Luke has found his "niche"

vinnycorleone · Post #1 » by **vinnycorleone** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:01 pm

Everyone keeps bringing up Lamar finding his "niche" in Rebounding and that it is help the rest of his game out because of the energy level.

However, I would like to speak about another under-rated Laker. Luke Walton!

Luke has quietly had a good season for us. He is starting to understand that he is what makes our offense run smoothly. Hence my new nickname for him the "Smooth Operator". Our starting lineup benefits so much from Luke being the facilitator. By making Luke the Facilitator...Lamar can focus on Rebounding and Kobe can focus on scoring.

Not only is he running the Triangle offense nicely but he's starting to knock down shots when the Defense is sagging on him. Something Vlad-Rad couldn't do on a consistent basis.

Quietly...with not much scoring or any other stat for that matter. Luke is playing very well for us and is a much better defender than Vlad-Rad. He did a semi-decent job on Paul Pierce in Boston.

shobe_81 · Post #2 » by **shobe_81** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:31 pm

Yep Luke's been playing great, we just need him to knock down that 15 foot jumper or the corner 3 when the defense helps, besides that he's been great at running the offense.

He's the complete opposite of Vlad Space Cadet, he can run the offense, he's aware on defense, he can consistently hit a low-post turn around and some jumpers. I'm damn happy Luke's starting in place of the Space Cadet.

kobeaki · Post #3 » by **kobeaki** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:50 pm

first off, thank you, luke is fairly underrated....but like ive been harping on the last two seasons, good things happen when he is on the floor, in very indirect ways, usually...

take last night in denver, luke has the ball, and throws a rather errant pass in the paint and it is easily picked off, to which i actually say to myself; ok now minhee has her ammo(now im pretty sure someone blew their assignment, and that why a defender was there to intercept, but id have to see it again, anyhoo), right after that play, on defense luke is able draw an offensive foul for two shots, plus the obvious foul on the opposition, and that to me, is how luke is to our team, his athletiscm is for shite, but his smarts and his awareness makes up for that...

i mean the guy always makes up for any boneheaded plays....he always redeems himself...

Post #4 » by **semi-sentient** » Sun Mar 1, 2009 1:14 am

I don't think Luke is underrated. Plenty of us rode him hard last season because he played like crap. Maybe that had something to do with putting him out there with the 2nd unit (similar to Lamar), but it was justified seeing as how he was shooting poorly and not being much of a facilitator.

This year, or at least as he's become comfortable with the starting unit again, he's played very solid basketball. His shot looks like it's back and even though he isn't the best defender of the bunch he's still halfway decent and I like his effort. If he continues to play like this then he'll finally start earning that contract extension he got. Whatever the case, there's nothing to hate about his play at the moment so now I can channel all my hate towards that scrub Vujacic.

Erik Eleven · Post #5 » by **Erik Eleven** » Sun Mar 1, 2009 2:36 am

Luke is playing his best ball in two, three years. Being injury free probably helps.

Kobay · Post #6 » by **Kobay** » Sun Mar 1, 2009 3:28 am

Ever since rumors that he was dating crazy Britney sprung he began regressing.

ALL HAIL · Post #7 » by **ALL HAIL** » Sun Mar 1, 2009 4:06 am

I hope I'm wrong but given his history he'll probably get hurt again sometime between now and next year. He is extremely injury prone and his minutes should be very limited to lessen the chances of injury.

His play has been decent but you have to dump him if you can, ala Radmanovic, because it's safe to assume that he will never be able to play well enough to justify his salary.

The Lakers have to SHAVE salary at any cost. That means Walton, Vujacic, and Morrison MUST GO for the best available players that will save us money in the short and long run.

Kobe, Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Fisher, and Ariza are all more important to our overall success.

Dump Walton, Vujacic, and Morrison using Farmar as bait and replace them with Kidd, Head, and a couple of versatile, defensive role players (ie Kyle Weaver, Sefolosha, Shaun Livingston and/or Damien Wilikns).

DEEP3CL · Post #8 » by **DEEP3CL** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 6:15 am

Happens every time.............when there's a thread about Luke he returns to being Puke. Sorry vinney, just callin it the way I see it bruh.

RamonSessions7 · Post #9 » by **RamonSessions7** » Mon Mar 2, 2009 4:37 pm

DEEP3CL wrote:Happens every time.............when there's a thread about Luke he returns to being Puke. Sorry vinney, just callin it the way I see it bruh.

Yeah the league leader in dribbling the ball off his leg out of bounds.