Divac Injury

I'd like to just see Jaber play for the fact I've never seen half of somebody's hand over the rim standing flat footed. But like nMg was saying not being drafter with that kinda size means he'd probaly even be a liability on defense.

Since Keon didn't show up to Cleveland and it's to late for him. It definately would be a great idea for the Lakers to try and get him. Even though he's injury prone too. But still it's good to have a shot blocker in the middle. And give em some solid contribution on the offensive end of the floor as well.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Personally I think it's a PR move to excuse the aging vet from having to participate in training camp.</div>

I was going to post this...and I kept changing my mind. Vlade has been hurt before, and it's no surprise if he did actually injure himself again, so I didn't wanna come out and say that it's a backdoor to get him out of TC. Then again, it's possible and truthfully, it would be a good idea.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting harbingerofdoom:</div><div class="quote_post">wow... looks like not resigning him is turning out to be a better idea than a lot of people originally thought (yes, I am including myself in that)</div>

Include me too.The Kings have enough injury prone players to worry about(Webber),so by not resigning Divac..looks like a blessing in disguise

But i don't know like shapecity said that it could be a PR move.Why would it be considered a PR Move by some people reporting about his Divac's injury?

 

Good thing is Divac will miss much of training camp, and not much, or if any of the first week of the regular season. The onlt thing I'm worrying about of this sudden injury is the fact once he does return, he'd probably be rusty which could later on lead to himself trying to find the basic fundamentals of his game. To the funny 18 year old kid that was posted here to replace Divac, I'm definitely not down for. Sure, he may have the size of a center, but there's no use to throw an 18 year old stick into a NBA game with no experience whatsoever.

On the other hand, if Malone doesn't resign with us, we should go out and get guys like Keon Clark. Guys that have been around long enough to adapt and adjust to an NBA club and learn the system. Tough tasks in the days ahead for our front office. I hope they can figure something out in the weeks to come.

 

Emo, I only brought up Jaber because he could be a huge roadblock for PG's driving in the lane. Think back to the playoffs last year...the Lakers playing the Spurs, Rockets, Wolves and Pistons. Parker, Francis, etc...these guys were laying the ball up easily over Shaq. They didn't have to manipulate their shot or anything. However, Jaber is pretty tall...okay, very tall...and his wingspan is HUGE. I don't look to him to replace Divac...that's going to be Mihm and Grant's job. However, I don't see Divac as a huge offensive part of the Lakers, either, as far as scoring goes. He's a passer, and that's what I like about him...so having Jaber could be a good defensive part of the Lakers' bench. Then again, so can Clark (as you and I both mentioned earlier).

We don't need a center that can score...although it would help. We need a center more like Ben Wallace...defensive specialists in the paint...so we can stop all of the points 5 feet away from the hoop that we'll be facing with guys like Yao, Magloire, and Shaq. Whether it's Clark, Arthur Johnson, or Jaber Rouzbahani...or Vlade Divac...that should be the main focus with the Lakers at the center position.

By the way, you brought up Malone...and I've been saying this for quite a while now, but Malone could really defend guys like Duncan and Garnett, so he would be great to have. However, I wouldn't see a problem with Malone defending someone like Yao, either. If you had the opportunity to see one of the Laker scrimmages, you'd know that Malone held Shaq to a combined total of 10 points in two scrimmages last year that were shown on Inside Stuff. That's amazing.

 

Training camp depth will help

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jesseca328:</div><div class="quote_post">Here's some info on how Divac got hurt. Is from the same article KB working out.</div>

No injury is a good thing, but I feel for training camp we have the depth to handle it. With Vlade out and Karl noncommital then Mihm gets more minutes and so does Slava at center and power forward respectively. In a new system the young players need this time more than the vets. Also now Cook may make the roster and even the rookie Douthit may make the roster until Vlade and Karl come back. Grant may have to play more center than power forward, but he did that last year. Unless Karl definitely is not a Laker, I don't see us signing Clark.

 

Hate to say this whatthef, but Douthit is playing overseas now. The Lakers let him go do his thing, but kept his rights.

 

Better training camp than the actually season. No more injuries man! damn!

 

Lack of depth at center/pwr forward

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Hate to say this whatthef, but Douthit is playing overseas now. The Lakers let him go do his thing, but kept his rights.</div>

I didn't know that about Douthit, I guess that means Mihm will practice alot against Grant, Slava, Cook and maybe even Odom at center unless Karl comes back. Hopefully Grant and Slava can give him some practice bangin before the season.