<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The injuries are mounting for the Los Angeles Lakers. Fortunately, they have some time to heal before their playoff series with the Houston Rockets resumes Friday night. Slava Medvedenko was the latest player to go down, straining his right Achilles' tendon late in the second quarter of Monday night's 98-84 victory over the Rockets and sitting out the second half. </div> Full Article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2004041913&prov=ap
Slava has been big for the Lakers thus far IMO. He has repeatedly knocked down that baseline jumper. He will be key if teams continue to double shaq.
This could play out to be a huge loss for the Lakers. Slava has been the player we've been forced to turn to when Malone or Shaq get into foul trouble. He's struggled with his shot lately, but Slava is still a threat on offense and he's really stepped up his aggression on the boards. The Lakers are thin in the frontcourt since Horace Grant went down, and the only other option is Brian Cook. Other than Cook, the Lakers would be forced to play small ball.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ANiMuS:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn, one less person to shoot ill-advised 21-footers. What a shame.</div> I think the same thing. But they need him for another PF like shapecity was saying. But Slava has been struggling with shot for a minute now and is fustrating to watch.
So what's new? Might be good for Lakers since it will force Phil to play Malone more minutes. Good things always seem to happen with Malone on the court. It's a grab bag with Slava out there. I was quite surprised when I read the article that Phil kept Shaq in cuz Slava wasn't available. I thought, as well as Doug (Collins from TNT) thought that was a key to the Lakers winning that game. Taking Shaq out would have allowed Houston to control the paint.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">This could play out to be a huge loss for the Lakers. Slava has been the player we've been forced to turn to when Malone or Shaq get into foul trouble. He's struggled with his shot lately, but Slava is still a threat on offense and he's really stepped up his aggression on the boards. The Lakers are thin in the frontcourt since Horace Grant went down, and the only other option is Brian Cook. Other than Cook, the Lakers would be forced to play small ball.</div> So with Horace and Slava out, we have to no choice but to see more of Luke Walton on the court? I really don't feel Brian Cook is ready for a playoff atmosphere. I don't trust his line drive jumpshot.
Brian Cook is going to have to play huge, I think Luke Walton doesnt have as much strength as cook to guard Maurice Taylor off the bench.
