Reply With Quote
Dribble off foot, you must not.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Lakers are 19-10, well ahead of expectations and looking at the possibility of going 4-2 on a trip without Lamar Odom.
Seems like the perfect time for Coach Phil Jackson to knock a few Lakers off-balance with some zingers, a Jackson staple when things are going really badly … or sometimes surprisingly well.
As the players finished up Thursday's practice, Jackson began to tweak and prod.
It began when he was asked a routine question about forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who has had more downs than ups this season.
"He's a space cadet," Jackson said. "He could be on Mars. I know it's not on Venus, but he could be on Mars. He's one of those guys that you go like, 'Do you understand really what we're trying to get accomplished here?' And he'll go, 'Yeah, I know what's going on.' And then you ask him the next day if he knows that and he goes like, 'Yeah, sure.' And then you go, 'OK, demonstrate it to me,' and he'll lose [focus]."
Radmanovic, who signed a five-year, $30.2-million contract before the season but has been bothered by a sprained ligament in his right hand, is averaging 6.9 points and only 16.6 minutes a game. He recently acknowledged he felt restrained by the offense, saying he was "thinking too much" about the intricacies of the triangle.
"He is kind of a free spirit on the floor," Jackson said. "He just can't get away from that aspect of his game. He's going to touch the ball and shoot it, even though I tell him those aren't usually good shots. He still wants to know if he's hot. If he's not hot, he wants to get hot. If he's not going to get hot, then he wants to shoot so he can get hot."
Jackson stayed with the frontcourt for more criticism, moving on to Kwame Brown, who implied after Wednesday's victory in Orlando that he does his best work on offense with isolation plays.
"That's the only way he knows how to play," Jackson said. "He only thinks he can play if his number's called. It's a real deficit that way. Most of the time, he either travels or loses the ball on the way to the hoop. The little things that he can do for us are very important. He doesn't have to worry about that [scoring] aspect."
Jackson probably picked Thursday as a fire-away day with the knowledge the Lakers complete an already successful six-game trip tonight against Charlotte, one of the worst teams in the league. The Bobcats stunned the Lakers last season with a 112-102 victory here, as former Laker Jumaine Jones scored a career-high 31 points.
"We were embarrassed last year when we came in here and played and kind of got a signal sent to us about coming to play hard and being prepared against the basketball club," Jackson said.
About Beno I think he would say something like, "We have towel boy that even travels with us on roadtrips. When I feel crazy enough, I let him play. We end up having a lot of turnovers, but it seems to keep things interesting. I wish we had a decent backup PG tough..."
Dribble off foot, you must not.
"Pheel" only wants Vlad the Impulsive Chucker, Kwummy, etc to play team basketball as Pheel defines it.
He knows these guys have the physical talent, but game is in the head, not the body. He got MJ, tons of physical talent, to become champion by involving/trusting the other Bulls.
"Keep your bags packed."
"Don't buy any major appliances."
Seriously, what does it say when a huge chunk of the team is pukeing their brains out and you're listed as DNP-Coach's Decision?
All right Yoda.
I think a lot of Benos problems are in his head, not in his lack of talent.
And a lot of that I blame on the Van Exel experiment last year. Which BTW didn't work out too well.
If Beno doesn't regain his confidence with this team, then they should trade him off to somewhere, where he can.
he would say:
"If he comes off you be ready"
In a way, I have compassion for people who have complexes. I know those things happen to the best of us and are super frustrating.
However, there comes a point, and I believe Beno has surpassed it, when you need to find the fight in you and work your way out of the funk.
Lately, I feel like Beno is either intentionally or subconsciously trying to make Pop trade him.
I don't know if it is because Beno feels such a move is enivitable and his behavior is a protective measure or what.
Whatever, I really wish Beno would snap out of it; I want him to succeed here.
When Beno go picked clean in the backcourt last night by Paul Millsap, I actually felt sorry for Beno. You are supposed to be an NBA point guard and some 6'8 250 pound rookie steals the ball like he was taking it from his kid brother.
Ouch.
Let's not obsess on Beno.
It looks like JV is stepping up, probably likes jewelry.
Problem is, injuries require a 3rd PG.
"trying to make Pop trade him."
that would be quitting.
Beno must know Pop, angel_luv, and everybody else wants Beno to succeed.
I didn't say it wasn't- just that it is confusing & unbecoming, especially in someone with so much potential.
Not funny.
Yep, there are a lot of beno hate on this board lately.Not funny.
Last edited by Bruno; 12-29-2006 at 07:05 PM.
it probably has something to do with him sucking. maybe i'm wrong.
And you should hate a player jsut because he sucks ?
Beno would never play a minute under Phil. Just not his type of point guard.
Yea, the Billy Goat's Gruff
In critiquing his players, he's pretty straightforward about their shortcomings. Even though its Phil, I find that refreshing.
Beanie, you're doing a heck of a job.
he would tell him to go kill himself
"You'd probably be better off renting an apartment, instead of buying"
yup. that's how it works. show me a player who hasn't come close to his potential and i'll show you the city and fans that despise him.And you should hate a player jsut because he sucks ?
Despising isn't the same thing than hating.
There are some people who insult him in every thread about him.
AFAIK, he has killed nobody and even if he sucks and hasn't reached his uspide, he doesn't deserve that much hate.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
