It finally happened. Lakers fans have been clamoring for it since the day Pau Gasol was acquired, a steady stream of e-mails to writers only partly describing an inexplicable fascination with a front line of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson had never used such a lineup since Gasol's arrival in February 2008, but that changed in the final 1 minute 5 seconds of the second quarter Saturday against Golden State. Gasol, Bynum and Odom were finally on the court together. "I just wanted to see how that effect would be on the ballclub," Jackson said. It was unremarkable. The Lakers were outscored, 3-0, with Gasol getting called for a three-second violation on one possession and Derek Fisher missing a jump shot on another. Jackson said last month he was open to the idea of a frontcourt with two 7-footers and the 6-10 Odom, but it would be situational. There are definite pluses -- size down low on both ends of the court -- but also a lack of defensive speed. Jackson didn't commit either way when asked whether he would do it again. It didn't happen Sunday against New Jersey.
That was not the first time they had all played together at the same time. Im pretty sure we started the season like that last year . . . maybe Im thinking of preseason.
Nope, Ariza was the starting SF last year at the beginning. To my knowledge, this would have been the first time that lineup has ever been out there. I'm really not as for it now as I was a year ago, mainly because we have Ron Artest.
I am postitive that I have seen them all play together before. But it was probably preseason in 2008.
