duncan228
10-22-2008, 06:37 PM
Do Lakers have a big problem this time around? (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8702248/Do-Lakers-have-a-big-problem-this-time-around)
by Randy Hill
What we're hoping to establish is reasonable doubt.
Our case is to be built against the Los Angeles Lakers, who certainly have provided sufficient evidence to be recommended as candidates to make a second NBA Finals visit in as many seasons.
They still employ Kobe Bryant, who no longer allows his status as the world's greatest player to undermine a duty to abet the growth of Laker teammates. Please know there's an abundance of talented co-workers whose on-court evolutions definitely won't suffer from lessons learned during the 2008 playoffs.
The Lakers also can rely on the deep thinking of Coach Phil Jackson, who's one of the greatest team-sport psychologists this nation has produced.
And the seemingly healthy return of center Andrew Bynum allows Phil to suit up two of the best 7-foot players on the planet.
That's the unlikely place where we'll begin our quest to achieve reasonable doubt.
OK, while it's true that tall people often are wildly successful at basketball, having two skilled big men on the court at the same time just might inhibit the Lakers' title ascension.
How can that be? The stereo-center concept worked wonders in San Antonio, where Tim Duncan's arrival enabled David Robinson to shake the accusation of postseason bum and seize the O'Brien Trophy.
It remains to be seen if Bynum and Pau Gasol can blend as well as those two Spurs; remember, while Duncan was murder on the low block, Robinson was quite effective staying out of his way, facing the basket and knocking down shots in the 15-to-17-foot range.
Bynum has yet to develop a reliable touch from the high post, which is fine because too few young centers embrace the task of pounding the opposition near the rim. It's a relief to watch a young kid who truly wants to catch the ball, drop step and shove the ball through the hoop.
Sort of unfortunately, Gasol happens to be another remarkably rare character — the European big man who actually thrives while playing offense with his back to the basket. In the interest of full disclosure, it should be pointed out that Gasol has the ability to move around a little away from the hoop and isn't exactly a blacksmith from mid-range (for his career, he makes 73 percent of his unguarded 15-footers).
Pau should be considered an accomplished passer, which is a nice bonus for the player earmarked to flash weak-side high-post in Jackson's triangle offense.
On defense, having two players spiking opposing shots could improve the Lakers' field-goal percentage defense (an underrated sixth during the last regular season). But playing while Bynum is on the floor will require Gasol to spend more time with his knees bent and his feet sliding laterally in an effort to curtail the scoring opportunities of quicker opponents. There are worse practitioners in bending and sliding at his size, but that's not exactly Pau's forte.
However, any case against the Bynum-Gasol ticket may have more to do with Lamar Odom than the tandem big men.
At 6-10, Odom provides the luxury of someone who can take the ball to the hoop against players close to his size, and is skilled enough to post the shorter defenders who can handle his foot speed.
Lamar also has enough lateral quickness to hold his own as a small forward on defense. He simply needs to make more of a lock-down commitment.
But even through Odom can dribble and distribute well enough to initiate the triangle as point forward, his presence — with Gasol and Bynum on the floor — gives Bryant just one bailout, perimeter shooting option (guard Derek Fisher will be the starter) when his drives to the basket attract weak-side help.
While some prognosticators suggest Lamar is a legitimate deep-shooting threat, his 3-point accuracy was a measly 27 percent last season. By the way, Lamar, you still need to consistently drive your shooting elbow skyward to achieve the required level of arc (it's all about parabolas).
Jackson has considered using Odom, who averaged 10 rebounds per game last season, off the bench as a power forward in a three-big-guy rotation with Gasol and Bynum. This probably would keep shooter and overall softy Vladimir Radmanovic in the starting lineup, with more reserve time for quick defender Trevor Ariza (good thing) and Luke Walton (bad thing).
It also puts limits on how long Phil can play his five best players at the same time.
Regardless of when or how much Odom is playing, any presumption of failed on-court chemistry will accelerate the already-launched rumors of a trade. That type of chatter rarely helps any team.
If such a perfect storm of negativity is generated by having three large players on the court at the same time, there could be another damning variable to consider.
If the Lakers begin this season with a prolonged struggle, will Bryant continue in his role of den mother for those mostly young teammates? Even if Odom is sequestered from the lane as the playmaking forward, where will Kobe's driving lanes occur with Bynum and Gasol crowding the paint?
Well, given the triangle's reliance on spacing, this may be less of an issue than people believe. The injured finger won't be especially helpful, but it failed to diminish Bryant's effectiveness late last season and with Team USA in China.
Ah, China. Would it be reasonable to imagine Kobe coming up a bit light on energy when the Lakers need him most late next spring?
Now that's doubtful.
by Randy Hill
What we're hoping to establish is reasonable doubt.
Our case is to be built against the Los Angeles Lakers, who certainly have provided sufficient evidence to be recommended as candidates to make a second NBA Finals visit in as many seasons.
They still employ Kobe Bryant, who no longer allows his status as the world's greatest player to undermine a duty to abet the growth of Laker teammates. Please know there's an abundance of talented co-workers whose on-court evolutions definitely won't suffer from lessons learned during the 2008 playoffs.
The Lakers also can rely on the deep thinking of Coach Phil Jackson, who's one of the greatest team-sport psychologists this nation has produced.
And the seemingly healthy return of center Andrew Bynum allows Phil to suit up two of the best 7-foot players on the planet.
That's the unlikely place where we'll begin our quest to achieve reasonable doubt.
OK, while it's true that tall people often are wildly successful at basketball, having two skilled big men on the court at the same time just might inhibit the Lakers' title ascension.
How can that be? The stereo-center concept worked wonders in San Antonio, where Tim Duncan's arrival enabled David Robinson to shake the accusation of postseason bum and seize the O'Brien Trophy.
It remains to be seen if Bynum and Pau Gasol can blend as well as those two Spurs; remember, while Duncan was murder on the low block, Robinson was quite effective staying out of his way, facing the basket and knocking down shots in the 15-to-17-foot range.
Bynum has yet to develop a reliable touch from the high post, which is fine because too few young centers embrace the task of pounding the opposition near the rim. It's a relief to watch a young kid who truly wants to catch the ball, drop step and shove the ball through the hoop.
Sort of unfortunately, Gasol happens to be another remarkably rare character — the European big man who actually thrives while playing offense with his back to the basket. In the interest of full disclosure, it should be pointed out that Gasol has the ability to move around a little away from the hoop and isn't exactly a blacksmith from mid-range (for his career, he makes 73 percent of his unguarded 15-footers).
Pau should be considered an accomplished passer, which is a nice bonus for the player earmarked to flash weak-side high-post in Jackson's triangle offense.
On defense, having two players spiking opposing shots could improve the Lakers' field-goal percentage defense (an underrated sixth during the last regular season). But playing while Bynum is on the floor will require Gasol to spend more time with his knees bent and his feet sliding laterally in an effort to curtail the scoring opportunities of quicker opponents. There are worse practitioners in bending and sliding at his size, but that's not exactly Pau's forte.
However, any case against the Bynum-Gasol ticket may have more to do with Lamar Odom than the tandem big men.
At 6-10, Odom provides the luxury of someone who can take the ball to the hoop against players close to his size, and is skilled enough to post the shorter defenders who can handle his foot speed.
Lamar also has enough lateral quickness to hold his own as a small forward on defense. He simply needs to make more of a lock-down commitment.
But even through Odom can dribble and distribute well enough to initiate the triangle as point forward, his presence — with Gasol and Bynum on the floor — gives Bryant just one bailout, perimeter shooting option (guard Derek Fisher will be the starter) when his drives to the basket attract weak-side help.
While some prognosticators suggest Lamar is a legitimate deep-shooting threat, his 3-point accuracy was a measly 27 percent last season. By the way, Lamar, you still need to consistently drive your shooting elbow skyward to achieve the required level of arc (it's all about parabolas).
Jackson has considered using Odom, who averaged 10 rebounds per game last season, off the bench as a power forward in a three-big-guy rotation with Gasol and Bynum. This probably would keep shooter and overall softy Vladimir Radmanovic in the starting lineup, with more reserve time for quick defender Trevor Ariza (good thing) and Luke Walton (bad thing).
It also puts limits on how long Phil can play his five best players at the same time.
Regardless of when or how much Odom is playing, any presumption of failed on-court chemistry will accelerate the already-launched rumors of a trade. That type of chatter rarely helps any team.
If such a perfect storm of negativity is generated by having three large players on the court at the same time, there could be another damning variable to consider.
If the Lakers begin this season with a prolonged struggle, will Bryant continue in his role of den mother for those mostly young teammates? Even if Odom is sequestered from the lane as the playmaking forward, where will Kobe's driving lanes occur with Bynum and Gasol crowding the paint?
Well, given the triangle's reliance on spacing, this may be less of an issue than people believe. The injured finger won't be especially helpful, but it failed to diminish Bryant's effectiveness late last season and with Team USA in China.
Ah, China. Would it be reasonable to imagine Kobe coming up a bit light on energy when the Lakers need him most late next spring?
Now that's doubtful.