<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Before him [Jackson], the five Lakers who remained from their three championships together ? Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher and Devean George ? asked for their season back. Their plea: Bench an ailing Karl Malone, bench an ineffective Gary Payton and play those five together in tonight's Game 4 against the Detroit Pistons, Fox at power forward, Fisher at point guard.</div> Link: http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/n...orts-nba-lakers Wow, this has got to be the first time something like this has ever happened. The old players are asking the coach to bench the new players that were brought in to help win the title.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Undertakernv:</div><div class="quote_post">Link: http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/n...orts-nba-lakers Wow, this has got to be the first time something like this has ever happened. The old players are asking the coach to bench the new players that were brought in to help win the title.</div> I'd listen to them... Except that I would put Medvedenko on the PF... You see Fox on Sheed... Damn, than the Lakers have no chance whatsoever...
If I was Phil Jackson I would definetly bench Gary Payton and start Derek Fisher. But I wouldn't bench Malone though. Malone can create shots too. There's no other PF thats as good as Malone. But Rick Fox shouldn't start, hes not his own self. From what I have seen this season or the playoff. Plus He'll get easily damaged by Rasheed by playing the PF position. But tonight if I was Phil, I would try getting Byron Russell from the bench to play a while. He can play great defense and hit alot of threes. But Gary I just can't belive Gary, and he calls himself the Glove. He don't play any defense, he makes turnovers, and passes up wide open shot. From what I see, I think he wants the Lakers to lose. If he's upset about not playing enough minutes, why don't he go out there and show the Lakers that he deserves the minutes, and prove why he is a starter. But I doubt GP will even try tonight, again.
is it me or does byron russel and rick fox look like their out of shape? shaq of course has been out of shape for at least 2 years now. i think payton is still a good defender but he's doesn't trust any of his teammates to be a good team defender and thats why he's gets exposed on pick and roll.
This is teh smart thing to do, Gary hasnt dont sh.t for us in teh playoffs, I much rather have Fisher running the show. The only thing that worries me about Slava starting is he doesnt realize he is a ROLE PLAYER, he shoots the ball at will and that hurts us..I would start MAlone in this game and see how he does...but GP def. needs to be riding the bench.
Starting Derek Fisher will help offensively because he can knock down the open spot up shot out the triangle better than GP .But on defense I dont really see it making a realistic difference, because Billups isnt tourching GP, he is torching the Lakers team defense. He is playing on the fact that the Lakers bigs never show on pick & roll, thats why GP doesnt really know how to attack the pistons pick & roll from a defense aspect. If GP goes under the pick to make up for the fact his teams' bigs never setup, he gives Billups a wide open jumper. If GP goes over the top of the pick to take away the jumpshot his bigs dont help him out by helping to stop penetration. And Billups gets an easy layup. So GP is at a lose-lose situation do to weak team defense by the Lakers. And so will Fisher. And Karl has to play at the PF spot, the Lakers dont have the depth at the PF spot to bench him. Slava may get a few baskets but he will give up alot more to Rasheed. Maybe if Horace Grant was on the playoff roster you could realistically think about it. But I dont thnk you want to hand over major starting minutes to Slava in the Finals unless Karl cmpltely cant go due to his injury.
no douht walton played good on game 2 but game 3 they belived in him to much and he sucked put him in for a few minutes if he does good keep him but if they go down hill take him out and zone beast hes not even a pf hes a sf
