think I have been pretty consistent in my opinion that Drew is the 3rd best center in the NBA right now after Yao and Howard. While I believe that Drew will eventually surpass these two great centers to become the best center in the NBA, I have never claimed that Drew is a better center right now. At least, not that I remember.
And you might as well have addressed your post to me since everybody else has today. Have your fun and parse my words all you want, guys In the end, Drew will change your mind by the middle of next season. Again, it’s just my opinion so go to it and have your fun. But like AK says when he gets pissed, just don’t go and put words in my mouth. I can do that well enough myself, thank you. LOL. (Meanwhile, Long Time is surely running a Times search to see if he can find a lost quote or comment to prove me wrong to anchor another 20 page post).
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 18, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Thirty2,
We never shoot the messenger. At least not very often. LOL. You are just the messenger here though and not the creator of the message though, right? Just want to make sure before I let you go. LOL
The problem with Mike’s seal-the-paint strategy where your big men clog the lane with defenders by slacking off perimeter players and daring them to become jump shooters is that (1) they are vulnerable to teams with great outside shooting when they slack off and (2) they are vulnerable to getting beat off the dribble when they try to pressure the perimeter defenders with no shot blocker to protect the rim.
The Lakers will in a sense copy the Spurs defensive strategy which is to rely on your twin towers to protect the rim if a perimeter player gets beaten and have your perimeter players play a tight pressure oriented man-to-man defense without leaving their man to help out a teammate who gets beaten off the dribble. It’s Drew’s job to protect the rim in the case. Instead, the Lakers perimeter players are to stay with their man, especially if he is a 3-point shooter. That’s what San Antonio has done through the years and what the Lakers will try to do with Drew. It is a much better fit for their younger and more athletic team that wants to run more on offense and press more on defense.
Seal-the-paint? That’s what you do when you don’t have an Andrew Bynum. LOL.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 18, 2008 at 08:45 PM
LakerTom,
I think in the end you'll be right about Bynum. Although, the facts don't agree with you right now.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Rocky | July 18, 2008 at 08:46 PM
LakerTom
WTH, I did not change my mind. I don't think they'll be a good combo at the DEFENSIVE end of the court. Maybe.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 08:46 PM
LakerTom
Get it together. You're the one who mentioned that Jerry was talking specifically about defense.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Laker Tom-
Actually, I was responding to this comment from JustaLakerFan:
Justa,
"par with Dwight "
Not at this point he's not.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 18, 2008 at 07:47 AM
-----------------------
Ex,
Again I respectfully disagree. I think he is on par with Dwight right now and will pass him soon too.
Which was posted earlier in the evening. Certainly don't want to put words in your mouth or mischaracterize your argument (it ticks me off when people do it, for sure).
Just to clarify.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | July 18, 2008 at 08:54 PM
LakerTom
Let me clarify. The Laker offense will be excellent whether or not Pau and Drew are on the court at the same time. Personally, I think the Lakers would be much better at the defensive end playing either Ariza or Sasha than having Pau at PF.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 08:59 PM
giantsquid,
I disagree and believe the Lakers are a better team with Drew at center than Pau. In fact, that’s why we lost to the Celtics in my opinion. It’s all OK. Thanks for all your posts. You’re always courteous and respectful as well as well informed and articulate. And president of the blog’s molecular biology wing. LOL. A true Renaissance man.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | July 18, 2008 at 09:18 PM
LakerTom,
"I have never claimed that Drew is a better center right now"
Actually, you have on at least several occasions.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | July 18, 2008 at 09:37 PM
LakerTom
Wait. I agree that the Lakers are better with Drew at center. My concern is with Pau at PF. I would definitely start Drew over Pau if it came down to that. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 18, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Sounds like Luke's surgery went well. Get well soon Luke.
The team needs you to earn your paycheck next season.
One Luke note, in case you haven't seen it. On NBA TV, at
halftime of the summer league games, they show top 10 or
top 20 clips from last season. One of them was Top 10 assists
from the 2007-08 season. The Luke passing through Shawn
Marion's legs to Kobe pass was #7 or 8 or something like that.
Number one was Kobe driving the length of the floor dodging
around and between two or three opponents and then faking
the layup and giving Ronny a wraparound pass for the
easy dunk.
We'll miss you Ronny. Hope you do well up in Sacramento
(except when you're playing the Lakers, of course :-)
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 19, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Oklahoma City just offered CJ Miles a 4 year 15 million dollar
contract. That's one more team you can take of the list of
potential Sasha Vujacic suitors (unless Utah matches the offer,
of course).
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 19, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Laker Tom...Just letting you know your bullet missed..lol
My real concern is the health of Bynum and what we the public have not been told..If the injury had been diagnosed correctly the scope would have fixed the problem and Bynum would have made a comeback already..But.....Something is still not right.Im not sure what the problem is but the water surrounding this problem is still very murky...Sorry to sound so skeptical but this injury and it diagnosis have been handled very poorly...
Thirty2
Posted by: Thirty2 | July 19, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Some really good news that was silver lining of the Ronny Turiaf
story. In the interview, Kupchak said two very encouraging things.
1. The Lakers doctors have now examined Drew and cleared
him to workout and play, and he expects him to be back in great shape
at the start of camp. He said that they'd be meeting with Bynum
on Monday.
2. Mitch also said that he believes that Mihm will be fully
healthy at the start of training camp.
Those were the two reasons they gave for why they didn't
match Ronny's offer. They thought that with Bynum and Mihm
healthy and with those two and Gasol and Odom and Rad,
that Ronny's minutes would be very limited next season.
I'm crossing my fingers that the health reports are all true.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 19, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Another thing, they didn't show the game on NBA TV, so I didn't
see it, but the Lakers summer team fell flat on their faces today.
All those guys that had looked a tiny bit promising in previous
games like Caner-Medley and Dunston and Mata-Real and
Mitchell? The odds of any of them making the team just went
down to about the equivalent of the odds of the Clippers winning
the title next year.
Coby Karl has probably done enough in the Summer League to
keep his roster spot. Joe Crawford might still have an inkling of a
chance, but if they re-sign Sasha, then he's out. A couple
of the other guys might get invited to training camp or make
the D-Fenders, but that's about it.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | July 19, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Kwame's agent in the Rocky Mountain News
"Bartelstein said the Nuggets have talked to him about client Kwame Brown, a free-agent big man. But Bartelstein doubts Brown is a viable Nuggets option.
"I think they're in a cost-cutting mode," Bartelstein said"
So Denver can't afford Kwame? Agent Speak? A sigh of things to come? (I meant "sign" but sigh may be more appropriate).
I'm guessing that collective mind of the blog would pay Kwame about 1 mil (lots of zeros out there I know). MikeT would probably be willing to go as high as 10 mil if that's what it took (really, how much do you think Kwame is really worth Mike?). I'm going to go waaaaaay out on a limb and say he'll sign a contract for around 4 mil (life isn't fair). If Mike T would promise not to whine about Kwame's lack of playing time 24/7 and Kwame is completely healthy (i.e. the circumference of his upper ankles does not exceed that of his massive calves), I would be willing to sign Kwame for as much as 2 mil.
I can't wait for Kwame to put ink to paper. With Mike T around again, it'll be fun whatever Kwame signs for.
You don't need to post just to tell me I'm crazy. On this, I'll concede in advance and then just wait and see.
Posted by: giantsquid | July 19, 2008 at 09:10 AM