Okay, the site has been down so there hasn't been any discussion on the first three Laker preseason games. I watched each one in its entirety so these are my observations thus far: First game: 1. Offense looked stagnant, with little off-ball movement and lots of standing around 2. Kobe's deep shot looked great 3. Lakers can't handle the full court press and struggled against the zone 4. Lakers can't defensive rebound 5. Mihm plays like a stud Second game: 1. Kobe shows off his new "swing through and shoot to draw the foul" move at least twice. It's simlar to what Duncan does.. 2. The defense is much better 3. Kobe passes more and the other players appear more assertive 4. They still can't defensive rebound. 5. Mihm plays like a stud Third game: 1. Lakers run more in this game then the first two. 2. Butler actually makes some jumpers 3. Kobe struggles with his shot 4. They still can't defensive rebound. 5. Mihm plays like a stud. What I've seen from some noteworthy players thus far: Mihm - A lot more active and tough then I remembered him when he was at Texas. Surprised me with his shot blocking, challenging every shot near him. He's playing like he's got something to prove, which is great. Has displayed some low post moves, and seems to be a fav target of Kobe's. Odom - Still has no off-hand, which is horrible for a professional ball player in his 5th year. Not finishing around the hoop as well as I would like him to. His 3pt shot has been up and down, even with great looks. I'm impressed with his effort on the boards. His biggest asset is that he can grab a defensive board and take it down the court during the breaks. Butler - Butler missed the first game, but he played the the other two. Defensively, he's been real active, getting his hands on a lot of balls. He has been having trouble finishing near the basket for some odd reason, and hasn't displayed much 1-on-1 skills. His shot looked great in the last game. Kobe - His shot looked great in the first game, but hasn't really re-emeraged since. He's getting to the foul line a lot, but he's also turning it over a lot too. Making an effort to find his teammates, and looks great defensively. He needs to hit the boards more as well Atkins - Has not really looked all that good thus far. He has struggled in every game. He looks comfortable on the break, but that's not the case in the half-court set. His shot has not been falling. Vujacic - I've finally learned to say his name thanks to Paul Sunderland, lol. It is pronounced by sunderland as "Vuy - a - chitch". He looked awful in the first game, but has looked great his last two. I'm very impressed with his perimeter shooting, especially since I heard he wasn't that great at it. He's confident, and plays with flair. He hits the boards, and makes good decisions. I was skeptical of this kid when we drafted him, but now I'm a believer. Brian Cook - It's the same Brian Cook, with an extra 20 pounds and a ton more confidence. Emo, i told u he had 3pt range Tierre Brown - When he's in there, he's played decent. He's a pass-first guard with a slow shot release. His defense is adequate, and his passing is better than average. However, he seems a bit robotic out there for me. Tony Bobbit - Unlike Brown, Bobbit is little too tigger happy for my liking, but he has displayed a nice shot when he actually takes the time to aim. The thing that has impressed me most about this kid is his defense. He's very quick and active, which was a bit surprising because he's listed at 6'4''. I could envision using him to chase around the smaller quick guards. However, like I said, he's a bit too tigger happy offensively Jumaine Jones - I've been very impressed with him. His brings a nice outside shot and great energy. I remember I thought he was a nice role player when he was in philly, but his numbers dropped off dramatically last season which brought some concern. If he can play the season like he's been playing thus far this preseason, the loss of Banks won't be so bad. When Deaven gets back, I would still play Jones ahead of him.
I completely agree with you on Atkins and Jumaine Jones in particular. Atkins has played awful and Im really worried about the point spot. Jones has REALLY surprised me as well. He will be a nice fit here. The way atkins is playing tho, I still wish we coulda kept Banks... Im also wondering if kobe should move to 1,butler 2, odom 3, grant 4, vlade 5.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post"> Okay, the site has been down so there hasn't been any discussion on the first three Laker preseason games. I watched each one in its entirety so these are my observations thus far:</div> Haha...you beat me to it. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Mihm - A lot more active and tough then I remembered him when he was at Texas. Surprised me with his shot blocking, challenging every shot near him. He's playing like he's got something to prove, which is great. Has displayed some low post moves, and seems to be a fav target of Kobe's.</div> Yes, and all Mihm has to do is get aggressive offensively, and he'll be a huge steal (he may already be, actually). He's got a lot to prove...and Los Angeles is a great place to start, being he'll get a considerable amount of playing time. He may eventually start over Vlade, depending on how Divac's injury turns out later in the season. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Odom - Still has no off-hand, which is horrible for a professional ball player in his 5th year. Not finishing as well as I would like. His 3pt shot has been up and down, even with great looks. I'm impressed with his effort on the boards. His biggest asset is that he can grab a defensive board and take it down the court during the breaks.</div> I'm just a little disappointed in Odom, but I don't want to take it too far just yet. For Lamar, this is a different setting...where he's looking up to Kobe, with a new set of teammates and a different coach. He hasn't played enough with Butler and Grant, so he's pretty much out there by himself with unfamiliar teammates. Once he establishes his role on the team, he'll do great. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Butler - Butler missed the first game, but he played the the other two. Defensively, he's been real active, getting his hands on a lot of balls. He has been having trouble finishing near the basket for some odd reason, and hasn't displayed much 1-on-1 skills. His shot looked great in the last game.</div> Good point about his defense. Another thing that comes to mind with Butler is his presence on the boards. He may be pulling down 7 or 8 boards a game, like he did in the playoffs, since we are somewhat undersized in the frontcourt. I'm glad we have him. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe - His shot looked great in the first game, but hasn't really re-emeraged since. He's getting to the foul line a lot, but he's also turning it over a lot too. Making an effort to find his teammates, and looks great defensively. He needs to hit the boards more as well.</div> One thing that sticks out with Kobe is that he's trying his best to develop a great relationship with his teammates. If he can do this, the Lakers' team unity will be at its highest since 1996. As far as his game goes, I feel as if Kobe is just experimenting with it...the passing element, scoring, etc...and getting adjusted to how he's going to have to lead this team. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Atkins - Has not really looked all that good thus far. He has struggled in every game. He looks comfortable on the break, but that's not the case in the half-court set. His shot has not been falling.</div> I don't have much to say about Atkins. The only thing that looks good about him is when Kobe is running the break with him (like you said) and he throws the oop to finish it. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Vujacic - I've finally learned to say his name thanks to Paul Sunderland, lol. It is pronounced by sunderland as "Vuy - a - chitch". He looked awful in the first game, but has looked great his last two. I'm very impressed with his perimeter shooting, especially since I heard he wasn't that great at it. He's confident, and plays with flair. He hits the boards, and makes good decisions. I was skeptical of this kid when we drafted him, but now I'm a believer.</div> Yes, and did you know that Darko Milicic is supposedly pronounced "Mill-a-chitch" also? I was saying "-sick" at the end...hmm. Anyways...Sasha must have improved his shooting, because he's got a nice stroke now and looking good. However, I think Tierre may have an advantage over Vujacic...but we'll see. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Brian Cook - It's the same Brian Cook, with an extra 20 pounds and a ton more confidence. Emo, i told u he had 3pt range </div> I'm impressed with Cook's last two games...and I think the reason why he's doing better is because Kobe is putting things in his head, pushing him to play better and adopting the will to win. Brian Cook = Robert Horry? I won't say. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Tierre Brown - When he's in there, he's played decent. He's a pass-first guard with a slow shot release. His defense is adequate, and his passing is better than average. However, he seems a bit robotic out there for me.</div> True...yet I think his experience and passing ability will make him the backup to Atkins. Vujacic needs a year or so to learn, but will get better...just like Tierre has since 2000 or 2001. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Tony Bobbit - Unlike Brown, Bobbit is little too tigger happy for my liking, but he has displayed a nice shot when he actually takes the time to aim. The thing that has impressed me most about this kid is his defense. He's very quick and active, which was a bit surprising because he's listed at 6'4''. I could envision using him to chase around the smaller quick guards. However, like I said, he's a bit too tigger happy offensively.</div> Bobbitt has shot more than any of the other point guards, and hasn't impressed me so far. He's just not the type of point guard that could close out a game without blowing the lead, IMO. Hopefully that changes, but I doubt it. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Jumaine Jones - I've been very impressed with him. His brings a nice outside shot and great energy. I remember I thought he was a nice role player when he was in philly, but his numbers dropped off dramatically last season which brought some concern. If he can play the season like he's been playing thus far this preseason, the loss of Banks won't be so bad. When Deaven gets back, I would still play Jones ahead of him.</div> If Devean gets back, I see him behind Rush and playing SG...with the SF's being Butler, Walton and Jones (possibly Odom starting). Jumaine just hasn't had the chance to prove himself, and his self-esteem dropped significantly because of that. Now, wearing purple and gold, he may feel better about playing than he has in the past.
Nice analysis of the Lakers. So far the player who has impressed me the most has been Mihm as well. He's been a force in the paint challenging shots, ripping boards, and fighting for second chance opportunities. He's a lot more athletic than I expected him to be, and has decent hops for a 7 footer. He gets off the ground very quick and knows how to finish with both hands. I've been disappointed with Odom's play so far. He was getting tossed around by CWebb last night in the paint, and looks complacent on offense. I thought he would be able to hold his own as the starting PF, but it looks like the best spot for him will be at SF for the Lakers. Atkins looks terrible on the court, he's out of control with the ball and forces a lot of shots. One thing I cannot stand about his game is when he dribbles until there's a few seconds left on the clock and then bails out on the play by dishing the ball to a teammate with 3 seconds left to shoot. Out of the three games, I hope the Lakers play the way they did against the Warriors. Kobe needs to attack the basket and rack up points from the line and keep is FGA lower. He did a great job of distributing the ball and putting pressure all night long against the Warriors. He's a lot more effective getting to the rim, than jacking up jumpers like he did against the Sonics.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Brian Cook - It's the same Brian Cook, with an extra 20 pounds and a ton more confidence. Emo, i told u he had 3pt range </div> I was one of the fans that would criticize Cook's game, I know. But during this preseason period, he's really impressed me with his game right now. Just as you mentioned, he gained some weight and sort of looks like he hit the weights too, and he's playing with this newfound energy, I'm liking that. And with Cook's size, him being able to knock three's consistently from the perimeter is a prize for our Lakers at best. I just hope he keeps it during the regular season and not just the preseason where these games are just meaningless and just a way to analyze teams.
Any Point Guards Available? I agree with your analysis, and I hate to give up on Atkins already but he seems to be a defensive liability and inconsistant shooter. Has anybody heard anything about previously mentioned trades for Heinrich from Chicago or Kidd from the Nets? Anybody else out there who's available or tradeable at the point guard position since training camp started?
continuing on with this thread...u know what I noticed? The lineup with the most success so far this preseason has been Vujacic (even tho he didn't shoot the ball well last night) Kobe Odom Cook Mihm Now, I'm not saything that should be our opening day starting lineup, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if that's our lineup near the end of the season
future line up <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame :</div><div class="quote_post">now, I'm not saything that should be our opening day starting lineup, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if that's our lineup near the end of the season</div> That is the line up Rudy T used in overtime last night against the Warriors and the problem was that Mihm and Odom were not getting out for screens for Kobe and he would either not give the ball to Sasha for the open shot or when he gave it up, the rookie wouldn't take the shot. The defense isn't even guarding Odom or Sasha, they have to step up, especially Odom and become scoring options or it is going to be a long season. I realize it's just preseason, but I hope Odom picks up his scoring. Maybe tonight against the Clips, his old team, he will wake up, the way C. Butler did against Sac when Peja lit him up a couple of times. Also, note the average age of that lineup, they could be playing together for a long time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm impressed with Cook's last two games...and I think the reason why he's doing better is because Kobe is putting things in his head, pushing him to play better and adopting the will to win. Brian Grant = Robert Horry? I won't say. </div> Lol I think you meant to say Brian Cook? But good job with the analasyis (sp?)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobebryant89:</div><div class="quote_post">Lol I think you meant to say Brian Cook? But good job with the analasyis (sp?)</div> Yeah...you know me...I was just playin.
