Few thoughts from a new guy on here

[nkpballin12]

Hey guys, I've been a Laker convert ever since Nash joined the team (indulge me a bit, I'm from Montreal and we don't have a team). I've watched pretty much every game the Lakers have played this year and have a few thoughts to share.

1. How come Nash runs the P&R better with Clark and Sacre (apart from him missing shots) than with Dwight? It seems to me that Howard rarely set hard screens and just seems aloof at times. He is very effective at converting on alley oops though.

2. Earl Clark has made a world of difference ever since he's been starting. Just goes to show you that Pau really doesn't fit on the first unit because with him, Kobe and Nash on the floor at the same time, it really makes for an old team that cannot get to 50/50 balls and defend effectively.

3. I know he's been a big part of the Lakers last championships, but Pau has to go (captain obvious I know). I love when the media acts like the only reason he's been having a bad year is because of D'Antoni's «system». The media LOVES to talk about the so called «system» when really it doesn't have anything to do with it (except Pau not getting touches down low). Pau is just getting old and the positives he brings in terms of offensive execution just do not compensate for his lack of defense.

4. Is it me or do ESPN analyst not watch games at all. They never mention Kobe not playing well on defense and just seem oblivious to the actual state of the team, like the lack of depth or perimeter defense. I know Bayless and guys like that are supposed to be clowns, but I hear the same things every time I listen to ESPN radio.

[LA_Sports]

Ok... So Pau is old and slow... Who would you trade him for that helps the team in the long run and is realistic?


No so easy when you think about it.

[nkpballin12]

Honestly, at this point I would do the Bargnani and Calderon trade. If there was a way to get Alan Anderson in the deal instead of Bargnani that would be even better. Aside from that, I'd go for a energetic big like Young or Jason Thompson (with something else thrown in, preferably a solid perimeter defender at the 1 or the 3)

[LA_Sports]

Honestly, at this point I would do the Bargnani and Calderon trade. If there was a way to get Alan Anderson in the deal instead of Bargnani that would be even better. Aside from that, I'd go for a energetic big like Young or Jason Thompson (with something else thrown in, preferably a solid perimeter defender at the 1 or the 3)

See now the Lakers would lock themselves into bad contracts for years to come. Besides the money issues Bargs doesn't help out defensively (which has been this teams main problem), nor does he guarantee a turn around for the team. That trade would be an anchor around the neck of the team for years.

Lakers at this point might just be best holding Pau till the offseason when his contract becomes better looking and teams are willing do significant trades.

[nkpballin12]

Honestly, at this point I would do the Bargnani and Calderon trade. If there was a way to get Alan Anderson in the deal instead of Bargnani that would be even better. Aside from that, I'd go for a energetic big like Young or Jason Thompson (with something else thrown in, preferably a solid perimeter defender at the 1 or the 3)

See now the Lakers would lock themselves into bad contracts for years to come. Besides the money issues Bargs doesn't help out defensively (which has been this teams main problem), nor does he guarantee a turn around for the team. That trade would be an anchor around the neck of the team for years.

Lakers at this point might just be best holding Pau till the offseason when his contract becomes better looking and teams are willing do significant trades.

That's true, I was looking at it more in a «win now» mode. Young and Thompson contracts are not bad but I doubt either of those teams would trade for Pau (especially the Sixers).

[JustAwesome]

1. How come Nash runs the P&R better with Clark and Sacre (apart from him missing shots) than with Dwight? It seems to me that Howard rarely set hard screens and just seems aloof at times. He is very effective at converting on alley oops though.

Howard isn't intent on setting screens to free up the guards. It's ironic because a well set screen is supposed to open up both offensive players. Role players are more in tuned with doing the little things, so that's why it seems like others are better at running the pick and roll with Nash.

[EArl]

I would rather keep Gasol than get those players you guys mentioned above. Th problem here is that Gasol needs to get comfortable playing off the bench.

[Doormatt]

1. probably has something to do with dwight not being 100%. also i dont think hes as bad at as people make him out to be. i disagree that sacre runs the pick n roll better.

2. yeah hes looked good because hes played with tons of energy and is the exact type of player we need. long, athletic, knocks down open shots, etc. we'll see if he keeps it up.

3. yeah pau sucks, pretty much everyone knows this. dont know what more can be said on the topic that hasnt already been said.

4. well kobe's defense has been pretty bad, but in the bigger picture its a very small reason why were losing. ESPN generally cater to casual sports fans, so it makes sense. imo listening to anything associated with ESPN is a huge waste of time other than trying to get news/updates.

[JustAwesome]

Even before the injuries, Howard was never really a guy that was a dedicated screener. Doesn't mean that he's bad at running the pick and roll, though. It just means that he has one goal during that particular play.

[hermes]

montreal huh, were you a big expos fan?