Brian Cook is more consistent than Lamar, arguably. When Lamar was out with injury, he stepped up and poured key baskets. February 7th @ Dallas, Cook poured in 28 points, and followed it up with a 27 point performance. Over the past 5 games, Cook has put in: 15, 15, 10, 12, and 9. That's an average of 12.2 ppg on 59.5% from the field and 50% from three. And including tonight, he has 13 points so far at half. If he's the permanent starter, can he be Kobe's second fiddle?
Brian Cook as the Second Scoring option? This guys play really has been great as of late, but I really wouldn't want to rely on a guy like Brian Cook to be my best scoring threat outside of Kobe. I think trading Butler was a very bad move by the Lakers because I think he was a great guy who could be that second scoring threat. Right now I would probably give Chris Mihm the responsibility of the 2nd scoring option. Lamar Odom is really a very talented player. I loved him in Miami, but I really don't get why he struggles in the city of Los Angeles.
Lamar struggles here scoring wise because he needs the ball to be scoring dominated. In Miami, no matter what you want to believe, Lamar was the first option, then Wade. Although, Dwyane stepped it up in the playoffs and really helped that team and was recognized for it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting K8B:</div><div class="quote_post">Lamar struggles here scoring wise because he needs the ball to be scoring dominated. In Miami, no matter what you want to believe, Lamar was the first option, then Wade. Although, Dwyane stepped it up in the playoffs and really helped that team and was recognized for it.</div> Yeah, no question Lamar Odom was the number one option in Miami during the regular season. Hell even Eddie Jones got more shots than Dwyane Wade. The thing is Lamar Odom was amazing that year. I still think he can be capable of playing like he did that year. I remember Odoms amazing 30 Point, 19 Rebound, 10 Assist game he had in Miami. O boy was he amazing that night. I don't think Phil Jackson is using him to his full potential, perhaps its because of the Triangle Offense?
Well, Phil's stated that it takes two years to learn the triangle. Outside of Kobe and George, the team is learning the triangle, so they are going to struggle.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Diesel:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, no question Lamar Odom was the number one option in Miami during the regular season. Hell even Eddie Jones got more shots than Dwyane Wade. The thing is Lamar Odom was amazing that year. I still think he can be capable of playing like he did that year. I remember Odoms amazing 30 Point, 19 Rebound, 10 Assist game he had in Miami. O boy was he amazing that night. I don't think Phil Jackson is using him to his full potential, perhaps its because of the Triangle Offense? </div> Normally I don't agree with your anti-Laker thinking, but I've got to agree with you on Odom. Phil isn't using him to his full potential, Odom needs to be more of an offensive player instead of a passing type player. I think we have a great record when Odom scores 20+ points. The facilitator role just doesn't suit him, we don't need him to be a Pippen, we need him to be an aggressive Pippen. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Diesel:</div><div class="quote_post">Brian Cook as the Second Scoring option? This guys play really has been great as of late, but I really wouldn't want to rely on a guy like Brian Cook to be my best scoring threat outside of Kobe.</div> Cook is no joke. He's a big guy that has range all the way to the three point line, something which is rare in the NBA. He could easily be a second scoring option, but he doesn't need to be, Odom should be the second scoring option and Cook third. With Odom hustling into the paint, Kobe doing the usual and Cook showing his range, our offensive problems could be solved. Mihm is doing a decent job but our PG problems need to be sorted. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Diesel:</div><div class="quote_post">I think trading Butler was a very bad move by the Lakers because I think he was a great guy who could be that second scoring threat.</div> I don't think being a great guy is why we should have kept him. He was what we needed offensively, but we couldn't get him to play D. We should have traded him, but we should have got more value for him than Kwame Brown. He could have been used in a trade with Odom for somebody like Garnett. I can't believe how many stupid trades we've done, including the Jumaine Jones trade for a second rounder.
i like cook, and i like it when he comes off the bench to spark us up. but honestly, if the best we can do is give cook as kobe's 2nd scoring option, then we really have some problems. and no offense to cook or anything, but on most teams i think he would be used as a 6th man at the most
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phiLA:</div><div class="quote_post">i like cook, and i like it when he comes off the bench to spark us up. but honestly, if the best we can do is give cook as kobe's 2nd scoring option, then we really have some problems. and no offense to cook or anything, but on most teams i think he would be used as a 6th man at the most</div> Yes this team really has problems, and I'm amazed they are still at .500 on the season. The team is actually worse than last season and the difference has been PJax and a healthy Kobe Bryant. PJax has already taken away Odom's initiating responsibilites. Over the past month both Kobe and Smush have been running the offense for the Lakers. Lamar Odom isn't being used wrong, he's just too, ignorant and lazy to play in the Triangle offense. He has no idea how to space the floor and makes little effort to move around without the basketball. On the few occassions he moves and slashes to the open space, Kobe or Kwame hit him with the pass leading to an easy dunk. As for Brian Cook being the 2nd option, he can definitely light it up. However, he's a major liability on defense. Every basket Cook scores, he's going to make a mistake on offense allowing the other team to score. I think Cook should get solid minutes, but when the Lakers need a defensive stop, he needs to be on the bench.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Lamar Odom isn't being used wrong, he's just too, ignorant and lazy to play in the Triangle offense.</div> I think thats harsh, he just needs to take more shots. You can't accuse him of having no heart, after all, we agree rebounding is all about heart, a category he leads us in. It's not like he is a beast that he will get the boards anyway, he's sometimes mismatched against bigger forwards in terms og height and definatly in terms of mass however he still battles them for the boards. Sure he hasn't performed consistantly enough, but it's expected with our the players surrounding him and our position in the WC. He should take some of the blame, but nowhere near as much as he's given night after night.
By his own admission, Odom has said several times he doesn't understand the offense and isn't focused on the court. He's a solid rebounder, but not an impact one. His on/off numbers are a wash for rebounds. This just proves the Lakers aren't any worse at rebounding the basketball with or without Odom out there. The Triangle offense isn't rocket science. The fact Odom hasn't grasped the offense just shows how poor his ability to learn is. I've seen Odom plent of times the last two seasons. I have season tickets and it's frustrating at how much he coasts out there. Him and Smush Parker give the least effort on the court for the Lakers. I know Kwame Brown looks lost on TV most of the time. But at least he gives you a lot of effort on the floor. He's working for position on both ends of the court and doing a lot of the little things defense. For example, boxing out two players so Odom can be free to grab the rebound.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_fan:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't think being a great guy is why we should have kept him. He was what we needed offensively, but we couldn't get him to play D. We should have traded him, but we should have got more value for him than Kwame Brown. He could have been used in a trade with Odom for somebody like Garnett. I can't believe how many stupid trades we've done, including the Jumaine Jones trade for a second rounder.</div> When I said great guy I meant great player. I think he was one of the few guys who Kobe really hit it off with though now that I think about it. And if I remember correctly last season when the Lakers were plauged with injuries Butler was taking his game to the next level offensively AND defensively. Kwame Brown really is a waste of his frame. The only decent spots of his game is his defense and it's not like he completely takes over on that end of the floor. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Cook is no joke. He's a big guy that has range all the way to the three point line, something which is rare in the NBA. He could easily be a second scoring option, but he doesn't need to be, Odom should be the second scoring option and Cook third. With Odom hustling into the paint, Kobe doing the usual and Cook showing his range, our offensive problems could be solved. Mihm is doing a decent job but our PG problems need to be sorted.</div> Playoff teams Second scoring option isn't a guy like Brian Cook. Lets look at the second scoring options for all the playoff teams. New Jersey: Richard Jefferson Detroit: Rip Hamilton Miami: Shaquille O'Neal Philadelphia: Chris Webber Cleveland: Zydrunas Illigauskas Indiana: Peja Stojackovic Washington: Antawn Jamison Milwaukee: Bobby Simmons Dallas: Jason Terry Denver: Andre Miller San Antonio: Tony Parker LA Cippers: Sam CAssell Phoenix: Shawn Marion Memphis: Eddie Jones Oklamhoma City: David West LA Lakers: Brian Cook? I'd take any of them second options over Brian Cook in a heartbeat. If you can somehow incorporate Lamar Odom into the offense more it would be amazing. I remember last nights game against the Celtics. They forced Kobe the ball when Lamar Odom was open right under the net. The result? Kobe misses the game winning attempt and Lakers lose.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If you can somehow incorporate Lamar Odom into the offense more it would be amazing.</div> I keep seeing this comment by people trying to defend Odom's inconsistency on the court. The Triangle offense is designed for players to put themselves in scoring opportunities. Lamar Odom needs to somehow incorporate himself more in the offense, not the other way around. He doesn't know how to move without the basketball so he continues to struggle. Plus he can't shoot with his right hand, so he really limits himself. The list is a real eye-opener. If you included teams who aren't in the playoffs all the options are probably better than Brian Cook. Plus if you factor in the defensive side of the ball, Brian Cook probably ranks near the bottom as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Diesel:</div><div class="quote_post"> Playoff teams Second scoring option isn't a guy like Brian Cook. Lets look at the second scoring options for all the playoff teams. New Jersey: Richard Jefferson Detroit: Rip Hamilton Miami: Shaquille O'Neal Philadelphia: Chris Webber Cleveland: Zydrunas Illigauskas Indiana: Peja Stojackovic Washington: Antawn Jamison Milwaukee: Bobby Simmons Dallas: Jason Terry Denver: Andre Miller San Antonio: Tony Parker LA Cippers: Sam CAssell Phoenix: Shawn Marion Memphis: Eddie Jones Oklamhoma City: David West LA Lakers: Brian Cook? I'd take any of them second options over Brian Cook in a heartbeat. If you can somehow incorporate Lamar Odom into the offense more it would be amazing. I remember last nights game against the Celtics. They forced Kobe the ball when Lamar Odom was open right under the net. The result? Kobe misses the game winning attempt and Lakers lose.</div> I'm going to lay this post out in points: Point 1). I said Cook should be a third scoring option. Point 2). Rip Hamilton is the number one scoring option for the Pistons. Point 3). Walton actually messed the final play up, not the fact that they "just want to give the ball to Kobe." They actually told Walton to use Kobe as a decoy. On a side note, that wasn't really an attempt, it was an impossible shot to hit. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jackson advised inbound passer Luke Walton to use Bryant as a "decoy," but Walton didn't spot Odom under the hoop and passed out high to Bryant, who missed a well-contested fadeaway at the buzzer. "I had two guys on me," Bryant said. "Somebody else should've been open." About the loss, Bryant said: "I am very frustrated. We shouldn't have lost this game. With that being said, we have to bounce back and be ready for the next one."</div> Source
