Should Phil J change Sasha's in Rotation?

[Luxury]

I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with the statement of Sasha starting instead of Fisher. That is one of the worst things I've heard and its not because its out of the consensus. PG is probably the hardest position to guard, and Fisher does a great job on defense compared to more than half of the leagues starting PGs.

Also, since Lamar isn't even on the court, they literally have only Kobe as the primary ball handler. I'm tired of Kobe dribbling up the ball just to pull up, I want him to start going in the high post and by having Sasha in will exactly keep this habit up.

As to Sasha's game, he has no dribbles and he can not run an effective fast break. Sasha made several TO's this season whenever he goes outside his role and tries to be a ballhandler. Sasha's defense is only good for SG's because he's not quick enough to guard the smaller and quicker guards. He has tenacity and I'll give him that because I know he can pressure the ball at times fairly well. Other than that, his defense is highly overrated and that's the reason why his PT is down because he hasn't been earning it this year.

When it comes down to it, Sasha's been put in a role that doesn't maximize his skills. He needs to either start or finish while Kobe shifts to the 3.

[Sedale Threatt]

You know, I sort of do as well, but the way he has played this season has just been incredibly annoying to watch. Last season he was really clicking on both ends of the floor, so I don't know if the it's the "Curse of the Contract Extension" or what, but he better snap out of it quickly.

I hear you, but I tend to agree with DC. I actually think he's a pretty conscientious kid, and he's just trying too hard at this point. Hopefully he realizes his reduced role isn't a punishment, but a result of having an extremely deep team with a lot of players who deserves minutes. If he could settle down and get into his role, he'd make us a lot better so here's hoping he does it soon.

[Patterns]

I'll continue to argue that Ariza should be inserted with the starters instead of Fisher unless better options are available.

Fixed it for you, miles.

Please please tell me you're not serious. Ariza would make our first unit complete crap.

I completely agree with the OP. If Phil isn't going to play Vlade in the 4th then play Sasha. I am tired of teams double teaming Kobe and Kobe has to pass to either Lamar or Ariza for the 3... clank.

[milesfides]

Very interesting, Phil vowed to make changes in rotations, and he did. But he also changed roles: Sasha played lead guard (triangle equivalent of a point guard) over Farmar on the second unit.

Tonight, Sasha's shot was off, but he had 3 assists and one turnover in 17 minutes.

Fish had 1 assist, 2 turnovers.

Farmar had 0 assists, 2 turnovers.

What's interesting, when things get ragged on that second unit, they give it to Sasha to settle things down.

I'm not surprised. Farmar is relentless in trying to push the tempo and looking to score. I think that hurt the 2nd unit's performance in the past few games. There's little cohesion in that one-and-done, poor defense, run-and-gun approach.

Fish shot well. Kobe played playmaker. I'm not sure how efficient that is for our offense, especially since Bynum and Gasol didn't get enough touches and didn't get the ball in good positions.

Fish got hot, as did Radamn, and luckily we were playing a bad team playing even worse than they are, which masked a problem that's been plaguing our team all year long.

We need to involve Bynum and Pau more, and I think Sasha would be better able to get those entry passes to those guys, while still commanding respect to stretch defenses.

[ReaListik]

It still looks like guys are trying to figure out their roles in this offense as to what works when and where. I'd like to see some more looks for Gasol and Bynum in good positions. You can tell Farmar's wanting to get his at times rather than settling down and letting the offense get established.

[shobe_81]

Completely agree with you and Miles

And I wish they'd also Post Odom up more often, the guy doesn't know how to create his own shot from the top of the key or 3'pt line, so he should be fed in the post where he isn't bad.