But, I think, for us, right now, the timing is bad. We’re loaded at guard, and as Kurt said, we have investments that need time and nurturing for our own evaluation in Farmar (and to a lesser exent Sasha, and an even lesser extent Karl, Sun, Crawford).

I will disagree though, with the point that Livingston could not fit as a Triangle PG. I say this because there are many different types of players that can play that position and still be effective at it. Ron Harper and D. Fish could not be more different as players, but both have been heavy contributors to championship teams playing that position. When looking at Livingston’s game, he’s an excellent passer, can handle the ball, has the size to defend multiple positions, can play in the post, finish on drives and by catching off cuts near the hoop, and overall, just has a great feel for offensive basketball. Now is he a *space the floor* PG that plays well off the ball? No. But he can play the role that Harper played for the Bulls and Lakers, I’m sure. The beauty of the Triangle is that if you know *how* to play, you can fit in. The offense is versatile enough to take a player’s skill set and maximize it within the offense and allow him to be successful in that role. Like I said earlier, if we had the roster space, and didn’t have so much time (with Farmar) and now money (with Sasha) invested in other players, I’d take a flier on Livingston in a second. I’d almost still do it, but as I mentioned before, it’s probably bad timing. I love the potential of his talent…

I think Snoopy gets to the point at the end — some team should give Livingston a chance in camp, but not the Lakers. He is a bad fit in the triangle. Personally, I think we need to see if Farmar this season can prove he is the PG of the future. It’s all in his court.

Interesting article that the Lakers might want to take a look at Shaun Livingston. I live near Peoria, IL, so I remember the hype and craze that this kid had when he came out of high school. If he can strengthen his body (a big if) and stay off the trainer’s table, there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be one of the top PGs in the league.

However, I don’t think the Lakers should sign him. He’s a great floor leader and is more at home in an offense centered around the PG. I’m not sure the triangle would best utilize his strengths. He can’t space the floor the way Fish can. And on top of all of this, I just don’t think he can get his body to the point where he can stand up to the rigors of an 82-game season.

In Kobe’s 81 point game the Lakers were playing flat with no energy, were losing by double figures, and Kobe singlehandedly inspired his team to an easy victory.

There is a profound John Wooden saying: “the team that makes the most mistakes will win.” In other words, taking chances and trying to make things happen wins games, playing it safe doesn’t make plays.

The impact of a great player goes far beyond plus or minus in this or that category. When Kobe is aggressive, he opens up the floor, inspires the crowd (even on the road) and energizes his teamates. (The occasional bad game proves nothing.)

These things cannot be measured by statistics.

On HP, they have these new weekly artticles by David Sparks, who calls himself the Arbitrarian, and tries to explain or define basktball by formula after formula. WHile I have a problem with this because, numbers and formulas cannot prove anything when it comes to athletics and sport, he had an especially moronic comment about Kobe’s 81, calling it “underwhelmin” and that Kobe cost the Lakers 12 points. Please check it out and give us your thoughts.

Needless to say the logical fan I am responded, along with my Laker fan side.

http://hardwoodparoxysm.blogspot.com/

It is the team that wins or loses, not the individuals.

I actually think the players that have been the biggest difference are Kobe, Kidd (though, moreso in the qualifying run and the lead up to the Olympics), Lebron, and Wade.

Realize that Wade is all about redemption. He’s a former Finals MVP and is one of the elite players in the world. The fact that many doubt him and only bring him up as an afterthought to the great players in the game has to tear him up inside and motivate him to no end. He’s playing like a madman in these games and his efficiency is just tremendous. I know that the other players respect him and his game. And to see him perform like he’s capable has to be an inspiration to this team and a key factor to its success.

Realize too, that Lebron is truly one of the special talents the game has ever seen. He is becoming what everyone hoped he would become when the hype machine began back when he was only a Sophmore or Junior in H.S. His size/strength/speed/skill ratio is off the charts and he continues to get smarter and more motivated as a player. The other players (Kobe included) see his talent and know that he is one of the special players of this (and really, any) generation. I don’t think his contributions as a phenom can be overstated. He’s everywhere on offense and defense, and is also saying all the right things in the press and (presumably) in meetings/practices.

Kobe is what we know him to be. But he’s also an elder statesmen on this team. Some of these guys were playing *as* Kobe in their backyards 6-8 years ago. So, to have him, completely motivated, on this team is (I’m sure) a galvanizing force to many of these guys. The way he’s chasing and hounding guys on defense is showing the other players the effort level they need to play with in order to compete on this team.

Ultimately, this team is just a tremendous blend of the right players at the right time, and I’m grateful that I am getting the chance to see them play. And five years down the road, I don’t care what the pundits say (I barely care now, unless it comes from the 4-5 guys I truly respect) because I know what I see and will remember how it happened, as I think most of *us* will.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3544396&categoryId=2378529

I think that it’s obvious the Kobe, Jason Kidd, and Coach K are the real catalysts for the team we are seeing. They completely changed the culture of the team, making them into a hard-nosed juggernaut. Kobe has a killer instinct and work ethic that seems to permeate the air around the rest of the team, infecting them with the ability to stomp on the collective world’s jugulars.

It is somewhat tragic that when the Redeem Team is looked back on, people will mostly think of the players offensive domination.