Comments on: Preview and Chat: The Minnesota Timberwolves

By: gosujim

gosujim — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:41:51 +0000

I think Lamar will do great in any case.

By: drrayeye

drrayeye — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:14:21 +0000

Right now, the Lakers have good chemistry and Lamar has a perfect role to play. Lamar has been part of a sort of Laker redemption fantasy ever since the Shaq trade. We’d like Lamar to be part of our championship this year.

Let’s not look too far into the future.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:52:27 +0000

130. Great stuff.

By: Mike in the Mountain West

Mike in the Mountain West — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:35:34 +0000

Lamar has definitely been playing well since Pau came but what happens when Bynum comes back and Lamar moves to the three?

Will he still be as effective?

By: KurkPeterman

KurkPeterman — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:03:35 +0000

124 :: I think once Drew comes back, it will get even better for Lamar. Right now he’s still asked to put up 12-15 ppg with Kobe and Pau, but with the return of the big fella he can drop to the 3rd or 4th option each game at 9-11 ppg. Lamar has always been a beast on the boards and can be great at defending whoever we ask when he focuses. The only thing he was lacking in order to meet expectations was more reliable passing options which leads him to distribute more effectively and take easy shots. I think he work into 10ppg, 10reb (2oreb), 8ast when we have our complete lineup.

On the subject of our rebounding, I’d expect Pau to drop off a bit once Drew is back. If I had to guess (and I will), I’d say it breaks down to this:

oreb :: 2.5-Gasol, 2.5-Bynum, 2-Odom
dreb :: 8-Odom, 8-Bynum, 4-Gasol

This gives the Lakers 27 boards from their top three rebounders. Lakers are already the top 5 in rebounds, but this is due to some inflated numbers from Bynum’s injury (which left his numbers untouched and raised those of Odom) and the Gasol acquisition (he picked up more boards in Memphis than he will here). See how this compares to the top three rebounders from top 12 teams:

1. Nuggets (Camby, Anthony, Martin) – 28.1 rpg
2. Lakers (Odom, Bynum, Gasol) – 27 rpg
3. Cavaliers (Ilgauskas, Varejao, Gooden) – 26.4 rpg
4. Magic (Howard, Turkoglu, Lewis) – 25.9 rpg
5. Hornets (Chandler, West, Stojakovic) – 25.7 rpg
6. Mavericks (Nowitzki, Howard, Dampier) – 22.9 rpg
7. Jazz (Boozer, Okur, Millsap) – 22.7 rpg
8. Spurs (Duncan, Oberto, Ginobili) – 22.1 rpg
9T. Rockets (Ming, Hayes, Scola) – 21.8 rpg
9T. Suns (O’Neal, Stoudemire, Hill) – 21.8 rpg
11. Celtics (Garnett, Perkins, Pierce) – 21.1 rpg
12. Pistons (McDyess, Wallace, Maxiell) – 21 rpg
13. Warriors (Biedrins, Harrington, Barnes) – 20.1 rpg

Even with the reduced expectations, we’re going to have a lot of extra attempts when Bynum gets back!!

By: the other Stephen

the other Stephen — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:31:42 +0000

anyone know what hollinger said about the kidd trade? it’s the article that starts with: “the lakers must be falling over with laughter by now.” that piques my interest, cause i scoff at the trade as well. i scoff, baby, i scoff.

about the whole not playing terry and harris together thing, as far as i can tell, dallas’ backcourt defense still hasn’t improved any from previous seasons. they’re still middle of that pack as far as that goes.

By: kwame a.

kwame a. — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:28:08 +0000

124-Maybe the Lakers (and us fans) were asking/expecting too much from LO. I think Mitch was right when he said he thought LO would average 10, 8 and 8. Hell, thats like having the production of a 6’10 Jason Kidd

By: Craig W.

Craig W. — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:15:58 +0000

I have to say that I may have been wrong about putting Lamar on the 2nd string. Man he has flowered with Gasol AND Kobe. I still have reservations about him handling the ball in endgame situations, but he sure has done better with less pressure.

I guess that is the entire issue with Lamar. Keep the pressure off him and he will perform. That says it all – good and bad.

By: gosujim

gosujim — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:00:44 +0000

71 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyeYEIDa_u0

By: Eshan

Eshan — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:49:27 +0000

That four point play by Kobe was sick…

Whoever said that this Minny team is the same as last year with KG is exaggerating a bit…

But regardless, this team should definitely play better than it does, it has talented players. It seems their biggest problems are a lack of talented big men (6’7” Craig Smith plays Forward-Center) other than AJ, but mainly poor coaching…

And damn Kobe’s injury!! I was sooo looking forward to him in the 3pt contest…almost more than him in the all-star game because Kobe would be more subdued after winning MVP last year anyways.