We matchup with the Celtics alot better then we think we do. Our lineup of Farmar/Fisher/Kobe pretty much negates Rondo/Allen/Pierce. With Ariza spending time on Pierce through the first three quarters using his fouls their guard/wing players shouldnt give us problems.

Our big men on the other hand are gonna be a problem. If Bynum comes in and performs the way we want him to we still would need Gasol to improve his mid range shooting. I didnt get the chance to see him play in his earlier years but from what I’ve heard he was a much better midrange player in his first years but was forced to play Centre therefore focusing on solely his low post game. Re-capturing his midrange skills while Bynum continues to improve his back to the basket game would make it extremely difficult for any team to match up with us.

With all that being said, I think pushing for Posey wouldnt be a huge mistake seeing how he’s coveted by so many teams (which makes him easy to trade to a contender) and provides the 3pt shooting (albeit to a lesser extent) that radmanovic brings with the Defense Ariza adds. It would give us plenty of depth against Athletic wing players with Kobe/Ariza/Posey all being more then capable defenders. Poseys worth cannot be weighed, he creates extra possessions with the little things.. Going for charges, Diving for looseballs and forcing players into bad decisions.

Well thats my input anywayz, sorry for ranting on, Im leavin to Africa tonite and I wont be back until september.. Hopefully Odom is still on the team when I get back.

GOOO LAKERS!!!

Through trading last year, the Lakers have, in effect, made decisions for this year that relate strongly to the roles of Andrew and Trevor.

Here’s the dilemma. The Lakers came close to a championship with Lamar, Pau, Vladimir, Derek, and Kobe, but the salary based transitioning strategy dictates Pau, Andrew, Trevor, Derek, and Kobe by next year, with Jordan for Derek the year after.

Of course, all these things can change.

Do we go with “what brung us” (at least another year), do we transition slowly, or do we go for the future right away?

Last season, we went with the future AND with “what brung us” (and mortgaged our future with Pau in the process) and, by golly, BOTH seemed to work!

Houston, we’ve got a problem.

Whatever it was, we obviously want to bottle that chemistry from last year, age it, and meet/defeat the Leprechauns with our aged brew. That is not exactly what will happen. Considering our commitment to Andrew and hope for Trevor, our new brew for the coming season may be a little raw, but it will be strong and have plenty of hops.

Given all the contradictory elements leading to the Lakers 08-09, I think that the Lakers are likely to give us a mix of last year and the future.

It really all comes down to Andrew, doesn’t it?

If it were me, knowing nothing about Andrew’s health or readiness, I’d go slow. I’d go back to the start of last year. If we use that rule of thumb, we open with a version of “what brung us” and bring in Andrew with “The bench mob.”

My only change with the starting unit from last year would be to alternate Vladimir with Trevor from game to game. My “bench crew” would feature Andrew, Pau, Luke, Sasha, and Jordan–with Ronny (or Garby?) subbing in for Pau part way through.

If Andrew appeared comfortable as part of the bench crew, I’d consider starting him–switching Pau to forward and Lamar to the “bench crew.”

Given the complexities and uncertainties of bringing both Trevor and Andrew into the mix for 2008-2009, it would be best if the Lakers kept as many players as possible from the last few years together.

If the Lakers feel that they have to trade for “toughness,” we’re talking about a trade/signing before training camp or a last minute “add a vet” at the end of the season. Mid season trades are not a Laker hallmark.

Re Bynum’s relationship to the FO…this is not an uncommon situation. With all our bellyaching about the Laker training staff – players read/hear these things too – it is not too suprising that Andrew would consult his own medical staff. If I were his parents, I would have recommended that. I really don’t see Dr Buss making a ‘Clipper’ mistake. I also don’t expect Andrew’s agent to say anything but that he wants a max contract. If he didn’t do that he wouldn’t be doing his job. The key in these situations is to not back your opponent into a corner and so far no one is in any corners.

I like the topic of Bynum. I am nervous about his knee and to be honest his relationship with the organization. It seems to be deteriorating as time goes. Especially if his agent insists on a Max contract.

I hope everything turns out as well as it did last year and everything falls into place.

(We really need to be grateful for last year even though we lost, we had an amazing season)

Our problem is not at small forward. Our problem was an overall lack of mental and physical toughness. If SF is our problem, then what a good problem to have. We didn’t lose the Finals because of our supposed small forward problem.
If you want to look for a “problem” at a position, then you need to look at PF. We have no backup right now, and might need a player who will not get moved or denied position. We got killed on second chances and didn’t get enough offensive rebounds, and neither of those things could be blamed on this supposed small forward problem.