Is it just me, or am I the only one here disappointed with Smush? His contract runs out after this season, and it seems to me like he already knows he's on his way out. Smush plays with no intensity, and seems like he doesn't care about what's going on in the game. His defense is still horrible, and he still gambles as much as he did last season.
Parker is still young and still has time to improve. If not starting then coming off the bench would be straight imo.
This is how I think the Lakers feelings are toward Smush. He was good enough to get the Lakers into the playoffs last year and compete in Round 1. In theory, the team should be better this upcoming season, so there's no reason to abandon Smush as the starter unless he fails miserably. Smush is one of those players who needs to get a reality check every now and then. He gets arrogant at times and then slacks off because he doesn't think anyone is there to challenge for his minutes. One of the reasons I liked the addition of Farmar, is Jordan will push for Parker's minutes and force Smush to be consistent. I like how Rambis has kept Smush on a short leash in preseason games, and PJax came down to practice blast the team's effort in the Kings game. The result, Smush played with more intensity and focus in last night's game. If Smush can play like he did last night he deserves to be the starting PG. He just has to do enough on the court to not hurt the team. If he starts slacking there's four capable players ready to take his minutes. 1. Shamu 2. Sasha Vujacic 3. Jordan Farmar 4. The player he should be must concerned with Mo Evans
It's still early I think he will be ok come all star game. Farmar will make him play much harder IMO. And if he starts slacking it's not like PJAX will give him more minutes.
BUMP. It is obvious now that my thoughts were entirely correct. Smush has been more of a disappointment this season. With it being a contract year, and with guys like Farmar pushing him for the starting role, you would expect Smush to step up his game. Instead, he has done the exact opposite. He is playing with no heart, making stupid plays on offense, and not even trying on defense. You add on the fact that the guy is shooting a worse free throw percentage than Ben Wallace, and not making any shots on offense, the guy has been a major disappointment. I don't know what else Phil and the coaching staff can do to give him some sense of urgency. I mean, again, the guy is in his contract year, and he has guys pushing for his starting role. If anything, he should be playing for the money. But it doesn't even seem like he cares. The only thing that can be done IMO is for Phil to bench him. Maybe that way he can send a message to Smush. Either way, the guy has definetly regressed this season
i would be so bold to say that even sasha should be starting over smush. hes that bad now, i just dont understand.
<div class="quote_poster">heyvoon Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">i would be so bold to say that even sasha should be starting over smush. hes that bad now, i just dont understand.</div> Exactly. Shooting = equal considering how horrible Smush has been shooting Defense = Sasha, both aren't great but at least Sasha TRIES and doesn't just stand there Free Throws = Sasha, Smush is shooting worse than Ben Wallace Basketball IQ = Sasha, Smush has none Advantage = SASHA!!!!
