OT - Bynum lookin pretty good.

[DaRizzle]

Well its preseaon and they are still ironing out the Bynum/Gasol playing at the same time details. Touches arent as important as having good position when you get those touches. We also had an offense last night where we didnt adjust to Kobe being out. Phil just put Ariza in to play exactly when Kobe would have played so it doesnt screw with everyone else getting used to their roles. Cmon guys, he took 3 shots and made 2...Its training camp.

One thing I will say is I dont think he will score quite as much as I thought during the regular season not because he isnt all that I thought he could be rather that there are just too many damn options on our team for him to avg 18 points

 

[MrJayremmie]

Its training camp.

I think this is what a lot of people were saying about Oden also. Give him alittle time.

 

[DaRizzle]

Well I think you guys would have to admit that Oden is more of an offensive focal point than Bynum. Oden could possibly be your guys #1 option where Bynum could be as low as #3 for the Lakers. Oden will probably get more offensive touches than Bynum during the year.

 

[andalusian]

Well I think you guys would have to admit that Oden is more of an offensive focal point than Bynum. Oden could possibly be your guys #1 option where Bynum could be as low as #3 for the Lakers. Oden will probably get more offensive touches than Bynum during the year.

Not even close.

Greg took a shot once every 3.3 minutes played. The Blazers had 7 players that took shots more often than him this pre-season - in the following order:

Aldridge / Roy / Travis / Rudy / Bayless / Batum / Webster

Oden is getting his numbers despite the fact that he is clearly not the focus of the offense. He is just too strong, quick and tall to keep away. The Blazers will usually go into him quick, have the entire defense concentrate on doubling or triple teaming him (otherwise it will be a dunk) and make you pay for this with others.

We can expect him to play most of his minutes next to Roy, Aldridge and one (or two) of Rudy / Webster / Batum / Travis -he will probably be the 4th option on offense for the Blazers to start the year. Once he regains his game shape quickness and stamina - I suspect we will see him graduate to be the 3rd option behind Aldridge and Roy.

FWIW - Bynum takes a shot every 3.16 minutes played (based on pre-season play). He is clearly not the focus of the offense either - but he still is utilized more as an offensive weapon than Greg.

Another interesting point - Oden got 24 offensive rebounds in 142 minutes of play vs. 4 for Bynum in a 158 minutes of play. It is clear that Greg gets a lot more of his attempts after offensive rebounds. While they shoot at more or less the same rate - Greg creates these opportunities for himself while Bynum has to have these made for him. Again - the numbers are clear - Bynum is more a part of the offensive plan for LAL than Oden is for the Blazers.

 

[EAblazer]

Well I think you guys would have to admit that Oden is more of an offensive focal point than Bynum. Oden could possibly be your guys #1 option where Bynum could be as low as #3 for the Lakers. Oden will probably get more offensive touches than Bynum during the year.

NO NO you are crazy! Oden is no farther up the line for the number one scoring option than Bynum. Roy and Aldridge are a head of him in the starting unit. They are the focus when the ball is in our hands. Oden is the #3 and it will be dropped to him to collapse the defence but he is not a more likely #1 but you are crazy.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

NO NO you are crazy! Oden is no farther up the line for the number one scoring option than Bynum. Roy and Aldridge are a head of him in the starting unit. They are the focus when the ball is in our hands. Oden is the #3 and it will be dropped to him to collapse the defence but he is not a more likely #1 but you are crazy.

And if Bayless or Outlaw are on the floor, they will make sure Oden turns into the 4th option.

 

[DaRizzle]

ok ok sheesh! lol...we shall see how it plays out

 

[andalusian]

And if Bayless or Outlaw are on the floor, they will make sure Oden turns into the 4th option.

As the numbers show - even Batum, Webster and Rudy take shots more often than Greg. Since he will play with at least 3 people from the pool of Roy / Aldridge / Rudy / Travis / Bayless / Batum / Webster - he will be the 4th option.

I will repeat however that I expect this to change in the 2nd half of the season - when Greg will become the 3rd option when he is on the court.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

ok ok sheesh! lol...we shall see how it plays out

No offense but that there was an ass whooping that Andalusian just put on you

 

[andalusian]

I like Bynum a lot. He is a good player and will be one of the best centers in the league for year to come - no way around it. I just think that anyone that thinks he has a higher upside than Greg is clearly out of his mind. The only thing that can stand in Greg's way to being one of the top 2 centers in the league if not the best is health. Bynum is no chump change - but he just does not have the strength, quickness and it seems motivation to get there. This is going to be a D-Howard vs. G-Oden center battle royale for years. You get these out of this world centers twice a decade on average. Last decade it was Shaq and Duncan. A decade before that it was Hakeem and D-Robinson. Bynum is playing the role of Patrick Ewing. Not a bad option, especially for someone stolen with the #10 pick of the draft - but he is not going to dominate the way Oden and Howard will.

 

[DaRizzle]

No offense but that there was an ass whooping that Andalusian just put on you

Not really...You're gonna base you opinions off of who is getting touches in the preseason? In that case Kobe will be our 4th option. You guys cant have it both ways. Dominant C of the last 10 years or 3rd scoring option? I acknowledge Oden will need to get acclimated to the NBA game to show what he can really do but if he is good as you say he is then he should end up being the 1B scoring this year behind Roy by the 2nd half of the season.

I love how everybody is clinging to that "Bynum isnt motivated" thing. That was said when he was 17. We are gonna base what he will do off of what scout said when he was 17?!? Dont even try to quote Phil questioning his desire. Phil is the king of talking down players in the media. So now when he work hard in the offseason after an injury its only because he wants to get paid...right. Might as well say that about every player in the league.

 

[andalusian]

This is what makes Greg so unique. He can be a dominant center while only being only the 3rd option on offense. This is also what makes the Blazers so scary...

Bill Russel was never the focal point of his team's offense - but he was the dominant center of that team and you had to adjust to him - and that's why the Bill Russel Celtics were such a scary team.

The Blazers really arball shooters and the 2nd wave oe a pick your poison team. If you do not double Greg - he will dunk on you and dunk on you and dunk on you. If you do double him - this leaves Roy or Aldridge open. If both of them have a bad day - you still have to contend with the bevy of long-ball shooters and a bigger, stronger 2nd unit than your team will have.

 

[¹²³]

 

[DaRizzle]

This is what makes Greg so unique. He can be a dominant center while only being only the 3rd option on offense. This is also what makes the Blazers so scary...

Bill Russel was never the focal point of his team's offense - but he was the dominant center of that team and you had to adjust to him - and that's why the Bill Russel Celtics were such a scary team.

The Blazers really arball shooters and the 2nd wave oe a pick your poison team. If you do not double Greg - he will dunk on you and dunk on you and dunk on you. If you do double him - this leaves Roy or Aldridge open. If both of them have a bad day - you still have to contend with the bevy of long-ball shooters and a bigger, stronger 2nd unit than your team will have.

Same exact thing could be said about Bynum...his focus is going to be on the defensive end this year

 

[BrianFromWA]

Someone married a girl with hot friends.

 

[DaRizzle]

^Thats Maurice Evans wedding

 

[andalusian]

Same exact thing could be said about Bynum...his focus is going to be on the defensive end this year

There is a reason they went to the finals last year... and there is a reason they have as big of a chance to win it all this year as anyone.

The Lakers however have a much shorter window of being scary - since Kobe is not on the upside of his career.

 

[DaRizzle]

There is a reason they went to the finals last year... and there is a reason they have as big of a chance to win it all this year as anyone.

The Lakers however have a much shorter window of being scary - since Kobe is not on the upside of his career.

Things change every year in the NBA. Who really knows whats going to happen. "Windows" are what lesser teams talk about. Farmar is looking more and more like a wannabe Tony Parker every day, Pau was an all star in his last fully healthy season, Bynum is probably gonna be a several time all star, Kobe knows how to adjust his game.

"Window" is a BS term

 

[andalusian]

Things change every year in the NBA. Who really knows whats going to happen. "Windows" are what lesser teams talk about. Farmar is looking more and more like a wannabe Tony Parker every day, Pau was an all star in his last fully healthy season, Bynum is probably gonna be a several time all star, Kobe knows how to adjust his game.

"Window" is a BS term

So, let's try to see if I can rephrase your post via none Lakers colored glasses:

1. No one knows the future. Check.
2. Windows are for losers. (Microsoft disagrees).
3. Farmar is a wannabe. Check.
4. Pau was an all-star 3 years ago. Check.
5. Bynum could be an all-star multiple times. Can't make this argument and give it any weight while also making point #1, now, can we?
6. Kobe knows how to adjust his game. Adjust to what? To not being a dominant player and being dominant in short spurts? Yes, he can - and it works when his teammates are better than him as was shown in the Olympics - but other than Bynum - who really is going to be a star on this team in 2 years when Kobe turns 32 and has 3 million miles on him?

The Lakers should do everything in their power to win now. They are going as far as Kobe is taking them, nothing more, nothing less. If you choose to ignore the elephant in the room - it is your right. Don't come crying to mama however when you step in a basketball sized turd...

 

[DaRizzle]

^ugh...I think we both need the damn season to start!!!

 

[andalusian]

^ugh...I think we both need the damn season to start!!!

No harm or malice was intended. Just enjoyed yanking your chain...

 

[DaRizzle]

oh I know

 

[DaRizzle]

10-15, 23 Pts, 8 Rebs, 3 blocks, 2 Assists, 1 steal, 29 min tonight
(and 2 of his misses were when they passed it to him and the shot clock was expiring)

 

[Natebishop3]

10-15, 23 Pts, 8 Rebs, 3 blocks, 2 Assists, 1 steal, 29 min tonight
(and 2 of his misses were when they passed it to him and the shot clock was expiring)

pretty damn impressive. Of course, who the hell does OKC have in the post to defend Bynum? Petro? Collison? Riiiiight lol. I can't wait to see Oden and Bynum go head to head. That's going to be a sweet matchup.

 

[MrJayremmie]

10-15, 23 Pts, 8 Rebs, 3 blocks, 2 Assists, 1 steal, 29 min tonight
(and 2 of his misses were when they passed it to him and the shot clock was expiring)

Now THATS a game. I watched the first QTR. He plays much better w/ Kobe in there. I know Kobe hardly played though.

I was impressed with what I saw. I was def. not "underwhelmed" lol...