Return of Machine?

Lost One · Oct 17, 2009

Is the Machine starting to percolate?

"It has to," Sasha Vujacic said after practice Friday. "I got the nickname for a reason, and I have to get it back."

Vujacic laughed.

But so far in the exhibition season, after three games, Vujacic has looked like the Machine he was nicknamed for during the later part of the 2007-08 season, when he shot the lights out.

He indeed is percolating, shooting 70%, making seven of 10. He's shooting 50% from three-point range, though he has taken just two three-pointers.

Another sign that Vujacic may be finding his stroke was the joke he made about Thursday night's game, in which he threw up a shot from almost full court to beat the buzzer.

Vujacic maintained that he shot the ball after the clock had sounded and that it should not have counted as an attempt, so he should really be seven for nine.

Vujacic started camp as if the Machine was still not operating.

He even was missing shots in practice.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said Vujacic had dead legs.

But both Jackson and Vujacic said the guard would eventually find his shot.

"I think that every shot that I'm taking is in rhythm," Vujacic said. "That was the key. This training camp is very important for me from an individual point of view, a personal point of view. Last year in the playoffs, I didn't play up to my level. I just want to do my best."

Vujacic said he's had a change in attitude.

He said he's trying to be more even-keel, to be a better teammate.

"We talked about it at the beginning of the training camp that I do the right things that people can't always see," Vujacic said. "The coach is showing confidence in me, like when I get two fouls like last night [against Sacramento], I stayed in the game and I had opportunity to play."

There is also more competition for Vujacic.

He already is the backup guard behind Kobe Bryant, which limits Vujacic's minutes.

Now it looks like he'll be battling Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown for time at the backup guard positions.

Jackson has used Farmar and Brown together in the backcourt.

"I don't really care about that, to be honest with you," Vujacic said. "Of course I want to play as many minutes as I can. I'm trying to do my best in practices and in the games.

"But they are two completely different players. The way we play, the way we do things, is completely different. I think the coaching staff has a lot of players that they can use. He's showing confidence in me and allowing me to play both positions. I just want to do my job the best I can."
Click to expand...

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-lakers-vujacic17-2009oct17,0,2345616.story

Sasha's been money so far in the preseason, hopefully this continues. I hate Farmar and if Sasha continues to play well, a backcourt with him and Shannon Brown wouldn't be too shabby coming off the bench. I sincerely hope we don't give Farmar much of a role this year. If preseason is an indicator of anything, he's going to be chucking and looking for his own offense all season because it's contract year.

¹²³ · Nov 4, 2009

Maria Sharapova Dating Sasha Vujacic of the Lakers

Shapecity · Nov 4, 2009

Sharapova can be his Kate Hudson

Mamba · Nov 4, 2009

Sasha fucking sucks.

huevonkiller · Nov 4, 2009

Yes.

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