OT: Lakers Radical Position Changes

[Reep]

From RealGM (too lazy to post link)

The Lakers are expected to shift Kobe Bryant to small forward on Tuesday night in their first game of the preseason.

Bryant shifts to small forward, with Derek Fisher sliding over to shooting guard, and Lamar Odom moving from small forward to point guard.

Or, you could just keep everything the same and let Odom initiate the offense--but I guess that would be more complicated than changing their titles.

I can't wait to see Fish guard Roy, or Odom guard Bayless.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

Should be:

Farmar
Bryant
Odom
Gasol
Bynum

damn good lineup IMO.

 

[Ed O]

The Lakers are also talking about bringing Bynum off the bench because he and Pau aren't playing well together yet.

As for the "Odom at PG" thing... it's not a big deal. It's on the offensive end that he'll be playing the point guard spot... he'll still need to guard a swing man down at the other end.

Ed O.

 

[Reep]

The Lakers are also talking about bringing Bynum off the bench because he and Pau aren't playing well together yet.
Ed O.

That is an interesting sub-topic. Bynum is not showing much effort in practice and Tex Winter had some things to say about that. Also, it appearst that Gasol doesn't have space to work with Bynum camped in the middle and Kobe hanging out in the mid-post. Hopefully they get this figured out after the first game of the season.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

That is an interesting sub-topic. Bynum is not showing much effort in practice and Tex Winter had some things to say about that. Also, it appearst that Gasol doesn't have space to work with Bynum camped in the middle and Kobe hanging out in the mid-post. Hopefully they get this figured out after the first game of the season.

or not at all?

 

[maxiep]

That is an interesting sub-topic. Bynum is not showing much effort in practice and Tex Winter had some things to say about that. Also, it appearst that Gasol doesn't have space to work with Bynum camped in the middle and Kobe hanging out in the mid-post. Hopefully they get this figured out after the first game of the season.

Hopefully? Naw, I want to see the NBA version of "The Hills" at Staples.

 

[Really Lost One]

That is an interesting sub-topic. Bynum is not showing much effort in practice and Tex Winter had some things to say about that. Also, it appearst that Gasol doesn't have space to work with Bynum camped in the middle and Kobe hanging out in the mid-post. Hopefully they get this figured out after the first game of the season.

Never heard any of that stuff. Link?

Also, I'm not worried about Gasol and Pau, they'll be fine. It's expected that they'd struggle early on, after all, they've only had a week or so get acquainted. There's still tons of time before the season starts, and I'm sure they'll get everything together soon.

 

[SodaPopinski]

Lamar Odom moving from small forward to point guard

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-Pop

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

Never heard any of that stuff. Link?

Also, I'm not worried about Gasol and Pau, they'll be fine. It's expected that they'd struggle early on, after all, they've only had a week or so get acquainted. There's still tons of time before the season starts, and I'm sure they'll get everything together soon.

On the contrary, I am QUITE worried about Gasol and Pau.

RealGM is a source?

 

[Really Lost One]

On the contrary, I am QUITE worried about Gasol and Pau.

RealGM is a source?

Link? I would like a link to Tex Winter commenting about Bynum being lazy in practice. (not calling anyone a liar, I would just like a link because I haven't heard about it)

As for Bynum and Pau, be worried, it doesn't really matter. Laker fans knew it was going to take time, and obviously you aren't going to insert the two in the lineup right off the bat and expect them to gel and become familiar with each other in one week. It's going to take time, and I'm well aware of it. That's why the season doesn't start tomorrow.

 

[Ed O]

Link? I would like a link to Tex Winter commenting about Bynum being lazy in practice. (not calling anyone a liar, I would just like a link because I haven't heard about it)

Stop calling me a liar!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bynum-gasol-season-2183107-together-winter

"Winter said a major factor in the slow start so far has been Bynum not giving maximum effort in practice.

"He's just not exerting himself, maybe," Winter said. "And most of the other guys are. I think he just needs to play a little harder.""

As for Bynum and Pau, be worried, it doesn't really matter. Laker fans knew it was going to take time, and obviously you aren't going to insert the two in the lineup right off the bat and expect them to gel and become familiar with each other in one week. It's going to take time, and I'm well aware of it. That's why the season doesn't start tomorrow.

There are some things that just are structurally or systemically unsound. Zach and SAR was one such combination in Portland... neither could play any position other than the 4. Bynum and Gasol--with their limited offensive games--might be a similar poor fit together.

It's early, of course, but this can't be encouraging for Lakers fans.

Ed O.

 

[Really Lost One]

Thanks for the link!

"This is the first year where it's kind of a little bit boring just because we have to run through the same stuff we already know," he said.

But Winter also might be somewhat predisposed to spot Bynum's shortcomings after being critical when Bynum's work ethic was lacking the past.

"He's tremendously talented and he's really lost that baby fat," Winter said. "He has matured physically. He can run so much better than he used to. It's just a question of him learning to play a little harder, compete a little harder. I think that'll come."

Bynum worked really hard throughout the offseason, and came into camp in the best shape of his life. I do wish he was exerting himself to full capacity during practices, but that's not enough for me to criticize his work ethic.

There are some things that just are structurally or systemically unsound. Zach and SAR was one such combination in Portland... neither could play any position other than the 4. Bynum and Gasol--with their limited offensive games--might be a similar poor fit together.

It's early, of course, but this can't be encouraging for Lakers fans.

Ed O.

Gasol's natural position is powerforward. Bynum's natural position is center. Gasol has a great midrange game that he wasn't able to utilize last season because we had him playing in the paint. A shift to powerforward should do wonders for his game. As for Bynum, he actually has some decent post moves (believe it or not), although a lot of his points last season came off of dunks. Again, I'm not really worried. Obviously this isn't news I'm jumping up and down about, but it's nothing to upset me. Bynum is stepping onto the court for the first time in like 9 months with this team, Gasol had less than half a season in the triangle offense, and now has to get familiar with a new position. Things aren't going to go smoothly these first couple of weeks, but I expect things to work themselves out.

 

[Ed O]

Gasol's natural position is powerforward. Bynum's natural position is center. Gasol has a great midrange game that he wasn't able to utilize last season because we had him playing in the paint. A shift to powerforward should do wonders for his game. As for Bynum, he actually has some decent post moves (believe it or not), although a lot of his points last season came off of dunks. Again, I'm not really worried. Obviously this isn't news I'm jumping up and down about, but it's nothing to upset me. Bynum is stepping onto the court for the first time in like 9 months with this team, Gasol had less than half a season in the triangle offense, and now has to get familiar with a new position. Things aren't going to go smoothly these first couple of weeks, but I expect things to work themselves out.

I hear you... it's not jumping-off-a-bridge bad news... and I think that my example of Zach and SAR might be a bit unclear.

I've watched Gasol for several years and I think that he best when he can play in the key offensively and beat big guys off a dribble or two and finish at the rack... and I think that Bynum is best around the hoop, too. Having both of them in the game at the same time, neither is going to be able to operate at maximum efficiency because they do not complement one another.

Ed O.

 

[Really Lost One]

I hear you... it's not jumping-off-a-bridge bad news... and I think that my example of Zach and SAR might be a bit unclear.


I've watched Gasol for several years and I think that he best when he can play in the key offensively and beat big guys off a dribble or two and finish at the rack... and I think that Bynum is best around the hoop, too. Having both of them in the game at the same time, neither is going to be able to operate at maximum efficiency because they do not complement one another.

Ed O.

I agree with you here. And I do agree things look kind of confusing right now, but again, that's why the season doesn't start tomorrow. It was expected that these two wouldn't gel right off the bat. I'm gonna leave it up to Phil to create lineups and rotations to allow Pau and Bynum to utilize their games the fullest. But again, this'll take time. If we're in late November/early December and Pau and Bynum are still struggling, then I will start worrying. But until then, as long as they don't look terrible out there, I'm gonna be patiently waiting for the finishing result.

Also, not sure how much this comes into factor, but Pau looked great in the Olympics playing alongside his brother Marc, who has even less offensive game then Bynum.

 

[NJNetz]

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-Pop

In the first video, Kobe's reaction is priceless when Odom throws it to the ref.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I'll say this after watching both games:

Andrew Bynum is not nearly as big as he appears in those pictures. He's not Oden big. Posting up Okur you could still see Okur, Greg would have eclipsed Memet like he did Spencer and Mikki.

 

[Reep]

I'll say this after watching both games:

Andrew Bynum is not nearly as big as he appears in those pictures. He's not Oden big. Posting up Okur you could still see Okur, Greg would have eclipsed Memet like he did Spencer and Mikki.

Actually, Bynum is bigger. Oden likely plays bigger.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I disagree. Bynum may be a little taller but that's about all the advantage he has. He doesn't have a wide body like Shaq or Oden, his frame is actually very similar to Brendon Haywood.

 

[Reep]

I disagree. Bynum may be a little taller but that's about all the advantage he has. He doesn't have a wide body like Shaq or Oden, his frame is actually very similar to Brendon Haywood.

I'm talking hight and weight. Shoulders, you may be correct. No posted numbers, but Bynum may outweigh G.O. by ten pounds or so (more fat, plenty of arm muscle). But I think Oden may have a stronger core and upper legs. I can't wait until the 28th.

 

[DaRizzle]

Bynum 15/8 on 6-11 shooting baby. Made a move and drove with the ball from 15 ft out for a dunk. Made some 15 footers, had some dunks, perfect from the line...not bad, not bad at all

 

[Ed O]

I'm talking hight and weight. Shoulders, you may be correct. No posted numbers, but Bynum may outweigh G.O. by ten pounds or so (more fat, plenty of arm muscle). But I think Oden may have a stronger core and upper legs. I can't wait until the 28th.

Are you comparing Oden's measured pre-draft numbers to Bynum's self-reported estimates?

I don't think that those (Bynum's) are quite trustworthy.

Ed O.

 

[AgentDrazenPetrovic]

Bynum 15/8 on 6-11 shooting baby. Made a move and drove with the ball from 15 ft out for a dunk. Made some 15 footers, had some dunks, perfect from the line...not bad, not bad at all

who?