Lakers Thread

[Kristo]

Lakers hire Mike D'Antoni

[stereoxide]

Yay! 100+ points every game for the Lakers and the opposing team.

[Bruce]

Yay! 100+ points every game for the Lakers and the opposing team.

There goes the free tacos.

[SteveHTOWN]

This comes unexpected! Seems like Phil was either too expensive or just not healthy enough for (nearly) a full NBA campaign.
Or maybe Jim Buss just did again what Jim Buss does best: give a sh*t on everybody else's opinion...

[NovU]

Not unexpected. Kobe(which actually is all that matters) had him approved long before. It was just the fans and media wanting Zen Master back.

It makes you wonder though, if the Lakers once again hired somebody that shouldn't have been, as a scape-goat.

[dare]

So that's why Bernie is like running the D'Antoni offense the past two games.

It makes you wonder though, if the Lakers once again hired somebody that shouldn't have been, as a scape-goat.

My first impression on the hiring.

[SteveHTOWN]

So that's why Bernie is like running the D'Antoni offense the past two games.

It makes you wonder though, if the Lakers once again hired somebody that shouldn't have been, as a scape-goat.

My first impression on the hiring.

But why give him a 3+1 year contract if he's just the next former head coach of the L.A. Lakers?

[dare]

So that's why Bernie is like running the D'Antoni offense the past two games.

It makes you wonder though, if the Lakers once again hired somebody that shouldn't have been, as a scape-goat.

My first impression on the hiring.

But why give him a 3+1 year contract if he's just the next former head coach of the L.A. Lakers?

Brown was signed for a 4 year contract and he was just a scape-goat.

[SteveHTOWN]

So that's why Bernie is like running the D'Antoni offense the past two games.

It makes you wonder though, if the Lakers once again hired somebody that shouldn't have been, as a scape-goat.

My first impression on the hiring.

But why give him a 3+1 year contract if he's just the next former head coach of the L.A. Lakers?

Brown was signed for a 4 year contract and he was just a scape-goat.

Good point.

[shadowgrin]

This works well for the Lakers starting five.
Nash knows D'Antoni's system very very well, Dwight will be catching passes like it was the dunk contest from those pick and rolls, Pau is definitely miles better than what Boris Diaw was in Phoenix, Kobe can continue on chucking shots from everywhere without hesitation because of the offense, and Ron Artest will be what Raja Bell was in Phoenix without the 3-point shooting.

As for defense...D'Antoni is an excellent coach on offense that even the opposing team gets better on offense.

[SteveHTOWN]

As for defense...D'Antoni is an excellent coach on offense that even the opposing team gets better on offense.

Almost wet my pants when I read that!

[Andrew]

Even though D'Antoni's name had been mentioned, it's still a surprising move as it seemed like Jackson was on his way back. One can't help but wonder what went awry, whether they were too far apart on terms or whether Jackson found the opportunity less appealing than it seems on the surface.

[shadowgrin]

Based on the articles posted in this thread it's reported that Jackson also wants a hand in personnel/player decisions. Not hard to imagine Jim Buss saying no to that condition and breaking off the hiring, he did hire Mike Brown without consulting his franchise player Kobe The G.O.A.T. Bryant.

[Jeffx]

At least Pringles is where he belongs, on the west coast.

[koberulz]

From what I heard, Jackson wanted $15 million and road games off.

[dare]

Jackson recently said that he will be there on the road games.

[Jackal]

Good god..

[hrbulls]

The right move, no. But the better move, yes!

[Jackal]

They would've been better off hiring Nate McMillan..

Or have D'Antoni as offensive coach and bring back Brown as a defensive coach.

[Spree#8]

D'Antoni's system is great to utilize Nash. Too bad he's 38 years old and incapable of playing 40 minutes a game anymore. And since the only play in Mike's system is the pick'n'roll, looks like Bryant will have to play them or maybe some kind of backup point guard... wait, doesn't D'Antoni love to play a maximum of 7 men right from the start of the season? Starters will play 40 minutes per game in a run'n'gun, up-tempo offense and the only bench players to step on the court will be Jamison and Meeks because they shoot threes. Let's see that epic collapse in the 2nd round.

[rise]

D'Antoni is an excellent coach on offense that even the opposing team gets better on offense.

There is no excuse for the Lakers to not score 120 a game this season.


...And give up 120.

[benji]

There is no excuse for the Lakers to not score 120 a game this season.

Other than the fact they probably can't play at that pace.

D'Antoni's system is great to utilize Nash. Too bad he's 38 years old and incapable of playing 40 minutes a game anymore.

When did he ever play that many minutes?

wait, doesn't D'Antoni love to play a maximum of 7 men right from the start of the season? Starters will play 40 minutes per game

Nope.

[Andrew]

Woj says the Lakers "resist(ed) Jackson's power grab" while Jax himself alleges he was lied to during the negotiations.

[Nick]

[Andrew]

That's the twist Ridley Scott overlooked.

[dare]

[Thierry •]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_t ... index.html HOW THE HECK DID HE GET THAT JOB?

[Jackal]

That was an awesome listen, I really like Chris Webber after his playing days. Even on Open Court.

I don't get why the Lakers wouldn't give Brian Shaw a chance. Honestly.

[Pdub]

It's all about Jeanie Buss. You think Jim is going to hire a guy who is not only banging his daughter but wants a stake in the ownership and basketball decisions? Yeah, hire this coach and undermine Kupchak and Buss's duties at the front office.

Phil Jackson is a good coach, but his name only shows up when it seems like there is a team with capable players that he can tweak to get himself another ring.

[SteveHTOWN]

It's all about Jeanie Buss. You think Jim is going to hire a guy who is not only banging his daughter but wants a stake in the ownership and basketball decisions? Yeah, hire this coach and undermine Kupchak and Buss's duties at the front office.

Phil Jackson is a good coach, but his name only shows up when it seems like there is a team with capable players that he can tweak to get himself another ring.

Looking at Phil's success in the finals (3 three-peats) and in general (5 seasons with 65+ wins, .704 win-l%, NBA record 72-10), you can't underestimate his value. I agree that he never took over a team like the Cats or 2012 Pistons, but even with squads as star studded as the '90s Bulls or the 2000' Lakers success (titles) still need to be earned. I'm not sure if a guy like Mike Brown (don't get me wrong, I really like his defensive mindest) would have brought 6 titles to Chicago or 5 to the Lakers.

But I agree that he might have wanted/ gotten too much influence on the Lakers. Too much for a guy who has problems stepping into his father's footsteps (Jim Buss).

[Spree#8]

When did he ever play that many minutes?

36, my bad. Still, 31 was all he could do last season and right now he's looking a lot worse physically. That is, he did before he broke down which was predictable since his sign'n'trade most likely didn't include the Suns' medical staff.

Nope.

8 and 35-38 respectively, then. Is that better?

[Jackal]

I think Dr. Buss is fine with it, I think Jim Buss is the one who has a bit of a power trip. I just hope he doesn't go all James Dolan on the franchise.

[Andrew]

It's all about Jeanie Buss. You think Jim is going to hire a guy who is not only banging his daughter but wants a stake in the ownership and basketball decisions? Yeah, hire this coach and undermine Kupchak and Buss's duties at the front office.

Jim's sister, Jerry's daughter.

I don't know if the former comes into play at all but a stake in ownership and basketball decisions definitely wouldn't sit well with the younger Buss.

I don't get why the Lakers wouldn't give Brian Shaw a chance. Honestly.

His current employment with the Pacers not withstanding, it seems to come down to his connections to Jackson, whom Jim Buss dislikes. Kinda petty and shortsighted, seeing as how Shaw is only likely to run the triangle and emulate Jax from a basketball standpoint, not act just like him on a personal/professional level.

[shadowgrin]

When Anthony grumbled to Bryant about D'Antoni's defensive acumen on a trip to Los Angeles before the coach's resignation in New York, one witness says Bryant shot back to Anthony – only half-kidding – that, seriously, when the hell have you ever played defense?

The G.O.A.T. telling it like it is.

[Jackal]

Magic tweeted it best, utmost respect for Dr. Buss, Jim Buss however...eh.

[Jackal]

Watching the Suns game, I am intrigued at how D'Antoni will use Gasol, I loved him in the triangle and kind of sucks watching that much talent being wasted on the perimeter, even if he did make his first five shots.

[Nash_Bryant]

Gasol has been fantastic. The bench sucks but way to go Lakers. World Peace revealing his revitalized self. I love the way the shots has been distributed. Kobe 15 FGA, Gasol FGA, MWP 13 FGA, DH12 11 FGA (7/19 FT), I need to see more of Jamison and Meeks though. They're a waste of money.


Lakers vs. Grizzlies, a must-watch game soon.

[NovU]

What's changed in Kobe's game?

[dare]

What's changed in Kobe's game?

Dwight Howard

[Jackal]

Gasol is wasted on the perimeter. The guy is too skilled in the low post to be positioned out 16-17 feet away from the basket for screens and jumpshots.

[dare]

Pau wants to have more basket inside the paint but the system won't allow him.

Why not try a line-up of G, G, Jamison, Hill and Pau. Where Pau can be a roll man or can be the center. Hill and Jamison can both stretch the floor so I don't think it is going to be a problem on the current system. Also Pau needs to be the man when he is there with the bench unit.

[Nash_Bryant]

I mean, definitely. I hate Pau taking jump shots. I want the 2010 Pau that dazzles and spins on the post against elite players like KG and other big men. I know they can be THE TEAM. I hope D'antoni sorts this out. Meanwhile, we don't really have the point guard to play for us right now.

[NovU]

Kobe Bryant wonders if Pau Gasol might be ‘coasting a little bit’ because of his conditioning

[Andrew]

I suppose it's fair to wonder and if he's going to get called on it by a teammate, Kobe should be the one telling it like it is. That said, I still wonder if Kobe is focusing on the right things and shouldn't shoulder a bit more of the blame for the so-so start. In wins so far this season, he's averaging 22.9 ppg and 6.9 apg; in losses, 31 ppg and 3.3 apg. When he's being more of a facilitator, they've won games. When he's been scoring more - perhaps mindful of his ability to keep moving up the all-time scoring list - they've been losing.

[NovU]

How is Kobe's off-the ball movement these days? He's no Ray Allen or Wade but that's one area I thought he really needed to work on if the Lakers want to fully utilize Nash and Dwight.

[Andrew]

Bryant understands how it looks. When he sets up teammates for buckets, the Lakers have been winning. When he doesn't, they haven't.

Bryant's pick-and-roll plays are "by far" the best attack the team has, D'Antoni said, while Steve Nash remains out because of a leg fracture. No. 2 point guard Steve Blake might be back from his abdominal strain Tuesday against Indiana, but Bryant had four assists and no turnovers in the Lakers' hot first quarter against the Mavericks.

To Bryant, though, when he sets up teammates and they don't make shots, then he has no choice but to shoot more to try to rally.

"I've been doing this my whole career, and some nights my teammates hit more shots and that adds up to more assists for me," Bryant said. "The games we win are when the whole team is making shots. Now, if our shots aren't going in, then I have to take more of the offensive load."

Bryant is looking forward to Nash's return, for sure. Nash will be re-evaluated next week.

"I'll be scoring a lot more when Nash gets back," Bryant said. "I won't have to facilitate as much, and it will allow me to do what I do best — and that's put the ball in the hole."

Source.

The article also mentions Gasol suffering from tendinitis in both knees, which perhaps answers Kobe's previous criticism.

[NovU]

Kobe's criticism often were heralded as wills and desires to win but it was too often that they grew tiresome and unamusing in recent years. If he was as good as people(or himself) claimed, I don't think he'd have whined as much as he did in his career. I don't think Michael cried that much nor LeBrick. I mean if Pau was anything like Demarcus Cousins, Kobe would have been punched and possibly raped.

[Jackal]

Mentioning Lebron in the same breath as Jordan in regards to not crying. You're a funny guy.

[shadowgrin]

[NovU]

Duly Noted. Jordumb fans are sensitive.