It's no secret that both Deavan George and Rick Fox have been stinking it up on the offensive end...and over the past few weeks, this has led Phil Jackson to talking about moving Kareem Rush into the lineup, and shifting Kobe into the 3 position.... So what do u guys think about the potiential move? Should Rush be starting? The positives is that the Lakers are a threat at every position...the negative is they lose a little bit defensively ....and valuable bench scoring On a similar note, the L.A. times is reporting that Brian Cook and Brian Russell are competing for the last playoff roster spot...Who would be more valuable come playoff time?
The lakers can try it out. Starting Rush as SG and Kobe moved in to SF, I think he can handle it. But they will some rebounding in the lineup. But shaq can take care of that. So I would give it a try. And I would say Brian Cook, he can take in inside and score. But Brian Rusell can shoot thress. But I would perfer Cook.
No doubt in my mind Bryon Russell would be more important during the playoffs then Brian Cook. He has the experience so I'll go with him. Starting Rush at the two is a risk, I think starting Kobe at the three is an even bigger risk. He is going to be overmatched in size every time when defending or being defended on. Being healthy I think he can make the transition but he is still having problems with his shoulder so this would only aggravate it even more IMO
Def. Byron Russell..he has the experience, he has the ability to knock down the three, and plays decent D...as for the new starting lineup..ehh Im not feeling it, I like Kobe at the 2, he can play the 3, but I think Luke Walton deserves a spot in the starting lineup more than Rush, even though Rush has hit some big shots, he is good on the second team, and with Kobe's shoulder bothering him, Rush is getting the experience and the PT.
My biggest concern is the lack of bench scoring if Rush is inserted into the lineup... Fisher is shooting <u>.357</u> fg %, <u>.279</u> 3pt % Fox is shooting <u>.336</u> fg %, <u>.182</u> 3pt % George is shooting <u>.404</u> fg % <u>.348 </u> 3pt % Grant is shooting .411 fg % Walton is terribly gun-shy (and for good reason) Medvedenko is their best offensive player off the bench (besides Rush) but he can't guard a soul.... Come playoff time, my personal preference would be George...He's at least a lil bit of a threat, he rebounds, and well....my point is Lakers need Rush off the bench... o, btw, regarding Cook and Russell, I would like to see both of them in the playoffs...It's Luke Walton that should be the odd man out IMO...
The Lakers need Rush to bring points off the bench. He is one of the only players on the bench that is doing anything offensively right now and putting him on the starting 5 would leave the Lakers open to an opponent's offensive run when Phil makes substitutions. I would also take Bryon over Brian just because of his ability to hit the 3 ball. As seen in previous playoffs, the opponents double team Kobe and Shaq in during clutch time which always leaves that one open player...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">My biggest concern is the lack of bench scoring if Rush is inserted into the lineup... Fisher is shooting <u>.357</u> fg %, <u>.279</u> 3pt % Fox is shooting <u>.336</u> fg %, <u>.182</u> 3pt % George is shooting <u>.404</u> fg % <u>.348 </u> 3pt % Grant is shooting .411 fg % Walton is terribly gun-shy (and for good reason) Medvedenko is their best offensive player off the bench (besides Rush) but he can't guard a soul.... Come playoff time, my personal preference would be George...He's at least a lil bit of a threat, he rebounds, and well....my point is Lakers need Rush off the bench... o, btw, regarding Cook and Russell, I would like to see both of them in the playoffs...It's Luke Walton that should be the odd man out IMO...</div> Have you watched any Laker games, I dont get many, but Luke Walton is like the energizer bunny, we need him, he has won some games for us this year with his passing...the game @ Denver where he threw it out to Rush for the three, I also think we need Cook just in case Malone gets injured, but we need Russell for the experience, and Phil loves Luke, I think he has that shoe in, I think Russell and Cook will both be good but one has to go.
I rather see rush come off the bench. Shaq, kobe, malone and payton are enough scoring threats for the starting lineup. Rush is the only guy on the bench who actually hits shots when he's open (we need more shooters)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Q Rich3:</div><div class="quote_post">Have you watched any Laker games, I dont get many, but Luke Walton is like the energizer bunny, we need him, he has won some games for us this year with his passing...the game @ Denver where he threw it out to Rush for the three, I also think we need Cook just in case Malone gets injured, but we need Russell for the experience, and Phil loves Luke, I think he has that shoe in, I think Russell and Cook will both be good but one has to go.</div> Yea, Luke had that great run but when the defense gets tough in the playoffs, I'm not so sure he will be that valuable...Off the bench, Lakers need guys who can hit shots...Cook and Russell are both very capable of doin that...I think Russell is shooting 41 % threes, and Cook is shooting like 47 % fgs...With Kobe and Payton playing big minutes (40+) in the playoffs, Lakers don't need another ball-handler IMO...I know Walton is on the Phil's good side, and I'm sure he'll make the squad...but if it were up to me, Walton is the odd-man out..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea, Luke had that great run but when the defense gets tough in the playoffs, I'm not so sure he will be that valuable...Off the bench, Lakers need guys who can hit shots...Cook and Russell are both very capable of doin that...I think Russell is shooting 41 % threes, and Cook is shooting like 47 % fgs...With Kobe and Payton playing big minutes (40+) in the playoffs, Lakers don't need another ball-handler IMO...I know Walton is on the Phil's good side, and I'm sure he'll make the squad...but if it were up to me, Walton is the odd-man out..</div> Ohh ok I wasnt get what you were saying up there, I thought you were bashing him lol
I think it's best to leave Rush on the bench because he provides big scoring boost for us off the bench. Although both Devean and Rick's offensive production has dropped lately, their Ds remain no joke, especially come the playoff time. Guys have to know and play their roles, and I think this team shouldn't be over-concerned about their SF stinking it on O. Give the O duties to our four future hall of famers. I think Brian Cook should get a nod over Bryon Russell because I think Cook's big body scoring and post-play quality will give the Lakers some boost IF injuries dampen the big men Shaq, Horace, and Slava. Bryon's edge is he's got that three-point range and experience, but the Lakers have also won it three times before so they already have experience and they know what it takes to get there. The bench, such as Fisher and Rush and even Devean or Fox can provide those Bryon perimeter plays. Fox's range hasn't been good for him this season, but I think he can step up when it matters.
I personally don't wanna see Rush in the starting 5. I think he's best off the bench. He gives them a much needed shooter coming off the bench. Though, come playoff time, Derek Fisher has always proven to be a great player for them. He has been shooting very well in the playoffs the last couple years, especially from the 3 point range, so, he might step it up. And, regarding the Russel/Cook thing, I would rather see Russel cause, come playoff time, I'm not always all for rookies that haven't played all that much. I prefer to see veterans with some experience in there.
Although Rush has done a really nice job filling in for Kobe this year, I'd also like to see him continue to be the first guy off the bench. I've noticed Fisher's minutes have been going down lately with the good play from Rush, and I'd like to see that continue. I think we should maybe try Russell at SF, because atleast hehas done some scoring for us when he is in games. I also wouldn't mind seeing George get another shot at the starting spot, and since everyone is back I'm curious to see how he will do. Can't do much worse offensively than Fox has done, and offense was one of the main reasons George got benched for..
Yeah, we need walton when we lack of energy and Rush for bench scoring. But we could try anyways whats best for the playoffs? Yeah Kobe as SF is a risk and bench scoring would be a problem but we'll see what really happens during the games ...
The Lakers should bring Devean George back into the starting lineup. He should use all his energy to play defense and rebound to give the Lakers second chance scoring. The Lakers have plenty of options on offense with Shaq, Malone, Payton and Kobe on the floor, and George has the athleticism and speed to guard the small forwards come playoff time. He just needs to avoid the reach-in fouls and he'll be fine. Rick Fox would be a good option near the end of close games because of his physical style and experience. And speaking of experience, I would take Russell over Cook for the final roster spot. The Lakers weakest position is at the 3, so Russell could help fill in some minutes behind George and Fox. The odd man out in my opinion should be Horace Grant. I don't think he's in shape to play at the post season level. His jumpshot is no longer reliable and he struggles with the big men in the league. At least Cook can shoot the ball, and he would bring more energy to the Lakers than Grant.
I don't know about this. Kobe should definitely not play the 3. With the brutal players like Bruce Bowen, Kobe might very well get injured and be out for the rest of the season. Bryon Russell should make the playoff roster. The Lakers need clutch three-point shooters to win games for them down the stretch. Last season it was Robert Horry. This season might just as well be Bryon Russell. Cook is still young and will get a chance down the road.
Yes, I feel Phil should make this move. Rick Fox, although he's been trying to play at 100% since his injury, hasn't played up to his potential yet. And with his performances his last two ballgames, clearly he may not even be close to 100% this remainder of the season and the playoffs. And we Laker fans know Devean George's struggles. Even with Malone back in the lineup, I've just lost all confidence for him, and I'd rather see him sulking on the bench than playing 25-30 minutes a night. Now, Kareem Rush has been an excellent story for us this year filling in for Kobe Bryant and the spark he provides off the bench for us. He's knocking down his left-handed shots with a ton of confidence, and when he's open from any area of the court including the perimeter, I trust in him to drain the shot. He's been a big reason why we've won games in crunchtime, and Phil should reward his contributions. If I had to choose who would take the last playoff roster spot, I'd go with Byron Russell. I'd always go for a long time veteran with a ton of playoff experience who knows the playoff atmosphere well than a rookie.
Rush should come off the bench. Do you really think he'll score as the SG with Kobe in the same starting line-up? I'd rather have Cook. Some of you are choosing Russell for his experience. But with Shaq, Kobe, GP and Malone in the line-up, would you really want Russel's experience?
I'm not only saying Russell for his experience but also because he is a great jump shooter. And the Lakers do need another weapon from outside. They currently don't really have a consistent one. Though, I do feel that DFish will step it up again come playoff time, just like he has the last few years.
george? Fox? I didnt think they played their best the last few games, but maybe they can get to their best when the playoffs begin, thats an option - true. And yeah Rush as Sixth Man would be just fine.
