Post#79 » by MasterRyu » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:49 am
I think the Lakers cast is a bit overrated. They, including Kobe himself, don't really play tough defense. They have ADD. They can't seem to stay focused and and always blow their own leads. How many times this season have we seen them up by 20 in the 3rd only to be fighting for it in the 5 minute mark in the fourth. I don't think the team is even that athletic, and they don't have a true point guard. Shannon Brown comes close.
Kobe - The man, enough said
Gasol - Works well with Kobe and Odom. With Kobe, he gets a lot of open looks. With Odom, they get to play a little big-man give and go. Gasol has definitely improved in toughness, but he's still get bumped around when the paint is congested. Although equipped with excellent court vision for a big man, he can't protect the ball for crap, he tends to lose sight of help defenders and get his ball stripped away on too many times.
Bynum - He's definitely a beast when he plays smart. The thing is he mostly doesn't play smart. His defense, aside from off-man blocks, needs improvement. He doesn't seem to get enough rebounds like he should. Offensively, he got it going at the 10 foot mark.
Ariza - A godsend. A ferocious slasher, a defensive hustler (as in he hustles), and a decent floor spreader.
Fisher - A decent ball handler, very good 3-point threat. However, he doesn't play much like a point guard. He's primarly a spot up jump shooter, and doesn't have much of a passing game. He's a terrible fast break finisher. I cringe everytime he's leading the break.
So as far as the starting five goes, I give the nods to Kobe, Pau, and Ariza.
The Bench:
Shannon Brown - Wow, another godsend. He stole the job away from Farmar by actually making shots (even threes) and playing the point very well. I think he's the Laker's true point guard.
Luke Walton - Best thing about him? Passing. That's pretty much it. He can't handle, can't create for himself, and is a streaky shooter at best.
Lamar Odom - Long, athletic, quick, versatile. Definitely not a bench player by any standards. Worst things about him, though, sometimes he just disappears offensively and sucks at the line, especially in crunch time.
The Machine (only cuz I can't spell his name) - wow...what the hell happened to this guy. He was almost automatic from behind the arc last year. This year, no matter what kinds of looks he was getting, he just hasn't been able to get any rhythm going. Plus he is a foolish defender and guards too frantically, ending up with unnecessary fouls.
Farmar - Another struggling player. Ever since the injury he just cannot find a rhythm. No shot, no court vision, still lacking defensive focus.
Josh Powell - A very reliable mid-range spot up shooter, not unlike Garnett. Not post up game. He just seems to lack a certain drive.
Mbenga - Doesn't play much, but has a decent mid-range shot. He'll be a nonfactor in the playoffs by virtue of his lack of minutes.
Morrison - I don't know anything about him...hopefully he gets playing time. Again another non-factor
So for the bench, my nods go to Odom, Brown, and Powell.
So yeah, this team got some guys he can make things happen, but it's far from the often-hailed "elite cast"