| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
32
Retired Number
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 73071
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:09 am Post subject: Lakers in the News 8/19/12: Lakers' bench has gotten an upgrade |
|
|
| Quote: | Lakers' bench has gotten an upgrade
Remember when Lakers forward Robert Horry drilled that game-winning three-point shot in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference finals against the Sacramento Kings?
Or when Brian Shaw made those crucial three-pointers in Game 7 of the 2000 conference finals to bring the Lakers back from a 15-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a stirring victory over the Portland Trail Blazers?
Now think back to May of this year, when Steve Blake missed a wide-open, potential game-winning three-pointer in Game 2 of the conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder — a shot that was a microcosm of the dreadful year the Lakers' bench had.
But the worst bench in the NBA production-wise has improved markedly on paper in the off-season.
Gone are reserves Matt Barnes, Josh McRoberts, Troy Murphy and Christian Eyenga.
The key new Lakers reserves are veteran forward Antawn Jamison and young guard Jodie Meeks, both signed as free agents.
Jamison, 36, has played 14 seasons in the league, but the two-time All-Star can still play. The 6-9 Jamison is versatile enough to play both power and small forward, and he averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 33 minutes a game last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meeks, a 6-4 guard, averaged 8.1 points on 41.1% shooting, 37.1% on three-pointers, over his three-year career, and he started 50 of 66 games last season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Lakers new bench may not rival the unit of Horry, Shaw, Rick Fox and Derek Fisher — Fox and Fisher eventually became starters — but this new group is a vast improvement over the 2011-12 crew that averaged only 15.6 points a game last season, last in the 30-team NBA.
Barnes led the Lakers' reserves, averaging 7.8 points on 45.2% shooting, 33.3% on three-pointers. Blake averaged only 5.2 points on 37.7% shooting, 33.5% from three-point range.
But just adding Jamison was an upgrade for the Lakers.
Getting Meeks to sign, and re-signing athletic forward Jordan Hill, made the Lakers' bench that much stronger. Hill came alive in the playoffs last spring, averaging 6.3 rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.
Blake still is around, small forward Devin Ebanks re-signed and point guard Chris Duhon and forward Earl Clark came over in the Dwight Howard trade.
"They'll either have Metta World Peace or Jamison coming off the bench, and that immediately makes their bench better," Phoenix Suns Coach Alvin Gentry said. "Then you throw in Jodie Meeks, which to me is like a great fit."
Jamison, 36, who signed a one-year, $1.4-million contract with the Lakers, has mostly been a starter. But he knows something about coming off the bench, and was the NBA's sixth man of the year in 2004 when he played for the Dallas Mavericks.
Meeks, who signed a two-year deal worth $3 million, turns 25 on Tuesday and will back up Kobe Bryant. Bryant, who turns 34 on Thursday, averaged 38.5 minutes a game last season, the most on the team.
"Compared to last year, this bench is a massive upgrade," Fox said. "But I don't know if you're going to see a lot of the bench. I don't know if the bench is going to be asked to do a lot because of the four All-Stars on the team."
Fox was referring to starters Bryant, Howard, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol.
Horry, Shaw, Fox and Fisher played major roles when the Lakers won championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Shaw recalled how Phil Jackson had a unique way of developing his reserves when he coached the Lakers.
"He kept the starting unit together in practice so they could develop a chemistry with each other," said Shaw, the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers. "Then he kept the second team together so they could develop chemistry together. Then when it got to playoff time, Phil would take the eight or nine guys that were in the rotation down to his end of practice and develop that chemistry with the group that you're going to be out there on the floor with.
"But I think an accurate way to judge a bench is, do they lose the lead? Do they hold the lead or do they increase the lead? We did a good job of not losing leads and we had a calmness about us when we came off the bench."
And that will be the challenge for the Lakers' bench this season, as the team tries to make good on its position as one of the preseason favorites to win the championship next June. |
LINK
_________________
Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
FreakofNature
Star Player
Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 9187
Location: Maui ...
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 6:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
I believe this bench will be able to maintain the lead once the studs are resting...Not actually gain against many teams, but maintain for the most part. I don't see a major upgrade, but it is better.
Maybe I am just bitter that we did not land Nate Robinson and Barbosa along with B.Rush for the 1,2,3 spots....
How spoiled can I be...Shame on me. 
But Meeks, Jamison and J.Hill will be players I feel good to very good
about... J.Hill actually great about... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LuciusAllen
Star Player
Joined: 24 Sep 2005
Posts: 5787
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
The bench will be better this year -- certainly more versatile and/or reliable scoring. Rebounding and defense should be acceptable too, except against certain players and matchups. But I don't you'll see the Lakers ever put five reserves on the court, other than garbage time (of which I hope there is a lot).
It makes more sense to have one of Gasol or Howard out there at all times, and ideally one of Nash or Kobe out there too, at least during important games. Brown should be able to figure out how to do this without making Kobe, Nash, or Pau play more than 34 minutes per game. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gumby
Star Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 2500
Location: Inland Empire
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 12:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
God. Anything was better than what the bench was last year. Even if they just had less bench players, that would have been better. Someone has to take charge on this bench and if and when they do that will leaps over the timid bench we has last year.
Bye.
_________________
"This trophy removes the most odious sentence in the English Language. It can never be said again that 'the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics.'" -Dr. Jerry Buss (1985) R.I.P., 33 x M.V.O. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LakersMDGurl
Franchise Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 18015
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It would be great NOT to have a starter on the floor at all with the bench guys... for real.. I donno if we can do that though..
_________________
New Beginings |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cha*n
Star Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Posts: 7233
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Cha*n
Star Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Posts: 7233
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | Kobe Bryant scores 68 points in a ridiculous charity game in China
By Ben Golliver | NBA Blogger
August 19, 2012 4:10 pm ET
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the NBA turned loose one of its biggest stars on its annual Celebrity Game during All-Star Weekend? You know, the game where Justin Bieber breaks ankles and 1990s sitcom stars battle with today's reality television D-listers for rebounding position.
Well, here's your answer. Sort of.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant participated in what sounds like the most ridiculous charity basketball game of all time in Shanghei this weekend. The game, played in two 15-minute halves, featured local pop music stars. Bryant, in China on a promotional tour, sat out the entire first half before scoring a self-reported 68 points to key his team to a comeback victory, after fans somehow texted in to give his opponents an extra 20-point lead. Yes, you read that paragraph correctly. |
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19829997/kobe-bryant-scores-68-points-in-a-ridiculous-charity-game-in-china |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gumby
Star Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 2500
Location: Inland Empire
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've heard this story before but didn't know it was actually in Orange County. Here I was thinking Hollywood Hils or Bel Air, etc. distinction would be nice from the article writer but odds are they don't know the difference.
Bye.
_________________
"This trophy removes the most odious sentence in the English Language. It can never be said again that 'the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics.'" -Dr. Jerry Buss (1985) R.I.P., 33 x M.V.O. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
42lakers42
Starting Rotation
Joined: 08 Jul 2012
Posts: 201
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| let's hope that this bench mob can somewhat hold their own vs. the other 2nd teams in the nba. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chick-N-Stew
Star Player
Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 1825
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| gumby wrote: |
I've heard this story before but didn't know it was actually in Orange County. Here I was thinking Hollywood Hils or Bel Air, etc. distinction would be nice from the article writer but odds are they don't know the difference.
Bye. |
It's nice down here.
Bench looking better.
_________________
Mama, There Goes That Mamba. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
h2omike
Star Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 2811
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I think this bench will be a big upgrade for our team. The ability to insert Meeks, Jamison, and Hill gives us a great first 8. If nothing else, Kobe, and Gasol should be able to get significant rest. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BigEvil
Star Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 1755
Location: Whittier
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
What I really like about the Jamison signing is that he can lead the bench. He's got experience, he can bail out the team when the offense breaks down, and he can play either forward position.
If it were me, of our two starting bigs, I'd have Gasol play with the bench because he can help Blake run the offense and play inside-out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tanlentueux
Star Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
Posts: 7169
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| We will see if the bench is better. Jamison off the bench is already a huge upgrade. Meeks is a starter type of player. Good ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Weapon 6
Starting Rotation
Joined: 16 Mar 2012
Posts: 199
Location: Sin City
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| gumby wrote: | God. Anything was better than what the bench was last year. Even if they just had less bench players, that would have been better. Someone has to take charge on this bench and if and when they do that will leaps over the timid bench we has last year.
Bye. |
This |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
42lakers42
Starting Rotation
Joined: 08 Jul 2012
Posts: 201
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Weapon 6 wrote: | | gumby wrote: | God. Anything was better than what the bench was last year. Even if they just had less bench players, that would have been better. Someone has to take charge on this bench and if and when they do that will leaps over the timid bench we has last year.
Bye. |
This |
unfortunately we traded away our bench leader in Odom.... Maybe one of these will step up. Kinda hard for a new guy like Jamison to do so because he's new,but I'd prefer him being the bench leader over Jordan hill or timid Steve Blake. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
42lakers42
Starting Rotation
Joined: 08 Jul 2012
Posts: 201
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Weapon 6 wrote: | | gumby wrote: | God. Anything was better than what the bench was last year. Even if they just had less bench players, that would have been better. Someone has to take charge on this bench and if and when they do that will leaps over the timid bench we has last year.
Bye. |
This |
unfortunately we traded away our bench leader in Odom.... Maybe one of these will step up. Kinda hard for a new guy like Jamison to do so because he's new,but I'd prefer him being the bench leader over Jordan hill or timid Steve Blake. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ThreePointBomber
Star Player
Joined: 14 May 2010
Posts: 3234
Location: Inland Empire
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
(bleep) WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY THIS IS A SOLID BENCH.
_________________
The most important shot in basketball. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
