IT IS EVIDENT

[LAKERLAW]

That there are problems with this team.

1. Andrew Bynum is not the player we thought he would be. Many thought Andrew would be an impact player at this point of the season and he looks more like a rookie out there, still trying to find his place. Although there is little doubt Drew will become a star, his subpar performance thus far is effecting this team especially on the defensive end and toughness on the boards. We have no pain tpresence at the end of close games because Drew, our "anchor", cannot and is not trusted in the final moments of the game. Our defense is most exposed because we lack toughness in the paint.

2. Bynum and Gasol have yet to learn how to play with another. The best we have seen Andrew play was before his injury WITHOUT Gasol on the team. In the 20 games before he down he was an absolute monster. With Gasol he looks lost and has no impact on the game on either end. Gasol has played his best as a laker last year WITHOUT BYNUM. Neither player is playing up to their potential and both of their numbers are down when they are on the court together.

3. Starting line up needs to change. Bynum and Walton/Radman need to be moved to the bench and Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom should be inserted. We played our best with Gasol playing with Odom in the front court and Bynum will play better on the second unit and not having to compete with gasol for space on the floor.

4. Let the second unit run. Phil needs to let the second unit play free like they did last year. Shasha is not the same player nor is farmar and that is because the message Phil gives the second unit now is different -


ULTIMATELY: Lamar - Shasha - Radman need to be traded for players who understand the game:
Shane B
Raja Bell..

my two cents....

[Jajwanda]

Before a major trade is made some more than obvious things need to happen. Ariza needs to play pure starter minutes. He deserves 35 mpg. Sasha needs to play 20 mpg. Kobe needs to play the rest of the SG/SF minutes. See how that rotation goes and then proceed to a trade.

I don't care about the bull spacing mantra in one sense. The difference between a 3 point shooter shooting at 28% versus the 34% we'd like from the SF spot isn't actually that incredible. Play Ariza and stop worrying about that part of the offense so much. It's not like Walton is any better. If you want to play Vlad, play Vlad or at worst play Sasha if you want the best of both worlds.

The first step in correcting the problems of this team is to eliminate Luke Walton from this rotation and push Farmar to improve by trading for a guy like a Tyronn Lue. Force the team to feed the post, especially Pau Gasol.

I disagree about Sasha. He still has his shot and he still shows effort. He's at least a league average defensive player and teams do respect him at the three-point line giving Kobe room to operate.

[AceFresh]

Gasol not playing to his potential?
he's putting up all star type numbers this year,

and prior to the N.Y Knick game Andrew was @ 15 and 10.


I'm more concerned about our pg position defensively and sf

[Jajwanda]

You're correct in saying that too. It's PG especially that's destroyed us.

[DEEP3CL]

3. Starting line up needs to change. Bynum and Walton/Radman need to be moved to the bench and Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom should be inserted. We played our best with Gasol playing with Odom in the front court and Bynum will play better on the second unit and not having to compete with gasol for space on the floor.

That spot will be taken care of thru a trade trust me cause it ain't working out at all. I f Trev had a J he's be the man, but he don't.

4. Let the second unit run. Phil needs to let the second unit play free like they did last year. Shasha is not the same player nor is farmar and that is because the message Phil gives the second unit now is different -

The Triangle wins rings.................tell me how do the Suns or Mavs rings look ? Oh that's right they're invisible ! That's what running got them. If you run you have to run with intent and purpose. Not running and making wild ass passes and launching 25 footers.

[Jajwanda]

I'm somewhat skeptical of the idea this whole Ariza no jumper thing.

He's a very similar player to Rondo except without the pure driving ability. Then again he makes up for it in other aspects. Somehow the Celtics make it work. Why we can't that's just another matter in and of itself.

If we truly are incapable of creating spacing with Ariza on the floor than I suggest Vujajic play and Kobe take the beating at SF.

[hermes]

That there are problems with this team.

1. Andrew Bynum is not the player we thought he would be. Many thought Andrew would be an impact player at this point of the season and he looks more like a rookie out there, still trying to find his place. Although there is little doubt Drew will become a star, his subpar performance thus far is effecting this team especially on the defensive end and toughness on the boards. We have no pain tpresence at the end of close games because Drew, our "anchor", cannot and is not trusted in the final moments of the game. Our defense is most exposed because we lack toughness in the paint.

2. Bynum and Gasol have yet to learn how to play with another. The best we have seen Andrew play was before his injury WITHOUT Gasol on the team. In the 20 games before he down he was an absolute monster. With Gasol he looks lost and has no impact on the game on either end. Gasol has played his best as a laker last year WITHOUT BYNUM. Neither player is playing up to their potential and both of their numbers are down when they are on the court together.

3. Starting line up needs to change. Bynum and Walton/Radman need to be moved to the bench and Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom should be inserted. We played our best with Gasol playing with Odom in the front court and Bynum will play better on the second unit and not having to compete with gasol for space on the floor.

4. Let the second unit run. Phil needs to let the second unit play free like they did last year. Shasha is not the same player nor is farmar and that is because the message Phil gives the second unit now is different -


ULTIMATELY: Lamar - Shasha - Radman need to be traded for players who understand the game:
Shane B
Raja Bell..

my two cents....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_N1OjGhIFc

watch the language

[hermes]

I'm somewhat skeptical of the idea this whole Ariza no jumper thing.

He's a very similar player to Rondo except without the pure driving ability. Then again he makes up for it in other aspects. Somehow the Celtics make it work. Why we can't that's just another matter in and of itself.

If we truly are incapable of creating spacing with Ariza on the floor than I suggest Vujajic play and Kobe take the beating at SF.

give it more time, rondo wasn't the player he is now, right from the beginning

[snaquille oatmeal]

Lakerlaw, ok so supposse everybody in Socal agreed 100% with your 2 cents. Bell and Battier are still not available what now? gives us real solutions not wet dreams, the first seven games already did that.

[Kobay]

Obviously, championship teams thus far have never had a hole in any of their starting line up.

we have about two holes. We ain't winning.

[Dexmor]

O.K. I think were getting spoiled here. We are in 1st place in the West correct? Bynum and Gasol have played together in how many games?
Think it's possible your judging a little to quickly here? Gasol should NOT be traded and Bynun will NOT be traded therefor they will have to make it work which they probably will.
If they want to make the team better to me it is evident that Odom is a star caliber player being used as a role player off the bench when we can get a real star caliber sf for him.
That would be the move if any needs to be made. Instead of having Luke or Radman start we can have lets say Battier if we get him for Odom or somebody like that. Odom has alot of value.
Bynum and Gasol are not the problem. Really if the Celtics weren't so great we wouldn't even be saying there is a problem. The Lakers are on pace to win what 65 games?

[LAKERLAW]

Snaq:

I was making a general point of the "type" of player we need High energy, high b ball IQ, tough D, a coaches player.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

BustNum is average at best on D. I consider that a hole.

[soleartiz]

i think we have to high standers for the lakers you guys have to know they do have the 3rd best record in the nba maybe its a bad road trip. it will probly help us and prepare us. xmas game with the C's gonna be turning point !

[tkb]

We need to trade Farmar + one of the SFs not named Ariza for a starting type PG IMO. Then move Fisher to the bench.

Fisher and Farmar have been straight out pathetic on defense this season, and it's hurting us big time.

[DubaLakers]

Don't cry a river yet Justin TimberLaw. It's a process, if it wasn't Phillip wouldn't be experimenting, he sees the big picture better than anyone. The idea is to get them on the same page near the all star break, the season is so young. We've lost what 4 or 5 games, all close, we have the deepest team in the league. The faults really are toughness, and consistancy from tip to buzzer. Consistancy can be learned, but toughness really can't, you can only fake it so long. Bynum is a bit of a dissapointment on the D end to me as well, but I have complete faith in him. I think Lamar should be the 3 starter IMO. All I wanted in the off-season was a PG that can penetrate and play defense I have yet to get my wish, hopefully he will come soon.

All I truly care about is health, the 8th seed, and playing well going into the playoffs, this team ATM is not consistant enough tough enough or experienced enough to go 82-0. . However it is good enough to win the championship by years end. Patience Danielson. I just watched my Ravens burn down Texas Stadium, I fully expect a strong performance vs. the C's next week as well.

[notinbtnet]

Actually, what has been evident to me about Bynum is that since injured his foot in the New Jersey game on November 25th, he AND the team have not been the same.

(1) In the 13 games prior to the injury, Bynum averaged 2.38 blocks per game and contested seemingly every foray into the paint. He had at least 1 block in every game and had 3 or more blocks in 8 games. In the 13 games since, Bynum has averaged 1.31 blocks. There have been 6 games where he had 0 blocks. In addition, Bynum has seemed a step slow on the defensive rotations, stopped helping on the weak side, half-assed his way back on defense and has seen his overall defensive impact reduce significantly. Plus before the injury, Bynum won EVERY opening tip. Since the injury, I can recall a bunch of games where he did not win the tip.

In addition, I have seen Bynum's aggressiveness reduce on offense as well. Instead of trying to dunk the ball in the paint, like he was earlier in the season and especially during his monster streak last year. I have seen Bynum resort to baby hooks, step backs, and little flips far TOO often lately. In turn, this has seen his turnovers increase from 1.58 per game to 2.17 per game because he is bringing the ball down too often and/or not exploding to the rim, but fading away or trying to maneuver around his defender.

2) Bynum's increased ineffectiveness has in turn severely impacted the overall team defensive productivity and also impacted our record. The Lakers started the season 12-1 and were giving up 92.69 points per game. Since then, the Lakers are 9-4, while giving up 103.31 points per game. While the team's overall defensive intensity has slipped since the second half of the 1st New Orleans game, which is when I feel the team started buying into their own hype, they were still playing solid defense. This defense was anchored by Bynum becoming that presence in the paint. Teams were scared to drive into the paint. Chauncey Billups and Devin Harris had a couple of their worst games of the season during that period.

Since that time, the Lakers have constantly gotten burned in the paint. Bynum's reduced mobility has really exposed the soft perimeter defense played by both Fisher and Farmar all season. With Bynum's rotations slowing down, the opposing guards are able to attack the basket at will to either lay the ball in or find easy shots for their teammates.

Bottom line is I am not sure how badly Bynum is hurt, but his injury is definitely impacting his overall game. I think that for this team to have any chance to make a title run, Bynum needs some time to let his foot heal. The fact that he is trying to play hurt speaks volumes, but I think at this point it is harming the team more than helping. That is my 2 cents.

[DubaLakers]

^Damn, just the facts Maam.

[LAKERLAW]

Actually, what has been evident to me about Bynum is that since injured his foot in the New Jersey game on November 25th, he AND the team have not been the same.

(1) In the 13 games prior to the injury, Bynum averaged 2.38 blocks per game and contested seemingly every foray into the paint. He had at least 1 block in every game and had 3 or more blocks in 8 games. In the 13 games since, Bynum has averaged 1.31 blocks. There have been 6 games where he had 0 blocks. In addition, Bynum has seemed a step slow on the defensive rotations, stopped helping on the weak side, half-assed his way back on defense and has seen his overall defensive impact reduce significantly. Plus before the injury, Bynum won EVERY opening tip. Since the injury, I can recall a bunch of games where he did not win the tip.

In addition, I have seen Bynum's aggressiveness reduce on offense as well. Instead of trying to dunk the ball in the paint, like he was earlier in the season and especially during his monster streak last year. I have seen Bynum resort to baby hooks, step backs, and little flips far TOO often lately. In turn, this has seen his turnovers increase from 1.58 per game to 2.17 per game because he is bringing the ball down too often and/or not exploding to the rim, but fading away or trying to maneuver around his defender.

2) Bynum's increased ineffectiveness has in turn severely impacted the overall team defensive productivity and also impacted our record. The Lakers started the season 12-1 and were giving up 92.69 points per game. Since then, the Lakers are 9-4, while giving up 103.31 points per game. While the team's overall defensive intensity has slipped since the second half of the 1st New Orleans game, which is when I feel the team started buying into their own hype, they were still playing solid defense. This defense was anchored by Bynum becoming that presence in the paint. Teams were scared to drive into the paint. Chauncey Billups and Devin Harris had a couple of their worst games of the season during that period.

Since that time, the Lakers have constantly gotten burned in the paint. Bynum's reduced mobility has really exposed the soft perimeter defense played by both Fisher and Farmar all season. With Bynum's rotations slowing down, the opposing guards are able to attack the basket at will to either lay the ball in or find easy shots for their teammates.

Bottom line is I am not sure how badly Bynum is hurt, but his injury is definitely impacting his overall game. I think that for this team to have any chance to make a title run, Bynum needs some time to let his foot heal. The fact that he is trying to play hurt speaks volumes, but I think at this point it is harming the team more than helping. That is my 2 cents.

[semi-sentient]

Plus before the injury, Bynum won EVERY opening tip. Since the injury, I can recall a bunch of games where he did not win the tip.

Great first post, but I want to point out that NOH (Chandler), DET (Kwame), and PHO (Shaq) all won the opening tip.