Josh Powell: Can he contribute?

[Kilroy]

Sweet.... The whole multi-quote thing used in full-effect... Awesome.

I was really excited about how he played during the season... But when the physicality increased in the play-offs, Powell got pushed around more than Gasol...

You mean Bynum right? Powell hasn't played any meaningful minutes since Bynum came back. He averaged 5 minutes in the playoffs and only logged double digit minutes twice during the run. Phil could have played Powell when Bynum showed initial signs of struggle, but he stuck with the young center anyways so he can get playoff experience. That is no fault of Powell.

No... I mean Powell... I know a lot of people think they're better coaches than Phil Jackson, but maybe... Just maybe... Bynum played instead of Powell because he's actually the better option... Phil did eveything he could to limit Bynum's minutes... It seems highly unlikely that he'd give 2 poops about getting him play-off experience... In fact given how quick he fouled out, I wouldn't think Bynum got a whole lot out of all that experience.

Phil might have complimented Powell but he also said this team lacks a bruiser... Someone that can go in and bang and provide that kind of spark off the bench....

He did say it, but from what I recall the last time he said that was a year ago. I don't remember him saying it this season.

He was quoted as saying it during the Utah series, I believe.

As much as I like Powells mid-range and finesse game, we don't really need that as long as we have Gasol and Odom playing that spot...

Considering that our 3 point shooting is absolute crapshot right now that's a pretty bold statement. It doesn't matter how hard one can get to the rim if there is no one else to spread the floor.

Bold statement? You're the one seeming to suggest Powell is our saving grace at shooting the 3 and spreading the floor? He clanked just about all the shots I saw him take in the play-offs, was out of position on D and for O rebounds, and gave little resistance when other bigs boxed him out.

Odom and Gasol give us all the Offense this team needs at PF... What they don't give us night in and night out is phisical D and the consistant abillity to box out and grab boards.

Our 3 point shooting is shakey... No doubt... But god forbid we start looking to Powell to fix it...

We need a Bruiser that can come in and confront the Birdmen of the league and provide a physical presence off the bench...

Birdman is a terrible example. He provides shotblocking from the weakside and doesn't do anything else. He has no man defense, no rebounding, and having tattoos all over doesn't make him tough.

Dude... I hate him too... But who would you rather have coming off the bench in the playoffs. Powell or Birdman?... From a purely BASKETBALL perspective...

Birdman isn't the biggest body in the world which doesn't make him ideal, but he's physical, athletic, energetic, and aggressive...

And I'm not sure Powell can do that... At least that's how I see it now... Prove me wrong...

How can we do that when you haven't proven yourself right?

I don't generally have to prove each belief right, after I believe it... It's the whole 'believing' thing...

In all seriousness though, maybe 'convince' would have been a better word...

Powell didn't complain about lack of minutes, and when Bynum got injured he stepped up for us immediately. He didn't back down against Boston and was a key spark to us winning the last seasonal game against the Rockets and Spurs. He was able to play well despite going up against possibly the three of the best defensive teams in the league, and nothing I have seen of him this season suggests that he's a soft player.

All this might be true but if there's one thing we learned this post-season, it's that the regular season has little to do with the play-offs... And to me it looked like Powell didn't earn his playing time and was pretty useless when he did get in the game...

Again though... I like him, I just don't know if he's the right fit...

I also get that he's cheap... That makes him valuable... But does that make him more valuable to us as a back-up PF or as trade bait?

Micro... In case it's not getting through, all my replies to you should be in green font... I'm still high on the championship and nothings going to get me pissed until we loose our first game in '010... It's fun bickering about basketball played in purple and gold.

[Kilroy]

Another week.........another hilarious thread, JP did well for us considering the amount of time he got to play. He filled in well during the time Bynum was out. As far as the playoffs, how can some say he disappeared when there simply isn't enough minutes at playoff time ?

Glad it amused you enough to reply...

I guess it comes down to either you think Phil didn't play him because he just wasn't that effective, or you think there was some alterior motive for him not playing...

I have faith in the coaching staff... I think he didn't play because he wasn't the best option... I base that on how poorly he played and how quickly he was pulled when he got the chance... I mean, it's not like he wasn't given the chance, or was doing really good but Phil pulled him anyway... he just wasn't contributing that much.

We're a pretty talented team but we need improvement at PG first, SF second and possible at PF.
We need physicality in our big rotation...
I'm wondering if Powell might be able to bring us something to fill those needs...
That's nothing against him but given our other options, he might be the most valuable and easy to trade.

[Kilroy]

Josh Powell= Kurt Thomas in his prime

Really?!...

[KObe Bryant]

I saw him play when we were playing against the Rockets in the regular season, the game which he started because of Odom's suspension and Bynum's injury. If we'll give him playing time, He could put up 10/7 a game.

[microfib4thewin]

No... I mean Powell... I know a lot of people think they're better coaches than Phil Jackson, but maybe... Just maybe... Bynum played instead of Powell because he's actually the better option... Phil did eveything he could to limit Bynum's minutes... It seems highly unlikely that he'd give 2 poops about getting him play-off experience... In fact given how quick he fouled out, I wouldn't think Bynum got a whole lot out of all that experience.

He does mind because Bynum is signed to a lucrative extension already. Buss certainly would have something to say if Bynum doesn't get any playing time despite being cleared to play. I don't know why you think Powell didn't get any playing time was from his sporadic play in that 5 minutes he was given each game when Phil was determined to run the Bynum-Gasol-Odom as much as possible. Yes, Bynum was in foul trouble for most of those games, and Phil had him play through it. Bynum has hurt us when he's on the floor because he can't make high percentage shots and only has the defense of a garbage big that's only good for his 6 fouls. At any of those times Phil could have gone to Powell but didn't, and it certainly isn't because of Powell struggling in those severely limited minutes when Bynum is playing much worse with double the playing time.

He was quoted as saying it during the Utah series, I believe.

That sounded more like a reaction to the Lakers inability to rebound if he did say it.

Bold statement? You're the one seeming to suggest Powell is our saving grace at shooting the 3 and spreading the floor? He clanked just about all the shots I saw him take in the play-offs, was out of position on D and for O rebounds, and gave little resistance when other bigs boxed him out.

No. What I am saying is, with our outside shooting at such a questionable state, assuming that getting a 'bruiser' type player will give us betting interior scoring is farfetched. When you want to use Powell's salary to find a replacement, you will get another limited player that is good at something but gives you headache in other areas. Powell is an above average rebounder and is the only bench guy who can consistently make shots on the outside, I don't know why you think he's not a good contributor to the team and why you think Powell was given a fair chance to show up in the playoffs.

Odom and Gasol give us all the Offense this team needs at PF... What they don't give us night in and night out is phisical D and the consistant abillity to box out and grab boards.

But Gasol plays C also. I certainly hope he's not going to log 40+ minutes again, and you are not going to find a much better backup PF than Powell with a contract like his.

Dude... I hate him too... But who would you rather have coming off the bench in the playoffs. Powell or Birdman?... From a purely BASKETBALL perspective...

Birdman isn't the biggest body in the world which doesn't make him ideal, but he's physical, athletic, energetic, and aggressive...

I like how people overrate a player based on one series. Even Dahntay Jones look alive against our defense. Andersen is a help shotblocker, that's all he does. He does nothing else noteworthy(except his hair). He doesn't box out, he doesn't rebound, he only finishes from broken plays. Just like Turiaf, he's a presence as a shotblocker from the weakside, but is not a physical presence underneath that you have to account for.

Powell also wants to score underneath the basket, the problem is he doesn't have the proper handles and constantly gets blocked on his dunk attempts.

I also get that he's cheap... That makes him valuable... But does that make him more valuable to us as a back-up PF or as trade bait?

A backup PF who is paid less than a million and received no playing time in the playoffs is not going to be anything other than a filler on a larger trade. Unless they are interested in gutting the team I don't see him traded.

If the team is really in need of bruisers they can play Mbenga more. You are not going to find a bruiser elsewhere who isn't a scoring liability and can rebound better than Powell on minimum pay.

[ALL HAIL]

Contribution-per-dollar value should be an official stat.

WHEW!!!

I can't agree more. If that were a stat, we would all understand the REAL reason why ther is contempt for Luke Walton. He IS a decent enough 10 minute guy but not worth his deal.

Powell is not perfect considering what we need there but I would not take a chance on replacing him unless there is a CLEAR better option to replace his production at his asking price.

I'm very open to hearing some names though. I'm not sure there are any ... especially if you consider the fact that he is going to be better than just about anybody at his price because of his year of experience in our offense.

[62245]

you want energy , sign pops mensah-bonsu , played for the raptors this past season this guy gives 120% towards every single play , never stops fighting and dosent back down form anybody

[TylersLakers]

Stupid topic.

Now, if you asked this question last summer, it would be relevant.

Everyone knows I suggested we sign him last summer, because I knew what kind of player he is. For a fourth big man, being paid less than a million, he's a steal.

He has one of the best jump shots for a big man in the league and his range almost reaches out to the three-point line. But he knows his game; pick and roll, catch, put it in the hole.

And this guy has heart. I was at the game in Toronto this year, and he got stuffed by Jermaine O'Neal on one play. When JO got the ball on the offensive trip, Powell rejected the heck out of O'Neal. He showed heart and toughness on that play. He didn't back down from one of the best shot blockers in the league, and he even attacked him again. JO got the better out of him with another block, but that doesn't question his toughness. O'Neal talked smack to him and Peezy went right back at him.

He's great in the locker room. That's one area I had questions about.. I always thought he was really quiet and all about himself. Far from it. He does the Peezys Playlist with Mike Trudell, and he makes up all the handshakes with the guys.

So you want to trade that, for less than a million, for K-Mart who has two years and over 25 million dollars left?

[DEEP3CL]

Stupid topic.

Now, if you asked this question last summer, it would be relevant.

Thanks TL, at least I know I wasn't the only one who thought this.

[Slava]

He's great insurance as a bench big and his performance per dollar value should be really good if he's trusted with more minutes. Just the fact that we have a pretty unique and very solid front court rotation makes him the perfect guy to be ready and contribute and not worry about playing time. He's a much better shooter than Turiaf and also a far better rebounder but Ronny was a better shot blocker and his passing was severely underrated.

[dingclancy]

Why get worked up on Powell. He did his job and did it well. To the one who said that Powell did not contribute enough for him to be called upon in the playoffs.. the heck! He is behind Odom/Bynum/Gasol in the rotation. What do you expect? 20/10 in 5 minutes per game.

Him lacking minutes does not mean Phil has no faith in him to contribute. It just means our squad is healthy. Powell may not be a "bruiser" but he is still a better pure rebounder than what we have in this team. He just did not have a chance to show it.

Even if Birdman goes to play here, he won't be good enough because he won't have a chance to show it here. And no, Birdman is not what we need. Powell is a better fit.

[Kilroy]

Not worked up...

I think this team should use this time to try to improve...

Powell is one of the few players we have that might be valuable to another team outside of our core...

So I ask the question, is he too vauable to us for what he does to trade?

I don't think he didn't deserve the minutes he got in the playoffs... I just think he didn't play well enough when he got the chance to stay on the floor.

And honestly, I just don't see this "pure rebounder" stuff... Getting and holding position are fundamental aspects of rebounding... Powell never did that when he made it on the floor in the post season. Bynum, Gasol, and Odom didn't do a real good job at it either... That looks to me to be a place where this team could improve.

Maybe trading the guy who for whatever reason, didn't get much burn when it counted, would get us what we need..

And just so you don't think I'm singling Powell out... I've said repeatedly on here that if Bynum doesn't show that he can be the physical post presense that he used to be, we should trade him at the deadline (before all-stars)...