Comments on: Rest Assured?

By: J-man

J-man — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:03:25 +0000

LOL Artest. What a train.

*THUD* Artest didn’t even look phased.

By: Darius

Darius — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:24:59 +0000

54. & 56. I don’t know how the rotations will work themselves out when the Bynum returns. However, when Bynum got hurt, Luke and Andrew were starting while LO and Ariza were coming off the bench so I don’t see why we couldn’t go back to that rotation. Remember, the way that Phil was substituting, the first subs off the bench were LO/Ariza/Farmar (with LO coming in first and a couple of minutes later Ariza/Farmar coming in – Sasha would usually come in with a minute or so left in the first quarter). That means for a good portion of the first quarter we saw Farmar, Kobe, Ariza, LO, and Gasol on the floor. This would give Ariza and Farmar plenty of minutes with Kobe, LO, and Gasol. Then when Gasol goes to the bench we’d see Farmar, Sasha, Ariza, LO, and Bynum get significant time together. Essentially, I don’t see why LO and Ariza could not go back to the bench and we go with the line up that makes our starting unit strong while also elevating our bench back to elite status with LO/Ariza. It may not go that way and Phil may decide that Bynum/Luke stay as reserves, but the old way was working just fine.

By: wondahbap

wondahbap — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:24:05 +0000

Anonymous,

“I’m assuming Bynum is coming off the bench and will need Luke to help initiate the post pass and help him get early touches and establish Bynum down there.”

Great point. I failed to look at it that way. That does make more sense.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:23:43 +0000

Rockets post up.

Also, I will be at the game tonight, so expect a fair amount of comments and tweets.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:18:23 +0000

Going to the game tonight. Hope Kobe and Artest definitely jaw at each other and that Yao starts a fight and goes into the stands…

Back to the discussion..

I think once Bynum gets back the rotations stay as currently constructed. Ariza works more effectively when he’s with playmakers ie. Kobe, Lamar, and Pau.

I’m assuming Bynum is coming off the bench and will need Luke to help initiate the post pass and help him get early touches and establish Bynum down there. But I guess we’ll find that out in a few weeks.

By: DTM

DTM — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:54:56 +0000

I wonder if it’s, Pau doesn’t defend as well because of Fatigue, or Pau is energy and not running out..

I get the impression, on Kobe and Pau, that they are not going at it at 100%. And, I hope that’s it, versus, them being Fatigued. That would explain many things we see on the court for them 2.

By: 81 Witness

81 Witness — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:50:13 +0000

Bench woes: The problem is the current Lakers bench (Farmar, Sasha, Luke, Powell, and MBenga) does not have any player who can penetrate or fill the lane at will.

Farmar can penetrate, but it throws the triangle off unless someone switches to his spot so they can recover on D. When he does slash, he has 3 guys playing the post. He really needs to have an LO, Ariza, Kobe, Bynum, etc. to cut into the lane from the weak side.

By: Craig W.

Craig W. — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:34:35 +0000

wondahbap,
I don’t think you will see Walton with the first unit again. Besides the defensive needs of the first unit, Walton and Lamar together is not a really effective combination – they both do some of the same things.

By: clutch824

clutch824 — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:27:45 +0000

OK, Zephid, we’re good then. There’s basically no way the Cavs will have that hiccup at home. If they somehow do, I’ll give you a shoutout. About those 3 games, Portland maybe, but I seriously doubt they’ll have any spark collectively against Sac. Maybe Kobe. This team has proven it’s just not made of the stuff where you make those kind of statements against ALL teams and not just big games.

And yes, there’s no lightswitch, which is why I don’t understand the opinion that once the playoffs start, guys will become effective. What magic said above about role players nailed it, so nuff said.

By: wondahbap

wondahbap — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:24:55 +0000

I fully believe that fatigue, mental and physical, is a main factor in whatever we feel is “wrong” with the Lakers.

I know Pau isn’t a great defender, but he was playing much better D in the 1st half of the season. The thing with Pau is he has to work on the defensive end. It doesn’t come easy to him, and he hasn’t rotated to contest shots at all lately. He’s just not hustling on the defensive end as he should. Fatigue is definitely playing a factor.

Mentally, I know the playoffs will instantly revitalize mental fatigue or boredom, as well as tonight’s game should. Physically, I’m a bit leery, because we have only one day off in between the rest of our games, and 2 of them are in aback to back with Denver at home and Portland away. Will the 4 days off be enough to rest? Will they come out flat to start the Playoffs?

I know Kobe will get his jumper back. I’m hoping that Pau will pick up defensive intensity, because we cannot afford for teams to repeatedly take it to the rim as they have been lately. Right at Pau and LO. Portland, Charlotte, Philly, , and to lesser extent Milwaukee and Atlanta all attacked the rim with success.

Shaq called out Robin Lopez to put someone on the ass when they are laying it up and dunking it on you and laughing. Although I’m not calling out for anything dirty or flagrant to happen, there should be some sense of hesitation when opposing teams think about going to the rim. Pau and LO have been lackadaisical or weak in attempts to protect the paint. Nicolas Batum feels he can point out that he dunked on Pau. A 19 year old French rookie? (No disrespect to the French.) This has to stop come Playoff time. We can’t rely on Bynum coming back. Which leads to the biggest problem. The bench.

What was the best bench in the NBA is now average at best. If Bynum comes back, I hope that Trevor will go back to the bench with him to solidify the 2nd unit. LO and Ariza being starters has really affected team dynamic. I’m all for Luke starting with LO, Kobe, Fish and Pau, if it means Bynum, Ariza, Sasha, Powell, and Farmar can resume being the best bench in the NBA.

If Bynum can’t come back, then I feel Farmar’s minutes should be cut. He stands to benefit the most from Andrew’s return. Bynum’s absence should mean a tighter leash, and we can’t afford for Jordan to stink up the joint in the Playoffs.