Comments on: ESPN Zone Lakers Blogger Talk, And Some Basketball

By: Dunk Specialist

Dunk Specialist — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:49:39 +0000

Oh and as for Bynum, he needs a month to really get used to the brace and what he can do on the knee. Anyone who has had knee surgeries will know it takes time before you really trust it and know what it can do (the time is different for everyone but it is still there). And even when you have faith in it there is a mental barrier that just can’t be overcome without time. Trust me I know first hand as I have had both knees fixed. Each heals differently and mentally it stays with you for along time. Once Bynum really gets comfortable in his body HE WILL LEAD the Lakers in rebounding (check his splits at the end of the year this year, if I am wrong please rub it in my face).

By: Dunk Specialist

Dunk Specialist — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:43:06 +0000

Here is the thing I think most people are forgetting (or choosing to ignore) about the triangle, it takes along time to get used to it. It has been written many times that it takes a year to really understand it. I think Artest will be on a rollercoaster for most of the year. Sometimes looking like he has it and other times looking lost. But I think it really clicks for him the last month of the season and in the playoffs when we need it. Remember it took Lamar like two years (or more) to get comfortable in it. Only guys like Kobe and Pau can pick it up as fast (and Pau lloked alot better last running it). Artest is a smart ball player so maybe he picks it up earlier around the allstar break but it will take more than a month into the season to really get it down. His only judge should be the playoffs. But even if he is only kind of gets the offense, remember he is replacing an 8 piont scorer (I love Ariza but this is true) and will be counted on to stop Roy, Jefferson, Pierce, LeBron, Melo and whomever Phil wants him to shut down on the Magic (not sure if it will be Lewis or someone else).

By: Travis

Travis — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:43:07 +0000

I’m not going to make any judgements about our starters or our offense until Pau is on the floor. Everything goes through him and Kobe. Ron has no idea how to assert himself because he’s running with different units and getting different looks than he usually will get with a full squad.

All I know from preseason is that Bynum is healthy and motivated to play hard, SB has a highlight play per game, Kobe has some new post moves, and this is going to be a loooong regular season for Lakers bloggers.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:41:23 +0000

new post up

By: Samy

Samy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Trevor Ariza is someone I’ve been following through the ESPN highlight reels and it looks like he’s consistently hitting that 15-18 point per game mark. How can we apply Ariza’s apparent success in TX to a guy like Farmar who I really think could take his game to another level if he didn’t constantly feel the pressure of a third-stringer knocking at the door, or the bald hero named Fisher who owns the starting spot.

(Below)
Crittenton 07

Crawford 08

Wow 08-09

(Above)

The forever young Fisher.

By: Mimsy

Mimsy — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:55:31 +0000

Without having seen any of the pre-season games (it’s hard for me to muster enthusiasm until the official season opener) I have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments about the team, the way they play, and especially how Artest fits in.

I think I agree with the ones saying that among Artest’s many faults, stupidity on the court is not among them. Yes, he loses his temper and his head at times, but he’s been playing long enough and well enough to understand the game and he’s probably taking his time getting into a rhythm in a new system he’s never played before. I am sure he will make mistakes down the line, maybe even cost us a game or two. I am also sure that somewhere along the line I will be jumping up and down in front of the TV during a game, cursing Mitch for “giving up Trevor Ariza for THAT?!?!?!”

But I also think that if I get to watch him play defense the way only Artest can, take a hard foul, get back up and retaliate briutally but in a perfectly legal way… essentially if he makes up for his mistakes by contributing with what he is really good at, and what we brought him in to do, then I don’t know about the rest of you, but I would be willing to forgive a mistake or four.

There was no doubt in any one’s mind that we needed an enforcer on the team, and that we needed to improve on defense, and now we have one, and now we will.

If nothing else, Artest is anything but boring. We have an exciting season ahead of us.

T-7 and counting!

By: sT

sT — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:12:05 +0000

@16, I second that.

By: Brian Tung

Brian Tung — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:04:43 +0000

Warren (9:08 a.m.): You just get your first post in and there won’t be any worries about lost leads.

By: Warren Wee Lim

Warren Wee Lim — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:08:56 +0000

Pre-season is when iron chef Mario Batali can cook vegetables… he can also try out his new flaming ribs ala Bobby Flay or even try to speak chinese along the way. In short, we EXPERIMENT folks… get off everyone’s back except that of Sasha and Jordan… I will be particularly hard on these two coz I believe they will be key to our bench this year not squandering leads.

By: wondahbap

wondahbap — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:44:26 +0000

Kurt,

You’re right. it’s too early to tell. At least he’s feeling his way through now, and not forcing it. It leads me to believe that he’s making a concentrated effort to stay in his role. But….If Artest effectively defends the likes of PP, LBJ, and/or Richard Jefferson, like the Artest we know, I think I might be willing to deal with a bad shot or two in the clutch once in a while.