Comments on: The Taco Unit http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:49:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dawn Callahan Kettlewell http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638868 Dawn Callahan Kettlewell Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:03:12 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638868 haha, very funny! haha, very funny!

]]> By: cjm http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638765 cjm Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:51:56 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638765 1. morrison is gone at or before the end of this year; he leaves the league 2. sasha is gone when his contract expires (end of next year i think); he has 0 trade value and also leaves the league 3. fisher retires or takes a substantial cut in salary and minutes, after this season 4. farmar is traded away at or before end of this season, we get a journeyman in return; i.e. improved value at same salary cost 5. luke is gone when his contract expires, or when his body craps out for good - -which ever comes first looks to me like the team will be shedding salary steadily, one contract at a time, for the next couple of years 1. morrison is gone at or before the end of this year; he leaves the league

2. sasha is gone when his contract expires (end of next year i think); he has 0 trade value and also leaves the league

3. fisher retires or takes a substantial cut in salary and minutes, after this season

4. farmar is traded away at or before end of this season, we get a journeyman in return; i.e. improved value at same salary cost

5. luke is gone when his contract expires, or when his body craps out for good – -which ever comes first

looks to me like the team will be shedding salary steadily, one contract at a time, for the next couple of years

]]> By: Kurt http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638735 Kurt Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:31:52 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638735 New post up from Zephid along Craig W.'s comment lines: The challenge of Mitch shedding salary and making a roster move. New post up from Zephid along Craig W.’s comment lines: The challenge of Mitch shedding salary and making a roster move.

]]> By: Craig W http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638732 Craig W Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:21:32 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638732 The Taco unit is not likely going anywhere this year. There is just more value in letting the contracts expire and getting 2x the salary back. Any trade leaves you with either a longer contract or a player who doesn't know our system and will only be in it for the remainder of the year. The Taco unit is not likely going anywhere this year. There is just more value in letting the contracts expire and getting 2x the salary back. Any trade leaves you with either a longer contract or a player who doesn’t know our system and will only be in it for the remainder of the year.

]]> By: Joel http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638730 Joel Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:37:12 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638730 Really is too bad about Oden, he seems like a good guy but he's had a rough time since going #1: - Missing his rookie season - Watching Durant develop into a star in season #2 while he (Oden) battles foul trouble and splits time with Joel Przybilla - Starting his 3rd season well, only for controversy to arise over whether he and Roy/Aldridge can co-exist Now this to top it all off. Even if you hate the Blazers you can't help but feel for this guy. And apparently he's the type of person who will be harder on himself than anyone else. Really is too bad about Oden, he seems like a good guy but he’s had a rough time since going #1:

- Missing his rookie season
- Watching Durant develop into a star in season #2 while he (Oden) battles foul trouble and splits time with Joel Przybilla
- Starting his 3rd season well, only for controversy to arise over whether he and Roy/Aldridge can co-exist

Now this to top it all off. Even if you hate the Blazers you can’t help but feel for this guy. And apparently he’s the type of person who will be harder on himself than anyone else.

]]> By: luubi http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638728 luubi Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:25:35 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638728 Yeah I already heard somebody mention Sam Bowie on TV. Oden has to come back physically, of course, but mentally, how do you not let this gets into your head? Really feel bad for him and Porty fans (keep fingers crossed for our own big guy). Yeah I already heard somebody mention Sam Bowie on TV. Oden has to come back physically, of course, but mentally, how do you not let this gets into your head? Really feel bad for him and Porty fans (keep fingers crossed for our own big guy).

]]> By: lesha http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638725 lesha Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:18:04 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638725 i think the worst thing for oden right now is the thought, that the organization regrets ever drafting him. nobody is going to say it, but how can you convince a player that it is not the case? durant is lighting up the league, that must hurt almost as much as the injury itself. i really feel bad for him, because that has probably been on his mind since his first injury. hope he gets well soon, he deserves a healthy season to prove himself i think the worst thing for oden right now is the thought, that the organization regrets ever drafting him. nobody is going to say it, but how can you convince a player that it is not the case? durant is lighting up the league, that must hurt almost as much as the injury itself. i really feel bad for him, because that has probably been on his mind since his first injury. hope he gets well soon, he deserves a healthy season to prove himself

]]> By: Asif_josephite http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638714 Asif_josephite Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:39:53 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638714 I feel bad for vujacic..:(..he was so good a year and a half ago..he was shooting the lights out of the arenas he played in..home away didn't matter..but now?? he is finding it so hard to find a rhythm..:(..i love this guy for who he is but sadly i think they will let him go or trade him by February..:( I feel bad for vujacic..:(..he was so good a year and a half ago..he was shooting the lights out of the arenas he played in..home away didn’t matter..but now?? he is finding it so hard to find a rhythm..:(..i love this guy for who he is but sadly i think they will let him go or trade him by February..:(

]]> By: thisisweaksauce http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638712 thisisweaksauce Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:45:24 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638712 About the Taco Unit: They need to practice together. Last time, against the Hornets, they clearly had no feel for each other as a group. Also, some suggestions for them that could become their bread and butter: Run some pick and pop with a guard (Farmar?) and Powell during some of the half court sets. I know this is going away from the triangle, but that unit doesn't quite have the personnel to run it as well as the first. Powell can shoot the long jumper pretty well. Possible disadvantage: Powell isn't there to grab some boards. A lot of penetration with Farmar. The guy can create looks for himself, and this can build his confidence. Another plus, he can dish out to Ammo or Sasha if the defense collapses. Sasha needs to be shooting wide open looks only, not off the dribble. Tell Mbenga not to shoot unless he's in point blank range or completely wide open. The guy doesn't have a post up game. Just have him play the role of the post man in the triangle who can dish out. Also, Ammo needs to try to score. That's what he is, a scorer. Just pass (especially during penetration) if it's a kick out to Sasha, Farmar, or Powell for an open look. Get out on the open court. That's where they thrive (like the bench mob of 07-08). Half-court offense is where they kinda struggle. (Haha, the previous suggestions were about half-court offense.) Have them know their roles. I hate it when I see Powell trying to post up (or Mbenga for that matter) - he needs to be shooting jumpers (mid-range or long, off the pick and roll/pop). Or Sasha shooting off the dribble (or with a hand in his face). Or Farmar becoming simply an outside shooter. Or Ammo trying to distribute; he can score (however awkward looking). Mbenga needs to only attempt put backs, open dunks, or really close lay-ins on offense; his focus should be on D, especially blocking and rebounding. Those are my suggestions. Do you guys have other ones for the Taco Unit? Any you disagree with? About the Taco Unit:

They need to practice together. Last time, against the Hornets, they clearly had no feel for each other as a group. Also, some suggestions for them that could become their bread and butter:

Run some pick and pop with a guard (Farmar?) and Powell during some of the half court sets. I know this is going away from the triangle, but that unit doesn’t quite have the personnel to run it as well as the first. Powell can shoot the long jumper pretty well. Possible disadvantage: Powell isn’t there to grab some boards.

A lot of penetration with Farmar. The guy can create looks for himself, and this can build his confidence. Another plus, he can dish out to Ammo or Sasha if the defense collapses. Sasha needs to be shooting wide open looks only, not off the dribble.

Tell Mbenga not to shoot unless he’s in point blank range or completely wide open. The guy doesn’t have a post up game. Just have him play the role of the post man in the triangle who can dish out.

Also, Ammo needs to try to score. That’s what he is, a scorer. Just pass (especially during penetration) if it’s a kick out to Sasha, Farmar, or Powell for an open look.

Get out on the open court. That’s where they thrive (like the bench mob of 07-08). Half-court offense is where they kinda struggle. (Haha, the previous suggestions were about half-court offense.)

Have them know their roles. I hate it when I see Powell trying to post up (or Mbenga for that matter) – he needs to be shooting jumpers (mid-range or long, off the pick and roll/pop). Or Sasha shooting off the dribble (or with a hand in his face). Or Farmar becoming simply an outside shooter. Or Ammo trying to distribute; he can score (however awkward looking). Mbenga needs to only attempt put backs, open dunks, or really close lay-ins on offense; his focus should be on D, especially blocking and rebounding.

Those are my suggestions. Do you guys have other ones for the Taco Unit? Any you disagree with?

]]> By: Maes http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/12/05/the-taco-unit/comment-page-1/#comment-638708 Maes Sun, 06 Dec 2009 10:14:27 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/?p=2198#comment-638708 Last topic post 70 alex v. John Wall had cramps in the second half and had to leave the game for 8 minutes to be attended to, when he returned, you could see he was slowed, with him at full speed this one would have been a blowout. Last topic post 70 alex v.

John Wall had cramps in the second half and had to leave the game for 8 minutes to be attended to, when he returned, you could see he was slowed, with him at full speed this one would have been a blowout.

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