Josh Powell: Can he contribute?

[Kilroy]

Powell seemed like a good fit for the Lakers but I've not be impressed so far...

He can hit the ocasional 8-10' jumper but he doesn't seem to have the fire to body-up anybody or fight for rebounds...

I think if we are going to have a PF that can come in after Odom and Gasol, we want a big bodied bruiser that can clean the boards, push people around and ocasionally score... Maybe like a Kendrick Perkins type player... Or at least like a Birdman/lesser K-Mart/Skola type guy with the willingness and intensity to throw himself around...

So do you think Powell can contribute for us? Either by laying his body on folks or in some other way?

[lakersfanatic]

we've only seem him play spark minutes.... not long enough where we can analyze and see his production. I like how he's aggressive and is not afraid to shoot the ball. Maybe we'll see more of him in summer league... if not, he might be part of a trade in the near future.

[donte124]

He needs more playing time!

[96 Til Infiniti]

I didn't know much about his game when we got him but I was surprised by his ability to hit the 10' jumper with relative consistency. It allowed him and Kobe to work the pick and roll pretty well when he was in.

But I agree, our 4th big in the rotation with Drew, Pau and Lamar needs to be a bruiser. A big whose going to push around and bang with the opponents literal POWER forwards. Ideally it'd be a veteran who could provide some more leadership for the bench as a bonus.

[microfib4thewin]

You don't need to show emotion on court ala KG to prove that you are playing with intensity. Powell helped us out when Bynum went down, and I don't see any reason to question his production. He grabs boards much better than the pogo stick Turiaf, and he always bricks contested layups so he has to resort to jumpers. That speaks more of his limiation than him being soft.

[daddyfivestar]

JP was fine for LA last year based on what was needed from him with the majority of PF minutes going to Gasol and Odom. For 959k as the 3rd PF (sometimes 4th when Luke slides up) and 4th C, he's a bargain. He gets some boards, hits the midrange reasonably, and can commit a few hard fouls if needed.

[fareweatherfan]

Powell seemed like a good fit for the Lakers but I've not be impressed so far...

He can hit the ocasional 8-10' jumper but he doesn't seem to have the fire to body-up anybody or fight for rebounds...

I think if we are going to have a PF that can come in after Odom and Gasol, we want a big bodied bruiser that can clean the boards, push people around and ocasionally score... Maybe like a Kendrick Perkins type player... Or at least like a Birdman/lesser K-Mart/Skola type guy with the willingness and intensity to throw himself around...

So do you think Powell can contribute for us? Either by laying his body on folks or in some other way?

Respectfully, I couldn't disagree more with everything you said. I'll take your points in turn...

1. His range is actually well beyond 8-10ft and his stroke is as pure as any big man in the L.
2. He has a ton of fire, he's just small and doesn't have very big hands. BUT, no questioning his fire, he's a beast and battles on every possession like its his last, everytime!!!
3. Every player you mentioned (Perk, Birdman, K-Mart, Skola) costs more than Powell (in some cases, multiples of Powell's salary). So these are terrible comparisons, better players, but terrible comparisons.
4. Powell has done everything I expected from him, and more! So obviously I think he can contribute for us going forward.

In case you couldn't tell, I'm a huge Josh Powell fan (esp. given his salary). He was HUGE when Bynum went down, how soon we forget.

[Danny Darko]

I agree with fareweather. Especially about rebounding... Phil even called him a "tiger on the boards" and said he's the best offensive rebounder we have(probably a shot at Drew). He's improved ever year in the league and I think if he improves again we'll have a bargain warrior on the bench.

[desertlakerfan]

Powell was a no show in the playoffs and finals, but did admirable during the regular season so I'd chalk that up to lack of postseason experience. If he pulls a repeat performance next year though I can't see the Lakers staying with him and would expect them to sign a new backup PF.

He is really good(maybe a little too good) at holding Kobe close and whispering sweet somethings in his ear to pump him up between time outs. Hey better then Sasha doing it I guess, right?

[DubaLakers]

Keep Powell, let MBenga and new draft pick battle for a contract.

[Erik Eleven]

Powell does what Turiaf did but quieter, and I would argue, better. He also does it for a lot less money. If we're talking contribution-per-dollar value (which should be an official stat), Josh Powell is pretty high up on the list. Quality player.

We should only trade him if we can get a real steal PF in a package for Morrison, Yue etc. I'd love to see him come back for the money he's being paid.

[Kilroy]

I guess I should clarify...

I don't hate Powell... I actually like him as a player... I just don't think he fits our needs and I don't think this team is the ideal situation for him. At least from what I've seen so far...

That's why I sarted the thread... To get a better feel about what people thought of him as a player versus a trade chip...

I was really excited about how he played during the season... But when the physicality increased in the play-offs, Powell got pushed around more than Gasol... That's just not the best situation for us.

Phil might have complimented Powell but he also said this team lacks a bruiser... Someone that can go in and bang and provide that kind of spark off the bench....

As much as I like Powells mid-range and finesse game, we don't really need that as long as we have Gasol and Odom playing that spot...

We need a Bruiser that can come in and confront the Birdmen of the league and provide a physical presence off the bench...

And I'm not sure Powell can do that... At least that's how I see it now... Prove me wrong...

[what would jack bauer do?]

Yeah he can contribute, powell is a cheap player and he has a valuable tool with his jumper in the triangle. He probably will never get big minutes in the playoffs, but we need his work ethic in practice and his minutes in the regular season to keep Pau, LO, and Bynum fresh for the playoffs. I think he keeps Pau, LO, and Bynum sharp by essentially being our mini-millsap type of guy; meaning a guy that will out-hussle you for the ball if you don't play hard and fundamental every play.

If Sun doesn't get a hell of a lot stronger and explosive this offseason, he should be the first to go with Morrison next in line.

[what would jack bauer do?]

well yeah powell can't do that, but he's far more valuable than a few players on this team. He definitely contributes though. You saw it versus the Celtics in the regular season and time and time again throughout the regular season. I get your point and agree that we need a bruiser though. Powell shouldn't be the one to get the blame for that and plus he has no trade value.

But yeah that series against Houston kind of proves we need a player that you describe. I'd look at a craig smith or reggie evans. Except evans was just moved to toronto. We got some pieces in Morrison and Farmar, but the pg and sf positions are our main concern right now. Let's see if Mitch can work his magic with the money restrictions and assets we have.

[Yi Jian Lian]

sometimes i look at the lakers bench and i see josh powell and think its turiaf cause of the hair...

[microfib4thewin]

I was really excited about how he played during the season... But when the physicality increased in the play-offs, Powell got pushed around more than Gasol...

You mean Bynum right? Powell hasn't played any meaningful minutes since Bynum came back. He averaged 5 minutes in the playoffs and only logged double digit minutes twice during the run. Phil could have played Powell when Bynum showed initial signs of struggle, but he stuck with the young center anyways so he can get playoff experience. That is no fault of Powell.

Phil might have complimented Powell but he also said this team lacks a bruiser... Someone that can go in and bang and provide that kind of spark off the bench....

He did say it, but from what I recall the last time he said that was a year ago. I don't remember him saying it this season.

As much as I like Powells mid-range and finesse game, we don't really need that as long as we have Gasol and Odom playing that spot...

Considering that our 3 point shooting is absolute crapshot right now that's a pretty bold statement. It doesn't matter how hard one can get to the rim if there is no one else to spread the floor.

We need a Bruiser that can come in and confront the Birdmen of the league and provide a physical presence off the bench...

Birdman is a terrible example. He provides shotblocking from the weakside and doesn't do anything else. He has no man defense, no rebounding, and having tattoos all over doesn't make him tough.

And I'm not sure Powell can do that... At least that's how I see it now... Prove me wrong...

How can we do that when you haven't proven yourself right?

Powell didn't complain about lack of minutes, and when Bynum got injured he stepped up for us immediately. He didn't back down against Boston and was a key spark to us winning the last seasonal game against the Rockets and Spurs. He was able to play well despite going up against possibly the three of the best defensive teams in the league, and nothing I have seen of him this season suggests that he's a soft player.

[DEEP3CL]

Another week.........another hilarious thread, JP did well for us considering the amount of time he got to play. He filled in well during the time Bynum was out. As far as the playoffs, how can some say he disappeared when there simply isn't enough minutes at playoff time ?

[Luxury]

He needs the Lakers in order to raise his value like he did in the regular season. And Lakers need him because of his cheap price with his not-too-shabby skill set.

[NOODLESTYLE]

i like, i hope he goes with the fro next season.

[slickgreek]

Josh Powell= Kurt Thomas in his prime