In Phils fist season as Lakers head coach phil did not start a true point guard. The lineup that lead to their first of three championships:
Ron Harper
Kobe Bryant
Rick Fox
AC Green
Shaq
All the talk back then about this was the triangle did not need a true point guard and how Phil favors bigger guards. I think with the personnel we have next year, this philosophy may be implemented, and may lead to championship. Here is the line up:
Kobe
Ariza
Odom
Gasol
Bynum
Bench
Fish
Farmar
Sasha
Luke
Radman
Mihm
Turriaf
**
This would really depend on Ariza's ballhandling and decision making in the triangle. Phil does not like Kobe bringing the ball up the court to often, unless the game is on the line. Lamar is already very familiar with the offense and brings the ball up the court as is, and with the second half of the season and playoffs he is having his confidence would be very high. This line up is so intriguing on both ends of the court. On offense you have two phenomenal post options, which is the anchor for the triangle. Then surrounding these post players, you have 3 long slashing players who will be cutting towards the basket, setting screens and most importantly diving for offensive boards. On defense, with their length and athleticism they will shut it down. They are long enough to clog up the lanes, their hands will be in pssinngs lanes, they can swtich and be confident the man they are switching with can handle the new found player he is guarding, rebounding will be a joke etc.
The questions becomes: who guards to opposing point guard? Kobe or Ariza, byt probably kobe. Kobe would be fine with this. He checks allstar point guards in crunch time most of the time and he is very successful. What this means for him is he will have to move his feet more in defense but wont have to bang bodies which may be a better trade off for him. I am a believer in having big guards especially when you have quick gaurds like paul, nash, parker etc. Reason being length. These are quickest players on earth and no matter how fast you are a defender can never be as fast defending. So, you make up the guards quickness with length and strength
THE MATCHUPS ON OFFENSE:
How can any team check the Lakers with this lineup.
Lets take the spurs for example
Who is parker going to check. If he checks kobe, the game would be over in the first quarter. If he checks Ariza, you put Ariza in the post and force a double all day.
The problem with the lineup is you give up outside shooting (lamar and ariza arent the best shooters) which is very important when you have players like Gasol, kobe, Bynum who demand double teams. And Arzia must be able to bring the ball up the court make good decisions. Its a very intriguing lineup and i hope to see it next year during portions of the game.
Thoughts?
