I think a combo of Pau/Odom working the two-man game on the weakside of the triangle, with Kobe and Bynum (and Fisher as sharpshooter) on the strong side is going to be very tough to stop.

As for offense, I think Pau can still operate very well from the high post where he can always shoot the jumper but still drive and try to finish. From what I saw of him in the Spain vs. US game, he operated plenty from the high post and actually used a one dribble attack that brought him right into his post move. Realize that while Pau does like to operate closer to the basket (Thorpe is dead on with that analysis), what he really likes to do is catch the ball at the mid post, then turn and face the basket and use his great first step to try and get his shot off. Often, he’ll turn and face, and then use a one dribble move in order to establish his post position. I think this will still be effective for him next season when he operates from the weakside with Bynum opposite as he can drive the ball and use his offensive skill set to either score or pass if the help comes. One thing I think he’ll need to improve on though, is recognizing if and when the help his coming as he can be turnover prone when he turns his back and doesn’t recognize that the double team is on him. Team USA did a good job of disrupting him when he did this, but with Kobe and Bynum and a slashing Odom playing off him, I think the defense will need to play Pau more honest than Team USA did.

As for the rest of it, I think your last comment is the best — the big -three lineup deserves a chance to work before we decide it can’t. I think it will work at both ends, I think Pau can regain the 15-foot jumper touch and I think LO can thrive at the three, but we don’t really know for sure. And I think having Bynum along the back line will help a lot in terms of buckets when guys get beat (Pau and otherwise). We won’t until a couple months into the season, at best, how it is all going.

Then if a move has to be made, it will almost certainly bee Odom, who has a $14 mil expiring contract.

I’ve been on vacation all summer and haven’t read the comments for months, so sorry if this is already been discussed. This isn’t intended to be trade speculation – I’m not asking if we should trade Pau – but I was wondering if Pau really can play the 4. We’ve always talked about how he’s a natural 4 because of his physique, but I’m still not convinced. Offensively, David Thorpe had a good analysis where he said the 15-foot J is no longer a consistent weapon for Pau, who’s become more accustomed to playing close to the basket. Defensively, Pau cannot keep up with quicker 4′s like David West. We saw him get burned trying to keep KG in front of him.

To me, it seems like Pau has the strength of a 4 but the quickness of a 5. In today’s NBA where the PFs are quicker and faster than ever, Pau might not be able to play the 4.

Of course, we’ll never know until we try.