<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> SEATTLE - He was picked No. 12 by Seattle in the 2001 draft, and there were signs that Vladimir Radmanovic would become a standout here. Five years later he's still trying to make the kind of money he left in Seattle, but his opportunity to shine in LA might make up for it. The Lakers signed Radmanovic to five-year, $31 million contract this summer, and the forward believes he'll be able to showcase all his skills, not just his shooting touch, in LA. "It was time for me to move on in my career and change teams," said Radmanovic, who turned down a six-year, $42 million deal from Seattle in the summer of 2005 and was traded to the Clippers in February. "I just wanted to go someplace else. With Rashard (Lewis) playing the post and me on the three-point line, I felt I wasn't using all my capabilities and talent." Radmanovic still hasn't been able to display all his talents for the Lakers because of a torn ligament in his right hand. He wears a pad between his pinky and ring fingers that has affected his shooting. However, he had a good game against his old team Sunday, scoring 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting, including 2 of 4 on three-pointers. He also had four rebounds and two assists. "I'm still figuring out my rhythm," said Radmanovic, who's averaging 8.7 points and shooting 48 percent from the field. "I'm just trying to adjust to it and get used to something (the pad) that's going to be there all season." Radmanovic considered surgery but opted to wait until after the season to have it. Coach Phil Jackson was happy with that decision. </div> Source
I think he sucks. What a waste of an entire MLE. He has no post moves, his defense is horrid, and his shooting is streaky at best.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think he sucks. What a waste of an entire MLE. He has no post moves, his defense is horrid, and his shooting is streaky at best.</div> This is Radman's first season in the triangle, so chill. If you haven't heard, he has a hand injury so that's why his shots have not been falling. When healthy, the guy is a terrific shooter. And what's that about his defense being horrid? The guy has surprised everyone thus far with his defense, from the coaching staff to the fans. Sure he isn't going to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, but he has been doing pretty good. For a guy that was signed for his offense, I'm more than happy about what he is doing on the opposite end. Although he hasn't been shooting very well, Radman has made a lot of nice plays on offense that doesn't show up on stats.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think he sucks. What a waste of an entire MLE. He has no post moves, his defense is horrid, and his shooting is streaky at best.</div> Too bad he's a top 3 shooter on our team, even with a torn ligament in his SHOOTING HAND. Who was a better pickup with the MLE that wanted to come here? Tim Thomas? Please, I think Laker fans would puke if he was on the team. Vlad is very capable of putting up 15, 6, and 2 when he's healthy. He's a great third option and I guarantee a lot of times, he'll be our second option. Give him a chance to get healthy before you judge him, especially only 4 games into the season.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think he sucks. What a waste of an entire MLE. He has no post moves, his defense is horrid, and his shooting is streaky at best.</div> So far he has sucked, but keep this in mind. Both Kobe and PJax fought for the Lakers to sign Radman this offseason. The minute he became a free agent the recruiting took place with Kobe calling him and selling him on the idea of joining this team. And Brian, it's actually not Radman's first season in the Triangle. When he played for Red Star they ran it, so he's very familiar with it.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Shape, what's Red Star?</div> It's a team in Serbia, that Radman played for coming up as a basketball player.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's a team in Serbia, that Radman played for coming up as a basketball player.</div> Thanks for pointing it out. I never knew that
Sounds like an old communist regime in whatever Eastern European country V-Rad is from. Oops, my post is 3 minutes late.
He may have been a lights-out shooter in previous years, but the current injury notwithstanding, I'm not sure he can come back after surgery and shoot with the same accuracy as he did before the injury. As for the triangle, as Shape has pointed out, he does have experience with it. It's just disheartening to pay a guy so much money and see him continue to struggle with an offense with which he's familiar, resulting in inopportune shots and general awkwardness on the court. I'd also like to note that lack of familiarity with the offense shouldn't preclude solid contributions; afterall, Farmar has NEVER played the triangle and he's thriving. Same goes for Luke Walton before him.
