I know some people have been interested in jason terry(or Daniels) as a laker. True, Jason Terry has become a very good shooter with the mavs. But he is not a good playmaker at all. Penetrating and creating plays is not his forte. He's always been considered more of a shooting guard. The mavs would most likely extend him, esp. if they win the championship. But I think we should be a little careful; if not with Jason Terry, specifically, the Jason Terry type of point guard. If we're going to give up big money to a player like that, I think we should realize that Smush Parker is not that far off from a player like Terry. Let me explain. Jason Terry, for the first five years of his career, was a 42% shooter and a 36, 36% 3-point shooter. Now with the mavs, he's matured into a much better shooter, primarily because the mavs are a much better team than the hawks, with many more threats, which allows terry to become a spot-up shooter, instead of the primary or secondary option with the hawks. Terry obviously worked on the shot, and he's improved all his career numbers in dallas. Here's the thing though - Terry is close to 30 years old. Smush is turning 25, and his percentages were close to what Terry's was in atlanta. Granted, Smush is not a 1st, 2nd option, more like a 3rd option. Still, his game is similar to terry's. Spot up for 3-pointers. Believe it or not, as little as Smush handles the ball, his assists and turnovers are very similar to Terry's - 3.7, 1.8 to 3.8, 1.7, respectively. Also, Smush is just a good, if not better defender and penetrator. Smush is a great finisher to the basket, and forces turnovers. The main difference in their game is that Terry can hit the midrange jump shot consistently. Smush has a nice running bank, but other than that, hasn't shown much of a midrange game. So what I'm saying is this. If we're looking for a point guard who can hit the three, finish, and score some points, while playing pretty good D, Smush is really a good, young talent to have. This was like a rookie season for him, but he's shown that he has basic skills that we need in our offense. Obviously he needs to make that next step, to become a significant player, like what Terry is to the Mavs. But after seeing some great stuff from him last year (threes, facials, inventing something called a 'clutch steal'), I think he needs to stay, and he's going to be a very good player for us. I'd like to see him get stronger (Terry has increased a lot of muscle mass since his stringy days as a Hawk), and I want to see how he comes out next season after a full summer of training with our team. Basically, what I'm saying is this: if we do add another point guard to our team, I hope it's a player who can provide playmaking from the point guard position. I think it's one of the most overlooked weaknesses of our team. It forces players to play out of position, such as Kobe, and perhaps puts too much pressure on Odom, who doesn't seem like an elite playmaker. So, if we get this type of true point guard, I do believe it would add a dimension to our team that would capitalize on the natural talents and abilities of our players. And yes, I do believe those players exist in this draft, although I would prefer a more polished veteran such as Portland's Steve Blake. A point guard tandem of Blake and Parker would give us the different styles of a point guard that we need, which will make our team much stronger, more flexible, and more dynamic. There are obviously more high-priced stars who would be good for us, but if we're going to go the cheap route, there's still options for us to field a competitive and rounded roster.And my first trade for Daniels for Mihm and finally a complete roster.
The Lakers need to bring in someone to challenge Smush Parker's playing time. When Smush was signed to the team he wasn't handed the starting job, he went out and earned it. He took advantage of the situation when Aaron Mckie injured himself. Smush played with a lot of energy and hustle early on and didn't try to play outside of his limitations. Once Smush started getting some notoriety he became complacent. Early in the season Smush was one of the leading canidates for Most Improved Player. He was racking up steals and scoring double digits consistently. Statistically he was right there with the stud rookie PGs from last year's draft, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Ray Felton. It was later confirmed in an interview with Brian Shaw, that Smush didn't always put the effort in practice and Shaw had to constantly put him in check. I agree with your take on last season basically being Smush's rookie year. Maybe the tailoff we saw in Smush at the end of the season was Smush hitting the rookie wall? This was the first time in his career he's played that many games and minutes. One area I'm not sure Smush can develop fast enough in is basketball fundamentals. He has terrible court vision for a guard and he doesn't anticipate plays well. This is one area Jason Terry trumps him, because Terry is very good at picking apart a defense with his dribble penetration. He's always had this ability, even at Zona. Having a steady guard brought in is exactly what the Lakers need. 1. It pushes Smush Parker to play at a high level all the time because if he doesn't PJax can put his butt on the bench. 2. It gives the Lakers a change of pace guard. I'd like to see the Lakers get a speed guard who can pressure the ball against guys like Nash, Parker, Barbosa, Terry, Harris etc. Also one capable of forcing those guys to defend them insted of being a liability on the offense like Smush became.
Do we really need a POINT guard? I think the Triangle doesn't need a traditional point guard to set the table and make the plays. The three posts in the Triangle make the plays. I agree with Shape, what we need is a SPEED guard to defend the fast PGs we go up against, who can hit the three, who can pass the ball (a must in the Triangle), and who can slash to the hole from time to time. I don't think we need a point guard to control the offense as Nash or Paul does, although it would be wonderful if we can have someone like that and see what he can do in the Triangle. Wait... we've tried that with Payton and that didn't turn out very well.
We need a better point guard for sure. Compare Smush on a list of the 30 starting point guards where does he rank?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">i was wondering, is there any chance the Lakers have a shot at Barbosa?</div> Not this summer, but possibly next summer depending on his asking price. If the Suns let him go, I think you'll see them work out a sign and trade.
Here's an intriguing name .. Brevin Knight <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Update: The Bobcats are entertaining trade offers for Knight with the emergence of Raymond Felton, the Charlotte Observer reports. Recommendation: "There's a lot of interest in Brevin," coach-general manager Bernie Bickerstaff told the Observer on Thursday during a break at the pre-draft camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Bickerstaff said he had spoken with both the Raptors and the Trailblazers about Knight. </div> Source
I've liked Knight since his days with the Wizards. He has top of the line court vision and score score some points for you. He's getting up there in age, so it shouldn't be hard to trade for him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting batman9970:</div><div class="quote_post">Do we really need a POINT guard? I think the Triangle doesn't need a traditional point guard to set the table and make the plays. The three posts in the Triangle make the plays. I agree with Shape, what we need is a SPEED guard to defend the fast PGs we go up against, who can hit the three, who can pass the ball (a must in the Triangle), and who can slash to the hole from time to time. I don't think we need a point guard to control the offense as Nash or Paul does, although it would be wonderful if we can have someone like that and see what he can do in the Triangle. Wait... we've tried that with Payton and that didn't turn out very well.</div> Exactly, in the Triangle the PG doesn't need to be a pure PG, its probably better that they just be a guy who will hit 3's and defend. Of course it would be a bonus if the PG could run the fast break because he will get the ball most of the time in that situation. Look at Derek Fisher, he was a very good PG in the triangle because his job was just to bring the ball up the court and give it to Kobe or Shaq then wait for some spot up 3's. He wasn't a pure PG at all but he did his job. That's why it seems like Marcus Banks would be a good fit for the Lakers. He isn't a pure PG but hes super fast, a great defender, good penetrator, and solid and improving shooter. I don't think Knight would be a great fit because he's useless if he doesn't have the ball, the guy can't score well at all and Kobe and Odom will have the ball most of the time. Terry would be a good fit but he's going to go wherever pays him the most. Other options for the Lakers in free agency could be Bobby Jackson or Speedy Claxton and in the draft players like Kyle Lowry, Mardy Collins or Darius Washington (in the 2nd round) would be good fits.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's an intriguing name .. Brevin Knight Source</div> Chris Mihm + Sign-And-Trade George + Mckie for Brevin Knight and Gerald Wallace.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">Chris Mihm + Sign-And-Trade George + Mckie for Brevin Knight and Gerald Wallace. </div> You must be trippin on acid if you think Bernie would trade Gerald Wallace after the great season he had, especially for those players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">Chris Mihm + Sign-And-Trade George + Mckie for Brevin Knight and Gerald Wallace. </div> i dont even think isiah thomas would make that trade.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's an intriguing name .. Brevin Knight Source</div> Well we all know PJ likes Big guards ala Harper-Shaw ect,so who on that leavel can we trade for or sign this season....and by the way member we had Banks thanks to Payton not showing up we did not get um...and ideas
thats why i want us to draft sun yue. the guy isnt going to make a huge impact immediately, but he is a 6-9 point guard, and i think with brian shaw's tutoring, he will turn to a great point running the triangle.
I think Smush is going to get way better and remain our starting 1 man next year. He did pretty good during the season. In the postseason he had a good game 3. So i dont know why people are all hating on him. Same thing with LO. One day everyone wants to trade LO and the next day when he has a good game everyone wants to keep him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BigBalleR8:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Smush is going to get way better and remain our starting 1 man next year. He did pretty good during the season. In the postseason he had a good game 3. So i dont know why people are all hating on him. Same thing with LO. One day everyone wants to trade LO and the next day when he has a good game everyone wants to keep him.</div> smush isnt a starting point guard, bottom line. he never defends, makes bonehead plays, gambles too much on defense, and cant hit threes or jumpers consistently. he is better suited coming off the bench.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">i dont even think isiah thomas would make that trade.</div> Come on. We all know what Isiah or Mitch are capable of. He might pull a Kobe and Odom for Brian Grant and Tskitishvilli (Spelling). A lot of Eagle fans. I love it!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's an intriguing name .. Brevin Knight Source</div> I'd love Knight. Im not too sure how healthy he is though. He was out for alot of games this season.
We need a PG that can score in crunch time or make play for his teammate. Smush Parker will never be that type. He is a flasher, a streetball, and the And-1 type which doens't suit being in the NBA. Brevin Knight, no thanks! He is too short at 5'11" to run the triangle offense. Phil doesn't like small guard, and Knight is exactly a tiny PG by NBA standard. I want to see Sam Cassel, a veteran guard who can score down the sketch in crunch time or can make play for his teammate. The only doubt I had in him, is his leg still good to run 82 games? If not, then take a pass on him too. Now which left me to one last PG, Marcus Bank. A quick, strong PG that can defend and score is exactly what we need.
