Does anyone notice him starting to get his confidence back. He ended last season and started this season horrendously. He had 15 points on Tuesday. And he's starting to drive again. If he can play like last season, and provide bursts at times, it'll be very usefull.
Yeah, I also noticed this. It seems he started gaining his confidence back a game or so after Kobe came back. You can tell by watching Laker games that Kobe really talks to Smush during games and boosts his confidence. Now with Farmar out for a while he doesn't really have to worry as much about being taken out of the game. He is definetly playing the way we wanted him to play early on in the season offensively...driving and taking the open shots without hesitating etc. but his defense is still lagging tremendously. He gambles alot...sure he will get a steal here and there but it is alot better to stay in front of your man so they don't get past you as easy to the paint leading to fouls for the big men. I see Smush gaining confidence from an offensive stand point and his defense is somewhat improving but it is not the greatest.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Melo061 @ Nov 23 2006, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've noticed defensively he has played much much better (besides cassel destroying him in the 3rd).</div>Oh my god how did I forget. Those terrible habits he was picking up last year are out the window. Last night he had a hand in his man's face on most of his shots.