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DancingBarry Editor-in-Chief
Joined: 07 Sep 2001 Posts: 40222 Location: O.C.
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:57 pm Post subject: MAGIC -at- LAKERS - 2/28 - Thoughts and :-)) ratings |
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Spark Off The Bench... I don't know about you, but I can't wait for Phil to put Ronny Turiaf in the game. Since Proft went down, this team has lacked that second consistent player who comes off the bench and gives the team some life. Turiaf has done that in his last two games.
The Lakers got a well-rounded offensive effort in this game and came out strong in the third, scoring 38 points and building a commanding lead over the Magic. They took the game 102-87...too bad we can't play the Magic a couple more times.
Kobe did his thing, going for a team high in points and assists. Smush had solid game on both ends and was one of the key sparks to the third quarter drive. The Lakers got a combined 21 points from Kwame and Ronny off the bench. Some nice production from the Laker bigmen, especially the rookie who upped his new career high in just 13 minutes of action.
The team stat of the night was the 31 assists on 41 makes by the Lakers. The team often made the extra pass throughout the night.
Kobe -- -- Kobe had it in cruise control most of the night, and then once again throttle it up a bit as the Lakers required some scoring in the stretch. He finished with 28 points on 11-20 shooting, 8 assists, 4 boards and 3 steals in a team-high 43:53. Hopefully, he's got some energy left for the next game. He popped out of the weakside of the Tri and sank an elbow jumper. Kobe pressured in the backcourt, the ball got loose, Lamar threw it over his head, Cook grabbed it and went behind his back and Kobe finished with a reverse. He knocked down a two-for-one three-pointer at the end of the quarter. He then drew two FTs with a second left on our final possession. He teamed up with Smush twice after breakaway steals to get Smush a couple throwdowns. He deflected another pass for a turnover. He had 9 points and 5 assists in the first half. He hit a wide open three on the break. He found Cook for an open jumper. He crossed over Hill then hit the 18-footer from the left side. He hit a 20-footer from the wing. He pulled up at the top of the key and muscled in a flat jumper. He tweaked something just prior to going up and swishing a wing three with the shotclock low. He slashed in the lane and spun in a reverse over his his head.
Odom -- -- At least someone bothered to rebound tonight. Lamar outrebounded the entire starting lineup by himself. He pulled down 12 boards to go with a soft 8 point son 2-6 shooting and 5 assists with 4 turnovers in 38 minutes. He went behind the back with a bounce pass out of a double team to Cook on the baseline for a score. He threw a nice entry pass over the top of the defenders as the Lakers were swinging the ball and Mihm scored a layup. He attacked the rim and drew a foul on Howard, his second of the first quarter, Lamar hit both FTs. He found Cook cutting from the weakside for a layup. He hit a 17-footer from the wing. After Smush stole the ball, Cook fed it to Lamar who soared over Howard and threw down the massive posterizing dunk. Niiice, as Stu said. That was the highlight play off the game. He found Kwame with an interior feed (probably overpassing) and Kwame scored the layup.
Mihm -- -- Chris was aggressive in the post and did a good job help establishing that inside game on the offensive end for us. He scored most of his 12 points in the first half. He hit a leaning one-hander off the glass with his right. He scored an easy layup after a good seal and a high entry from Lamar. He tipped in a miss by LO. He hit a short jumphook on the right block. He hit a left handed hook in the lane. He had 10 points on 5-11 shooting in the first half, just missing a few around the rim. He hit a 17-footer out of the Tri straight away. Good block on Howard under the hoop to save a basket. He picked up his fourth foul early in the third and had to sit. He had just 1 rebound on the game.
Smush -- -- Very good game by Smush tonight, giving a little spark on both ends. You would still like to see him pick up the defensive intensity just a bit and keep rotating and battling. He took the second-scorer role tonight and showcased it with some dunks and finishing touch around the rim. He scored 17 points on 6-12 shooting and dished 7 assists without a turnover. He had3 steals on the night. He nailed a three on a kickout from Cook. Nice defensive play, picking up a charge 17-feet away from the hoop in transition when Hill made a pass off. He dunked on the breakaway with Kobe. He threw down again off a Kobe steal, this time a reverse jam. He hit a baseline jumper off a kickout from Mihm. He attacked in transition and drew FTs, making both. He found Kobe for three on the breakaway. On the next play, Smush used his length to poke the ball free, he pushed it up, looked like he was going to throw it back to a trailer, but then scored an And-1 layup, making the FT. Smush then stole the inbounds and it led to a huge throwdown by Lamar. He scored a pretty reverse layup with a strong cut off the Kobe mid-post handoff. He got fouled on a jumper, airballed the first freethrow and then hit the second (he went 4-5 from the line rattling in most of his makes). He went under the pick a couple of times to give up open jumpers to Arroyo. He attacked and kicked out to Cook for an open jumper. He lobbed to Kwame for an And-1. He then stole the missed FT. He hustled back on D to foul and save a layup. Very good job tonight.
Cook -- 8) -- Solid performance starting at the PF. He's been one of the Lakers more consistent scorers in the past month and he makes the offensive spacing and execution click a lot better when he's out there. It's all about the D end and the boards, where he pulled down just 2 rebounds in 26 minutes. He finished with 12 points on 5-8 shooting and a career-high tying 5 assists. He scored a layup off a behind-the-back feed from Lamar. He went behind his back to Kobe for a reverse layup when the Lakers were scrambling in the backcourt and came up with a steal. He picked up his second foul at the end of the first and had to sit. He scored a layup with a weakside cut to take a Lamar feed. He fed Lamar in the backcourt for that huge dunk. He hit a baseline jumper off a kickout from Kobe. Good defensive sequence with Lamar, switching on his man, then rotating back and drawing a charge. He drained a long jumper from the baseline popping out after handing the ball off to Kobe. He drained another jumper with his heels on the three line at the wing.
Kwame -- -- Seems like it is always an adventure with him on the offensive end. He dunked off a nice feed by Sasha. He got swatted probably three times by Darko in his first few possessions. He missed another point-blank layup. Next time down, he gets hammered from in front and behind and sinks a 10-foot, And-1 jumper...go figure. He traveled on a post up. He got the ball with the shotclock running low on an iso against Howard, he backed him down spun, got into his chest with some contact then swished a fallaway from about 9 feet away. He scored a layup at the rim off an interior feed by Lamar. He put in a soft And-1 with both hands, missed the FT. Cook found him and Kwame drew a foul trying to finish strong, he made one FT. He spun and found Ronny in the lane for a dunk. Kwame played steady on the defensive end, holding ground well against Howard. He finished with 11 points on 5-9 shooting and 4 boards (just 1 defensive) in 20 minutes. Kwame led the team with a +20 on the night.
George -- -- Devean's shot wasn't falling as he went 1-5 for 2 points, but he still hustled for 6 boards in 19 minutes. He hit a one-dribble 20-footer to beat the shotclock for his only points. He hustled for an offensive board and reset the offense. He swatted Howard from behind and then recovered the ball.
Turiaf -- -- Had the Lakers pulled it together and made a few freethrows down the stretch of the last game, Ronny would have been a hero with some huge plays. Tonight, he picked up where he left off, giving the Lakers some spark on both ends. Ronny scored 10 points on 4-5 shooting and had 4 rebounds and just 1 foul in 13:17 of action. Those are great numbers in such limited time off the bench. He showed some hop in his step and some range on his jumper. In to start the second, he quickly drained a 12-footer from the wing on a kickout. He snagged a loose ball when Kwame got swatted and scored a layup. He switched on Hill, tried to beat him to the spot and take a charge and Hill ended up throwing the ball out of bounds. He hit an 18-footer from the wing on a kickout from Lamar. He jammed when Kwame found him in the middle of the lane. Kobe kicked it out to Ronny, he attacked with his left and drew FTs, made both. He got blocked after grabbing an offensive board, his only miss. Nice swat attempt on Howard, but he was called for the foul.
Vujacic -- -- Sasha looked frustrated out there. He missed his only shot attempt, a nice drive into the lane, where he drew contact and missed, but he should have been to the line. Next time down, he attacked again and set up Kwame for a dunk. He let a kickout pass go right through his hands and out of bounds. He traveled trying to create at the top of the lane.
Green -- -- He came in to run as lead guard again in the fourth, played just 3 minutes. He tipped in a Kobe miss with a good crash of the glass and missed a jumper.
Bynum -- -- He played 8:56 and mostly set picks on offense and didn't take a shot. Not too much to report out there. He contested a couple of shots and grabbed an offensive board.
Phil -- -- If you had to put out your Hoop IQ lineup, who would you trust on this roster? Very hard to put together a lineup you can feel confident in not to have the mental breakdowns. The team is young, but you also have a couple veterans who have made some mental errors in crunch time. In the end, this is what will probably hurt the Lakers the most if they make the playoffs. But with such a young team, that playoff experience is important. It seems that Phil is quickly building some trust in Ronny Turiaf. That says a lot for a rookie. In the last game, Phil would have had him play the entire fourth quarter if he could have. In this one, he was in the mix again. You can see him struggling a bit in the offensive execution, but he's always thinking and always moving. He's only going to get better once that execution evolves... Some very nice movement in the offense in the third quarter and the Lakers scored 38 points... The only player that seemed to give them any trouble was Grant Hill, whom the Lakers sagged off of too much so he could hurt us with his midrange game... Luke Walton was a DNP in a game where Bynum had nearly 9 minutes of action... |
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kobeodom Starting Rotation
Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 278 Location: Shanghai, China
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:02 am Post subject: |
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db is BACK!!!!!!!!!!! _________________ Kobe is Kobe is Kobe is Kobe. |
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DancingBarry Editor-in-Chief
Joined: 07 Sep 2001 Posts: 40222 Location: O.C.
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:07 am Post subject: |
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Quote of the night from the rookie. L.A. Times:
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Odom had 12 rebounds and five assists. And Turiaf said to expect more out of Brown.
"I am trying to push him during practice and before the games," the rookie said. "We have our whole new routine going now. Kwame has a little confidence coming back up, so I think it is going to be scary to guard him because when he has confidence, he is pretty unstoppable."
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DancingBarry Editor-in-Chief
Joined: 07 Sep 2001 Posts: 40222 Location: O.C.
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:08 am Post subject: |
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kobeodom wrote: | db is BACK!!!!!!!!!!! |
Thanks. |
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Philostrator Starting Rotation
Joined: 07 Feb 2006 Posts: 171
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:08 am Post subject: |
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Lakers proved they can play good at 3rd quarter, however, 4th quarter was a struggle but I think
that was Phil jackson's bad move for bringing up a weak lineup at the 4th quarter, Phil gambled and he was lucky to win.
I'm guessing Phil wanted to give Bynum some playing time, but I think that was a little risky to bring him on the 4th quarter.
Bynum was playing with no energy in the floor for some odd reason. |
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uberzev Franchise Player
Joined: 25 Jan 2002 Posts: 19120 Location: SDSU
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:16 am Post subject: |
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DancingBarry wrote: | Quote of the night from the rookie. L.A. Times:
Quote: |
Odom had 12 rebounds and five assists. And Turiaf said to expect more out of Brown.
"I am trying to push him during practice and before the games," the rookie said. "We have our whole new routine going now. Kwame has a little confidence coming back up, so I think it is going to be scary to guard him because when he has confidence, he is pretty unstoppable."
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Maybe he'll be the one to get through to Kwame? _________________ Lakers Gonna Lake |
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DancingBarry Editor-in-Chief
Joined: 07 Sep 2001 Posts: 40222 Location: O.C.
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:22 am Post subject: |
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uberzev wrote: |
Maybe he'll be the one to get through to Kwame? |
That would be his second miracle in the past year. He might be made a saint.
As I said after the last game, if Kobe and Ronny can't get through to certain teammates I doubt anyone can. |
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magic_bryant Franchise Player
Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:25 am Post subject: |
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DancingBarry wrote: | uberzev wrote: |
Maybe he'll be the one to get through to Kwame? |
That would be his second miracle in the past year. He might be made a saint.
As I said after the last game, if Kobe and Ronny can't get through to certain teammates I doubt anyone can. |
Doesn't it take 3?
Waiting for him to teach Sasha athleticism. _________________ Stephon Marbury on Kobe: "He's the only person on 'dis earth that can do 'dat. He guards people, like shuts 'em down. Then, to do 'dat on 'da offensive end. It's like 'Damn, I can't score on him AND he about to bust my ass." |
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NestT Star Player
Joined: 05 Jul 2002 Posts: 4327 Location: The Shining City on a Hill
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:27 am Post subject: |
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Howard going off in the post. Iso after Iso to start the game. Our defense is collapsing.
In comes Kwame and that comes .......... to an end.
Boy I do wish we traded George for Darko.
Now that he cut his hair and dropped his FES look he looks all off his 260 lbs. Darko wears his Orlando tan well. Wish it was an LA tan.
He does have a freakishly long wingspan.
He did swat Kwame like three times. |
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magic_bryant Franchise Player
Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:32 am Post subject: |
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Orlando is going to be FINE with Darko and Dwight playing off each other for the next 5-10 years. Darko's no bust. _________________ Stephon Marbury on Kobe: "He's the only person on 'dis earth that can do 'dat. He guards people, like shuts 'em down. Then, to do 'dat on 'da offensive end. It's like 'Damn, I can't score on him AND he about to bust my ass." |
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LakersSpirit Franchise Player
Joined: 13 Apr 2001 Posts: 13619 Location: West Los Angeles
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:39 am Post subject: |
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This game was like a "shot-in-the-arm"... The roller coaster, tentatively, starts trying to work uphill again...
I have to be honest, however, I still think we look a bit sloppy... Remember, the Magic is a team that is struggling hard. Reality may set in, when we meet another quality team, that knows how to apply more pressure..
I did like the way Ronny is coming along... Finally, Ronny is truly showing some of the skills that can help our team.
I have to say, that the biggest problem, right now, is our lack of "touch" around the basket... We still have to focus more, and show more composure, and timing. Many of those missed layups, and failed put-backs should have been converted, and reflected on the score board. We need to keep improving.
Lamar still doesn't know how to change direction, when someone is posting him up, and he's driving to the basket. Lamar could have ended his season, right there, as his leg folded up under him, at an awkward angle, because he didn't change direction, or slip to the side.
Kwame, what can you say??... The guy seems to still need reminders, that he is a bigman. We saw moments, when someone must have stuck something up his rear, and he actually took it up, kind of strong... He also had the cojones to put the ball up, and he surprised, even himself, as the ball went in. _________________ "Teamwork is a nebulous thing. It is as ephemeral as love, disappearing at the latest insult.".... Phil Jackson |
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koolruningz Starting Rotation
Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 986 Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:01 am Post subject: |
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Thanks DB, good to have your writeups back again.
I love that quote by Turiaf, the guy is such a great teammate. I noticed on the SportsCenter highlights that he has some new moves for his victory dances as well. He's just great for our team, they really needed an injection of energy the last couple of games and he has provided that. |
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TooCool Star Player
Joined: 02 Jun 2002 Posts: 4545 Location: Monrovia, California
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:30 am Post subject: |
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great post db
hope the lakers can finally win a back to back tomorrow night up in portland. _________________
LakerFanAlways wrote: | Somewhere the Utah Jazz are watching this and saying "WE LOST TO THESE IDIOTS" |
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KobeButler Franchise Player
Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Posts: 10179
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:55 am Post subject: |
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Our defense was still horrible. Magic shot over 50%. If it had been a better team, we wouldnt be so lucky. _________________ Pain is temporary, at the end of pain is success... |
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A Mad Chinaman Star Player
Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 6184
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:10 am Post subject: |
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Great to have you back DB!
Cookie is a good offensive weapon, though at times he appears lost on defense and slow on the rotations
If only Smush would acquire a defensive mindset to contest every shot instead of just giving up and watching his opponent shoot over him?!?!
Interesting that Turiaff is getting more PT than Bynum
Also interesting that Turiaff seems to have a good knowledge of the Triangle, more than some of the other players - LOL
PJ seems to be trying to find a workable rotation and/or combination of players that can provide things that he needs (i.e. energy, etc.) at certain times of the game.
Could it be me, but it appears that PJ is starting to have the players (except for Kobe, LO and DGeorge - at times) playing apx. 15 to 20 minutes a game. Maybe this is because this is the amount of PT that they can mentally play at the level PJ wants?!?!
Hmmm . . . . . |
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Intensity Sixth Man
Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 69
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:24 am Post subject: |
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Turiaf was the man |
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kups Star Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 1716
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:32 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the recap DB. _________________ #2 Lonzo
#28 Derrick White, Jordan Bell, Deonte Burton |
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froesel Starting Rotation
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 701 Location: Lakerland USA
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:18 am Post subject: |
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Welcome back DB. Hope you and your family are feeling better. Great to see 6 players in double digits. Ronny is showing that he is the MAN. Hope we can win tonite. _________________ Win or lose, for better or worse, always a Laker fan. |
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venicebeach Starting Rotation
Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 165 Location: Rome, Italy
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:43 am Post subject: |
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Thanks and welcome back DB |
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20,000 Retired Number
Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 29999 Location: Likely nowhere near you
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:52 am Post subject: |
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Welcome back, DB.
Best stat of the night:
Luke Walton, SF DNP COACH'S DECISION _________________ Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying...'I will try again tomorrow.' |
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20,000 Retired Number
Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 29999 Location: Likely nowhere near you
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:54 am Post subject: |
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A Mad Chinaman wrote: | Interesting that Turiaff is getting more PT than Bynum |
Is it interesting? Yes, Turiaf had the heart surgery, but he is more experienced than Bynum with all those years of college ball. Do you suggest throwing Bynum out to the lions right away and have him learn on the court? _________________ Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying...'I will try again tomorrow.' |
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wolfpaclaker Retired Number
Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58415
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:27 am Post subject: |
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Whatsup with freezing Bynum out of the offense?
If Phil is going to play him, he needs to tell his guards to start getting him the ball.
Bynum isn't just there to set picks and what not. You have a legit low post back to the basket C and you use him as a pick setter?
Sweet. |
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KoolMo Star Player
Joined: 26 Dec 2004 Posts: 1035 Location: United States
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:40 am Post subject: |
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Greatly appreciated. I couldn't watch the game and I like the in-depth ananysis. Thank You. |
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PopcornMachine Franchise Player
Joined: 19 Apr 2001 Posts: 10566
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:08 am Post subject: |
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DancingBarry wrote: | uberzev wrote: |
Maybe he'll be the one to get through to Kwame? |
That would be his second miracle in the past year. He might be made a saint.
As I said after the last game, if Kobe and Ronny can't get through to certain teammates I doubt anyone can. |
I've been hoping, beyond hope, that Ronny's enthusiasm would rub off on Kwame.
Last night I saw them supporting each other, on and off the court.
And now that quote from Ronny is music to my ears!
To hear that the rookie is actually trying to motivate Kwame, understands that someone needs to do it, is beyond wonderful.
Whether or not he is successful, of course, is still really up to Kwame.
I have no doubt Ronny will be successful on his own, and have a long career as a Laker.
_________________
I'm with COCO! |
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re4ee Franchise Player
Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 12237
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:35 am Post subject: |
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A Mad Chinaman wrote: | Great to have you back DB!
Cookie is a good offensive weapon, though at times he appears lost on defense and slow on the rotations
If only Smush would acquire a defensive mindset to contest every shot instead of just giving up and watching his opponent shoot over him?!?!
Interesting that Turiaff is getting more PT than Bynum
Also interesting that Turiaff seems to have a good knowledge of the Triangle, more than some of the other players - LOL
PJ seems to be trying to find a workable rotation and/or combination of players that can provide things that he needs (i.e. energy, etc.) at certain times of the game.
Could it be me, but it appears that PJ is starting to have the players (except for Kobe, LO and DGeorge - at times) playing apx. 15 to 20 minutes a game. Maybe this is because this is the amount of PT that they can mentally play at the level PJ wants?!?!
Hmmm . . . . . | If we could combine Cook's touch and tri knowledge, with Kwame's physique and defensive presence, we'd have one of the top 3 PF's in the NBA
Ronny has loads more experience, including his years ai Gonzaga, which typically developes "heady" platers.
With many of them, it is more about conditioning, than mentality, especially Ronny. Phil is working him about as hard as he can handle, right now, and by the playoffs, watch out! If he can get through to Kwame, the Lakers have a solid rotation at the 4, and a very capeable 5 back-up. |
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