Laker Rookie Brian Cook is beginning to make a name for himself in the league. After getting his first starting call last night, Cook played effectively in 32 minutes and posted his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. What a great sight to see, it's starting to look like the Lakers stole the 6'9'' former Illini with the 24th pick in last year's draft. Seeing Brian look comfortable on the floor and posting the numbers that he has gives me great optimism about the future of the Laker's frontcourt. He's only 12 games into his NBA career, but to this point Cook's numbers are very good for a rookie bench player : 18.7 mpg. 6.8 ppg. 4.3 rpg. 0.8 blks. Only one slight concern: what happens when both Medved and Cook are ready to crack the starting lineup in the next couple of seasons?
Well I'll tell you what, if Brian Cook could switch positions with Devean George to start as a small forward, then things would definitely feel good in Lakerland. Seriously, Brian Cook has been an excellent player so far in the extended minutes he has seen, he's a scorer. (Whenever he gets his outside shot going) He's a rebounder. Saw him contain the glass in the Sacramento game and saw that he grabbed 10 boards at Memphis. And what's good is he has size. 6'9". Now if he could really put on some more weight, he would be a monster in the post. Phil Jackson doesn't have a habit of starting his rookie players, but maybe he should change his ways once Malone, Shaq, and Kobe return. He's proven he can play, and it'll be exciting to watch #7 in action tonight on TNT.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I'll tell you what, if Brian Cook could switch positions with Devean George to start as a small forward, then things would definitely feel good in Lakerland. Seriously, Brian Cook has been an excellent player so far in the extended minutes he has seen, he's a scorer. (Whenever he gets his outside shot going) He's a rebounder. Saw him contain the glass in the Sacramento game and saw that he grabbed 10 boards at Memphis. And what's good is he has size. 6'9". Now if he could really put on some more weight, he would be a monster in the post. Phil Jackson doesn't have a habit of starting his rookie players, but maybe he should change his ways once Malone, Shaq, and Kobe return. He's proven he can play, and it'll be exciting to watch #7 in action tonight on TNT.</div> For sure, it will be a lot of fun seeing him in action tonight against Dallas. He should be able to put up another double-double against the Mavs weak defense. Of course noboby wanted to see Karl go on the IL, but this may have been a blessing in disguise. As you noted, Phil likes to play rookies just slightly more than Larry Brown does. So it's nice to see Cook getting a shot and making the most of it, this will have to earn him more pt in the stretch run of the season.
I watched Cook play in the summer league and I really liked his mentality. Popping out to help on screens, looking for his teammates, rebounding and helping out weakside (blocks). Although I liked what I saw, I didn't expect him to be an impact for another 2 years, simply because he hasn't experienced banging with the big NBA bodies. He's proved me wrong and I'm lovin' it.
I think he could possibly be a star in the league, Malone has two more years, if Cook can improve by then, he will most likely be the starting PF, and if Kobe resigns, that could be a duo that could go a long way, Shaqs career is winding down, we will need a big man, if he can continue getting minutes he will be ok
Finally some people who noticed him, he was a great pick from the draft. He's got such effort and tenacity in him already. So damn huge and still a great shooter, definitely worth alot more then George. I say he replaces him as well as being a reliever for Shaq or Malone more often if he's still gonna be a bench sparkplug.
Here is some BIO on him for people who have no clue about him.. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NBA Comparison: Stacey King Strengths: Creates mismatches with his versatility as he has the ability to play both forward spots ... Shows solid post footwork when getting the ball on the block ... Prefers to catch the ball in the high post where his face up game is most effective ... Has the ability to make the 18 foot jumper with some regularity ... Great finisher around the basket where he is able to make difficult shots due to his long arms and soft touch ... Shows solid mobility for a player his size as he can run the court with ease ... Although not a spectacular rebounder but when motivated he can be a solid presence underneath the glass ... Great free throw shooter at his position ... Has a solid grasp of the fundamental aspect of the game ... Shows above average ball handling for his size ... Owns a great turnaround jump shot from 14 feet from the basket ... Does a good job of recognizing double teams ... Solid passer when he receives the ball in the high post ... Keeps the ball high after the post entry feed ... Weaknesses: His desire is one big question mark, how badly does he want to improve? ... Athletically Cook lacks the explosive leaping ability needed to be an effective shot blocker ... Shot selection could stand improvement as he can settle for taking the perimeter jumper ... Although he has improved his back to the basket moves, he is still in need of development ... Needs to work on consistently taking opposing defenders off the dribble ... Lack of ball protection skills create a fair amount of turnovers ... Has the looks of a tweener in that he is without a true position in the NBA ... Can go through moments where his doesn't display much aggressiveness although he has improved this year ... Struggles at times when guarded by a physical defender ... Has 3-point range on his jumper but clearly can become too infatuated with firing from the top of the key ... Would benefit with adding 10-15 more pounds of muscle to his body if he is too play power forward ... Mental toughness leaves a little to be desired ... Defensively Cook must improve on playing better positional defense ... Can be foul prone from time to time ... Has problems getting the ball in the post as he doesn't always work to get good position ... </div> Here it is
I really like this player. He has a good mentality and he could be a big name during the next decade or so.
cook is good, but need to jump higher that was funny when he bumped into marcus camby and they exchanged words. maybe camby was having a hard time on him that day. i hope that he get better and work harder. lakers is a great team and it will be great for his career if he stay in laker land. i hope that kobe thinks that way, too
I love watching this guy play. He looks like a promising Laker for the future. We all can't wait till Malone comes back, but I would like to see more of Cook. :mrgreen: Hopefully, Phil will get the point that when the 2nd string of the lineup goes in instead of Grant being inserted, it will be Cook-Slava in the froncourt, when were fully healthy.
With the way Slava has been playing for us lately, we really need that help off the bench for the PF spot. Oh yeah and by the way, does anyone know what happened to Russell? At the beginning of the season he was getting a lot of minutes with us, but even before Fox came back he hasn't been playing much at all. I haven't heard anything of him being injured... so does anyone know what happened?
