The Los Angeles Lakers
- Thread starter IronLungs420
- Start date
Well, it was not entirely unexpected - last year their problem was that they were old and slow and couldn't play defense against young and quick teams who were just blowing past them, especially point guards.
Adding Nash and Jamison in no way addressed that problem.
The unpleasant surprise has been Howards's game especially in defense - the hope was he would provide a solid defensive presence in the paint, which hasn't happened at all - but also in offense.
Adding Nash and Jamison in no way addressed that problem.
The unpleasant surprise has been Howards's game especially in defense - the hope was he would provide a solid defensive presence in the paint, which hasn't happened at all - but also in offense.
Phil Jackson says he wouldn't return to Lakers
December 13, 2012
VENICE, CA — If you’re a Lakers fan and still believe in Phil Jackson and what he has to say, you’re not going to be very happy about his evaluation of the Purple and Gold’s championship hopes.
As he and his girlfriend — Lakers Vice President Jeanie Buss — were stepping into a Venice restaurant Wednesday night, a TMZ camera crew was on site for a quick one-on-one with the 11-time NBA championship coach.
The reporter asked Jackson if he’d go back to the Lakers right now “if they offered you the gig?” Jackson responded with a half-laughing but fully drawn-out, “Noooo. They’ll get it going.”
When asked if he really believed the Lakers would turn it around, he responded with a serious “yeah.”
Then came the part that might trouble you a little if you still believe the Lakers can contend for a title this season.
TMZ: “You think a championship?”
Jackson: “Well, no, I don’t know about that, but...”
Ouch.
Jackson coached the Lakers to five NBA titles in 11years, including a “three-peat” in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He also led them to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.
He left the team following a disastrous second-round playoff sweep by the eventual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks and sat out last season. He was thought to be the prime candidate to once again become head coach after the firing of his successor, Mike Brown, but owner Jerry Buss opted to go with Mike D’Antoni.
The Lakers were 9-13 going into Thursday's game with the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
Phil Jackson says he wouldn't return to Lakers
December 13, 2012
VENICE, CA — If you’re a Lakers fan and still believe in Phil Jackson and what he has to say, you’re not going to be very happy about his evaluation of the Purple and Gold’s championship hopes.
As he and his girlfriend — Lakers Vice President Jeanie Buss — were stepping into a Venice restaurant Wednesday night, a TMZ camera crew was on site for a quick one-on-one with the 11-time NBA championship coach.
The reporter asked Jackson if he’d go back to the Lakers right now “if they offered you the gig?” Jackson responded with a half-laughing but fully drawn-out, “Noooo. They’ll get it going.”
When asked if he really believed the Lakers would turn it around, he responded with a serious “yeah.”
Then came the part that might trouble you a little if you still believe the Lakers can contend for a title this season.
TMZ: “You think a championship?”
Jackson: “Well, no, I don’t know about that, but...”
Ouch.
Jackson coached the Lakers to five NBA titles in 11years, including a “three-peat” in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He also led them to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.
He left the team following a disastrous second-round playoff sweep by the eventual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks and sat out last season. He was thought to be the prime candidate to once again become head coach after the firing of his successor, Mike Brown, but owner Jerry Buss opted to go with Mike D’Antoni.
The Lakers were 9-13 going into Thursday's game with the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
Phil Jackson says he wouldn't return to Lakers
If Gasol doesn't get it going when Nash returns, he's being dealt either to Toronto most likely for Calderon and Bargnani, or the T'Wolves possibly for KLove. I could see that Love trading happening more so now though because he made some comments regarding the management of the T'Wolves, and the owner wasn't too pleased.
Would be a great fit i think Love could stretch the floor and hurt you with his shooting, he could also work the paint. I think ultimately he would fit in more smoothly than Gasol would in D'Antoni's current system. He's more of an athlete than Gasol, and it makes the Lakers Younger.
But then again Kobe mentioned once Gasol returns he'll be in the post a lot more like he wants and he was pretty firm on that statement. Kobe wants to win now no doubt, he's real hungry for that 6th ring he knows his time is running out. But he does need better contributions from his teammates. In the end i see them making the playoffs, they have enough time to turn things around.
It's more difficult compared to the Heats 1st season with Bosh and Lebron they were destroying teams rather quickly, but then again look at the style they play up and down tempo, and they are more athletic and younger than the lakers starters. That is one thing lakers must improve on is that transition defense and im sure they will soon. But i do see Kobe getting #6 maybe not this season but next season i envision it as he'll catch MJ and then retire.
But then again D'Antoni is very offensive minded so i expect Howard to take charge defensively.
I remember watching the Suns and Warriors go at it when D'Antoni had a solid group with Nash, Stoudemire, and Marion, Quentin Richardson etc. They battled with the warriors in uptempo games nothing but "Run and Gun" back in 04. But the damn games were always so high scoring over 120 pts LOL because neither played DEFENSE HAHA thank Don Nelson.
Would be a great fit i think Love could stretch the floor and hurt you with his shooting, he could also work the paint. I think ultimately he would fit in more smoothly than Gasol would in D'Antoni's current system. He's more of an athlete than Gasol, and it makes the Lakers Younger.
But then again Kobe mentioned once Gasol returns he'll be in the post a lot more like he wants and he was pretty firm on that statement. Kobe wants to win now no doubt, he's real hungry for that 6th ring he knows his time is running out. But he does need better contributions from his teammates. In the end i see them making the playoffs, they have enough time to turn things around.
It's more difficult compared to the Heats 1st season with Bosh and Lebron they were destroying teams rather quickly, but then again look at the style they play up and down tempo, and they are more athletic and younger than the lakers starters. That is one thing lakers must improve on is that transition defense and im sure they will soon. But i do see Kobe getting #6 maybe not this season but next season i envision it as he'll catch MJ and then retire.
But then again D'Antoni is very offensive minded so i expect Howard to take charge defensively.
I remember watching the Suns and Warriors go at it when D'Antoni had a solid group with Nash, Stoudemire, and Marion, Quentin Richardson etc. They battled with the warriors in uptempo games nothing but "Run and Gun" back in 04. But the damn games were always so high scoring over 120 pts LOL because neither played DEFENSE HAHA thank Don Nelson.
I called Love to Lakers back in Septemeber-October, imo Lakers want to win now but they are salivating at the moves they are going to make in 2014. Big free agents hit the market and Kobe(25million) and Gasol(19 million) contracts come off the books. Expect Kobe to take a big pay cut and Gasol to be gone, heres my post from a month or two ago:
The Lebron thing is a major reach but not completely impossible. love makes complete sense though because he seems set on leaving Minnesota no matter what, so might as well get something for him. Also the t wolves love rubio so I can see them acquiring Gasol his Olympic teammate.
The Lebron thing is a major reach but not completely impossible. love makes complete sense though because he seems set on leaving Minnesota no matter what, so might as well get something for him. Also the t wolves love rubio so I can see them acquiring Gasol his Olympic teammate.
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