Why not Sasha? (If we can't keep Odom)

[Dexmor]

It's possible they are not gonna want to pay Odom and Bynum big bucks with Gasol and Kobe already making big bucks and were always talking about what trade would work but why not give Sasha the starting job?

He would be kind of like A Peja for us. This is a solid lineup

Bynum
Gasol
Sasha
Kobe
Farmar (it's only a matter of time)

I would rather keep Odom and Bynum clearly but why not Sasha?

[monk302]

Not crazy about Sasha as a starter. His basketball IQ isn't very high and I think he's better suited coming off the bench.

[Dexmor]

Yeah I agree he doesn't seem to smart but I still love him as a spot up shooter and he might be a 17-20 point a game scorer with Bynum and Gasol in the post.

[ShowtimeFan]

He is fine off the bench, but I am sure the Lakers will keep him..

[bullzman23]

Yeah I agree he doesn't seem to smart but I still love him as a spot up shooter and he might be a 17-20 point a game scorer with Bynum and Gasol in the post.

That's unlikely. How many fourth options average 17-20 a game? There's not enough touches for him to average 17-20 a game if Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum are ahead of him in the food chain.

[Erik Eleven]

Never replace a big with a small...

... unless the big is Kwame.

[That Nicka]

17-20 points a game?

[dockingsched]

how the heck does sasha have low bball iq? he knows his role and executes it perfectly. special defensive assignment? no problem. team needs bucket? no problem. shooting too much? pump fake, take a step in, drive to the hole....no problem.

[Danny Darko]

Sasha is up this year, Odom next... it's not a question of one or the other.

We resign Sasha if at all possible without breaking the bank this year.

Next year we either trade Odom or let him expire and try to get a deal on a resign.

[Dexmor]

Yes but everybody is always thinking of a backup for the 3. Even if we trade him maybe we get a couple players but maybe we let Sasha play the 3.

[Dexmor]

-= original quote snipped =-



That's unlikely. How many fourth options average 17-20 a game? There's not enough touches for him to average 17-20 a game if Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum are ahead of him in the food chain.

But he is a guy who could become a volume 3 point shooter and is a very effecient scorer. He could get a ton of touches. You can't see him getting 4-5 3 pointers a game if started? That is 1-2 per quarter.

[SashAlex]

12 PPG is the ceilling for Sasha, I suppose ! Unless you give him always the ball, then he'll score 17 - 20 PPG !

We need him coming from the bench, as a spark.

[ajwells]

i like sasha but he isnt that dependable

[DubaLakers]

Sasha wouldn't start at SF. If he was a starter he's be the 1, as long as Kobester is here.

I love the Sasha, always have from day 1, because he hustles, he's 6'7" can play 3 positions, and he plays D, that's before this great shooter came into play, which I'm totally shocked by, a pleasant surprise. I knew he could shoot, but WOW he can get his own shot that's whats just fantastic!

He reminds me of Manu with more hair. I watched his interview in the media room last night it was telling. he really gets it , NO FEAR!
Hopefully he is a Laker for life.

As far as the earlier poster talkign about trading for Lamar...I'm OK with Lamar leaving. It really takes a great staff, team success and Kobe's push for greatness for him to achieve his current level. Reminds me of Magic keeping on Vlade Divac. Lamar sulks too much! Would we get equal value? Teyshawn for Odom I'd love. Especially with Bynum coming back.

[hermes]

if you don't keep sasha mitch i will take back every good thing i ever said about, i mean i stood up for you man, don't let me down

MACHINE

[Chubby Chaser]

Sasha isn't going anywhere. There's no way. We need to keep him on our bench and allow him the green light when he comes in. He's absolutely lethal behind the arc, and when we get bynum back and other teams are going to have to double him. Sasha will make them pay.

[bullzman23]

-= original quote snipped =-




But he is a guy who could become a volume 3 point shooter and is a very effecient scorer. He could get a ton of touches. You can't see him getting 4-5 3 pointers a game if started? That is 1-2 per quarter.

4-5 made three pointers per game? No way. He'd have those games every now and then sure, but there's no way that'd be the norm.

Peja led the league in most three pointers made per game this season. He averaged 3.0.

[MAMBAEMD]

The Machine is exactly what we need off the bench. Energy, defense, and ability to score.
I don't think he can consistently perform these tasks as a starter.
Keep him but bring him off the bench.

[milesfides]

I personally think Sasha's game is suited for both, but might even be better with the starters.

I think this is why he's also usually in at the end of games, over Radmanovic, Walton, and sometimes, even Odom.

He's a shooter, and with Bynum and Gasol and Kobe, I think Sasha will get a lot of open shots with the starters. In fact, he's ideal; his ability to shoot threes is elite. Not only in terms of percentage, but he doesn't hesitate - give him an inch and he'll burn you.

His shooting is absolutely required with the starters, as one of the problems against the Cetlics is that they're playing off Odom.

Lastly, there is no drawback to his offense. Many 3-point shooters are lousy-ass defenders (Peja, Korver, Kapano). The key wings who can shoot while defend (Battier, Bowen) are worth gold to the team - and the starters. For it will be Vujacic who will most likely guard the key perimeter threat, relieving much pressure off Kobe (until the fourth, when Kobe will switch and lock the opponent down).

Imo, if the Lakers want to maximize the effectiveness of their team, they need to play Sasha with the starters, and increase his minutes.

And I don't think his intensity is a function of his stamina; I think his intensity is a function of his innate character. Furthermore, how tired can he get? He's almost exclusively a 3-point shooter.

[MAMBAEMD]

^^^^Agree with all your points.
His removal from the Bench Mob though will severly impact their performance which has been one of the key reasons for Lakers' success this year.