Comments on: Fast Break Thoughts

By: AGarcia

AGarcia — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:41:50 +0000

38-To my recollection, UCLA almost never played a zone defense while Farmar was there. Coach Howland does not like to play zone. I think Jordan’s problem is more that: 1) he’s still very young and adjusting to the speed of NBA point guards, and; 2) he doesn’t have great lateral quickness.

By: Darius

Darius — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:40:19 +0000

matt,
go to hardwood paroxysm. it’s all there…enjoy.

By: matt.

matt. — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:31:07 +0000

Kurt, which Kobe Blog Day post is yours? I see nine, and they’re all posted by Dave.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:23:29 +0000

42. Saying Odom is tough and asking if he provides a tough and intimidating paint presence on the court are two different things.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:21:31 +0000

My Kobe Bryant Blog day post is up. Raptors preview later this afternoon.

By: kelly

kelly — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:02:54 +0000

I dont understand why fans go out of there way to not look at Lamar Odom as tough when he played with a torn labrum last season and is also the Lakers best rebounder.

How can Turiaf be tougher when Lamar when he’s a horrible rebounder. Turiaf brings great energy,but is very weak on the boards. It requires toughness to be a great rebounder.

By: laughing hard

laughing hard — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:43:05 +0000

Happy Kobe Bryant Blog Day!

Lest we forget:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRikrksH8es

By: Bill Bridges

Bill Bridges — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:39:17 +0000

Yeah Travis, maybe my evaluation of that line-up’s defensive prowess is a bit… optimistic. Maybe replace Fisher for Walton for quick line-ups. I still think Walton is better than Rad at the end of games as he just seems to have the knack at helping and gambling at crunch time (remember the 06 suns series?). Whereas Rad’s propensity for stupid fouls increases with pressure.

So the conclusion is that we just don’t have the personnel and discipline to play lock-down man defense ala SAS and Boston without Bynum and Ariza.

By: AM

AM — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:17:43 +0000

Bill Bridges,

I’m with you on Farmar’s defense. Reading about his work ethic, I don’t think it’s a lack of effort, but he needs to put in the time this off-season, just like he did for his three-point shooting last summer.

He consistently trails on screens, no matter the opposing player, which exposes problems with our rotations down low. It’s understandable when he has to fight through multiple screens, but it happens a lot when there’s only one screen. In iso plays, it’s like you said about the lack of anticipation or quickness — he reacts a split-second too slowly, and doesn’t use his speed well enough to catch up (or is out of position already).

I’ve noticed that he also has a tendency to stop and watch once the ball goes up (on both sides of the floor). When he remembers not to do that, his vertical leap allows him to get some rebounds, and he could at least put a body on someone.

He’s made great strides offensively since his rookie season, and if he can make similar strides defensively, he’ll be a solid third-year player next season.

By: 81 Witness

81 Witness — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:15:46 +0000

i agree BB. Farmar played much better in a zone defense at UCLA. He was touted in college as being a great outside defender. Lo and behold, throw him into a new system and he struggles.

He doesn’t show a lot of effort on the defensive end either. He doesn’t play the pick n roll and body up on the boards. He actually looks kinda lost.