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I have noticed the Lakers pressing teams now that they have Gasol protecting the basket. Gasol is a much better shot blocker than Kwame was so that makes sense. I think that the Lakers would be an awesome pressing team when Bynum and Ariza get back. Ariza/Kobe/Odom with their long arms in the passing lane will create all kinds of turnovers and even if the other teams beat the press Bynum is a big enough deterrent to allow them to recover.

I can see the Laker coaching staff has a lot of tricks to work with when the team gets to full strength. I think the Lakers defense will be one of the best when Ariza and Bynum come back.

What do you guys think......

Phil has been selective with it, it's almost a guarantee after we shoot free throws...

the first 3peat Bulls would wreak havoc with that ****...

its not new. Weve always done that even before we got Gasol. Like mentioned, weve just been selective with it.

NBA-court is so wide and players are too experienced for a full court press to work when used often. It's best used as a suprise tactic. I like the idea of pressing teams with great PG or teams who are slow to set up their offense.

Lakers have used 1-2-2 press, maybe mixing it up with a 2-2-1 also...

I like it when they apply the full court press. Another great element that they have added to their defensive arsenal for this season and slowly Phil seems to be teaching the tricks of the trade that he taught those great Bulls squads. May be this is what team development is all about too.

Farmar and LO really do a tremendous job on the full court press, Farmar hounding the opposition PG and LO just preventing any outlet with his length. If IIRC we won a game (vs Pistons I guess) exclusively by running two consecutive full court presses early in the season when Farmar picked up 2 steals to start the 4th Q, turning a tight game into a blowout.

So its been pretty effective whenever applied.

I just remember the old bulls pulling the full court press on the lakers and force several TO's in a row to send the game to over time and win it. I would like to see this more often.

You've got to be selective with it, because it's very tiring.

Also, make a mistake during a press, you'll get burned for an easy basket.

I think even without Bynum the press could be effective. Put the same starting lineup but replace Vlad with Ariza

Fisher
Kobe
Ariza
Odom
Pau

You do lose the 3pt shooting that Vlad brings but I think the defense improves so much especially in a press situation. I would just like to see the steals that Kobe and Ariza would get now that they have a decent big man to guard the basket if the press breaks down.

I don't think the Lakers can do it with Bynum/Pau in the lineup unless it's a half court press. But this is where Lamar could excel by playing the PF next Bynum/Pau and using his athleticism to cover the court. I am just as excited to get Ariza back as I am to see Bynum back on the floor......

It did really bother the Bobcats last night, but it was the Bobcats without Wallace, plus it was the Bobcats

I like switching up the defense often. Not only does it make the defense fun to watch, but it's an effective strategy.

whatever works to get the win, is fine by me....
the full court press as some one said phil has used before
now with pau and bynum holding down the middle its going to be one hell of a trip for anyone trying to slash, when the lakers currently hold the new twin tower of this era

I'd like to see our faster 2nd line do it more, but not our starters until crunch time.