On November 02 2014 20:11 Scarecrow wrote: If Perkins can score 17 on that Thunder team then surely Kobe's teammates are worth passing to occasionally. The Lakers aren't going to get any better with him taking up this much usage to throw up contested turn around jumpers and circus shots (not to mention the 7 turnovers). It's just classic Kobe not trusting his teammates and then his fans blaming the supporting cast for not being worthy of the ball. The best Laker game so far was, unsurprisingly, vs the Clippers where Kobe took way less attempts and moved the ball.
Dude it's a massive inconsistency issue with the spacing.
We straight up DON'T have any. One of our top scorers in both games has been Jordan fucking Hill shooting from the elbow in back to back games.
Unless we're going to be dishing to Wesley Johnson for a spot up 3 on the regular (hint: he doesn't make them) I can't see who else is a consistent asset to open up the floor so that Kobe or Lin can drive the ball. Seemingly everyone that we have that's healthy wants to operate closer to the basket, Kobe included.
Sure spacing is a problem and will get a bit better once Swaggy and Kelly get back. Though guys like Wes Johnson do deserve more shots. He's actually decent from range, 37% last year, 44% so far this year and if open is surely a better option than another contested Kobe jumper. Also Kobe would probably get double teamed a lot less if he showed more willingness to pass out of them.
On November 02 2014 18:19 Djagulingu wrote: Did LaVine rape Stan Van Gundy's daughter? Why does Stan Van Gundy never play him.
Unless Stan starts coaching the T Wolves I don't think it matters what he has on LaVine.
Oops I meant Flip.
I mean, LaVine has played 5 minutes and 34 seconds in total in these 3 games and no stats at all in neither (not even turnovers or personal fouls). Isn't that too low for a #13 pick?
I haven't been able to watch any of the Thunder, so to those who have: is Perry Jones III legit? A second really good looking stat line in a row from him last night.
On November 02 2014 23:28 AgentW wrote: I haven't been able to watch any of the Thunder, so to those who have: is Perry Jones III legit? A second really good looking stat line in a row from him last night.
I don't know if he's just awkward, but he looks like a stiff a lot. Stats do speak for themselves though.
Is Houston supposed to still be good this year? I'm trying to gauge yesterday's Celtics performance
He's a very good slasher, and basically has a green light. Hard to say what he'll be able to do when the full Thunder team is around.
I also don't particularly buy the 'Kobe should involve his teammates more' argument... he's shown over the years that he is perfectly capable of sharing the ball and making good passes and deferring to teammates when they are playing well. His problem is that if he feels his team is NOT playing well, he'll try to do it himself. Most of the time, he's probably right.
On November 02 2014 23:28 AgentW wrote: I haven't been able to watch any of the Thunder, so to those who have: is Perry Jones III legit? A second really good looking stat line in a row from him last night.
I don't know if he's just awkward, but he looks like a stiff a lot. Stats do speak for themselves though.
Is Houston supposed to still be good this year? I'm trying to gauge yesterday's Celtics performance
Houston didn't strike out as bad as most people paint it out to be. I personally think they did a lateral move talentwise (still kept cap flexibility as well), might fit a little better as whole though (+ they're on the younger side so they might be a tad better than last year, who knows).
On November 02 2014 17:22 RowdierBob wrote: And I know there are some posters here that love ripping on OKC but holy shit is that franchise good and finding and developing young talent.
I mean they've only existed since 2008 and have produced: *KD (granted he would've succeeded wherever he went) *Westbrook *Harden *Ibaka *Jeff Green *Reggie Jackson *Steve Adams *Perry Jones *Jeremey Lamb (ok, he hasn't made it yet but this kid can play).
Is there a better team in the league at building through youth?
I'd say drafting, not developing. Brooks hasn't been able to turn players into contributors unless injuries force his hand. It's still pretty much the same offense, just using a different guy as a first option. I'm not sure those guys can contribute once Durant and Westbrook return. It's not like Popovich and Jackson who are able to get role players to contribute even with their starters playing.
On November 02 2014 17:22 RowdierBob wrote: And I know there are some posters here that love ripping on OKC but holy shit is that franchise good and finding and developing young talent.
I mean they've only existed since 2008 and have produced: *KD (granted he would've succeeded wherever he went) *Westbrook *Harden *Ibaka *Jeff Green *Reggie Jackson *Steve Adams *Perry Jones *Jeremey Lamb (ok, he hasn't made it yet but this kid can play).
Is there a better team in the league at building through youth?
Portland has to get a shout out here, Chicago has also done well considering they've been picking so late in the draft.
Portland: Brandon Roy LMA Nic Batum Wes Matthews (robbed from utah) Damian Lillard revitalized RoLos and J.J. Hicksons career
I don't think it's fair to give credit to a team for 'developing' someone like Durant/Westbrook, or in Portland's case, Aldridge, Roy, or Lillard... these guys were going to be stars no matter where they ended up, you can't possibly give the team credit for that. Give them credit for recognizing the best talent in their respective years and drafting them, sure.
I guess the same could be said about Wes Matthews and Noah being developed by their fathers, they were going to be NBA players no matter what, we just gotta give teams credit for recognizing pedigree and drafting them based on that.
I'd offer up a long explanation on why Kobe should or shouldn't shoot a lot but the short answer is: yes, but not because he's scoring well.
The Lakers really are limited in what kind of plays they can run. Kobe's chucking is killing the team and you've really gotta ask yourself if they can get shots that have better than a 40% chance of going in. In the past this would have been a laughably easy yes, even for some "bad" teams but this Lakers team is something else. As the season goes on the answer to this question is going to result in ugly debates about efficiency.
Nick Young will get his share in chucking shots when he comes back. As of right now though a 36 y/o Kobe iso is the best look this Laker roster will have at the basket 90% of the time.
This highlight reel was created and I am the happiest right now
Perkins got the post-game interview the casters said "they're going to have to eventually put someone in to guard Perkins" we live in the weirdest world and I love it
@Bob: Reddick has been awful in all aspects of offense so far. Clippers could be 3-0 or 0-3 and a lot of it has to do with their wing play. Barnes has been shit too.
@Haiq: That's the thing. Kobe is taking such ridiculous shots and it's arguable if the Lakers can even do anything besides Jordan Hill jumpers, Lin drives or Davis putbacks. Also Byron Scott is stupid so this may all be moot in a few weeks.
Hmmm, I'm talking more overall though about redick. He just hasn't made much impact on that team since he has come. That's just an observation though: haven't drilled into any stats.
Can't help but think that if they had korver instead of redick the things would be a lot different.
EPT
