Concerns with 8-player rotation

[zenmaster2323]

The 8-player rotation that Phil has been playing is starting to take its tool on this team. We saw it last night against the Blazers where we just ran out of gas because everyone has been playing too many minutes. With the close games we've been in, the scrubs like Karl and Mbenga never see any minutes.

We definitely need to get Bynum and Radman back ASAP to help pickup some of the slack.

This is really starting to affect Fisher as we've seen the past 5 games. He has not been the same both at the offensive and defensive end. Also, while Walton has played better the last two games, he is still a liability at the defensive end when compared to Radman.

Here's hoping we can get our guys healthy soon and return to a 10 or 11 player rotation.

[G35]

I don't see how it's affecting Fisher. He is playing 27 minutes a game. He has just been off lately. It would be nice to see Ariza back in to defend some of these SF's on other teams. He is going to help control some of this penetration with his energy.

I think Ariza can have a huge impact on the defensive end and in getting to the basket. The Lakers depend so much on their outside shooting but when it's off like it was last night well it's a problem. Kobe is the only one that really can penetrate and collapse the defense. Pau does it occasionally and Lamar on the break but in the set offense Kobe is the only one who can take his man off the dribble.

Once Bynum comes back then Mbenga won't even be a thought with LO/Bynum/Turiaf and Pau holding down the front court.

Rad/Ariza/Walton at SF

Kobe/Sasha at SG

Fisher/Farmar at PG

They are still playing at a high level and when Bynum and Ariza come back they will have fresh live bodies that will bring energy to the team making it easier on everyone......

[Lakerako]

Bynum suppose to be beack April i think Ariza too, how about Radman, Anyone know?

[bobobolas1]

WE have had minutes winning by too much and DJ and karl stayed in the doghouse. id like to see em more in order to have the others rested!

[-G-]

Um, we have 3 regular rotation guys that are hurt?

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Bynum suppose to be beack April i think Ariza too, how about Radman, Anyone know?

LA Times said Vlad hopes to play tomorrow against the mavs.

[10scott10]

Um, we have 3 regular rotation guys that are hurt?

exactly, we have three (4 if you count mihm) rotation players injured.

once they return, we will be doing better. but he doesn't have much of a choice right now

[lake_show]

exactly, we have three (4 if you count mihm) rotation players injured.

once they return, we will be doing better. but he doesn't have much of a choice right now

+1

Plus we do have DJ and Coby but neither of them can be considered reliable.

[Real_Laker_One]

Bynum suppose to be beack April i think Ariza too, how about Radman, Anyone know?

I read that Bynum was on track to come back in 8 weeks, I believe that March 9 is the start of the 9th week since his injury so why would Bynum be back in April making him out for 10-12 weeks? Now i know that Ariza will be back in April it's been said he is recovering slowly but Bynum is on schedule.
So even though they lost last night their still in first place and are only going to get better when those guys come back.

[Lakerako]

-= original quote snipped =-



I read that Bynum was on track to come back in 8 weeks, I believe that March 9 is the start of the 9th week since his injury so why would Bynum be back in April making him out for 10-12 weeks? Now i know that Ariza will be back in April it's been said he is recovering slowly but Bynum is on schedule.
So even though they lost last night their still in first place and are only going to get better when those guys come back.

I actually read it somewhere that Bynum has been running in the pool, but hasn't been able to jog yet. Once he can jog, he will be put on a treadmill first before joining practice. I hope I'm wrong, but I read that somewhere sometime mid-week.

[Sofa King]

Funny, Lakers lose one game and we get threads like this.

Come on. Lakers were on a roll beating teams they are suppose to beat. The Blazers are a solid team and Lakers were staying close on the road. A lot of questionable calls and a better shot selections, the Lakers could have won.

Lakers are in a good spot. No need for me to question Phil's 8 man rotation when you have players injured.

[brandonkb8]

id just like to say im extremely dissapointed in luke this year...i know hes been battling ankle injuries but still come on!!! he looks slower then everybody on the court and really doesnt even contribute on offense.....was he so great last year when healthy because he knew it was contract time????

[Mamba Venom]

The GOOD NEWS is the Lakers are 11 deep!

These 8 +

Radmon
Ariza
Bynum

Thats great depth.

I have also been dissapointed w/ Luke as another poster wrote. He went from leading the league in 3 point % to not being # 6 on the Lakers... Makes no sense

And Karl is shooting 10%. I hope he can get used to the pressure in the future.

[Lakers8]

Its a good point about Luke playing better last season in a contract season, not that i think thats definately the reason for his play this season. either way i dont think there are a lot of minutes for him anyway when we have ariza and radman back.

As for Karl dont worry, we put up with sasha's 5hit for enough years, he will be given time.

[zenmaster2323]

Glad to see this thread contributing to some good discussion. I wasn't criticizing Phil for the 8-player rotation so much as I was saying he is forced into it because of the injuries we have right now.

Hopefully in the offseason we can make some aquisitions or see DJ/Karl improve so they can contribute more next year.

I am definitely looking forward to the return of Radman/Bynum/Ariza so we can find out what this team is really capable of doing at full strength.

[compton finest]

when healthy..............

We have a 10 man rotation..........

fisher
kobe
lamae
pa
drew...............should get 30-35 a game.

bench mob

jordan
sasha
ariza
vlad
ronny...........20 min a game
luke- dj-coby.......in case of foul trouble

[compton finest]

pj...........
should sub the starters out 9 min in the first............
an bring them back in with 5-6 min left in the 2nd to closr the half.....