Lakers in the off season

[Andrew]

I think the big thing will be Bryants ego. In other worrds if Phil can criticize him he can control him.

If not Lakers are gonna be in the lottery for many years.

Exactly. That's going to be an issue with any coach the Lakers pursue though, which is why I believe Kupchak and Buss need to be firm with Kobe and support the coach as long as he's doing the right thing.

I really don't see how Jackson as coach is good for the team. It worked when the Lakers had Shaq and Kobe, I mean I could've probably coached them to 3 championships with those two. In this instance I think it's a matter of someones reputation outweighing the needs of the team. That being said, it's not as if there's many better alternatives out there.

The triangle has worked without a dominant big man before, to the tune of six titles, though with the current Lakers squad it doesn't seem the same sort of success would come so quickly, if at all. I'm just surprised Phil Jackson would really consider going back there, considering how some relationships have been strained and his relationship with Kobe.

[J@3]

The triangle has worked without a dominant big man before, to the tune of six titles

The main difference being Kobe seemingly hates playing the triangle, which I don't understand considering it worked so well for his idol.

[Fresh8]

Would be because he wasn't the focal point of the triangle when Shaq was in town? Shaq was clerarly number one in Jax's play book... but if Phil returns maybe Kobe will enjoy it cause he is the man... its all about his ego really...

[J@3]

I don't know if the triangle will suit Kobe's current game plan. Dribble around as much as possible, post up outside the three point line, fadeaway turn around J and hope someone rebounds.

[Fresh8]

yeah.. thats the problem. hes never been the type to move onto the ball.. he has to come off it. Well, we will see if he can adjust.

[pissedoff]

I don't know if the triangle will suit Kobe's current game plan. Dribble around as much as possible, post up outside the three point line, fadeaway turn around J and hope someone rebounds.

dude get a clue. kobe was playing in the triangle this season & it was his idea. Not only did he like the triangle but tex winter said none of the lakers understood the triangle better.

[Fresh8]

It was only because he couldnt play as well in rudy's plays!!! thats why he asked for a switch back to the triangle retard!

[maes]

And kobe said in his last championship season that they should get rid of the triangle because it limited his creativity.

Sounds like he should stick do being a SG and let someone else handle being a coach & GM.

[Fresh8]

yeah and then when ity didnt work he asked for the lakers to return and try a bit of the old triangle again...

[Andrew]

dude get a clue. kobe was playing in the triangle this season & it was his idea. Not only did he like the triangle but tex winter said none of the lakers understood the triangle better.

The Lakers weren't running the triangle under Rudy T. Kobe hasn't exactly been enamoured with the triangle throughout his career.

An extract from Phil Jackson's The Last Season; The Final Round: Detroit; Page 239

Finally it was Kobe's turn. "You know how much I hate this fucking offense," Kobe said, "but I'll settle in and we'll just execute the triangle and get the ball into Shaq and beat them up on the inside."

[J@3]

I don't know if the triangle will suit Kobe's current game plan. Dribble around as much as possible, post up outside the three point line, fadeaway turn around J and hope someone rebounds.

dude get a clue. kobe was playing in the triangle this season & it was his idea. Not only did he like the triangle but tex winter said none of the lakers understood the triangle better.

And in summary, you're wrong.

[Ming-Mac]

Its a good team,some guys do possess remarkable talents for basketball besides Kobe. They should make chemistry and let everybody involved in the game. Maybe they will be different next year.

[Fresh8]

Its not as easy as it sounds...

[The Game]

The Lakers weren't running the triangle under Rudy T. Kobe hasn't exactly been enamoured with the triangle throughout his career.

But they were running the triangle under Frank Hamblem. Who suggested they run the triangle? Kobe Bryant.

Finally it was Kobe's turn. "You know how much I hate this fucking offense," Kobe said, "but I'll settle in and we'll just execute the triangle and get the ball into Shaq and beat them up on the inside."

He was talking about the triangle with Shaq as the focal point. The triangle with Kobe as the focal point is a different story.

[J@3]

The team still went badly under the triangle second time around.

[The Game]

That was because that most of the players didnt have an idea on how to run the offense. With Phil and Tex back, that wont be the case.

[beau_boy04]

So what's the latest guy? is Phil Jackson coming back to LA town or what?

[The Game]

Go ask Phil Jackson

[Andrew]

The Lakers weren't running the triangle under Rudy T. Kobe hasn't exactly been enamoured with the triangle throughout his career.

But they were running the triangle under Frank Hamblem. Who suggested they run the triangle? Kobe Bryant.

Yes, but my point is that Kobe did not like the triangle. The Lakers did run it and I do believe that it Kobe suggested it. But for the past five years or so, from what I can gather from Jackson's book and other articles he hasn't been too fond of it.

Finally it was Kobe's turn. "You know how much I hate this fucking offense," Kobe said, "but I'll settle in and we'll just execute the triangle and get the ball into Shaq and beat them up on the inside."

He was talking about the triangle with Shaq as the focal point. The triangle with Kobe as the focal point is a different story.

Right...but the point is, he expressed extreme dislike for it to say the least. I'm sure with the Lakers struggling late in the season and in need of something, the thought occured to run the triangle. It still doesn't mean Kobe necessarily likes the offense now, and it certainly doesn't mean he's always liked it, which is what pissedoff seemed to be suggesting.

[The Game]

Yes, but my point is that Kobe did not like the triangle.

Kobe doesnt like any offense with him as the #2 option.

But for the past five years or so, from what I can gather from Jackson's book and other articles he hasn't been too fond of it.

With Shaq gone and him as the focal point of the offense. Do you think Kobe would still hate the triangle?

Right...but the point is, he expressed extreme dislike for it to say the least.

And the point is he had his reasons as to why he disliked it. Those reasons were traded to Miami last year.

I'm sure with the Lakers struggling late in the season and in need of something, the thought occured to run the triangle.

They started running the triangle when the lakers were more or less a game over .500

It still doesn't mean Kobe necessarily likes the offense now

If Phil comes back, i assure you he likes the offense now.

[Andrew]

Yes, but my point is that Kobe did not like the triangle.

Kobe doesnt like any offense with him as the #2 option.

Maybe so.

With Shaq gone and him as the focal point of the offense. Do you think Kobe would still hate the triangle?

Possibly, if it doesn't let him play the way he likes or he feels restricted by it.

And the point is he had his reasons as to why he disliked it. Those reasons were traded to Miami last year.

It was well worth it!

They started running the triangle when the lakers were more or less a game over .500

I stand corrected. But my point was, they started running it after the team started to nose-dive and Rudy T was out of the picture.

If Phil comes back, i assure you he likes the offense now.

If Phil comes back, he has no choice but to tolerate it. Whether he truly likes it or tolerates it because it can be successful are two things, though ultimately if it succeeds, it succeeds.

[The Game]

Maybe so.

Oh, cmon now...

I stand corrected. But my point was, they started running it after the team started to nose-dive and Rudy T was out of the picture.

I remember a game they played against the rockets with Rudy as the coach. They ran the triangle in that game.

If Phil comes back, he has no choice but to tolerate it. Whether he truly likes it or tolerates it because it can be successful are two things, though ultimately if it succeeds, it succeeds.

I cant really see any reason for him not to like the triangle with him as the focal point. I mean, its no secret the guy wants to emulate Jordan.

[J@3]

Running the triangle maybe once or so in a few games is hardly making it a regular offense. I mean they could've run a cherry picker play in that game against Houston but that wouldn't be saying they've reverted back to Under 14's domestic comp play books.

[Andrew]

I remember a game they played against the rockets with Rudy as the coach. They ran the triangle in that game.

Fair enough. But as Jae said, running it a few times here and there doesn't make it their regular offense. The usage of the triangle under Rudy T was nowhere near as frequent as when Jax was at the helm.

I cant really see any reason for him not to like the triangle with him as the focal point. I mean, its no secret the guy wants to emulate Jordan.

You mean, apart from the fact he likes to shoot quickly and score off isolations while the triangle is designed to place all five offensive players in position to score? The fact it isn't so successful with players who can't run it? Making him the number one option isn't going to make him fall in love with it.

[The Game]

Running the triangle maybe once or so in a few games is hardly making it a regular offense.

I wasnt really implying that the triangle was their regular offense with Rudy. I was merely correcting Andrew when he said that the lakers started running it after Rudy resigned.

You mean, apart from the fact he likes to shoot quickly and score off isolations while the triangle is designed to place all five offensive players in position to score?

cough*Jordan of the 80's*cough

The fact it isn't so successful with players who can't run it?

What makes you so sure Kobe cant run it? 3 championship with him as the second option says he can and will run it better with him as the number 1 option.

Making him the number one option isn't going to make him fall in love with it.

Who said anything about Kobe falling in love with the triangle? He may like it but not necessarily adore it. As long as he accepts it, then expect Phil to be back coaching the lakers.

Anyway, here's a link to the latest laker report: Click