Potential lineups:

[DicksHutnick]

Since I think the Lakers are basically done unless something jumps out at them for the offseason, here are the two lineups I think the Lakers might use to begin next season:

C- Kwame Brown
PF - Lamar Odom
SF - Vladimir Radmanovic
SG - Kobe Bryant
PG - Smush Parker

or

C - Chris Mihm (PF on offense)
PF - Kwame Brown
SF - Lamar Odom
SG - Kobe Bryant
PG - Smush Parker

Phil commented once that he liked the movement with Lamar and Kwame upfront and Luke at the three, something that has lead most to believe Kwame Brown will be anchored at center with Chris Mihm moving to the bench and Vladimir Radmanovic starting. But this idea included Luke Walton, who can run the offense, at three. Vlade can't run the offense, so the idea of having two point forwards doesn't fly here.

What to do?

Phil also said that he thought Kwame and Chris were sloppy together and that it stagnated the offense. This has also lead some to believe Chris will be sat. However, I think simply reversing Kwame and Chris on offense to better utilize Mihm's "very consistant" (Phil's words) outside shot and clear some room for Kwame so he can use that huge frame to bully defenders as he was doing late last year puts both players in a position to truly thrive. Kwame has also commented that he plans on adding consistancy to a somewhat effective midrange shot. If both these things come to fruition I think the lineup with two seven footers can work and would eventually develop to be ideal defensively.

Chris Mihm is foul prone when he has to be the last line of defense, but he showed promise there last season and I think he can be a pretty effective weakside shot blocker alongside Kwame who'll stick the best low post player, and whose solid man defense become rock solid as the year progressed. Lamar Odom can guard almost anyone on the floor save for bulky fours and big centers, having that 6'10" presence on the perimeter is great with two bigs down low.

I suppose I'm advocating at least giving the twin towers another try. In this league of small ball, I think Phil's efficient, lethal system could dominate when run correctly with two talented bigs and a guy outside who was already unstoppable before the new rules made it even harder. By using Chris and Kwame properly, the Lakers can play to their strengths and force small teams to adjust to them, rather than the other way around.

This would also free up time for Andrew Bynum, apparently already showing improvement in the summer league, to play back up center for some good stretches -- shotblocking a bit like Alonzo Mourning in Miami, except instead of ending his career and being a shell of himself he's starting his and is just exceptionally raw.

I don't see any change in the back court, and frankly I'm happy. I like Smush and I have a feeling he's going to develop into the answer many have been looking elsewhere for. The talent and physical ability is all there -- it's mental with him, and he's got Phil Jackson in his corner.

While Odom and Vlade as the forwards would be about as versitile as a team can get, defensively I think the team would simply be effective at best, whereas the other scenario at best is pretty lockdown.

Thoughts?

[vanexelent]

I think both your potential lineups cancel each other out. The first one has Radmonovic and Odom at the 3 and 4, respectively. That is a potent offense, when added to the greatest player in the world. The second is more defensive oriented, but gives up the offensive output at the 4, since I don't think either Kwame or Mihm are good at that position.

But what this does tell us is that we can play a combination of the two and be successfull. The key is building a great bench. Like you said, Walton can play Odom's role when he sits or when they want Odom to focus on grabbing boards and posting up.

I think we should add some strength at the PF positon, possibly Reggie Evans for the LLE and also acquire a backup SG/SF. Aside from maybe M. Evans and Sasha, we don't have a great backup SG. We need to find a Joe Johnson, circa 2004, Bobby Jackson circa 2001-type 6th man to let Kobe sit during the regular season and to come off the bench during the playoffs and surprise everyone. I know, I know, Ben Gordon...

[DicksHutnick]

[Gail Goodrich]

Gordon isn't, but we could get Duhon

[vanexelent]

I wasn't suggesting we get Ben Gordon, I was just poking fun at our threads a few weeks back.

Anyway, I think Kwame has a better chance at improving on his faceup game than Mihm does. Mihm already has a better postup game than Kwame and while Mihm's jump shot is probably better than Kwame's right now, I think Kwame's atheletism is more valuable at the 4.

[buphead]

We could definitely get Duhon if we send Mihm and add a piece on either side. Duhon would help out our defense tremendously. Suddenly we'd have Evans and Duhon in our backcourt depth...two very good defenders.
_________________
-- Buphead --

[Texas_Pete]

I like the idea of Kwame and Mihm getting another shot to start together. They didn't know the offense early on, so of course the spacing was off because of it. I believe it could work as long as Mihm plays PF on offense (because of his jumper) and Kwame plays dominant bigs on defense. If Kwame could develop a consistent jumper that would make it that much easier. I just wish they both had a mean streak. That type of intimidation would do wonders for this team.

My guess is that the Lakers are indeed getting offers for Mihm and are turning them down. A few reasons could be:

a) Offers are not good enough to risk losing him
b) Waiting to see how Bynum develops during SPL
c) Insurance for if Kwame goes down
d) Wants to see if Kwame and Mihm could work together after all

If Kwame appears to be able to pick up where he left off last year AND Bynum indeed looks like he can give us 15-20 mpg by the trade deadline, then Mihm will be moved.

[DicksHutnick]

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

I think an advantage we have over other teams, and even over our team last year is that we can throw out there a lot of different looks. As in small ball, or go big. We can focus on O or on D depending the lineup. And now with Vlad we have someone who will give us an outside threat.

And something about Vlad.
He is a threat outside. Kobe is usually guarded by a SF. Well that means now that Kobe will have to be guarded by a smaller player than normal, which will allow him to post up more. Or it will allow Vlad who is 6'10" to be guarded by guard. Which will be fun to watch.

[KwamesMyGuy]

If we want to go big and play zone we could use this lineup.

Kwame,Mihm,Vlad,Odom,Kobe

Shooters and Slashers lineup

Vlad C/ Cook PF/ Evans SF/ Kobe SG/ Williams PG

This team is very versatile so I could see Phil trying a number of line ups
_________________
"Formerly known as The_Butler_Did_It"

Los Angeles Lakers

[lakeshow03]

the new class


farmar
kobe
pinnock
turiaf
bynym

[mike_dee23]

The Kobe can't be doubled lineup:

Sasha
Kobe
Radman
Odom
Cook

[lakeshow03]