I was just wondering am I the only one that thinks Brian Cook deserves some more playing time? Out of all the lakers returning players Brian Cook is the one who has shown the most improvement(besides Kobe). So why isn't he getting more minutes. I would have expected him to be getting about 15 mins a game. Especially since he has been showing us his nice shooting touch. I just think he deserves some chances to prove himself. I'm sure Rudy T. could find a nice steady spot for him in the rotation. I wouldn't mind seeing a lineup like this aroundthe middle of quarters. Chris Mihm Brian Cook Lamar Odom Caron Butler Kobe Bryant I think that could be a lethal lineup if they played good D. Not a starting lineup but one that could definetly cause some matchup problems especially with Cook proving he can hit the outside shot.
NikeAir8 said. The problem is his defense. Sasha will play more once the Lakers close a team by 15 or 20 in the last 3 mins. Until then we may not see Sasha or if one of the PG or SG goes down.
Brian Cook has alot of trouble on defense (which was said already), but also...he relies too much on others creating shots for him off penetrations. He can't move without the ball...he just needs to do that, and work on his defense...and maybe he'll see more minutes in the future. As far as Vujacic goes, he's going to be a project. Right now, he's a twig...and inconsistent also. Defensive liability? Yes. At this point, if anyone needs to play more minutes...it would be Slava. He's a great shooting big man...so just imagine how many defenders he could pull away from the hoop for Kobe to drive in? Or...how many Kobe can draw towards him...to free up Slava for shots that he can hit consistently throughout the game? Slava may be a bad defender, also...but he can pull down boards with the best of them.
I don't know about slava last year he definetly showed his inconsistencies. I mean he had one nice game in the finals but before that I can't remember anything to note worthy. Another thing is luke walton still kinda hurt? I would like luke walton to run the point more often, I think Rudy T. should play around with the lineups a little but more. He is the best passer on the team, I think we should give him a chance. When I look at the lakers at the point position right now there is just no organizational leadership from tierre brown or chucky. We all know Kobe is team leader but as far aas keeping everything under control and organized we really don't have that right now.
There are five guys capable of running the point right now in LA... Chucky Atkins Kobe Bryant Tierre Brown Sasha Vujacic Lamar Odom To start at PG, Atkins or Tierre are the only two choices. To play the point temporarily throughout the game, Kobe and Odom...but with these two, I would hate to see them having to defend the elite PG's in a game...mainly because Kobe would become exhausted having to do everything himself, and Odom isn't quick enough. Chucky is the obvious starter at the point. He brings experience and shooting...but his defense and passing skills are somewhat weak for a PG. However, we don't really have a good passing PG, either, or one that can defend well...so we are stuck with Atkins.
Pretty much what I'd say has already been said about Cook (and Vujacic). Cook can't play defense. At all. He needs to work on that aspect of his game before he's going to get a descent chunk of minutes in this rotation. Than, like what else was mentioned, he can't move without the ball well. He needs to work on off the ball movement to become an effective player in the NBA. Aside from that though, he's shown improvement. He's shooting the ball pretty good this year and is producing when given minutes. Now, about Sasha, it's been said time and time again. He's a project. He's not ready to contribute right now. He's too small, too inconsistent, and is not a good defender by any means. In a year or so, maybe more, he'll be ready to contribute. But, at this point, he isn't ready, and the Lakers coaching staff realizes this.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">There are five guys capable of running the point right now in LA... Chucky Atkins Kobe Bryant Tierre Brown Sasha Vujacic Lamar Odom </div> Before Butler got hurt last year, Pat Riley was experimenting with him at the point in Summer League. From what I heard, he did a pretty good job but his injury and Rafer Alston's emergence at the position prevented him from actually carrying out that experiment in the regular season. Nonetheless, it's always a possibility we have.
