Smush Working With Gordon, Villanueva, and Others

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_fan:</div><div class="quote_post">I was replying to the thing about Smush improving his D. I just mentioned that Kobe can't improve his D so I doubt Ben Gordon would be able to. But I agree with the part about learning to D up against different offensive threats. However, the Lakers have different offensive threats so it's not like he only knows how to guard one type of player.</div>I'm not sure if understood what I said. I said that I don't think that working out with offensive players is going to help him. I think he needs to work with a defensive specialist, someone like Jason Kidd or Gary Payton, and learn how to defend. I don't think working with offensive players will help him. Sure, he'll learn their moves, but that's not learning how to defend.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">In my opinion, you can't improve on defense simply by guarding a good offensive talent. If that was the case, Smush would be a superstar on defense after defending the likes of Tony Parker, Steve Nash, etc., at the point guard spot all year long.</div>

Oh I agree... I was just saying what I believe Brian meant, lol.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Flashback:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh I agree... I was just saying what I believe Brian meant, lol.</div>
Yeah, that's what I was meaning. I guess I was wrong

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">In my opinion, you can't improve on defense simply by guarding a good offensive talent. If that was the case, Smush would be a superstar on defense after defending the likes of Tony Parker, Steve Nash, etc., at the point guard spot all year long.</div>

Thats because he doesnt guard those guys every day. If you guard a good offensive player who is bigger and faster then you your defense will get better by staying in front of your man and not getting beat. And everyone that says he will learn Gordons moves... the artice doesnt say hes only working out with Gordon.

 

smush is never gonna be an all star so stop treating him like hes gonna be the next jason kidd, theres players who suck at defense and who isnt good at scoring, smush is the scoring type PG

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting philip2136:</div><div class="quote_post">smush is never gonna be an all star so stop treating him like hes gonna be the next jason kidd, theres players who suck at defense and who isnt good at scoring, smush is the scoring type PG</div>That's all fine and dandy, but the fact of the matter is that when Smush got his contract, it was because people thought he could play defense. He showed last year he couldn't. And beyond that, I'd hardly call him a scoring PG. He's unbelievably inconsistent and streaky. While he can score, he doesn't do it consistently enough for me to think of him as a scorer. I mean, when TJ Ford, a pure PG in every sense, outscores a "scoring" PG in Smush, something is obviously wrong.

 

Well, I'm just glad he's not wasting his time just playing streetball. No offense but they don't teach defense at The Cage

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe24girl:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, I'm just glad he's not wasting his time just playing streetball. No offense but they don't teach defense at The Cage</div>

Very true.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm just glad to read Smush is working out this summer and was invited to train with Gordon & Co. I know Ben Gordon has a strong work ethic and hopefully it helps motivate Smush into getting in better shape and strengthening his legs. Last season, Smush hit the 'rookie wall' and gassed out in a lot of Laker games. The coaching staff told him he needs to bulk up and work on his balance.

This is an important season for Smush Parker because the Lakers have a lot of competition at PG, along with this being a contract year for Parker. If Parker doesn't improve it could very well be his last year in the NBA. At this point Smush is wouldn't make it as a backup PG on most NBA teams.</div>

I was just about to type something to that extent, I still don't know if I'm rooting for him or not yet- I really just want Farmar to show me something...