What a year our Lakers have accomplished. With Kobe's court issues, Shaq out with toe and calf injuries, Gary Payton complaining of his role with the team, Karl Malone missing over half the season with his ankle injury, Kobe expressing his dislike for Phil...the list goes on and on. But how about a report card for how this season ended up for the 2004 Pacific Division Champions? I'm going to start first, and hopefully I can get other people's opinions as well. Point Guards It has been a crazy year for Gary Payton. Signs with the Lakers from Milwaukee, takes a paycut and signs with the Lakers in a place already secure with superstars in Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the injury bug hits all three of the superstars in Kobe, Malone, and Shaq...and still manages to play all 82 of his games, and while he plays with mostly second unit guys that haven't really had starting experience, he keeps the team together. Although, I wasn't too happy when he said he regretted playing for this team while he was considered as the third option when he knew what he was getting into when he came here. However, since he's been here...he's been a huge reason to why we could be huge contenders to win our fourth title. As for Derek Fisher, he never adjusted into his role as a sixth man, and if you ask me, I don't think he'll ever adjust. When he had his opportunity to hit shots, the only sound you heard was a clank instead of the sweet sound of a swish. Overall Grade: B+ Shooting Guards With everything Kobe has gone through this year, with all his legal troubles, to his typical feuds with Shaq, it's been very surprising to me he was still able to keep his composure and focus in every game he's been a part of this year. From the game winning shot he acheived as he arrived from Denver, to suit up in the second quarter, and hit the game winning shot, to the miraculous two shots at Portland in which he hit an off-balance three to force the game into OT, and a turnaround three with a second to go to clinch the Pacific Division title and #2 seed was just simply mind-boggling and amazing. Easily, this man is one of the top 5 best players in the league right now. As for Kareem Rush, to me he's the most improved player on the Lakers this season, and he did a great job filling in for Kobe's absences. He had a ton of confidence knocking down his left-handed jumpshot, and he wasn't afraid to hit a big shot when the Lakers really needed one down the stretch. Overall Grade A Small Forwards This is the position where the Lakers failed this season. Rick Fox was still sidelined on the bench with his injury he suffered since 2003, and since he returned, he wasn't the same player he once was. He still was our typical foul machine, but my goodness, he'd make some of the most ridiculous, horrendous looking passes ever. As for Devean George, he played very well in the shadow of the Big Four during our early 18-3 start, but since Shaq, Malone, and Kobe went down with injuries he lost his confidence, his shot was erratic, and it clearly showed that he deserved to sit on the bench. Overall Grade D- Power Forwards I really can't criticize Karl Malone, because it wasn't his fault for Scott Williams to land on his leg, but since he was out for half the season, the Lakers struggled with their inside game. There was no big differences in the rebound categories, and other opponents took advantage of Malone's injury, and put us on a losing skid. But since his return, the Lakers slowly played back up to their potential, and for some of our key wins this year against Minnesota and Sacramento, he's been a huge reason to the success of the Lakers in the second half. For Horace Grant, I know Phil Jackson still has love for his former players in Chicago, but my goodness this guy looked so old and crippled running up and down the court. Does anybody feel this guy isn't 38 years old? He looked more like 45 years to me. In my opinion, I think he should've been gone along with Jannero Pargo. Overall Grade C Centers Shaquille O'Neal still is the most dominant center on the planet, and his numbers might have been down this year considering all the stars we have on this team, but Shaq was and still is, our number one priority for this season. And along with the other three on this team, he's been a huge reason to why we're in a good position to win another championship. As for Slava Medvedenko...he really had some key moments in his days as a starter when Shaq was out with his calf injury. But since Shaq returned, and he went back to his usual role as a substitute, he's really had trouble holding on to the basketball when he'd receive it in the low post, and he shoots ridiculous shots that are nowhere close to the rim. Overall Grade B+ Other Reserves For Brian Cook, there's not much to say about him other than his line drive shot isn't going to do much good in the later years of his career, and he really has to work on getting better arc to his shot. Byron Russell hasn't been the same player he was since he left the Utah Jazz. And with himself sitting on the bench for most of the Laker games this year, why is he still on this team? As for Luke Walton, I'll never forget that pass he did below his legs, and rallied the team from a 20+ deficit to win the game. He's an excellent passer, and shoots the ball well from the outside, but what killed him this year in limited minutes, was his low-post defense. He was taken advantage of clearly by the tough Western Conference power forwards. Overall Grade C-
wow, awesome topic man.... I'd give the pgs a B- because defensively they haven't been up to par. Fisher has shot horribly, and GP has still struggled to fit in offensively I'd give the SG's a A- because while Rush has stepped up, Kobe's been more inconsistent than usual Everything else I agree with... p.s. Dodgers rule
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">p.s. Dodgers rule </div> Please don't get me started.... Anyways fellas, back on topic.
