There's almost always an upside to extended conversations with Derek Fisher, and it's typically two-fold. First, he's a given for introspective, thoughtful copy. Second, the discussion will often take unexpected turns that spotlight additionally interesting topics. Eight or so minutes with Fish after Monday's practice proved no exception.

This particular chunk of conversation began with a discussion about the recently stagnant, struggling Lakers offense, then ended up delving into the essence of what makes Phil Jackson unique and- in the eyes of many- extremely effective as a coach. Here's what Fisher had to say:

Over the last couple of games, you guys have faced a lot more double teams in the post.  Is the best way to counter those defenses just hitting outside shots?

    Some of it is shooting the ball better, but some of it is also having better spacing, so that the person that receives the pass out, if his shot isn't there for him, there's space on the floor to swing it, then swing it, (then swing it) back inside.  Those are the problems we're running into.  We're not really that concerned about guys making shots, ultimately.  We're concerned about the lack of execution that comes from if the pass is kicked out of a double team, or just offensively coming down and not ever really seeming like we've gotten into an offensive set or flow of any kind.  Those are the things that are bothering us the most, the coaches and obviously, as players.  We're confident we'll make shots if we get good open shots. 

I stopped Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw last week at practice and asked him a fairly simple question: How much of being a good individual defender is based on the defensive abilities of the four other guys on the floor? His answer didn't necessarily go in the direction I expected, but contained some interesting thoughts:

"The guys who that are good individual defenders just have the knack or desire not to want to allow their man to penetrate or to score on them. Some guys have that, and will fight for every inch of space on the floor, and then when you add to that fact that they have four other guys out there with him that are on the same page and that have their backs, that makes their individual defensive abilities stand out even more.

We have guys on the team like Ron (Artest), and Kobe (Bryant) when he wants to be, that when they get into the mindset that they want to shut you down, physically they can slide their feet, they can get in front of you, they can reach and deflect passes and dribbles. So as an offensive player, you don’t even want to come that way if you see them on that side of the floor. As a player, I remember playing against George Karl’s Seattle teams, with Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, and they some really active big men. I wouldn’t want to get into a screen roll with Gary Payton guarding me, and then Shawn Kemp or someone jumping out and trapping me because they were so active and Gary was such a good individual defender that a lot of times I would think, “I don’t want to deal with that,” so I’d go the other way with it.

Once you establish that you have that mentality, that seeps into the minds of your opponent, and half the battle is won right there."

My last installment of talkies...

First, you got your Pau Gasol vids. His finger feels good and there's no fatigue after an offseason of international play on the heels of a long playoffs. El Spaniard is ready for the Lakers' title defense and plans to channel his inner "Temple of the Dog" in an effort to secure that objective.

"We've got to stay hungry. Hungrier than the rest of the teams that didn't win it last year and want it really bad, too. That's the key."

In terms of a pure ability to move the needle, Adam Morrison is barely a blip on the Laker radar, especially when competing against the likes of Kobe's performances, Phil Jackson's contract status, LO's wedding, the point guard situation, whatever the hell Ron Artest will do next, etc. But that shouldn't be confused with a situation that isn't actually interesting, because Ammo's situation is hardly hum drum.

It's quite rare to find a player of his pedigree- NCAA scoring champ, #3 overall pick in the 2007 draft- so quickly in need of cementing his credentials as a capable NBA guy. Without a solid campaign during this contract year- or at the very least, a campaign consisting of more than mostly garbage time- Morrison could find himself fighting to stay in the league.

During my brief conversation with the small forward, he said that his knee feels great and that he was happy with both his Summer Pro League participation and production. He particularly found useful the extra time operating in the triangle after last season spent as a mere spectator. "I think that will help me this year to hopefully get a chance to play."

Having said that, Morrison remains aware that cracking the rotation ain't a given, particularly on a team this stacked. At a time where he could really use some extended run, this team is almost too good from a pragmatic, career-centric standpoint. But having been a part of winning and losing teams, he'll take the former, thank you very much. Morrison also seemed confident that succeeding on a championship caliber team, even in limited minutes, carries a certain degree of weight around the league. "If you're on a winning team and play well, things usually work out for you, anyway."

AK

Previous Clips

Kobe and Artest
Artest, Brown and Powell think Blue
LO, Fish, Sasha, Bynum

After the build up of Part I and Part II, we hit you with the final installment of Phil Jackson's session with the media. I've cleverly titled it, "Part III".

In the first clip, Phil relays positive feedback on Andrew Bynum's offseason workouts and endorses his goal of an All-Star bid.  Between Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest, Jackson said this is the most talented frontcourt he's ever coached and the best grouping he can recall since the 1999-2000 Blazer crew (Sabonis, Grant, Sheed, Dale Davis).   With that in mind, BK asked if we might witness the hard court union of Drew, LO and Pau, a trio that played together roughly zero minutes last season after an offseason's worth of getting talked up as a potential "triple towers" powerhouse.

"There's a chance.  We're talking a little bit about a big lineup with Kobe (Bryant), Artest, Lamar, Pau, and Andrew.  There'a a variety of guys that could fit into that.  And also, those five as an overwhelming group that could do some things, and with the type of offense that we run, could function quite well without a point guard."

Intriguing words, to be sure, but I'd caution folks to take them with a grain of salt.  Or at the very least, an attitude equal parts "geeked" and "grounded."

Part I, for those who missed it.  And moving right along...

In the first clip, Phil explains one difference between the Jordan-era Bulls and the current Lakers, both quite the powerhouse crews.  The former had the advantage of battling just hardwood opponents, while these Lakers are battling hardwood opponents AND elements such as Twitter, Youtube, etc., which we've seen create issues for athletes in the NBA (Michael Beasley, most prominently) and beyond.  Having earlier mentioned an intention to speak with Ron Artest and Lamar Odom about their increasingly public lives, it was no surprise to hear Phil's answer when I asked if he'd lay down some team-wide social networking restrictions:

"Without a doubt."

That sound you just heard was Ron Ron choking back tears tears.

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I wanted to get Lamar Odom's contract negotiations interview up ASAP, but he wasn't the only Laker I spoke with at a screening for Warner Home Video's 2008-2009 NBA Champions: The Los Angeles Lakers DVD. Jordan Farmar, Derek FIsher and Luke Walton were also on hand to check out the title run retrospective. They talked about a variety of topics ranging from the championship glow to poker to... well, Lamar Odom's contract negotiations (and for a great examination of this issue, check out Henry Abbott's latest piece at True Hoop).  Here's what everyone had to say:

Fisher is used to championship offseasons, but the championships themselves never grow old. "It's hard to imagine feeling any other way once you have this feeling," smiled Fisher.  But for Fish, those feelings tend to revolve more around the team concept than individual moments.  "I Just Became a Laker God Lane" isn't a place Fish goes out of his way to stroll. Not only hasn't he re-watched those big shots in Game 4 against Orlando yet, he "held out as long as I could" before a repeat viewing of ".4"  Said Fisher, "It was surreal. I saw stuff that I didn't see in that split second? Fans. The reactions of teammates.  It was cool." 

(This, by the way, is yet another example of why Fish is more mature than me.  I'd not only be constantly watching my glory highlights, but I'd invite friends and even strangers over specifically to watch said glory.  Similar to how if I ever won an Academy Award, I'd wear it around my neck like Flava Flav's clock.   That's just how petty and small I am.)

Fisher also vowed not to pester Lamar Odom about his up-in-the-air contract status (or as I suggested, "guilt trip" him). "I just want to be somebody who can see him and not talk about that, because I'm sure everybody else is."

I caught up with Lamar Odom at a screening for the 2008-2009 NBA Champions: The Los Angeles Lakers DVD.  With talk swirling over Mitch Kupchak's comments to the O.C. Register about being "not as hopeful" as last week LO will be re-signed (pessimism similar to what was expressed to the L.A. Times' Broderick Turner), I wanted to get Lamar's perspective.  While more serious than usual, he gave me (and the Daily News' Ramona Shelburne) the impression that he's not ready to turn the page on his Laker story book.

During our conversation, it felt like Lamar was trying to remain as detached as possible from the process.  He continually reminded me that business isn't personal and often requires a lot of discussion before everyone is satisfied.  "No one says it's going to 100% your way... or their way," noted LO.  

I definitely sensed Odom's frustration that a deal hasn't been hammered out and he'd still be making a case for himself, but at the same time, he also didn't seem thrown for a complete loop.  After all, Odom runs businesses, so these aren't exactly uncharted waters.  Beyond that, this also isn't his experience working out a free agent deal.  His agent (Jeff Schwartz) may be growing emotional, but LO is at least attempting to keep his blood lower than a boil.  "It is what it is" was a continual refrain. 

"We try to do what's best for both sides," said Odom.  "What's fair.  That's what negotiating is about.  It doesn't happen all the time overnight."  Plus, no two ways around it: Money is just a touchy subject.  "You can have a brother, a sister, a great father, but then when you start talking about money, it gets a little, like.... ehhhhhh.  You know what I mean?"

Despite the obvious complications, I'm still reasonably "hopeful" (to use the official "Phrase of the Day") an agreement will be reached.  Beyond few options for comparable (much less better) money and/or situations than with the Lakers, they really can't afford to let Odom go. The veteran's minimum won't fetch anyone with even close to the same skill set.  And with all due respect to Josh Powell, the team's mojo decreases considerably with him taking LO's place either as the first big off the bench or- gulp!- the starting four if Andrew Bynum's bad luck with injuries continue.  Yes, trading is an option, but who's available that could make an impact and at what price?  Retaining LO is simpler and more sensible.  Not to mention what I think Lamar prefers, all things being equal.  (Plus, the interview room's lighting was purple. That's gotta mean something, right?)

I've also got some copy with Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton, but I wanted to get LO's video up ASAP.

AK

Part I aqui, for those late to the party.  And if you'd like to first hear BK and I discuss our impressions of Artest via the 710 ESPN Lakers podkast, then watch Ron and compare notes, feel free.  Or you view the talkies below, then give the podkast a whirl.  But either way, listen to the poddy, or else you'll be dealing with a nagging void in your life that's impossible to quell.

Artest has barely been an unofficial Laker, much less one with an inked contract, but that hasn't prevented him from experiencing the crush that is the Laker Nation's enthusiasm.  Artest praised the fans of every city he's represented, but immediately noticed what sets apart a purple and gold's loyalist.  "The fans are so confident. That's what I've learned. Every fan is telling me I'm going to win, saying, 'you ready for your ring?' I'm like, 'Yeah, I'm ready.' "

The only thing better for Artest than proving O'Brien predictions correct would be doing so while playing alongside longtime buddy Lamar Odom. "That's a storybook ending. I don't want to think about it too much- I'd rather just do the work and let the work speak for itself...but it would be a storybook ending."  While mentioning the pair's New York roots, Artest took us on a trip down a Big Apple NBA Memory Lane, mentioning folks like Elton Brand, Rafer Alston and... Smush Parker.  (Hey, the guy did make it all the way to the L, like it or not).

Hearing talk about money being secondary priority, increased focus and moving past the Palace Brawl, it felt to me like age has drastically affected Artest's perspective on his career.  Pretty much.  "When I came into the NBA, I was wild," admitted RA. "It took me a long time to realize how I want my life to be. How I want my career to be."  Artest views his time with the Pacers as a step backward, a stumble he's since been determined to make up for.  "I want to leave on top of my game. That's real important to me."

Lot o' footage to render and chop up, as this was a seriously long press conference. About 35 minutes. But it's worth the effort to transfer, because this was probably the most interesting, introspective and entertaining presser of such ilk that I've ever attended.

Whether Ron Artest was consciously trying to get off on the right foot or simply operating in his typical stream of consciousness, I thought the guy acquitted himself nicely. Tough questions about his past weren't skirted. Plenty of hilarious lines.  Plus some often brutally honest self-criticism.  Every skeptic likely wasn't converted (and depending on the impetus for skepticism, rightfully), but it would be hard to fault the guy over a failure to be forthright.

"Where's TMZ," Artest asked after being introduced by Mitch Kupchak. "They're not here? That's good news." Ron Ron was beaming at joining a franchise that's always been his first choice team. Not that Artest didn't give it all for his past employers- for that matter, loyalty dictated the Houston Rockets getting first dibs at his services- but his Utopian uni has always been purple and gold. "A long time coming," as he described this union. Thus, Artest could barely contain his excitement when, with free agency one minute underway, his agent David Bauman informed him of a call from Kupchak.

"I said, 'For what?'" recalled Artest. "(Bauman) says, 'He wants to help you get a ring.' " As both Bauman and Kupchak later explained, the actual negotiations themselves were more complicated, but an agreement eventually came to fruition, which made Ron happy enough to potentially sacrifice his wardrobe. "I was in LA already... it was great because I didn't have to leave and go back to Houston. Hopefully my clothes make it to LA. If they don't, they can just stay in Houston."

Artest also discusses his familiarity with the triangle and his defensive prowess, the latter he willingly attributes in part to the presence of former teammates like Jermaine O'Neal.