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Fast Break Thoughts

by



(h/t LA Times)

The NBA’s Offseason is usually a drag for those of us who just want to watch hoops. This offseason has been doubly tough on us with the collective bargaining agreement hanging over our heads. However, if you’ve been missing game play, Inquirer Sports has a couple highlights of Kobe playing in the Philippines (footwork alert!).

Lake Show Life details why Kobe is spending some time in the Philippines: “The Philippines is among the many hoops crazed nations currently on the rise. In recent years Kobe has taken a moment out of his summer to help spread the gospel of basketball in the Philippines. Last summer KB24 did a web series in the Philippines and currently he’s in the midst of a five city tour conducting basketball clinics.”

Gary Lee of Lakers Nation provides evidence that coming to Los Angeles has been very good for Ron Metta World Peace Artest: Coming to Los Angeles has probably been one of the best career moves by Metta World Peace. Consider the amount of hardware he’s been able to pick up since his arrival – the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, an NBA championship ring and now another plaque to honor World Peace’s efforts in raising awareness for mental health issues.

Eddie Maisonet of SLAMOnline argues that Kobe, Kevin Garnett and Dwyane Wade should be fighting to end the lockout like a few NFL superstars: Look, Kobe is on the brink of cementing a top-five of all time legacy. If the man were able to bring home a sixth ring to his trophy case, the Kobe Stans are going to scream to the heavens that he’s the best of all time. The prognosticators will begin to question should he be placed into the pantheon of elite players that since Jordan retired, has been unquestioned. So Kobe wants to consider going to Europe? For what? There’s nothing for him to prove there. Isn’t this your quest, in your journey, to be the greatest of all time? You can’t lose a year now, you’ve got to at least give the ‘Mike Brown era’ a chance first. And, as the face of the of “The Association” your voice should be respected and appreciated at the negotiating table and if that doesn’t work then do that crazy overbite you do in the fourth quarter all the time. That’ll put some fear in their hearts to end this.

During this offseason, the Lakers added some new faces to the organization with a new coaching staff and with a couple draft picks. Lakers.com Mike Trudell has an interesting interview with new Assistant Coach John Kuester and The Laker Nation invited incoming rookie Andrew Goudelock to their Voice of the Nation Podcast.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Anonymous says

    haha, Matt Barnes said, “I have a great team behind me.” I think that great team is in front of you.

  3. anon says

    #2 anonymous, I’m pretty sure he was referring to the team of doctors and physical therapists working on his knee.

  4. Gabriel R. says

    Aaron,

    I usually disagree with your anti-Fisher views, but the offense the Lakers will employ will not be suited to what Fisher’s skill set at this point does.

    It will need a quicker/younger, speedier person that can penetrate.

    Hopefully there’s a FA to help with this or Morris grows up *immediately*.

    Bye.

  5. Aaron says

    It’s funny to me there are is a great percentage of people that think a mid second round pick is going to help the Lakers at PG next year.

  6. JB says

    I don’t know about anyone else, but I am loving these Nellie-to-Minnesota rumors. If a player and coach were ever perfectly designed for each other, it’s Kevin Love and Nellie.

    They won’t be good (and I look for Nellie to check out in January as usual), but they’ll be fun to watch.

  7. Ed says

    I don`t think Brown cares where a player was drafted,but only if can make plays on Off,and is a capable defender. Even Wall had his problems at times last year.

  8. Rusty Shackleford says

    Whether the rookies can make an impact or not at least they’ll see the floor.

  9. Edwin Gueco says

    Kobe would really enjoy the adulation of Filipino fans and hoopsters. Basketball is their national sport even before Kobe was born. Unfortunately, there are only few who are above 6’5″ and they’re playing Center or a 4.

    Yeah, why not play the rookies as starters? Trey and Darius (tho we’ve not seen the latter play) if given enought exposure and confidence, they will learn and make adjustments in the long run. Among the fast PG’s today that’s how they all started. Unfortunately, in Jackson’s playbook there’s one year internment for all rookies while liberal treatment on slow-footed veterans.

  10. Aaron says

    9,
    Good players play and bad players don’t (unless you are the head of the PA) no matter how old they are. Few second round picks make NBA teams let alone start. The odds of a middle second round pick helping an NBA squad at PG is less than one percent. Traditionally the only second round picks that help teams at PG are guys that played shooting guard before going pro and dumb teams couldn’t figure out you can play athletic short SGs at PG in the league… Ala Gilbert Arenus and Monte Ellis.

  11. DY says

    10. Aaron. I disagree. There have been some really good players in the 2nd round, and a good number of 2nd round PGs who contribute. I agree that most of these examples lean more towards “combo” guards, but they are nonetheless manning the PG spot or have done so on a starting or solid rotation basis. Here are a few: (slow day at work).

    2011: Darius Morris (41)
    2008: Mario Chalmers (34)
    2007: Ramon Sessions (56)
    2006: Daniel Gibson (42)
    2005: Monta Ellis (40); Lou Williams (45)
    2004:Chris Duhon (38)
    2003: Steve Blake (38)
    2001: Gilbert Arenas (31); Earl Watson (40)
    2000: Eddie House (37)…

    1993: Nick Van Exel

    All 2nd round picks. Not all of them are “stars,” but it illustrates that almost each year, there are some 2nd round PGs who are contributors. At this point, Lakers would welcome Morris and G-Lock to contribute, which I believe they can.

  12. Darius Soriano says

    I think timelines matter here. I’m not sure Morris or Goudelock will help next year. Maybe in spot minutes or specific situations, but as a steady nightly contributor that will fill in the gaps between the current guys on the roster – I don’t see it.

    However, in future seasons, I do believe they can become players that help. But, only time will tell on that. I just want to caution against hoping for too much production from these guys next season.

  13. MannyP says

    I can’t to have Shaq provide the same type of in-depth analysis @ TNT we have in this discussion regarding the Laker’s weaknesses…..

    Oh wait… It’s Shaq. Why do I get the feeling his comments will be (1) unintelligible (mumbling) and (2) no more in-depth than Magic’s (i.e. “You got to play better to win!”)

  14. LT mitchell says

    @11,

    I’m wondering how many of those players got steady minutes as a rookie, and amongst the few who did, I don’t think their teams were championship contenders, like the Lakers will be next season. Can the Lakers afford to patient when it comes to developing players, when they are built to win now? This team needs a starting PG, and unless the team trades for one, Mike Brown might be forced to play Fish and the rookies more minutes than they deserve.

  16. Ed says

    How many guys were in the top 10 out of HS, drafted in the 1st round and then flamed out,or never played big min in the league. What encourages me about Morris and AG is that they have made steady progress over the last few years,showing that they are dedicated to the game and willing to work hard at it. We know Kobe is dedicated,and it won`t hurt to have 2 more players out of the same mold.

  17. Edwin Gueco says

    #10

    !st Rd Draft may be effective on the first 10 picks, afterwards it is a beauty contest based on team needs, therefore it’s possible good players are left out and slipped on the 2nd round. However, their survival in NBA depends on the player themselves. To add what DY contributed, I looked at a 10 year 2nd round draft picks, players who played major role for their team or after they were traded.

    ’95 Donny Marshall (39)
    Eric Show (43)
    ’96 Malik Rose (44)
    ’97 Marc Jackson (38)
    ’98 Rashard Lewis (32)
    Cutino Mobley (41)
    ’99 Manny Ginobli (57)
    ’00 Ed Najera (38)
    Brian Cardinal (44)
    ’01 Gilbert Arenas (31)
    Mehmet Okur (38)
    ’02 Dan Gadzuric (34)
    Carlos Boozer (35)
    Juan Navarro (40)
    Matt Barnes (46)
    Rasual Butler (53)
    ’03 Zaur Pachulia (42)
    Kyle Korver (51)
    ’04 Lionel Chalmers (33)
    Chris Duhon (38)
    Trevor Ariza (43)

    Well, that’s 10 year look back on players who made it in NBA. Some players are late bloomers and need to be developed while other stars in NCAA may have not panned in the rigorous NBA games.

  18. dave m says

    I know it has nothing to do with the thread here, but there’s a Brian Shaw interview/podcast up at the Land O’lakers that’s well worth listening to. My copy/link skills have gone oddly missing but check it out if you get a chance.. it’s the newest post.