Phil is running Kobe & Co. into the ground EARLY!

[Dunc n Dave]

It's quite obvious that Phil does NOT trust the Laker bench AT ALL w/Gasol out.

Look at the minutes logged by the starters the last 3 games:

vs ATL
Artest 39 minutes
Odom 39 minutes
Bynum 37 minutes
Kobe 37 minutes
Fisher 29 minutes

vs OKC (OT)
Bynum 49 minutes
Artest 47 minutes
Kobe 46 minutes
Odom 43 minutes
Fisher 35 minutes

vs. Houston (OT)
Kobe 48 minutes
Bynum 45 minutes
Artest 43 minutes
Odom 41 minutes
Fisher 34 minutes

In a 53 minute game, no bench player other than Farmar played more than 15 minutes tonight. Yes, the Lakers won, but at what price. Kobe is 31 now and playing 48+ minutes 2 nights in a row might take it's toll as the season goes on.

Phil better start trusting his bench a little more (maybe sacrifice a couple of wins to rest his key guys on back to backs, ala Popovich) or the injury bug will eventually catch up with the Lakers. They have been blessed with good health the last couple of years (except for Bynum, of course). It would be a shame for the NBA if the prediction about Kobe on that show "FlashForward" came true because Phil is obssessed with getting home court in November.

[PGDynasty24]

one Pau comes back things will change. Lamar back on bench and bench will improve

[21_Blessings]

one Pau comes back things will change. Lamar back on bench and bench will improve

That. And Bynum gets to play with the second unit instead of DJ. Another improvement.

[TheMACHINE]

i dont trust the bench myself.

[KidCongo]

Also Bryant didn't have Team USA duties over the summer. He'll be fine.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

This is one of the many threads premature ejaculating to something 5 games into the season.

[Dunc n Dave]

That. And Bynum gets to play with the second unit instead of DJ. Another improvement.

If Bynum starts and plays extended minutes with the 2nd unit though, won't that be running his surgically repaired knee into the ground? I know he's young, but his knees aren't...

Can they handle 40+ minutes a night all season?

[Allanon]

Phil has 10 rings, I think he knows a thing or two about pacing the guys.

[Laker-fan-in-SanAnto]

i dont trust the bench myself.

+1

[21_Blessings]

If Bynum starts and plays extended minutes with the 2nd unit though, won't that be running his surgically repaired knee into the ground? I know he's young, but his knees aren't...

Can they handle 40+ minutes a night all season?

Pau plays plenty of center for the Lakers. Bynum's minutes with the starters will decrease a bit once he returns.

[ginobili's bald spot]

This is one of the many threads premature ejaculating to something 5 games into the season.

Overreactions are a spurstalk tradition. The board almost shut down because the lakers lost to the Mavs in October.

[iggypop123]

health fixes everything

[HarlemHeat37]

Too early for this..season is a long way, they'll get more blowouts when Big Ugly returns..

[Dunc n Dave]

Pau plays plenty of center for the Lakers. Bynum's minutes with the starters will decrease a bit once he returns.

Maybe so, but who's gonna take some of Kobe's minutes? NOt Pau...
Phil doesn't even trust Shannon Brown. He only played 13 minutes in a 53 minutes game. Will Phil just keep playing Kobe for 40+ minutes all year? I doubt he makes it all 82 games if he does play those kind of minutes...

[21_Blessings]

Maybe so, but who's gonna take some of Kobe's minutes? NOt Pau...
Phil doesn't even trust Shannon Brown. He only played 13 minutes in a 53 minutes game. Will Phil just keep playing Kobe for 40+ minutes all year? I doubt he makes it all 82 games if he does play those kind of minutes...

Ron can play some two. He's been playing some 4 with Pau out.

It's simple once Pau comes back. It means less minutes for Bynum and Kobe.

And Ron can easily play 38+ minutes all year with the shape he's in. Kobe will get 37-38

[milkshakeballa]

Its not like our team is old and have to sit out every other game like the Spurs.
:rollin:rollin:rollin

[Killakobe81]

Right now we rack up wins as the season progesses we WILL have SOME blowouts. Also if lets say the Celts, Magic or Spurs get 2 far ahead late ...will rest more then as well.

[wijayas]

PJ knows what it takes. Don't you worry....