Lakers believe bench second to none

[ducks]

Lakers believe bench second to none
By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise

EL SEGUNDO - Jordan Farmar is the fearless one who pushes the pace.

Sasha Vujacic is the shooter, the player now known as "The Machine" for his consistency.

Ronny Turiaf is the energizer, the spark plug full of effort and zeal.

They lead a Lakers bench that rapidly is becoming one of the best in the NBA.

Is it the best bench in the Western Conference?

"We'd like to think it was," Coach Phil Jackson said.

It may be too close to call. But consider this:

The Lakers' second unit averages 33.7 points per game, making it the sixth-most productive bench in the NBA. It also averages 13.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 3.2 steals.

"We know that's a big weapon for us," Kobe Bryant said. "It's something that we can go to if we want to change the tempo."

San Antonio's bench averages 36 points, fourth best in the NBA, but the Spurs bring their leading scorer, Manu Ginobili (20.5 points per game), off the bench. Dallas, the Lakers' opponent today at Staples Center, averages 31.2 points and has two reserves, Jason Terry (15) and Jerry Stackhouse (10.3), who are double-digit scorers. But they have been starters during their careers, and Stackhouse was once second in the league in scoring.

Farmar, Vujacic and Turiaf are all still starting out in the NBA -- Turiaf is the oldest at 25 -- but they make up for their lack of experience with hustle, determination and grit.

Farmer has made big strides in his second season, averaging 9.7 points and 2.7 assists in 20.9 minutes. The 21-year-old point guard has been given the freedom to speed up the tempo when he comes in.

Vujacic, 23, is having the best season of his four-year career, averaging 8.3 points and shooting 47.3 percent from the field. The 6-foot-7 guard from Slovenia has been the Lakers' top three-point shooter at 43.2 percent.

Turiaf, averaging 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots, has played important minutes as an undersized center in the absence of Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm.

Luke Walton and Vladimir Radmanovic also have been part of "The Bench Mob" at times, as have newcomers Trevor Ariza and DJ Mbenga. Despite the changing cast, the group has been successful.

"We all know what each other likes to do well," Farmar said. "I know to give Ronny the ball when he's feeling it. I know when Luke is in a playmaking mode. Sasha just shoots the ball every time he touches it, so if he's open, you better give it to him so he can put it up.

"But seriously, we know each other's game and we all have fun playing together."

Jackson has turned the unit loose and not required it to be buckled down in the triangle offense.

"We have a different offense that we run when they're out there on the floor," Jackson said. "We up-tempo the game. We push the ball up and down the court. We try to get things going that are a little higher pace, and the players that are younger play that pace quite well."

Bryant said the key to the success goes beyond individual improvement or a better understanding of the offense.

"It's a familiarity and an understanding of how to play as a unit. That can't be understated," he said. "It's really about guys playing together for a while and understanding how to get the job done."

Jackson hasn't been afraid to use his reserves during the fourth quarter, in the most tense moments.

And Farmar, Vujacic and Turiaf have responded well.

"We've got talent," Farmar said. "We've been able to withstand guys getting hurt and our bench lineup being different from game to game. We're just playing the right way.

"When we play the right way, we play together. We have fun playing together. We know that we have to do it every night for us to be good."

http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/....4263a1a.html#

[21_Blessings]

Best bench in the league, bar none.

Spurs fake bench with Manu masquerading as a 6th man does not count.

[crc21209]

lol whatever jackass. I'll take Finley, Horry, Thomas, Udoka, Barry, Stoudamire, and Vaughn. Most are PROVEN while the jackasses Turiaf, Farmar, and Vujacic havent won a damn thing.

[DazedAndConfused]

So one bad night from the 2nd unit makes everything they've done this season irrelevant. As if the Spurs are getting much production from their bench these days......Ginobli is fucking carrying your team.

[crc21209]

lol Playoffs son, Playoffs. Tell me something good that Walton, Vujacic, Farmar, Turiaf have done thats mattered when it counts. And for that MATTER Pau whos never achieved anything when it counts also! It's not all about points, it's about making the clutch pass, rebound, defensive rotation, and when needed- a basket. Game 5 in Phoenix did Manu, Tim, or Tony make the clutch 3? No it was Bowen. In Game 4 against the Cavs who tapped out the clutch offensive rebounds before putting it in for an and-1.....Oberto. So up to this point....none of the Lakers are proven except for Bryant and Fisher.

[DazedAndConfused]

OK well why don't we just declare the Spurs the champs then. Why bother playing if you can already determine who will produce in the playoffs and who won't?

The reality is you have no idea how they will react to the playoff situations. Let's just wait and see how it all plays out before we make any BOLD predictions. Go ask the Patriots how that veteran leadership worked out for them against an untested newbie Eli Manning.

[JamStone]

Lakers probably do have the best bench this season, especially when you consider Radmanovic and Ariza will come back and Walton will get pushed to the bench when Bynum returns as well. Farmar, Vujacic, Walton, Ariza, Radmanovic, Turiaf is very, very good. And, what's more is that Phil Jackson actually plays his bench throughout the season so the younger players are not overwhelmed by playing time later in the season and possibly in the playoffs. Obviously, their youth and lesser experience will be tested in the post season. But, for this season so far, it probably is the best bench in the league.

[crc21209]

lol You can't compare basketball to football? wtf?!. Has NOTHING to do with it. And in football its win or go home not a 7 game-series. Plus no team in the NBA will have the pressure of going undefeated like the Patriots did since u brought them up for no reason.

[DazedAndConfused]

My point is that nothing is sports is guaranteed. You still have to go out there and play the game. I'm surprised to see such arrogance from Spurs fans, they should know this better than anyone. 0.4 seconds?

[DazedAndConfused]

Ok now I know not to respond to you. Clearly you aren't older than 12.

[Medvedenko]

Ask ANYONE around here and everyone will tell you 0.4 would happen only once in a fucking lifetime, and it just happened to be us that it happened to that year.

Dude, chill the f out man....it happened....move on.

[Medvedenko]

Clearly you don't know who I am so you dont know how old I am then right?

What's your point?

[Medvedenko]

No seriously dude...what the fuck is your point and the bs about knowing you and your damn age.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

what the hell is turning into?

everyone stfu

thank you.

[Matchman]

I will also take Finley, Horry, Thomas, Udoka, Barry, Stoudamire, and Vaughn over the Lakers bench because of proven playoff experience but the Lakers starting lineup is scary.

[JamStone]

Your mama.

oOoOoOoOoOoh!!!

[crc21209]

I will also take Finley, Horry, Thomas, Udoka, Barry, Stoudamire, and Vaughn over the Lakers bench because of proven playoff experience but the Lakers starting lineup is scary.

Any normal NBA fan will take experience and having been there over an unproven thing anyday...

[Amuseddaysleeper]

:lol :lol


What I wanna know is how is it that the lakers were one of the thinnest teams last year (am I wrong to say that? it did seem like it was just kobe out there last year) to arguably the deepest?

wtf happened?

[DazedAndConfused]

^^^ Experience :). Today was a bad representation of what they have done for us all year, but the stats don't lie. We are getting quality production from our bench, and our bench players are actually bench players unlike Manu Ginobli.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

haha, touche'

Is it something as simple as players who weren't stepping up last year are stepping up this year?

[crc21209]

What I wanna know is how is it that the lakers were one of the thinnest teams last year (am I wrong to say that? it did seem like it was just kobe out there last year) to arguably the deepest?

wtf happened?


I AGREE! They had the same damn group out there consisted of Bynum, Vujacic, Farmar, Radmanovic, and Turiaf that choked the past two seasons in the playoffs and not theyre the deepest? wtf?!?!

[Medvedenko]

:lol :lol


What I wanna know is how is it that the lakers were one of the thinnest teams last year (am I wrong to say that? it did seem like it was just kobe out there last year) to arguably the deepest?

wtf happened?

Injuries last year, to getting rid of Smush, Kwame, Cook, Evans for Pau, Ariza and Fisher. Oh and it helps that our young guys are getting good experience and
feeding off the triangle.

[crc21209]

If you hadnt noticed though, today was the 1st game Manu came off the bench in a long time, and the bench did just fine without him other games.

[Medvedenko]

I AGREE! They had the same damn group out there consisted of Bynum, Vujacic, Farmar, Radmanovic, and Turiaf that choked the past two seasons in the playoffs and not theyre the deepest? wtf?!?!

Do you actually watch the NBA...I'm curious.

Farmar and Radman were first year Laker players last year. Radman was injured the entire second half. Turiaf's first year was lost due to heart issues. Bynum turned 20 recently. Oh, and I forgot to mention we had Smush and Kwame last year with a mix of Brian fucking Cook.

[DazedAndConfused]

I would say the Spur's bench last season scares me more than it does this season.

[Medvedenko]

Of course I watch the NBA, but i dont pay attention to the damn Lakers, I could care less, the only time i see them is when we play them or in playoffs. But from what i saw in the playoffs it just seemed like it was Kobe out there by himself.

Thank you, now please stop posting regarding the Lakers...clearly you don't know what you're talking about...good takes though...gold.

[Allanon]

I AGREE! They had the same damn group out there consisted of Bynum, Vujacic, Farmar, Radmanovic, and Turiaf that choked the past two seasons in the playoffs and not theyre the deepest? wtf?!?!

They're young but have much more experience now...2 years ago is a long time in an NBA career. What was a bunch of young guns has matured into a team. When Ariza returns to bolster the bench with his defense, good things are going to happen.

The beauty of this year's close Western race is that that the young Lakers bench is getting a hell of alot experience winning in games that count. This isn't the Playoffs but they sure feel like it.

[DazedAndConfused]

Of course I watch the NBA, but i dont pay attention to the damn Lakers, I could care less, the only time i see them is when we play them or in playoffs. But from what i saw in the playoffs it just seemed like it was Kobe out there by himself.

Then why the fuck are you posting in this thread? Fucking moron.

[crc21209]

last season's bench over this season's bench? Are you kidding me?

Last year's bench- Finley, (we all know he's more of a bench player and Manu's more of a starter anyway) Vaughn, Horry, Barry, Bonner, Elson, Udrih, and Ely.

This year's bench- Finley, Vaughn, Horry, Barry, Bonner, Stoudamire, Thomas, and Udoka.
Now ask ANY Spurs fan and they'll tell you having Stoudamire, Thomas and Udoka this year is a hell of an upgrade on our bench from last year, anyone can see that.

[crc21209]

I'm not puttin down the Lakers because I honestly believe theyre the Spurs competition this year with the Mavs and Suns sucking so much, I think it will come down to the Spurs/Lakers WCF matchup.

[ambchang]

All this Laker talk is just making me sick.
Yes, the Lakers have enough talent, but so did the Suns in 2005 and 2007, so did the Mavs in the last few years, but that doesn't translate to a championship.

Breaking down the Lakers:
Strengths:
Huge frontcourt - all 3 guys can score and create.
Kobe Bryant - involving his teammates, can score on anyone, can create.
Phil Jackson - one of the best coaches of all time, can handle egos, can make adjustments on the fly.
Bench - supposedly strong, can give enough production.

Weaknesses:
Defense - Gasol never defended in his life, Odom is on/off, Bynum is weak defensively.
Veteran leadership - Fisher provides quite a bit here, and so does Bryant to some extent, but the other guys are not known to be the strongest minds in basketball.
Bench - inexperienced.

[DazedAndConfused]

All this Laker talk is just making me sick.
Yes, the Lakers have enough talent, but so did the Suns in 2005 and 2007, so did the Mavs in the last few years, but that doesn't translate to a championship.

Breaking down the Lakers:
Strengths:
Huge frontcourt - all 3 guys can score and create.
Kobe Bryant - involving his teammates, can score on anyone, can create.
Phil Jackson - one of the best coaches of all time, can handle egos, can make adjustments on the fly.
Bench - supposedly strong, can give enough production.

Weaknesses:
Defense - Gasol never defended in his life, Odom is on/off, Bynum is weak defensively.
Veteran leadership - Fisher provides quite a bit here, and so does Bryant to some extent, but the other guys are not known to be the strongest minds in basketball.
Bench - inexperienced.

Dead wrong. He has the best eFG% stat against opposing centers in the league. 2.1 bpg, 10rpb, all in under 30mpg. He is a very strong defensive player.

[hater]

The article might have been right a few weeks ago. But with the addition of Kurt Thomas and resigning of Barry. Spurs have best bench period. Not to mention all the championship and playoff experience in that bench.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

the Lakers bench is way more scary that the Spurs bench.

[DazedAndConfused]

Kurt Thomas does not look that great out there. He is noticeably slower this year and will be good for 6 hard fouls. He's no miracle worker. Barry has also torn the same calf muscle twice, no telling if he'll do it again or how effective he will be knowing he could easily tear it the same way again.

[spursfan09]

Kurt Thomas does not look that great out there. He is noticeably slower this year and will be good for 6 hard fouls. He's no miracle worker. Barry has also torn the same calf muscle twice, no telling if he'll do it again or how effective he will be knowing he could easily tear it the same way again.

Even with that Spurs bench has what it takes. And we don't need Thomas to be a miracle worker. I am hopeful Barry returns and he is quickly able to get back into the rotation and play like the way he was just before injury. I know as a Laker fan you want to see teh worst happen, well as a Spur fan I want to see the best happen. It can go really way, we'll just have to see.

[DazedAndConfused]

Even with that Spurs bench has what it takes. And we don't need Thomas to be a miracle worker. I am hopeful Barry returns and he is quickly able to get back into the rotation and play like the way he was just before injury. I know as a Laker fan you want to see teh worst happen, well as a Spur fan I want to see the best happen. It can go really way, we'll just have to see.

I agree even with all the injuries and health issues I'd still take the Spur's bench in the playoffs. Experience, calmness under pressure, and the ability to execute properly are FAR more important in the playoffs than individual talent. This will be the Lakers biggest hurdle, other than Bynum coming back, this season and also the reason why I don't think we will win it all.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see Lamar Odom make the same dumb mistakes in the clutch time and time again. Leaving his man to double team Kidd, who was inside the 3pt line, giving Dirk a wide open game tying 3 pointer. He did the same thing in DET and we ended up losing that game. He failed to secure a rebound against the Suns in the '05 playoffs and we ended up losing that series. I want this guy the fuck off my team ASAP.

[ambchang]

Dead wrong. He has the best eFG% stat against opposing centers in the league. 2.1 bpg, 10rpb, all in under 30mpg. He is a very strong defensive player.

Really? Bynum has an on / off court difference for the Lakers in eFG% allowed of 47.6 vs. 48%, a difference of 0.4%. While this is an improvement, consider that his backups are Kwame Brown, Pau Gasol (on court when Bynum is hurt) and Turiaf, this is hardly anything to gloat over, and definitely not anywhere close to a very strong defensive player.

And since when has blocks and rebounds become the benchmark of a defensive player? Perhaps you are one of those who would vote a Marcus Camby in as the DPoY.

[remingtonbo2001]

I would say the Spur's bench last season scares me more than it does this season.

I didn't know Jackie Butler was that intimidating.

[gmartin02]

last season's bench over this season's bench? Are you kidding me?

Last year's bench- Finley, (we all know he's more of a bench player and Manu's more of a starter anyway) Vaughn, Horry, Barry, Bonner, Elson, Udrih, and Ely.

This year's bench- Finley, Vaughn, Horry, Barry, Bonner, Stoudamire, Thomas, and Udoka.
Now ask ANY Spurs fan and they'll tell you having Stoudamire, Thomas and Udoka this year is a hell of an upgrade on our bench from last year, anyone can see that.

This year's bench (with ages when the playoffs start) - Finley(35), Vaughn(33), Horry(37), Barry(36), Bonner(28), [B]Stoudamire(34), Thomas(35), and Udoka(30).

Starting to look like mostly the "NBA old timers game" out there.

Seriously, the Spurs have a very good (old, experienced) bench and the Lakers have a very good (young, inexperienced) bench. Only the playoffs will tell how each bench does. Guessing how one or the other bench will do in the playoffs at this point is kind of silly.

Lets just hope both teams make it to and through the playoffs injury free/all healed up - I really think the Spurs and the Lakers are the best 2 teams right now and would be an interesting match up in the playoffs.

(Even as a die hard Lakers fan) I think the Spurs have the edge because of playoff experience (I also think that despite all the dissen', Dallas has a pretty good team too and are close behind the Spurs and Lakers at this point in time).

P.S. I don't think the Lakers will win the west in the playoffs this year (only because of inexperience, although I hope I'm wrong), but by next season (if they can stay relatively injury free) they will be scary good (and the window will begin to close on the Spurs because of age issues).

[xcomp]

I didn't know Jackie Butler was that intimidating.

Dude has a scary face. So intimidating that Rick Adelman waived him before the season even started.

[gmanrulz]

That rude. Since when did they start calling the spurs "none"

[Kriz-Maxima]

I like the Lakers bench, they look completely different from what they were last year. If they can keep their intensity up in the playoffs they are going to do some damage. Of course playoffs will be the time that will show if their bench is for real or not.