Why is Puke still starting? Why is he seeing more than 20 mpg? I don't know what Jackson sees in him but he's got no handles, no basketball IQ, no shot, no defense, no moves, no speed...he's absolutely terrible. I just don't get it....bench his ass.
Hah. The one thing he does have is IQ. What are you talking about? Also, his ability to create shots for others is huge for this team. Ariza can't create for sh*t.
I don't know, he creates ball movement I guess. I like Trevor with the second unit, he provides energy coming off the bench, although I wouldn't mind him starting at all. Luke can't guard his own shadow
I find his basketball IQ highly questionable. Let's recall two plays where anybody with "high basketball IQ" would've pulled through on. First play...when Luke secured an offensive rebound, he drove the ball in committing an offensive foul that wasn't called and then threw a wrap around pass that hit Gasol's hip instead of it's intended target of Turiaf. This pass caused a foul to be called on Turiaf (it might have been Odom). Either way, common sense tells you to pull the ball out and set up your offense again. The second play...when Kwame missed the second free throw, Luke flew in and tried calling timeout while going out of bounds. Where has he been? Players can't do that anymore, he should've just flipped it over his shoulder, instead of walking out of bounds with it. He's made plenty of bone head decisions this year and I think a lot of Laker fans fall into the hype that he is a highly educated basketball player. I don't see it. Maybe he used to be, but he's lost his touch. He's got no business starting over Trevor, though. EDIT: Another thing, who does Luke think he is posting up Hakim Warrick? First of all, he's got no touch, second of all he's got no post moves, he seems to miss every single post shot he takes. He got his shit swatted by Warrick. You've got to know Warrick's length and either pass out, be quicker, or get some elevation on your shot attempt.
Luke was great for us last season, I have no idea what happened. Last season, he was an intelligent player, and he was considered the "glue" guy for the team. He was one of the key players for this team, and it seems like overnight he just turned back into Puke. This season, he just looks lost out there. I don't know if he's trying to do too much or something, but he has made a lot of stupid turnovers, and is just generally playing bad. Say what you want about him being in a contract year last season, but guys don't turn stupid overnight. Something tells me he smoked a bit too much pot in the offseason and killed all those braincells.
Brian, the answer is simple: Contract Year. I thought he tailed off last year, but maybe it was because he was injured? No? I can't remember...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jan 14 2008, 12:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I find his basketball IQ highly questionable. Let's recall two plays where anybody with "high basketball IQ" would've pulled through on. First play...when Luke secured an offensive rebound, he drove the ball in committing an offensive foul that wasn't called and then threw a wrap around pass that hit Gasol's hip instead of it's intended target of Turiaf. This pass caused a foul to be called on Turiaf (it might have been Odom). Either way, common sense tells you to pull the ball out and set up your offense again. The second play...when Kwame missed the second free throw, Luke flew in and tried calling timeout while going out of bounds. Where has he been? Players can't do that anymore, he should've just flipped it over his shoulder, instead of walking out of bounds with it. He's made plenty of bone head decisions this year and I think a lot of Laker fans fall into the hype that he is a highly educated basketball player. I don't see it. Maybe he used to be, but he's lost his touch. He's got no business starting over Trevor, though. EDIT: Another thing, who does Luke think he is posting up Hakim Warrick? First of all, he's got no touch, second of all he's got no post moves, he seems to miss every single post shot he takes. He got his shit swatted by Warrick. You've got to know Warrick's length and either pass out, be quicker, or get some elevation on your shot attempt.</div> 1. The wrap around play: He had a mismatch. I believe Lowry was on him. He tried to drive, but mistakenly thought Turiaf would be open for the dunk. He made a mistake, but it was a heady play. And plus, "high basketball IQ" doesn't imply "no mistakes ever." Sh*t happens to even the best players. 2. Throwing the ball up after the free throw would have been extremely stupid. See, sh*t like that makes me question YOUR basketball IQ. If he would have thrown that ball up, you know what could've happened? The Grizzlies could easily have gotten a fast break lay-up. That would've killed us.
I don't mind Luke starting, but he should never be in the game down the stretch when we need defensive stops. He gave up that 3 pointer by Rudy Gay to tie the game and was getting worked on the offensive glass by his man.
I disagree with you on both counts. Even Stu and Joel agree with the points I made (as they said the same thing during the telecast). It wasn't a heady play at all, he rushed everything on the drive. Did some stupid stutter step and spinned right into Gasol, bringing him down as well. You've got a fresh 24, reset your damn offense, stop playing like a pg. Stupid play. Kobe was RIGHT behind him, just flip it right back. Kobe's a very vocal player, I guarantee you that Luke was aware of Kobe being right there.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 14 2008, 12:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Luke was great for us last season, I have no idea what happened.</div> RJ and Luke have this special bond and combined they can only be so good. Last season RJ was sucking because of injury so Luke got an infusion of talent. RJ is back to playing better this season so...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jan 14 2008, 12:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why is Puke still starting? Why is he seeing more than 20 mpg? I don't know what Jackson sees in him but he's got no handles, no basketball IQ, no shot, no defense, no moves, no speed...he's absolutely terrible. I just don't get it....bench his ass.</div> one thing you are is your to serious, but i agree with you with luke's performance... lets give everyone a chance at this point since bynum's out and we need EVERYONE else to step up
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23 @ Jan 14 2008, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jan 14 2008, 12:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why is Puke still starting? Why is he seeing more than 20 mpg? I don't know what Jackson sees in him but he's got no handles, no basketball IQ, no shot, no defense, no moves, no speed...he's absolutely terrible. I just don't get it....bench his ass.</div> one thing you are is your to serious, but i agree with you with luke's performance... lets give everyone a chance at this point since bynum's out and we need EVERYONE else to step up </div> To serious? It's been a year long thing. We've got a much better player on the bench, he should be starting.
If we could trade Luke Walton for Jamaal Magloire and then use our $2.5M Trade Exception (from the Orlando deal) and acquire Antoine Wright or Bostjn Nachbar I'd be ecstatic.
