Three Questions...

[DubaLakers]

1. Does Pau's Euro Style Hurt Us At Times?
I love the Pau he's fantastic, a winner, a great all around player, but at times when the offense is sputtering I wish he would just demand the ball and finish inside. I don't mean slam and hang from the rim, that's not him, just take a high percentage shot instead of kicking it out like he does so often finding the open man. Sure that's smart basketball, but when the offense is failing, he should know he needs to be the go to guy in the post and get a high % shot off or get to the line. He should be living at the Ft line and he's just not making opponents pay for his uber skillset. He's our #2, but he should be much more clearly our #2 by his offensive production.

2. Why is Kobe jacking up shots so often like he's playing with a .500 team or as if he's a budding superstar trying to make a name for himself and get noticed? I thought he was well past this? Is he being driven by the MVP buzz? Do you have a problem with his free jacking or do you think it's warranted because the Lakers aren't playing that well as of late. Late in that CLE game I was saying to myself why is Kobe coming back in, is he just padding his MVP stats?

3. Would you trade Andrew Bynum for a stud PG right now? Personally I say we roll until the offseason and then trade his butt. Could Andrew get us D Rose or is that wishfull thinking? Westbrook (not a traditional pg, but a uber defender athlete, solid mid range, one of the fastest players in the league). The thing to me with Andrew is this, he's fragile, but beyond that I don't think he has a lot going on between his ears, not sure the drive or the passion is there either. And if it ever is there it's temporary and not career defining. I know a lot of you guys disagree with me on this one, but again if he did have a brilliant season, it wouldn't be annual IMO, I see his career as spotted and not consistant, on and off the IR.

[Kilroy]

I think these questions are kinda rhetorical, but here goes...

1. Of course it does... He seems to avoid contact at times. I hope he's just trying to stay healthy for the play-offs because he seemed to get more agressive in the post season last year... But if he doesn't get more aggressive, we're gonna be 1 and done...

2. Kobe's shot selection has been baffling to me this season more than any other... He seemed to buy into the idea that he didn't need to shoot as much for us to be successfull in past seasons. But this season he seems to have reverted. I see he's open more than he used to be but he's being super aggressive in the paint this season. Theoretically, if we have a healthy Pau and Bynum down low, we don't really need another paint scorer unless something weird happens. It's really cool that he's adding that aspect to his game, but on this team, I'm not sure it's needed.
The bigger concern to me is his gambling on D... He was getting torched against the Cavs because he was often cheating off his player and tryin to help or get a steal. He's good enough to lock many guys down if he just focuses on Man D...

3. I'd consider trading Bynum right now... I never thought I'd say that, especially a big for a small... But it's just been too many incomplete seasons for him. He starts well and makes us think he's the next Dream, and then he's gone or inneffective for a major chunk of the season. I also don't get a good feeling that he's on the same page as the rest of the Lakers.
However, the only PG that is a no-brainer trade for me is D-Will... I'd pretty much trade Bynum for him without much thought... I'm not sure how speedy gaurds like CPaul would fit in our system. But DWill is like a much more skilled version of Fish so I could see it working. Maybe Jameer Nelson too...
Another option would be Stephen Curry...
It'd be very important for us not to undervalue Bynum though... Any trade would probably have to include other pieces to make things add up. There are just too may possible combinations to think about to make a real guess as to what would work.

[Dr Aki]

1. Does Pau's Euro Style Hurt Us At Times?

pau gasol thinks before he acts. but thats what we love about him, its not purely instinctive like it is with kobe... he'll will face-up, assess the defense, then do what he believes is the best route of action. just unfortunately lately, players have been sagging on him later running precious seconds off the clock, our shooters are in shooting slumps, perpetuating that late sagging from defenders that cheat off our shooters

im not sure if this has been mentioned but the reason why pau's effectiveness is slightly diminished is because hes not using his dribbling ability to drive around slower centers, and just content to throw the ball back out.

hes doing a great job at reading the situation, but not doing a great job at knowing where he controls a matchup advantage and exploiting it

2. Why is Kobe jacking up shots so often like he's playing with a .500 team or as if he's a budding superstar trying to make a name for himself and get noticed?

kobe is probably enamored with the attention hes gotten since he migrated into the post. the press is drawing comparisons to MJ, and for a while before gasol returned, it was kobe's migration into the post that kept the lakers floating on top the NBA.

now that gasol has come back, hes still trying to occupy the post when he shouldn't, hes practically taking away looks from the big men, which with their height and passing ability would better help the lakers.

whenever kobe has the ball on the low post 15ft out, hes looking for one thing: to score. like its to prove hes unstoppable. id much prefer he be using those tricks he learned from CP3 (from beijing) shading and cutting out defenders behind him so he can dribble from the top of the key to the FT line and take an automatic FT jumpshot instead of all the turnaround fadeaways. he also feeds to be using his dreamshake to get easier shots than those turnaround fadeaways, especially when his shot is off and he tries to shoot himself out of the slump.

3. Would you trade Andrew Bynum for a stud PG right now?

sure, if deron, CP3, lebron are available...

short answer? no. 3 allstar/sub-all-star bigmen are hard to find. even harder to replace. the answer is in supply and the demand is high...

PGs, short SGs are always easier to find than true centers. its a problem now, but we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot if we let drew go... the answer isnt to trade bynum away, its to maximise the teams potential...

thats not through lateral (at best) moves like trading bynum.

free agency is the way to go

[Down_Town_Brown]

1.Yea it does hurt us alot instead of Gasol taking a closer higher% shot we got Fisher chuking up 3's....though most the time its not his fualt when he kicks it out for a repost the guards either pass it to the outher side or take a jumper.


2.As of late there playing like a .500 team.....if no1 is going to step up Kobes going to countinue to take more shots.

3.Yes i wouldnt mind trading bynum for a PG hes been playing horrible since Gasol came back seeems lik the 2 cant play well togther and to be honst i think were better without him...

[CowsMoo]

1. Yeah, but it's something that's good enough for me. I think if Bynum became a more power player, it would shadow Pau's "softness."

Aki hit it on the head though, he isn't as instinctual.

Come playoff time though, or when he plays against the Celtics, I expect more.

2. He needs to reestablish his outside shooting (which someone mentioned Phil has requested). I like his post moves though, I rather keep him at the high post.

3. No, since Bigmen are more rare. There are certain PGs I'd trade for though, like CP3 and Deron.

[daddyfivestar]

1. No.
2. Yes.
3. Sell high while you can. Bynum has Elden Campbell-itis which is better than Benoit Benjamin-itis but not as good as Joe Barry Carroll-itis.

[LAKE_SHOW_GM]

1) Absolutely NOT! This guy as amazing basketball IQ and the talent to score at will. It would benefit this team more if the plays went through him on the block. When KB24 is a teammate though, the offense will go through him.
2) I answer a ? with another one... Did MJ when he was winning titles, did he score in the low 20''s? Didn't think so.. Kobe is the man and he wants to win. He knows he can dish 10 assts. a night but when it comes down to it, he cannot be stopped and he kills the momentum of the other teams like no one since MJ.
3) Bynum is the future of the Lakers...Like it or not ..he will continue to improve and anyone who says he is injury plagued is an idiot.. 2 freak accidents in two years means unlucky not prone to injury.. He has the potential to dominate it just isn't his time, but don't think the weakness at the PG points to this guy leaving town...WON'T HAPPEN!

[Magicontinues]

[b]1.
[b]2. Why is Kobe jacking up shots so often like he's playing with a .500 team or as if he's a budding superstar trying to make a name for himself and get noticed? [/.

Kobe's doing what he has to do right now, the team is struggling a bit, I'd like to see Kobe give it more to Pau and Andrew down low, and do more alley opps to them, as those seem to always be open, but I can't complain much about Kobe, he's playing great while others are not.

[laduane1]

Put LO in the starting line up and bring AB off the bench so there will not be that many bigs on the floor when he is on the floor. Might be a wake up call to him.

[LLcoleJ]

I liked the way he got Drew involved early. I would like him to distribute more in the 1st Q to the bigs...and then attack.

[Mamba Venom]

1) Be thankful for what you have in the Lakers got Pau in 2008. We went all the way to the Finals w/ a half season of Gasol (and no Bynum) and then won it all w/ both healthy.

2) Kobe tried to get Bynum going last night w/ some oops. Despite what you guys are complaining about we have the privledge of watching 5 of the best seasons of all time counting last year. Lets criticize our best player when the Lakers have the best record in the league even though we have had injuries to Gasol, Bynum, Artest and Kobe (he has played through them)

3) See #1, use the MLE to sign a ring chasing PG. Champions get a free bonus for ring chasers, we had ring chasers during the 2000-2001-2002 three-peat. Lets get some more. Keep Bynum!!!

[Mindflayer]

+1 MV

[DEEP3CL]

3. Would you trade Andrew Bynum for a stud PG right now? Personally I say we roll until the offseason and then trade his butt. Could Andrew get us D Rose or is that wishfull thinking? Westbrook (not a traditional pg, but a uber defender athlete, solid mid range, one of the fastest players in the league).

C'mon Dub you know the rules of trading big for small right ? It's a pipe dream to think you're going to get a top 5 lead guard. Trading Drew isn't the be all end all answer. You do realize a rash trade of that magnitude results in Pau having to log heavy physcial minutes at the 5 right ? He's not built for it and in the long run the Lakers don't go any where. If you trade Drew your trade must have 3 elements of impact, being immediate.....meaning it pays off the minute the player plays his first game, the second being " total team fit".....meaning nothing is affected in other areas of the team, and lastly "long term" this could affect various areas of the franchise from financial, drawing other players etc.

The thing to me with Andrew is this, he's fragile, but beyond that I don't think he has a lot going on between his ears, not sure the drive or the passion is there either. And if it ever is there it's temporary and not career defining. I know a lot of you guys disagree with me on this one, but again if he did have a brilliant season, it wouldn't be annual IMO, I see his career as spotted and not consistant, on and off the IR.

OK.......to this I say one thing, don't look at the years he has in the league look at his age......he's 22. In the old days according to his age he'd be a rookie. Remember he played NO college ball and barely got wet in high school. Remember we're not even using Drew as the first option on offense. You guys know I've stated the same views on Drew too with his effort........if he shows it on both ends I'm good with him. Bottom line is if you trade him you're not going to win the trade and you're going to impact this team gravely.

[Edrees]

the only PG's I'd trade bynum for are

chris paul
deron williams
derrick rose

and thats it. bynum's a good player who has a huge ceiling. i woulldn't want anyone old, i want someone who can take over this team after kobe is gone, and will help the team with kobe here. bynum fits that bill so if we trade him it better be for someone else young.

[Anklebreaker702]

3. Would you trade Andrew Bynum for a stud PG right now? Personally I say we roll until the offseason and then trade his butt. Could Andrew get us D Rose or is that wishfull thinking? Westbrook (not a traditional pg, but a uber defender athlete, solid mid range, one of the fastest players in the league).

C'mon Dub you know the rules of trading big for small right ? It's a pipe dream to think you're going to get a top 5 lead guard. Trading Drew isn't the be all end all answer. You do realize a rash trade of that magnitude results in Pau having to log heavy physcial minutes at the 5 right ? He's not built for it and in the long run the Lakers don't go any where. If you trade Drew your trade must have 3 elements of impact, being immediate.....meaning it pays off the minute the player plays his first game, the second being " total team fit".....meaning nothing is affected in other areas of the team, and lastly "long term" this could affect various areas of the franchise from financial, drawing other players etc.

The thing to me with Andrew is this, he's fragile, but beyond that I don't think he has a lot going on between his ears, not sure the drive or the passion is there either. And if it ever is there it's temporary and not career defining. I know a lot of you guys disagree with me on this one, but again if he did have a brilliant season, it wouldn't be annual IMO, I see his career as spotted and not consistant, on and off the IR.

OK.......to this I say one thing, don't look at the years he has in the league look at his age......he's 22. In the old days according to his age he'd be a rookie. Remember he played NO college ball and barely got wet in high school. Remember we're not even using Drew as the first option on offense. You guys know I've stated the same views on Drew too with his effort........if he shows it on both ends I'm good with him. Bottom line is if you trade him you're not going to win the trade and you're going to impact this team gravely.

I'll make this even more simple than that DEEP. Trading a big for a small is like telling the police on someone whe you are from the hood! Seriously though, I consider Rondo a top 5 guard, trade Bynum to Boston for Rondo & watch us get hammered into the ground, Pau would be a non factor having to face Bynum, Perkins, & Garnett. It's kind of funny how most say we don't need Drew to score on this team but only notice him when he is scoring.

[Anklebreaker702]

2. Why is Kobe jacking up shots so often like he's playing with a .500 team or as if he's a budding superstar trying to make a name for himself and get noticed? I thought he was well past this? Is he being driven by the MVP buzz? Do you have a problem with his free jacking or do you think it's warranted because the Lakers aren't playing that well as of late. Late in that CLE game I was saying to myself why is Kobe coming back in, is he just padding his MVP stats?

Kobe hasn't "jacked in about 2 weeks. He's been playing the best ball I've seen him play all year. He's getting his teammates involved & turning into the Black Mamba whenever needed. The games he's shot a lot in recently he had to, no on else was doing anything & even with that he's doing about 85% of it within the offense even on bad nights.

[Anklebreaker702]

1. Does Pau's Euro Style Hurt Us At Times?
I love the Pau he's fantastic, a winner, a great all around player, but at times when the offense is sputtering I wish he would just demand the ball and finish inside. I don't mean slam and hang from the rim, that's not him, just take a high percentage shot instead of kicking it out like he does so often finding the open man. Sure that's smart basketball, but when the offense is failing, he should know he needs to be the go to guy in the post and get a high % shot off or get to the line. He should be living at the Ft line and he's just not making opponents pay for his uber skillset. He's our #2, but he should be much more clearly our #2 by his offensive production.

This is why trading Bynum is not an option. Pau is a great player but he is soft at times. When his head is right he's unstoppable. Problem is when you get overly physical with him he wilts. Especially in a 7 game series he doesn't like it. With that said I think Pau's positives greatly out weigh his negatives.

2. Why is Kobe jacking up shots so often like he's playing with a .500 team or as if he's a budding superstar trying to make a name for himself and get noticed? I thought he was well past this? Is he being driven by the MVP buzz? Do you have a problem with his free jacking or do you think it's warranted because the Lakers aren't playing that well as of late. Late in that CLE game I was saying to myself why is Kobe coming back in, is he just padding his MVP stats?

Kobe hasn't "jacked in about 2 weeks. He's been playing the best ball I've seen him play all year. He's getting his teammates involved & turning into the Black Mamba whenever needed. The games he's shot a lot in recently he had to, no on else was doing anything & even with that he's doing about 85% of it within the offense even on bad nights.