Comments on: Improving The Defense

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:29:11 +0000

And I’m a complete idiot, and realised it on my way out the door that I had asked in the wrong topic. that’s what I get for staying up WAY too late…

By: Kurt

Kurt — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:24:39 +0000

Jeff, this is the topic in the next post’s comment thread. Here’s a sort of answer, and feel free to jump in:

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2007/09/25/pre-training-camp-thoughts/#comment-241222

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:21:12 +0000

Kurt- I just gotta ask, since the story has somewhat been going out all over-

Would you swap Lamar for the Matrix?

By: Craig W.

Craig W. — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:33:17 +0000

Bynum expectations history:
First year: We were really ‘bummed out’ about the draft pick because the team wasn’t getting immediate help. Result: We saw flashes that the kid could be a player, but he really didn’t help the team.

Second year: Now that he had a year under his belt, we expected that he would give us our punch. Result: Injuries forced us to play him too much for his own good and we overlooked the fact that he was only 19, with a 19-yr-old’s maturity, physical development. He did improve a lot over his first year, but we expected Dwight Howard.

Third year: We wanted him traded because of our disappointment with his 2nd yr. Result: Don’t know yet, but it does seem probable that he will make another noticeable jump in his progress.

Hey people, this is still a very young center we are talking about. There have been only 3 centers who have exploded on the NBA scene in their 1st yr: Russell, Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. They were all four year collage players with championship type teams. Shaq was good, but he didn’t dominate the game like these three.

This is not a guy we trade, unless we get a championship caliber team in return – which we can’t get at this time.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:12:17 +0000

I think Bynum could take a leap forward this year. Not counting on it, but it could happen. Last year, if nothing else, he saw what it takes.

By: DMo

DMo — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 06:58:01 +0000

Though Mitch isn’t exactly a neutral source, I don’t doubt that Bynum has been working hard. And, not to change the subject too much, but how tough has HIS summer been? I mean, Kobe Bryant called him out in the first week of vacation (via youtube). And much of Bryant’s very public frustration with management has been centered around their perception of Bynum’s talent level. That is a lot of pressure for a kid who (in another life) would be getting ready to start his junior year of college. If his response has been to live in the training facility, vowing to prove everyone wrong while quietly working on his game, then maybe he possesses the character of a player who shouldn’t be traded before his talent peaks. I’m not saying that passing on Jason Kidd was a managerial coup or anything, but I have heard some pretty nearsighted Bynum trades tossed around. Personally, I’m excited to see what he looks like once the season is under way.

By: Craig W.

Craig W. — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:38:29 +0000

Heard a radio interview with Mitch about an hour ago and a question about Bynum was asked. Mitch said he WAS in the facility practicing every day this summer, except for a 2 week vacation in July. He also said he looked very good and much improved. Let us all hope.

By: DMo

DMo — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:31:34 +0000

Kurt-

I agree, but I also think his “potential” has always been grossly overestimated. He doesn’t have the hands or the head of a premiere center. He never should have been the #1 overall pick, nor should he have gotten the big contract. But, the fact is, he has shown considerable growth under Phil Jackson. His health has held him back, and may continue to do so. But if his body holds up and he’s willing to stop chasing the pipe dreams of overzealous scouts, there’s no reason why he can’t become a defensive specialist and lock down the middle.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:39:45 +0000

Since day one, hasn’t the book on Kwame been “if he lives up to his potential?” At this point in his career I just don’t expect that kind of leap forward. I hope he proves me wrong.

By: DMo

DMo — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:26:55 +0000

When Kwame is healthy, he can be a very effective post defender. He has all the tools–strength, quickness, agility, decent footwork.And, he’s gotten better every year. If Phil can get him to focus on D in a Ben Wallace/early Rodman kind of way–maybe even pump his ego up around it–I think you will see a big improvement in the paint. And really, there’s nowhere to go but up. Bynum will be a better defender by virtue of experience and superior conditioning (if the reports of his gymrat summer are to be believed). He’s already an above-average shot blocker. And, if the group can stay healthier, Kobe won’t have to carry the load so much offensively, which will allow him to play his “tournament of the America’s” style defense.

For all the press the triangle offense gets (even though it hasn’t been run correctly since the Bulls heyday), Jackson’s biggest contribution to a team’s success has always been his emphasis on defense. If the team listens to him and shows a bit more hussle, they have the potential to be right in the middle of the pack defensively (say, 14th or 15th overall). Combine that with an above average offense (courtesy of Kobe and Lamar), and you have an improved, if not dominant, group. I don’t think 50 wins is out of the question. Optimistic, maybe–but we’re all Lakers fans here, right?