I just looked at the preseason box scores and the Lakers three point shooting is horrible. There is no way we can shoot like that and make the playoffs. Is Kobe holding back? Can Smush shoot the three? Is anyone still out there that can shoot the three at better than 25%?
The best shooters on the team are Kobe Bryant, Devean George, and Brian Cook. I know the shooting has been terrible, but I'm glad the Lakers are only taking 12 3PTA's a game instead of 30. The offense needs to attack the rim more and get to the free throw line. This version of the Triangle isn't as dependent on outside shooting, because the Lakers don't have Shaq inside as the focal point of the offense. The offense will be attacking from the wings instead with Odom and Kobe. I still think the Lakers should experiment with Cook in the lineup and bench Mihm. Cook shoots a high percentage from the perimeter and can spread out a defense. He also has more bulk on him and can smoother a defender setting a screen. There is another rumor circulating that Sprewell is going to be a Laker. If not Sprewell, there's still some 3pt specialists out there like Casey Jacobsen or Howard Eisley.
For the triangle to work there has to be a three point threat, remember Paxson, Hodges, Kerr, Rice, and Horry. Hopefully D. George can step up. Is it my imagination or does it look like Ju. Jones has quit trying? If he's a gonner maybe we can trade him for some outside shooting.
Here's a quote from PJax from the LA Daily News... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"We haven't practiced 3-point shots, we haven't set things up for 3-point shots," Jackson said. "I'm getting to be more and more of the idea that perhaps 3-point shots are the things that lead to fastbreaks at the other end of the floor, and we'll just take them when we have an opportunity." Jackson said he would like to see the Lakers take between 10 and 12 3-pointers per game. </div> Makes sense PJax wants to limit the 3Ball, because the Lakers transition defense has been non-existent. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">For the triangle to work there has to be a three point threat, remember Paxson, Hodges, Kerr, Rice, and Horry. Hopefully D. George can step up. Is it my imagination or does it look like Ju. Jones has quit trying? If he's a gonner maybe we can trade him for some outside shooting.</div> True, but the Bulls team also had better back to the basket post up players, Longley, Cartwright, etc. The Lakers big men prefer to face up and take their defender off the dribble, so having perimeter shooters isn't as important. They need players who can slash to basket and take advantage of weakside opportunities. Yeah, Jumaine Jones looks completely lost on the court and has no desire to play this year. Maybe he knows he's about to be traded. I liked what he did for the team last year, so hopefully a team saw the same thing and will make an offer for him.
I'm not worried about three point shooting for this team. With Bryant and Odom working the wings, they really shouldn't have to make the trey a focal part of this offense. They need to get to the hoop and draw fouls, and earn three the old fashioned way, instead of jacking up the long ball. I actually like the thought of limiting the three point shot. If the Lakers don't have a three point specialist like they did last year with Chucky, then why should they be shooting it? It wouldn't make sense.
Our best shooters, Kobe, Devean and Smush, took 3 three pointers in the whole game. The rest of the team took the remaining shots, I think they took a total of 14.
My philosophy is, if you're good in other aspects of the game (defense, running the fast break, getting dunks/layups, etc.) then you can survive on average 3pt shooting. If you're deficient in certain aspects then you're gonna need to do some scoring by 3s to win. I recently pointed out that the Heat only had 1 3pter a game from Damon Jones, Eddie Jones, and Rasual Butler in the Eastern Conference Finals. And the Heat were 2 minutes and multiple injuries away from their first Finals appearance. Everyone thinks we're doomed because we have no 3pt shooting this year but they don't realize that we almost elminated the world champs with mediocre 3pt shooting. People don't realize that if you're good enough you won't need to live by the 3 ball.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">My philosophy is, if you're good in other aspects of the game (defense, running the fast break, getting dunks/layups, etc.) then you can survive on average 3pt shooting. If you're deficient in certain aspects then you're gonna need to do some scoring by 3s to win. I recently pointed out that the Heat only had 1 3pter a game from Damon Jones, Eddie Jones, and Rasual Butler in the Eastern Conference Finals. And the Heat were 2 minutes and multiple injuries away from their first Finals appearance. Everyone thinks we're doomed because we have no 3pt shooting this year but they don't realize that we almost elminated the world champs with mediocre 3pt shooting. People don't realize that if you're good enough you won't need to live by the 3 ball.</div> The point is, we don't even have average 3 point shooting. We have the players to make us above average 3 point shooters, but people need to know there role and play it. If they do play to their strengths, we can easily make the playoffs.
"My philosophy is, if you're good in other aspects of the game (defense, running the fast break, getting dunks/layups, etc.) then you can survive on average 3pt shooting." MY philosophy is if you don't have 3 point shooting and you don't have a strong presence down low, you're done for. Unless Kwame Brown becomes Rasheed Wallace and Chris Mihm becomes z.Ilgauskas, they're going to need some shooters.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">"My philosophy is, if you're good in other aspects of the game (defense, running the fast break, getting dunks/layups, etc.) then you can survive on average 3pt shooting." MY philosophy is if you don't have 3 point shooting and you don't have a strong presence down low, you're done for. Unless Kwame Brown becomes Rasheed Wallace and Chris Mihm becomes z.Ilgauskas, they're going to need some shooters.</div> Hopefully Kwame Brown can provide the inside presence this season. No chance it's coming from Chris Mihm, he's better from 16 feet out, than 2 feet in. Kwame Brown showed a quick first step last night and blew by his defender at will. One thing I'd like to see Kwame do more of is play above the rim. He's not taking full advantage of his height. If he can improve his intensity, and really go strong to the rim, he could be just as effective as Amare Stoudemire or a young Karl Malone. He needs to work on his free throw shooting as well. I agree with Heat4Life, the Lakers should not count on the 3ball this season. There's really no need for them to shot more than 10 a game. The trio of Kobe, Odom, and Kwame just need to attack the rim and put pressure on the defense. Everything will open up for the Lakers once those three get inside the paint.
