Preseason question of the day: Will the Lakers manage to rest their starters enough this season for the playoffs?
Whenever I hear the tired argument that Phil Jackson has won 11 championship rings simply because he's coached some of the league's best players, I offer a litany of responses.
Jackson knows how to manage egos: he properly assesses which players need their space, which players need positive reinforcement and which players respond well to criticism. Jackson knows how to keep his team relaxed: he properly assesses when to keep an even keel, when to express anger and when to maintain his sense of humor. And most importantly, Jackson knows how to get his team looking its best once the postseason begins: He properly assesses how to pace the team through the regular-season grind, when to dial the intensity down and when to raise the level up.
Surprisingly enough, the Lakers actually entered the 2010 postseason looking far from their best. Kobe Bryant (sprained right knee), Andrew Bynum (strained left Achilles tendon) and Sasha Vujacic (sprained left ankle) entered the postseason with significant injuries. The team had limped into the playoffs with a 4-7 mark in the last 11 regular season games. And because of the bench's inconsistency, it was unclear whether the Lakers would really have the depth to absorb injuries during the postseason.
Fortunately for the Lakers, everything turned out all right. They won the 2010 championship and the Lakers proved healthy enough to slog through June. It can't be stressed enough how instrumental the weeklong rest between the West semifinals (Utah) and the West finals (Phoenix) became in the Lakers' title run. After getting his knee drained following Game 5 of the first-round series against Oklahoma City, Bryant sat out practices entirely for the rest of the postseason. So did Bynum, who had torn cartilage in his right knee and eventually drained his knee twice during the playoffs. And everyone else on the roster at least enjoyed catching their breath and recovering from the numerous dings they absorbed throughout the season.
It's a good thing they rested then because the Lakers didn't have the same luxury during the regular season. Although the team overcame that challenge, it's something they would much rather avoid doing. That's without a doubt one of the biggest preseason questions: how much rest will the Lakers starters receive during the regular season so they're at their full strength during the playoffs?
As I mentioned before, one of Jackson's biggest strengths typically involves making sure his players feel more rested than burned out once the postseason begins. Then once the playoffs start, Jackson increases the pressure and worries more about winning the game itself than becoming fixated the team's overall development. Even with the aforementioned challenges the team experienced last season, Jackson still managed to hold the starters' regular-season minutes lower than their playoff average: Bryant (38.8, 40.1), Pau Gasol (36.9, 39.7 ), Ron Artest (33.8, 36.5) and Derek Fisher (27.15, 32.8,). The only exception points to Bynum, who averaged 30.4 minutes per game during the regular season and 24.4 in the postseason, with the latter statistic reflecting the team's conservative approach in having him play through his sprained right knee.
To perhaps limit the starters' minutes even more this season, it's important that the Lakers completely dominate the early part of the season. That doesn't mean they should burn themselves out. It's just that the more times the starters build a comfortable enough lead to warrant rest, the more times the bench will have opportunities. That needs to happen more at the beginning of the season because I imagine Jackson would feel more comfortable giving the bench chances to shed the starters' minutes since the stakes aren't so high. When the standings races heat up and the games' outcome proves more significant, Jackson won't be as tolerant for any bench mistakes and will want his starters in as much as possible to secure the win.
Case in point: despite the bench giving up a large second-quarter lead in a March regular-season game against Sacramento, Jackson still gave them a chance to secure the victory in the fourth quarter. He wouldn't give the bench, as a whole, that kind of opportunity later on when the games meant more. Jackson had good reason to feel uncomfortable. The Lakers' bench allowed a 21-point lead against the Detroit Pistons in December to evaporate to within eight points in the fourth quarter, forcing the starters to secure the victory. There was a four-game stretch from mid- to late November when the reserves were outscored in every fourth quarter. There was the Christmas Day 102-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a 13-13 tie ballooning to a 19-point deficit before Jackson yanked his reserves late in the second quarter. And there was the 118-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns three days later in a game that featured the reserves being outscored 52-31.
That's why the answer to this question doesn't just hinge on the starters building up sizable leads early in the season. It also depends how the reserves sustain it. The Lakers made a major upgrade to their bench in acquiring Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff, Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter, while losing Jordan Farmar, D.J. Mbenga, Josh Powell and Adam Morrison.
As a whole, I foresee a few major improvements. Blake's skill set at point guard in setting up teammates and on team defense should be an upgrade and help keep Fisher's minutes down. But I'm curious how Brown and Vujacic respond to their changed role with Blake in the lineup. As Brown and Vujacic have demonstrated in the past, sometimes they have to go through the learning pains to adapt. I thought Barnes would immediately bolster the team's defense, but I'm curious how his court date next month (because of his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence) will affect his play. I don't know him enough to have a definitive answer, but it at least increases any doubts that he'll go through a few rough patches before feeling fully comfortable. That factor could create more time for Luke Walton and Ebanks, but that only raises more uncertainty because of Walton's back and Ebanks' inexperience. Ratliff could provide a solid run, if needed, because of his defensive size and leadership, but I don't foresee Caracter getting a major minutes in significant games.
This all goes back to the original point -- that the beginning of the season will bode the most significance in ironing out all the new additions and seeing where they fit in with the team. The starters' rest and the team's success depends on it.
-- Mark Medina
Follow the L.A. Times Lakers blog on Twitter: twitter.com/latmedina. E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com
Photo: Ron Artest, left, Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom enjoy a laugh on the bench. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times.
Photo: Bryant and forward Pau Gasol share a laugh during a regular-season game in 2008. Credit: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times.
Photo: Lakers Derek Fisher, Bryant, Odom, Andrew Bynum and Gasol cool down with ice on their knees during the final minutes of a regular-season game in January 2009. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times.
I'm the wrong one to ask...
I feel we will dominate this coming year, Kobe will get Finals MVP and #6...
The new signings are all going to work out...
Ron Ron will make All Defensive team...
AB will make the All Star team...
Lamar will get the 6th Man award...
D-Fish will be clutch again in the playoffs...
Pau will have his best year ever...
Steve BLaker will earn his name and become a crowd favorite...
Barnes will solidify and make the defense even more lethal...
We tie the Chowders for most championships...
Dr. Buss will keep his foot on the pedal and pursue a 4Peat...
PJ will walk on water...
Yes call me biased, homer and Lakerholic...guilty as charged...
#17 Coming Up BAYBEE.......
Posted by: LEWSTRS | September 15, 2010 at 01:46 PM
I think it's imperative to give our vets rest and at the same time give Blake, Barnes, etc, enough time on the floor to prove their worth and gain LAKER experience! However, if Kobe has 60 through three Q's, let him see how many he can get, so much fun to watch, ha, ha!
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | September 15, 2010 at 01:50 PM
LEWSTRS,
You are too good my friend, I agree!
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | September 15, 2010 at 01:52 PM
LEWSTRS -
Loved that post. Lakerholics we all are!
____________________
MM -
Wow, you're like the Emmitt Smith of writers - a true workhorse! I don't know how you churn out these novellas like they're going out of style. But kudos on the quantity and quality.
____________________
I think the biggest change between this year and last will be Steve Blake. I really believe that he will help stabilize a unit that, last year, was led by the mercurial and head-slap inducing Jordan Farmar. This will give the bench a longer leash, protect leads and allow more rest for the starters. Matt Barnes will also help in this area, but it was Farmar's inability to run the SYSTEM that put the whole unit out of sync. Blake is all about being the steady leader. I really look forward to his play this upcoming season.
Posted by: puddle | September 15, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Puddle - Wow that's an honor because I consider Emmitt Smith one of the best running backs of all time.
Posted by: Mark Medina | September 15, 2010 at 02:06 PM
On paper, our bench looks like it can come in and sustain a lead. Hope that happens in actual games. Despite our bench upgrade, however, I feel that Kobe and Pau's minutes should ideally be in the low 30s (< 35 min.). Artest's is about right but Fisher's minutes should come down more (< 25). Assuming Drew's knee is fully healed, he should increase his minutes to around 35 per game to improve his in-game stamina. He's still a very young guy that he actually needs more minutes.
Posted by: SamLL | September 15, 2010 at 02:11 PM
MM has passion for this stuff. Very admirable!
I don't forsee anymore 15-25 point leads squandered by the bench...which should, in turn, insure less minutes for our starters. I've said it many times - LO/Shannon/Blake/Barnes as starters on other teams is good for at least 30 wins. And they're our BENCH!
Posted by: utzworld - the BANNER HOLDER | September 15, 2010 at 02:16 PM
MM- What's left to say? I think you covered it all and quite well I might add. Especially agree with your point about Phil's philosophy of playing the bench more so starters are rested for the playoffs (he's the anti-D'Antoni). This year I expect to bench to allow PJ to return to his preferred plan.
Lewstrs - I love your purple & gold shaded glasses, therefore I'll add a few more to your list...
Kupchak - Executive of Year
Shannon - All Star Game Slam Dunk Champ
PJ - Coach of the Year
Posted by: LRob | September 15, 2010 at 02:18 PM
i suggested yesterday that the bench culture will reflect starter's minutes.I remember way back when, in the magic era, when the bench would typically INCREASE the spread. this would tear the heart out of the other team and they would act as if they were floating on the river styx (abandon ye all hope) . it appears that blake becomes a very big deal in getting the flow right and increasing d.fish's shelf life
Posted by: lance from da' bronx | September 15, 2010 at 02:22 PM
if you really think about it... it seems almost Miraculous, almost paranormal how the Lakers ever won the championship last year.
kobe injured in multiple places
bynum would have been great even at 50%
odom disappears 50% of time
artest bad shoulder
pau not strong enough to carry extra minutes or bang around
fisher old
now we were really only 6 DEEP all playoffs.
the bench other than odom was farmar and brown but were so limited in what they provided.
how DID WE WIN the championship? that is so insane when you really look at the numbers.
that is the greatness behind Kobe, Phil, and Pau and the cast. a true testament to their skill and experience.
this year, dam. i cant wait to see what we do.
Posted by: brian | September 15, 2010 at 02:23 PM
@LROB.. LOL. Must be those Detroit genes. You definitely are our music man. Great link, Rob.
Posted by: LakerTom | September 15, 2010 at 09:03 AM
--------------
LakerTom,
Thanks. I think you're right about the Detroit music thing...Motown, Aretha, Anita Baker, Kid Rock, Eminem, Spinners,Bob Seger, Aliyah,MC5,The Stooges, Alice Cooper,Parliament-Funkadelic,Ray Parker Jr., The Winans, BeBe CeCe Winans, Grand Funk Railroad, The White Stripes, Romantics,Dramatics....just to name a few.
Posted by: LRob | September 15, 2010 at 02:32 PM
Oh yeah...forgot about Madonna. And of course, Glen Frey...who I believe Seger helped get started.
Posted by: LRob | September 15, 2010 at 02:34 PM
It was Farmar's inability to run the SYSTEM that put the whole unit out of sync. Blake is all about being the steady leader. I really look forward to his play this upcoming season.
Posted by: puddle | September 15, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Puddle I totally agree with you. Farmar wanted to do it his way, I think more so because he knew he wasn't or should I say didn't want to come back and he was trying so showcase his talents for his next team.
I know the Heat are the sexy story because you have 2 great players and a good player teaming up but I think people outside Laker land are sleeping on the Lakers. This team is going to be beastie. It's going to be a beautiful thing to watch.
I see at least one twenty game winning streak maybe two.
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | September 15, 2010 at 02:36 PM
Mark,
I think these rookies will definately effect the way Phil uses the rotation this year. I just have a funny feeling about these two guys, that both will see regular time during the season. Especially Caracter. I see Caracter playing a lot of minutes when Bynum goes down hurt or when Odom has one of the off nights he's bound to have this year. Both guys seem like AC Green type players to me--guys who already have NBA bodies and already have an aggressive, tough presence and a bunch of offensive skills we don't have to teach them.
I think this fits in with the Lakers are doing and I think the combination of size, skill and the relatively cheap cost of each player makes them keepers for the long run. And I think you give players who may be around for a while a real chance to play and learn.
I see Caracter being a double double guy right now. I think he's a major, major steal in this draft and if he is given a chance to start for some reason I can see him putting up 16 points and 8 boards -- right now -- playing beside Gasol and Kobe.
I have to see more of Eanks. He looks good too, but for me, this Caracter kid is a real keeper.
Wes
Posted by: wes | September 15, 2010 at 02:44 PM
There will be again times when Phil will yank his reserves to bring back the starters (Odom will probably take Bynum's spot though in crunch time). It will happen during the season even though hopefully it will be less than last year's.
Farmar was one of the reasons but wasn't the only reason. If Shannon again goes down to his wannabe attempts to be Roy/Bryant or Sasha again becomes Sir-Brick-A-Lot, Barnes becomes trigger happy, Walton's passing can spark the offense or the remaining big men can't bail them out, prepare to bring out the starters. Although Farmar was the second biggest reason for Game 4 come back since he and Sasha (the biggest reason) gave the biggest choke out of that choke game with a combined 2-15 shooting.
Jackson wants to have the best seeding as possible while giving rest. One of the reasons he didn't panic in the Finals despite being down 3-2 was the homecourt which he stresses a ton during the regular season. Homecourt gives the players a chance to come out strong and forcing the opponent to feel more pressure if they are down 0-2 and the Lakers set the tempo overall for the series.
Posted by: KB Blitz | September 15, 2010 at 02:51 PM
wes -
I'm also very excited about Caracter, but I think you're fairly overzealous. If Odom, Gasol and Bynum play 30, 35, and 30 minutes per game, respectively, that's 95 minutes per game right there. 48+48 (the minutes available at PF and C) is 96. That's one extra available per game. And Ratliff is ahead of him in the pecking order.
Basically, I only see Caracter getting minutes if there's a serious injury, if there is major foul trouble or if it is a ridiculous blowout. Even then, it won't amount to enough minutes to average 16 and 8. Maybe 5 and 3 is his ceiling for this year. Someday down the line, he might play big enough minutes to average 16 and 8, but I think that's about the ceiling for his career, not for his first year in the league on a crazy deep team.
Posted by: puddle | September 15, 2010 at 03:08 PM
Here's another fun question, if PJ wins that 3rd in row to the 4th power, can he step down without going for that elusive 4 peat.
I'm looking forward to PJ's run for a baker's dozen.
Posted by: htj | September 15, 2010 at 03:18 PM
Lew
So what you are saying is that every Laker is going to have a career season! Now how can I possibly argue with that?
Go Lakers! #17 coming up STRONG!!!
=====
KB Blitz
With respect to my take on this issue, here's my re-post from a previous thread on a similar issue which you eloquently added to with your post:
With respect to putting teams away early, there are benefits and detriments to this. The benefit of resting our veterans is obvious. But remember, Phil Jackson treats the 82 games before the playoffs as practice games. Executing down the stretch in close games is critical to ultimate success in the playoffs. Like anything else, it is learned behavior. Look at all the close games and buzzer beaters we had last practice season. Then fast forward to Pau's tip with .04 left in Game 6 of the Thunder series and Artest's Rodman-like put back at the buzzer in Game 5 vs. the Suns. And what about the team's play down the stretch in game 7? Then take a look at what happened to the Magic last season after sweeping through the first two rounds of the playoffs and the same thing with the Cavs the year before. Believe it or not, PJ .. just like Gregg Popovich .. are masters at allocating minutes even when it doesn't seem that way. So yes, I would love to see some more blowouts, but the team needs to keep its championship mettle sharp as well.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | September 15, 2010 at 03:19 PM
Here's another related RE-POST:
Drew averaged 30.4 mpg in his 65 regular season games last season. Pau averaged 37.0 mpg in his 65 games and LO averaged 30.1 mpg over his 82 games. In my view, the Lakers will function fine by increasing Drew's minutes, decreasing Pau's and LO's minutes, and throwing in about 10-15 mpg between Ratliff and Caracter. In order for to Drew to eventually become consistently "beastly," he needs to have the confidence that he can do it day in and day out. More minutes, more touches and finishing more games will do that. I'm a big believer in PJ's practice season ... that is, refining, tweaking, adjusting and doing all the things necessary to tune up for the playoffs, ESPECIALLY with a championship team like this. If Andrew Bynum can reach that next level CONSISTENTLY, this TEAM will be a Beast and in my view he should be logging in as many minutes as Kobe and lead our bigs in minutes per game (also because of his ability to do so because he's so young). When the playoffs roll around, that will allow Pau to play 40 mpg comfortably, Drew to play with ultimate confidence and Lamar to play whatever role that is asked of him for as many minutes as PJ thinks we need him.
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | September 15, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Wow wes... already putting Bynum on the DL and forgetting how his injury history came about. So unless you're saying another one of his teammates is going to hurt him, I don't see Bynum seeing significant time on DL.
I definitely don't see Caracter becoming an immediate double double guy. The kid has plenty to learn about the game and even more to learn about the triangle.
MM, while I rarely comment I'm a very frequent reader. I don't usually comment because by the time I would, there is about 50-100 comments already around and mine would easily get lost in and become pointless. Anyways, I do have to agree with Puddle there though. Your articles are obviously frequent and that keeps that activity going on the Lakers even during a time there isn't much going on and they're typically very good. Definitely a workhorse.
Posted by: J-Dizzle | September 15, 2010 at 03:33 PM
J-Dizzle - I really appreciate the nice feedback and I'm glad to hear you're a longtime reader. I'd definitely encourage you to participate more in the threads. The people here are very passionate about the Lakers and as, I'm sure you know, like to mix it up a bit.
Anyway, I'm humbled again that you enjoy coming here. I'd definitely be interested in hearing any additional feedback.
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | September 15, 2010 at 03:44 PM
Guys - We got a new post. I hope you like it. A tad off beat
MM
Posted by: Mark Medina | September 15, 2010 at 03:46 PM
"With respect to my take on this issue, here's my re-post from a previous thread on a similar issue which you eloquently added to with your post"
KobeMVP888,
I respect that opinion however what I posted came from Jackson himself. I read all of his books including the last one and he wants home court that's what he plays for in the regular season. When the Lakers lost the 4th game to Sacramento in 03-04 he expressed huge disappointment since it would most likely cost them home court in the playoffs. At the beginning of the book his frustration at Shaq's delaying of his surgery he argues was one of the causes of the failure of the 02-03 season since it did cost them home court.
Game 7 of the series Kings Timberwolves 2004 WC Semi-Finals he was cheering for the Kings to win? Why would he want our in state rivals to win? Because it would grant home court and would help with travel time since Sacramento is only less than hour by flight from Los Angeles.
Jackson fights for home court since he obviously knows the importance of it. The big reason last year the last few games Jackson rested more his players because there was no chance catching up to Cleveland or Orlando for home court and the Lakers would at least have home court through the Western Conference regardless of outcome.
While understanding your perspective Jackson doesn't treat the regular season as "practice" otherwise he wouldn't pull back his reserves and put back the starters would he?
Posted by: KB Blitz | September 15, 2010 at 03:48 PM
J-Dizzle -
Agreed that Bynum's major injuries were of the freak variety, but his Achilles injury heading into the playoffs last year and the cartilage tear vs. OKC were more of the playing-through-pain, wear-and-tear variety.
That seems to be the saddest part of this, the freak injuries are making the other injuries occur more frequently. Hopefully this year he can come in really healthy and the added core strength and conditioning we've been hearing about helps him avoid the freak injuries. If he can manage that, I think at 23 he can pretty much brush off and altogether avoid the nagging, relatively minor issues.
Y'all know what that means: BEAST TIME!
Posted by: htj | September 15, 2010 at 03:56 PM
@LROB…. Both Mrs. LakerTom and I love the music from Detroit. You forgot one of our favorites: Marvin Gaye.
We live in Mill Valley in Marin County, just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Marin was also a main area for great musicians. Here are just a few of our current and former residents: Janis Joplin, Jesse Colin Young, Grace Slick, Tupac Shakur, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, Huey Lewis, Booker T. Jones, Sammy Hagar, David Grisman, Bill Champlin, Bill Graham, and David Crosby. I’ve had the good luck to have seen many of these artists live in some superb local venues. Nothing makes the world whirl like music.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | September 15, 2010 at 03:57 PM
Lewstrs - I love your purple & gold shaded glasses, therefore I'll add a few more to your list...
Kupchak - Executive of Year
Shannon - All Star Game Slam Dunk Champ
PJ - Coach of the Year
Posted by: LRob | September 15, 2010 at 02:18 PM
=======
I agree with both you guys and might add as a LakerHolic that Caracter/Ebanks win co-rookie of the year. LOL
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | September 15, 2010 at 04:03 PM
MM
I can't tell you how much I crave the very information and opinions on this site, both during the season and especially the offseason. I comment rarely, but i hope to change that. This is like food to a starving soul!! I gotta have it!
Posted by: KB2FOE | September 15, 2010 at 04:04 PM
I think the bench is very capable of sustaining-growing lead but my concern is PJ. I am always confused by his rotations and use of bench so I hope he changes and uses it more than overplaying starters.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | September 15, 2010 at 04:05 PM
- I think it would be a huge mistake to increase Bynum's minutes. He has yet to play a full season healthy. With Boston's added bulk, along with Miami's "super team", keeping Drew's knees and achilles fresh and healthy for the playoffs should be the main priority. With the additions of Theo and Character, Phil will have the luxury of limiting his minutes this season.
- I'm expecting Steve Blake to do wonders for Shannon's game. Shannon will not have to worry about ball-handling duties, and will be able to focus on his strengths. With Blake replacing Farmar, Shannon will get the ball when and where he feels most comfortable. I am expecting a big year from Shannon.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | September 15, 2010 at 04:09 PM
htj,
Good points. Although two of Bynum's knee injuries could be chalked up as a fluke, his knee injury in high school was no fluke. Like you stated, his achilles injury was no fluke. The damage already done from having multiple surgeries at such a young age is no fluke, and his inability to recover from injuries on schedule is also no fluke. Bynum himself even admitted that he is injury prone, yet many fans on this blog continue to cover their ears and ignore the facts.
With Miami's superteam, and talks of other superteams forming in the near future (Carmelo, Chris Paul and Amare in NY), the Lakers will need more out of Drew to win championships and prolong this dynasty. They were able to survive without a healthy Bynum the past couple years, but that will not be the case heading into the next few seasons. For this reason, if there is even a slight hint of another Bynum injury this upcoming season, I think it would be wise for the front office to trade him before his trade value complete takes a nose dive. If a player who makes close to $15 million is continually injured, that will be absolutely devastating to the team's goal in prolonging this dynasty, and maximizing the remaining years of Kobe's career. I hope I'm wrong, and Bynum can stay healthy for the playoffs, but all evidence suggest otherwise.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | September 15, 2010 at 04:25 PM
While understanding your perspective Jackson doesn't treat the regular season as "practice" otherwise he wouldn't pull back his reserves and put back the starters would he?
Posted by: KB Blitz | September 15, 2010 at 03:48 PM
====
I wish my brilliant buddy TrueFan 1947 was alive to debate you on this one. It took him three seasons to get an entire forum to grasp this. I know that Phil Jackson understands the importance of HCA. He's a competitor at the highest possible level.
HAVING SAID THAT, you and I will debate all season long about the "practice" season. Of course PJ wants to win regular season games, but conversely he would pull his reserves earlier in certain games and/or call more timeouts if his entire coaching philosophy wasn't geared to getting his team ready for the playoffs. There would be far fewer close games if he didn't treat the regular season as a "process." Not every coach has the luxury of a championship caliber team to coach this way. In his first season with the Big Three, Doc Rivers went balls to the wall almost every game. It almost cost him in the early rounds of the playoffs. He has now learned how to rest his aging, veteran team and get them ready for the playoffs much like Phil Jackson does. For the Celtics, clearly the regular season last year was a tuneup for the playoffs.
In Phil's case, he understands that every season presents new challenges and that no two teams are the same regardless of their returning personnel. The "practice" season is designed to get the players to understand each other, to learn each other's tendencies, to trust each other, to figure things out for themselves and to otherwise tweak, refine and piece together the necessary ingredients so that the team is playing its best basketball in June. It's a collaborative effort at the highest possible level in professional sports taught in a way that the vast majority of head coaches are uncomfortable with.
In today's landscape, HCA has become more important for the Lakers (although not necessarily essential) because of the improved quality of the teams, particularly the eventual representative out of the East. Let's face it, we probably lucked out the last two seasons getting HCA in the NBA Finals. However, the Lakers have won road games on every court the past 2 playoffs and only failed to do so once in 2008 (NBA Finals).
The Larry O'Brien trophy is the goal and the regular season games are merely a means to that goal. These games are the building blocks to ultimate unity. Securing wins by putting the starters back into games is important to secure HCA, but if PJ didn't treat these as "practice" games, he wouldn't let teams climb back into games when his reserves were faltering. Remember, it is the core group that is on the floor at the end of playoff games, so why would he want the reserves on the floor too often at the end of games in the practice season?
Posted by: KobeMVP888 | September 15, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Puddle,
Yep. That's what I'm, saying. If he were to get the minutes that starters get (which wont happen in LA) I believe he could put up big numbers. I can tell by the way he moves. I think he's going to have an advantage over most power forwards in the NBA. I remember when I first saw Turiaf move I knew he had an NBA ready game. You cna just see it in some guys.
Wes.
Posted by: wes | September 15, 2010 at 05:02 PM
@LROB…. Both Mrs. LakerTom and I love the music from Detroit. You forgot one of our favorites: Marvin Gaye.
We live in Mill Valley in Marin County, just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Marin was also a main area for great musicians. Here are just a few of our current and former residents: Janis Joplin, Jesse Colin Young, Grace Slick, Tupac Shakur, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Maria Muldaur, Huey Lewis, Booker T. Jones, Sammy Hagar, David Grisman, Bill Champlin, Bill Graham, and David Crosby. I’ve had the good luck to have seen many of these artists live in some superb local venues. Nothing makes the world whirl like music.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | September 15, 2010 at 03:57 PM
============
I think Supremes from Motown and will think of others, and Jorge Santana of Malo, Michele Branch were Bay area products
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UIojGDIBvI
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | September 15, 2010 at 05:06 PM
oops forgot Tower of Power in Bay area music. Not sure of AWB - Average White Band but I think so.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | September 15, 2010 at 05:08 PM
I became a Laker fan the first time I saw Kobe play.
I was a 76ers fan back in the early 80's because I loved watching Dr. J play. I watched that under the backboard shot against Kareem and went nuts.
I hated the Celtics and liked Magic and Kareem but I loved Julius.
Then I stopped watching basketball for 17 years. Until one night I turned on the TV and there was a game on. Game 1 of the Finals once again with the Lakers playing the 76ers. And Kobe had the ball and did something incredible with it and I became a Lakers fan on the spot on that very first play I saw.
Because of Kobe.
I am a Laker fan for life now as I have been glued to the games ever since.
Because of Kobe.
This is my first post.
Hello.
Posted by: bassmouth | September 15, 2010 at 07:54 PM
here we go again... if bynum stays healthy and l.o. can somehow get over the "potential" hump, this team will be unstoppable. in essence, the 2nd unit will have what can realistically be 2 starters elsewhere: l.o. & blake. that's a great anchor and with the rest of the bench, they should be able to maintain and increase a lead which will give the starters more bench time as they cruise into the post season. if bynum fails, then this whole team is in trouble. i believe bynum is that important.
GO LAKERS!!
Posted by: frmkt | September 15, 2010 at 08:34 PM
You have to go back to the early 2000's when Phil had this flexible a veteran bench to work with, what with Robert Horry and Brian Shaw and Rick Fox and possibly John Sally to rely on.
So, if the injuries remain at a minimum this season, it will be Phil's challenge to make this bench work together in order to give the starters rest. In fact, with Odom, Ratliff, Blake, Barnes, Vujacic, Brown, Luke (maybe), and the two rookies (who seem to have a lot of desire to succeed in LA), he perhaps has the best (potential) Lakers bench he's ever had.
Posted by: Lakergreg | September 16, 2010 at 05:25 AM
Mr. Medina: another masterpiece!
Fan of the Mamba: I couldnt agree more. I believe that all the hype around the Heat will be a blessing. Can you remember the last time a backtoback champion was SO under the radar? Teams will bring their A game against Miami; furthermore The Heat are clearly the leagues most hated team, a title normally reserved for the defending champs.
Odom factor: I think Odom deserves a little bit more respect; while I was frustrated in his playoff performance, knowing his potential, I believe the inconsistency was a product of fatigue. Throughout the season with the numerous starters injuries, Lamar was yanked back and forth between bench and starter. His minutes varied more than Oprahs weight. It is difficult for any player to develop a rhythem when their role is so inconsistent. When he was on the bench he was charged with leading the second unit, and being the primary source of bench points; when injected into the starting core he was expected to produce double-doubles every start. LO is a true talent and a true team player. He was consistent when the team wasnt; throughout the regular season LO was there. With an improved bench and a well rested starting core expect a big year from LO!
New and Improved Bench:
Our bench last year was garbage. I think Mr. Kupchak has brought together a potent group. The biggest critque of our bench was holding leads. The additions to our squad make us a defensive powerhouse. Barnes is an absolute tyrant. Between Kobe, Barnes, and RonRon we have the best wing defenders in the league. Then we have LO, Gasol, Bynum, and now Ratliff. Post defense will be consistent and long. Blake provides a level headed leader. His presence will aliviate some of LOs duties.
All these improvements, combined with the Heat hype, create a great opportunity for the 3-peat. The only questions remaining: who we will face, and will Jackson be game for shot at the four-peat?
Any thoughts LakerNation?
-Californias Finest
¨The venom of a black mamba can kill a human in four hours, if, say, bitten on the ankle or the thumb. However, a bite to the face or torso can bring death from paralysis within 20 minutes. Now, you should listen to this, 'cause this concerns you. The amount of venom that can be delivered from a single bite can be gargantuan. You know, I've always liked that word... "gargantuan"... so rarely have an opportunity to use it in a sentence. If not treated quickly with antivenom, 10 to 15 milligrams can be fatal to human beings. However, the black mamba can deliver as much as 100 to 400 milligrams of venom from a single bite.¨
Posted by: Kobe Kalifornias Finest | September 16, 2010 at 06:49 AM
LakerTruth.. the reality for Bynum is, is that 2 of his teammates hurt him, in one of those cases had doctors not been negligent, he could have come back sooner (the Odom one) and the meniscus issue could have been prevented as well had the teenie tiny tear he had that wasn't bothering him been treated instead of being allowed to be made worse. Doctor negligence and his own teammates have been his detriment. The Achilles thing, no different then Pau's hamstrings and Kobe and Sasha's ankle sprains. Mild injuries that mean nothing.
There's some truth for ya.
Posted by: J-Dizzle | September 16, 2010 at 07:07 AM
frmkt you could actually argue 3 and include Barnes in there as well.
Posted by: J-Dizzle | September 16, 2010 at 07:09 AM
Certainly
Unless they don't want to be rested. That question is redundant seeing all the moves the Lakers have made over the off season. Although good food for thought. B-out...........B-gone.......c.u.
Posted by: whodattalking2 | September 17, 2010 at 07:14 AM