I see the lineup shaking out this way: Starters: Kobe-sg-------bench-K Brown-pf/c----Wafer-sg ----------Mckee-pg-----------Walton-sf--------Bynum-c ----------George-sf-----------J Jones-sf ----------Odom-pf------------Medvedenko-pf/c ----------Mihm-c--------------Vujacic-pg Based on Phil's past preferences and skills at running the triangle I think after training camp the above lineup will start opening day. Odom may play some sf against certain teams but his natural position is pf and I have little faith that Kwame will step up, he may even fall behind Medvedenko in Phil's rotation. If the guards stay healthy, this team can compete, but playoffs will be tough.
Odoms natural position is SF. My bet for the lineup is something like this: PG-Aaron McKie SG-Kobe Bryant SF-Lamar Odom PF-Kwame Brown C- Chris Mihm Thats a pretty tall lineup, and pretty physical. The bench is pretty tall too, but it's not that good skill-wise.
I have a feeling Devean George will be in the starting lineup early in the season. He was good enough to start in the Dream Team lineup of Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton, plus he's one of the few players on the roster who knows the ins and outs of the Triangle offense. Here is my prediction for the starting lineup... PG - Lamar Odom/Aaron McKie SG - Kobe Bryant/Sasha Vujacic SF - Devean George/Luke Walton PF - Kwame Brown/Brian Cook C - Chris Mihm/Slava Medvedenko Devean George and Lamar Odom will switch off on defense.
Odom is going to get BURNED if he plays PG. Ridnour, Parker, Paul, Nash etc. are going to blow right by him.
Odom=PF <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Odom is going to get BURNED if he plays PG. Ridnour, Parker, Paul, Nash etc. are going to blow right by him.</div> Odom averaged over 10 rebounds a game and showed no signs of an outside shot at all. There is no way he doesn't play with his back to the basket on offense. If Kwame steps up at all, its at backup center.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Odom is going to get BURNED if he plays PG. Ridnour, Parker, Paul, Nash etc. are going to blow right by him.</div> Which is why I said he will switch with George on defense. It's not going to make much of a difference who starts at PG on defense for the Lakers. Those guards you mentioned generally burn anyone in front of them. However, the lineup above is very long and can cover a lot of ground on the court in a hurry. It's not going to be about one on one defensive matchups, it's going to be about team defense, rotating over, and forcing other teams into tough shots. If Parker, Ridnour, Nash or other PGs penetrate past the first line of defense they are going to run into a wall. Chris Mihm and Kwame Brown both stand 7 feet tall, plus you have Odom at 6'10 with a very long wingspan. It will be tough for them to shoot over those players, and if they penetrate and kick, the Lakers have the speed and length to recover on defense and close out on the shot. This unit will also be very active on rebounding, and will give other teams all kind of matchup problems on the other end of the floor. Starting Devean George forces his man to play defense and protect against George on the offensive glass. If McKie is in the game, players like Nash and Parker can play away from him a little more and help on double teams. McKie is not going to back them down into the post and he's not quick or athletic enough to beat his man. George also has better range on his jumpshot to extend the defense.
The current Laker roster is very long and tall, but has the speed to go along with that. Everyone seems to be doubting this team, but I'm actually very excited to see how this turns out. We have a weak bench, but our starting 4 or possibly 5 are very young and are very athletic, so I'm counting on that to make up for the lack of help. Although I hate seeing Kobe have to chase around PGs, I actually wouldn't be surprised to see a three position switch on D, Kobe defending the PG, George on the 2 and Odom on the 3. If Slava and Bynum can give us even decent relief at the 4 and 5, all we need is a quick backup PG who can play some D. Hopefully we can find someone to cover that role with half the MLE we have left, or if worst comes to worst Smush Parker will have that role.
Well each player on the roster that hasn't played for Phil previously will probably improve their game 10-15% this year than the years before now that he is coaching this year. I wouldn't call the bench too weak, maybe a need of improvment.
I have a couple thoughts on this one. Lineup #1 PG: McKie/Vujacic SG: Bryant/Jones SF: Odom/George PF: Brown/Cook C: Mihm/Medvedenko Lineup #2 PG: Odom/McKie SG: Kobe/Vujacic SF: George/Jones PF: Brown/Cook C: Mihm/Medvedenko My personal preference would be #2. It gives them tons of length and athleticism, and it gives them a tall point guard who would be able to have his way in the post with any other one in the league. It also gives them the best rebounding and defensive unit they can put on the court, with some good length at 1, 4, and 5. Overall, to me, it gives them the best chance to win, night in and night out. However, I'm willing to bet that they use #1 for a while, and if McKie doesn't cut it, they make some changes.
I think the Lakers (Taking Phil Jackson into consideration) would be best served with a line up of: Offensively: PG: Odom SG: Mckie SF: Bryant PF: Brown C: Mihm Definsively: PG: Mckie SG: Bryant SF: Odom PF: Brown C: Mihm The lakers have three good ball handlers, and putting Odom at the 1 will give Jackson the opportunity to run the Triangle offence through Kobe at the top of the key as Odom brings the ball up. This line up is not bad defensively either. However, I can't see how this line up or any other Laker squad (Barring a major trade) would make the Playoffs.
Spree could fit in as Kobe sub <div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">I see the lineup shaking out this way: Starters: Kobe-sg-------bench-K Brown-pf/c----Wafer-sg ----------Mckee-pg-----------Walton-sf--------Bynum-c ----------George-sf-----------J Jones-sf ----------Odom-pf------------Medvedenko-pf/c ----------Mihm-c--------------Vujacic-pg Based on Phil's past preferences and skills at running the triangle I think after training camp the above lineup will start opening day. Odom may play some sf against certain teams but his natural position is pf and I have little faith that Kwame will step up, he may even fall behind Medvedenko in Phil's rotation. If the guards stay healthy, this team can compete, but playoffs will be tough.</div> If the Lakers sign Spree he could fit in this roster as Kobe's backup and maybe allow Kobe to play some SF against smaller teams. How about Spree and Kobe on the break with Vujacic dishing the rock. Showtime returns!
ESPN just posted every team's depth chart. Link This is how the Lakers depth chart looks... PG - S. Vujacic / S. Parker/ T. Brown SG - K. Bryant / A. McKie / T. Bobbitt / V. Wafer SF - L. Odom / D. George / J. Jones / L. Walton / L. Profit PF - K. Brown / B. Cook / S. Medvedenko C - C. Mihm / V. Divac / A. Bynum
Who's gone after training camp <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">ESPN just posted every team's depth chart. Link This is how the Lakers depth chart looks... PG - S. Vujacic / S. Parker/ T. Brown SG - K. Bryant / A. McKie / T. Bobbitt / V. Wafer SF - L. Odom / D. George / J. Jones / L. Walton / L. Profit PF - K. Brown / B. Cook / S. Medvedenko C - C. Mihm / V. Divac / A. Bynum</div> Gone---TBrown, Bobbit, Profit, Divac-retired, Parker(if Kapono or Spree added) Moved--Odom to PF, Kwame to bench/backup center
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Lakers (Taking Phil Jackson into consideration) would be best served with a line up of: Offensively: PG: Odom SG: Mckie SF: Bryant PF: Brown C: Mihm Definsively: PG: Mckie SG: Bryant SF: Odom PF: Brown C: Mihm The lakers have three good ball handlers, and putting Odom at the 1 will give Jackson the opportunity to run the Triangle offence through Kobe at the top of the key as Odom brings the ball up. This line up is not bad defensively either. However, I can't see how this line up or any other Laker squad (Barring a major trade) would make the Playoffs.</div> If Mckie is on the floor with Odom, then why not have him just play PG? McKie was a backup PG and is a better ball handler than Odom anyways. Really the PG doesn't matter, you just have 3 possible playmakers at the 1-3, and all three are capable of bringing the ball up the floor anyways. Right now though, however the lineup is, their's still some problems at PG. Mckie is older now, and he can't really guard PG's, and well Odom can't guard PG's, and Devean Geroge definately can't. I see the lineup like this: PG - Aaron Mckie SG - Kobe Bryant SF - Lamar Odom PF - Kwame Brown C - Chris Mihm
Can any new guys crack this lineup? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">I see the lineup shaking out this way: Starters: Kobe-sg-------bench-K Brown-pf/c----Wafer-sg ----------Mckee-pg-----------Walton-sf--------Bynum-c ----------George-sf-----------J Jones-sf ----------Odom-pf------------Medvedenko-pf/c ----------Mihm-c--------------Vujacic-pg Based on Phil's past preferences and skills at running the triangle I think after training camp the above lineup will start opening day. Odom may play some sf against certain teams but his natural position is pf and I have little faith that Kwame will step up, he may even fall behind Medvedenko in Phil's rotation. If the guards stay healthy, this team can compete, but playoffs will be tough.</div> Does anyone know exactly how many players the team can carry during the season and do you think any of the new guys invited to camp can make the above roster. Do we want to add Spree, he is already talking starter or nothing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">Does anyone know exactly how many players the team can carry during the season and do you think any of the new guys invited to camp can make the above roster. Do we want to add Spree, he is already talking starter or nothing.</div> The roster allows for 14 active players and 1 IR, for a total of 15. I don't think Tierre Brown or Tony Bobbit will make it on the starting roster. Divac just retired and unless the Lakers do add Sprewell or someone else, then their roster is pretty much set. I haven't read the comments about Spree demanding to be a starter. It doesn't surprise me, but I hope the Lakers don't offer him a contract if he is going to have that type of attitude.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Conroy signs: The Lakers signed guard Will Conroy, who will be a training-camp invitee. </div> Source I liked what I saw from Will Conroy in the SPL. He was always under control and didn't force bad shots. He's money from the perimeter when gets open looks and does a good job with entry passes. He did have some problems on defense, because he's fairly small. I doubt he makes the team, but if he can improve his strength and defense, he might someone the Lakers look at down the line.
New DLeague? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post"> Source I liked what I saw from Will Conroy in the SPL. He was always under control and didn't force bad shots. He's money from the perimeter when gets open looks and does a good job with entry passes. He did have some problems on defense, because he's fairly small. I doubt he makes the team, but if he can improve his strength and defense, he might someone the Lakers look at down the line.</div> I think he is the perfect guy for the new Development League, rookie who could use time to get better but prob. has no shot right now, maybe the new guy from Puerto Rico too. I think we can send two guys with less than two years pro experience.
