Who's tutoring Kwame?

<div class="quote_poster">doobee Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that Kwame struggles on pick and roll? but so does every other Laker. A problems with pick and roll is the fact that Suns are just so damn good at both shooting and taking the ball in? so it ends up being pick your poison.
A little off topic?

For Lakers to be able to compete three things need to happen:

1) No matter what take the ball inside no matter how bad Kwame, Odom, and Bynum are. I would rather have them miss inside but no give Suns a fast break. When Odom posts up Marion, it stops Marion from running on the fast break, which takes me to my next point.

2) Get back on D. Just make it a point to run back like hell. Suns scored 39 fast break points, out of which 20 were probably just because Lakers did not come back.

3) Step back from Barbosa... let him shoot, I would rather have him score 30 pts from the floor then from free-throw line and layups.</div>

I agree with all 3 of your points, and really those are all crucial areas the Lakers have failed it in the first two games.

The Lakers are trying to slow the game down, but I think they would have an easier time of it, by playing with a bigger lineup. I've been waiting all season for them to use a power lineup, and Phoenix is a team you can dominate inside by playing big and physical.

The best example of a team using size to neutralize Phoenix speed and efficient offense is the way Utah plays them. They literally beat Phoenix up on the inside and are relentless on the offensive glass. Even if Phoenix takes a commanding lead, the percentages catch up with them and their outside shooting. The war has to be won on the glass, and the Lakers need to outrebound Phoenix by 15 to 20. Offensive rebounding is crucial, and also holding Phoenix to one and done on defense.

#2 the Lakers have struggled with all season long. They never have a stop plug rotate to the top when Smush or Kobe penetrate. Unless everyone is crashing the offensive glass, there's no excuse for one of the players to not rotate and run back to prevent easy transition buckets. Those are not only demoralizing, but with a team like Phoenix, it allows them to find rhythm early on and it funnels through the rest of their teammates. Everyone starts feeling good about their offense when they see the ball go through the net.

#3 GREAT POINT, but easier said than done with Barbosa. He's smart enough not to settle for his jumpshot, because he's more of a spot up shooter than a player who pulls up off the dribble. He'd be more than willing to pass the ball back out to Nash or Diaw, and then run himself free by using a back pick, or double pick on his defender. The only solution I can come up for Barbosa is forcing him to defend in the post. Go with a big lineup and force him to defend Kobe or Luke in the post. Barbosa gambles a lot of defense and is prone to pick up quick fouls. In this case the Lakers best defense against Barbosa, is good offense. Force him to be a liability for Phoenix on defense.