<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Sasha Vujacic is having a career season, with highs in points (8.4), field-goal shooting (46.2 percent) and three-point shooting (43.5). Since Vujacic is in the final year of a contract that pays him $1.7 million, Coach Phil Jackson was asked if Vujacic is playing so well because he wants a contract extension this summer. "Oh, without a doubt," Jackson said. Vujacic is a restricted free agent, which allows the Lakers to match any offer he might receive. The Lakers also own Vujacic's "Larry Bird rights," meaning they can re-sign him for the maximum even if the Lakers are over the salary cap. It's unlikely the Lakers would give Vujacic a max deal. But the way Vujacic is playing and because of his age (24), he'll probably earn a nice salary from either the Lakers or another team. "I hate that to be a motivating factor for a player, but sometimes it just seems that way," Jackson said. "But with Sasha, it's maturity more than anything else. It's just getting comfortable with the game and playing the game the way it has to be played." Vujacic had 11 points in 25 minutes Wednesday.</div> Vujacic's Career Year I really hope he isn't pulling an Eric Dampier, Kwame Brown, and Luke Walton by playing awesome in his contract year only to come back down to earth.
Again, for cheap, I'd take him back. Otherwise, he's gone. I liked him earlier on in the season, but his recent games have left a sour taste in my mouth. I know he hit a big shot against Golden State, but recently, he's just out there chucking up shot after shot. Our mistake with Luke Walton has REALLY made me cautious about these contract year players. If anything, I'd like to see the Lakers pursue Mo Evans this offseason, who is a free agent. He is already familiar with the triangle offense, and maybe our ability to contend could lure him back?
It's not that Vujacic is chucking, I think he has found confidence in his shot again and because of that he believes he can hit shots (which he is doing) which sometimes leads to shots which are considered a bad shot, but because of his newfound confidence, he thinks it's a good shot. Like Phil Jackson says, I don't think this is due to it being a contract year, but about his maturity. He came in as a shooter, but was never able to consistently hit shots in the NBA. Lately, he's found his stroke, so he wants to help the team by hitting a few shots here and there.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Mar 27 2008, 01:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Again, for cheap, I'd take him back. Otherwise, he's gone. I liked him earlier on in the season, but his recent games have left a sour taste in my mouth. I know he hit a big shot against Golden State, but recently, he's just out there chucking up shot after shot. Our mistake with Luke Walton has REALLY made me cautious about these contract year players. If anything, I'd like to see the Lakers pursue Mo Evans this offseason, who is a free agent. He is already familiar with the triangle offense, and maybe our ability to contend could lure him back?</div> Mo Evans wasn't a chucker? Let's not get carried away against Sasha.
Bill Simmons called Sasha our X-Factor in the playoffs. "Most likely to get punched in the face" and what I found a little absurd... "able to guard 3 positions" On that note, for cheap I'd keep Sasha, it's hard to find cheap, consistent shooters
I don't think it's hard to find shooters, I mean shit, we've got one on our bench wasting away in Coby Karl. I Don't give Sasha more than $3.5 million/year. If he wants more, let someone over pay for him.
