Is it just me or does everyone else see a problem with The Lakers this season. I mean we thought we would have a good team but our trades are not working out for the best for us, face it, Odom is not nearly performing for us as we need him to or we thought he would, Mihm is not doing what he is supposed to do REBOUND, Atkins well we all have our thoughts on Atkins and there not good, I mean heck I think the best 2 players we got in both of our trades is Butler who is in a slump yes, but I think he can develope into a great player and also I think Jumaine Jones who was a freaken throw in. Now in my opinion about Odom, trade him, he is not worth his rebounding, Maybe package him, Mihm and Atkins/George and send them for some good quality rebouders/playmakers. This is ridiculous what is going on now, I mean no one is playing consistent at all, at all, and its starting to be a freaking joke. <font size="1"><font color="Red">Watch the language. -Brandon</font></font>
Okay, I'll tell you exactly what should happen. I don't get to watch Laker games live (unless they're on national TV)...but I do get to watch them the next day (thanks to my cousin), and I've watched every single one of them. Here's my suggestion. Starting five should be changed, immediately (not including George, Tierre and Sasha...who I'd put on the IR). <font color="Purple">This is against teams like Seattle, who really don't have a dominant PF like Duncan or Garnett.</font> C - Mihm/Divac PF - Slava/Cook SF - Odom/Butler/Walton SG - Kobe/Jones PG - Bobbitt/Atkins Don't be shocked to see Slava starting, with Cook right behind him off the bench. Slava can shoot...something we don't see much of in these games. Odom moves down to the three, where he's the most dangerous...and Butler comes off the bench, where he provides the stability late in the quarters. Bobbitt starts at point against offense-orientated guards that are tougher than Atkins...and Atkins can start against guards that are defensively strong, but have trouble guarding the perimeter and aren't built like Francis. Jumaine Jones is coming off the bench for Kobe, when Kobe is tired...Jones can hit the three and pull down boards. In this lineup, we have an advantage at all positions (except our center) in rebounding, possibly even the point...and off the bench, we have a passing center, a streaky shooter, a slasher at the three, a strong rebounder, and a point guard who can hit threes. I say we try this. It wouldn't hurt anything...and I'd bet everything I own that this team would do better against the elite West teams than what we've got right now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post">Okay, I'll tell you exactly what should happen. I don't get to watch Laker games live (unless they're on national TV)...but I do get to watch them the next day (thanks to my cousin), and I've watched every single one of them. Here's my suggestion. Starting five should be changed, immediately (not including George, Tierre and Sasha...who I'd put on the IR). C - Mihm/Divac PF - Slava/Cook SF - Odom/Butler/Walton SG - Kobe/Jones PG - Bobbitt/Atkins I say we try this. It wouldn't hurt anything...and I'd bet everything I own that this team would do better against the elite West teams than what we've got right now.</div> We already have a PG who can shoot the 3. Atkins is hitting over 40% if I'm not mistaken...the knock on him is that he's not a great playmaker ... but neither is bobbit, so i don't see what starting him will do. Bobbit is a 2 guard in a 6'4'' frame. And I don't think Slava should start either. He would get eaten alive by the PF's in the league...Right now, we need better defense and interior toughness, and Slava brings neither of those to the table. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In this lineup, we have an advantage at all positions (except our center) in rebounding, possibly even the point...and off the bench, we have a passing center, a streaky shooter, a slasher at the three, a strong rebounder, and a point guard who can hit threes.</div> i wouldn't say we would have a rebounding advantage at PF if Slava started...matter of fact, it would be a huge disadvantage Unfortunately, I think the best lineup we can put out there is the one Rudy is putting out there right now. I'd like to see his rotation change a bit though, with Luke getting more minutes and Bobbit (or vujacic) replacing Brown ....
Rick Kamla (the guy who does the Fantasy talk for the NBA) said that they should atleast give Sasha 10mpg to help develope. Supposedly Sasha did real good in the summer league. I know he's a defensive liability but 10mpg never hurt a team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Miami's Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">Rick Kamla (the guy who does the Fantasy talk for the NBA) said that they should atleast give Sasha 10mpg to help develope. Supposedly Sasha did real good in the summer league. I know he's a defensive liability but 10mpg never hurt a team.</div> I agree. What surprised me about Sasha was that despite being a toothpick, he's an outstanding rebounder for a guard. He has a knack for finding the ball when it's in the air. This would somewhat resolve some of the Lakers' troubles on the defensive glass...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">And I don't think Slava should start either. He would get eaten alive by the PF's in the league...Right now, we need better defense and interior toughness, and Slava brings neither of those to the table.</div> Well, I edited my post, actually. I meant to start Slava against teams that don't have a Garnett or Duncan, because the man can shoot the lights out when he's open, and I believe Kobe's penetrations (since he's pretty much our entire backcourt by himself) will free Slava for some shots. As for Bobbitt, I'm not looking for a playmaker...we'll have to trade for that. Bobbitt is my defensive specialist, to stop guys like Ridnour from penetrating and kicking it out for a shot and assist. Atkins can come in to shoot threes if we need him to, but I think Bobbitt would be more valuable at this stage, because it's obvious that we need a defensive PG (even though we need a playmaker, also...neither Atkins or Brown are playmakers, either).
More minutes for Sasha! <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Miami's Finest:</div><div class="quote_post">Rick Kamla (the guy who does the Fantasy talk for the NBA) said that they should atleast give Sasha 10mpg to help develope. Supposedly Sasha did real good in the summer league. I know he's a defensive liability but 10mpg never hurt a team.</div> I agree, he can't be worse than the CBA rejects Atkins, Brown and Bobbit. Put him in this year, and maybe by playoff time, if we're not in the lottery, he may be a rookie of the year candidate. Couldn't hurt at this point.
Injury reserve A change I would make to the injury reserve is I would move Luke Walton to injury reserve, and move George out of it. Walton ha snot been getting that much a chance to play anyway only averaging 8.3 minutes a game 1.3 points 1 assist, and a efficency rating of +3.13 which is not that good at all it could not hurt to give George a shot. George has been a pretty good performer for the team from the 3 point strip over the last few years, and he has hit a couple really good shots for them team. The team also gave him a big contract when they resigned him so letting him sit in injury reserve really does not do the team much good. At least let him play when he can (not sure if he is really hurt or coaches choice to sit him) to raise his trade value. Also I would move Slava back to injury reserve when Brian Grant comes abck. Slava is not getting many minutes he has had injuries this season, and is just dropped off big time from the point he was at to the end of last season. I know he has not gotten much of a oppurtunity only averaging 3 minutes a game only taken one shot all year, but still he just really has not done much at all for this team, but hurt them. I would package him in a trade to get a point guard. Second scorer To really put the best lineup on the floor for us every game when all these players are healthy the lineup should look like this imo. The injury reserve players are Walton, Slava, and Brown. Mihm/ Divac Grant/ Odom Odom/ Butler/ George Bryant/ Jones Atkins/ Sasha/ Bobbit This would allow Odom to take advantage of his range and size on shorter small forwards, and he could get to the basket easier, and work his defender easier when posting up. This lineup would also give us size in the front court, and a spark off the bench with Butler who will provide a lot of scoring for the team in his role and be a sixth amn of the year canidate. Trades I would look for I would look to package a few players off for a decent playmaker at point guard like many people have siad in this forum. Possibly find some way to get a player who puts up decent offensive numbers and good assist numbers, and is sort of disgruntalled in his current home not sure who this would be, but maybe a young guy Willi Green maybe from Philly though I doubt it, but someone like that. Players I would look to trade Slava, Walton, and maybe a player who has been a dissappointment for the team as well. Again these are just my opinions.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Real Deal:</div><div class="quote_post"> I say we try this. It wouldn't hurt anything...and I'd bet everything I own that this team would do better against the elite West teams than what we've got right now.</div> It does sound great but how r you going to tell Rudy T?
