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**Sean** · 10-24-2002, 07:58 AM

Pargo falters, but Jackson not upset
The Lakers coach says a little adversity will do the rookie some good.

By KEVIN DING
The Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO

With the audition period drawing to a finish, it was not the time for the undrafted rookie point guard to commit five fourth-quarter turnovers as his team's 11-point lead becomes a one-point loss.

Yet the troubles of Jannero Pargo on Tuesday night were more interesting than damning to Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

"I was actually kind of glad to see Pargo have a taste of some hard times out there," Jackson said. "It's probably a good learning curve for him to have some guys disrupt him."

Keeping Pargo goes against the club's basic budget plans, but the Lakers could use someone in the Tyronn Lue/Lindsey Hunter mold. Should Pargo make the roster when the season begins, it might only be because forward Mark Madsen's hamstring forces him to the injured list and creates an opening. Or the Lakers could keep Pargo as a developmental project on the injured list for a while; contracts aren't guaranteed until January anyway.

It will be up to Pargo, who played college basketball at Arkansas, to show in the final two exhibition games that he can bounce back from withering against the full-court pressure defense of Cleveland rookie guard Smush Parker.

"He (Pargo) has played great for us," Jackson said. "I thought it was good for him to realize that he's going to have to be able to do something different and have a different operating skill out there at certain times."

http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/oc...onth=10&day=24

**Sean** · 10-24-2002, 08:01 AM

Fisher: Backup guard needed
By Howard Beck
Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO -- Shaquille O'Neal's lobbying is done. Through his awesome powers of persuasion (and with some help from his bum toe), he's convinced management to keep another big man, though it won't necessarily be the one he wants.

Coach Phil Jackson is wavering between O'Neal's pet project, Soumaila Samake, and bruiser Guy Rucker. One of them will become the 13th Laker next week, but the big-man debate only overshadows what is arguably the Lakers' greatest need.

If you ask Derek Fisher, they need another 6-footer.

The Lakers' guard corps is remarkably thin, and after Fisher, there's no obvious choice to defend the Mike Bibby/Tony Parker types of the league.

"God forbid any type of ankle injury or anything like that takes one of us out for a week or two," said Fisher, the victim of two foot fractures in two years.

"Even from a minutes standpoint, not wanting to run anybody into the ground the first 20 games of the year," he said. "We definitely need another speed guy who defensively can get down and chase these guys."

Janerro Pargo fits the description. The undrafted rookie from Arkansas is the kind of short, speedy guard who could check Sacramento playmakers Bibby and Bobby Jackson. And the Lakers have been impressed with his aggressive play this month.

"It's funny, because he reminded me of me when I came in my first year and we already had Nick Van Exel and Rumeal Robinson, who was a good, solid veteran," Fisher said. "And here comes this kid from Arkansas-Little Rock nobody expects to do much. And I had a decent training camp my first year and got a chance to get that backup position. It kind of reminds me of my process that I went through. (Pargo) has really done a good job and been really solid."

http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1...945017,00.html

<<<D>>> · 10-24-2002, 04:06 PM

These articles summed it all. Pargo has played hard and impressive. The Lakers would need another speedy type of guard that can help keep up with the opposing back courts. If he makes it, I honestly think he can adapt well into Phil's system, he's playing with a veteran team and with players that have been there before. He'll be a big help in the Lakers rotation and playing behind D.Fish.

jazzy1 · 10-24-2002, 09:05 PM

I like the kid and think he's much more of a need than Back-up center, Fish is right if he goes down there could be trouble, Samake Walker could be a temp for the Diesel but Pargo could be a real asset in the latter part of the season and playoffs, I'm watching him now on tnt and am very impressed, so I'd keep him over those bigs.

008 · 10-25-2002, 09:12 AM

Pargo looked very impressive vs. the Bucks last night, as well as Samake. Murray and Rush also played great.

but....

what are your feelings on Rucker?

<<<D>>> · 10-25-2002, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 008!
Pargo looked very impressive vs. the Bucks last night, as well as Samake. Murray and Rush also played great.

but....

what are your feelings on Rucker?

I like Ruckers game, but I'm sure the Lakers can look beyond him. In my opinion, He's the odd man out of the selections. The LakeShow is really looking to bolster up the front line and the back court.

Samake brings in size and a decent game, that will help Shaq out during the regular season. Pargo is another speedy guard, who is capable of handling the ball and bringing it up, most important of all, he has the quickness to compete with the other PG's in the league. Who do we have to cover Fish in the rotation?? a concern for sure.

Both Samake and Pargo can adapt well into the Lakers style of play. It's going to be a big decision and I'm sure the Lakers will make the right choice.

**Sean** · 10-26-2002, 07:31 AM

from today's LA Times:

"Guard Jannero Pargo, an undrafted free agent from Arkansas, has made the team, Jackson said. "

JYD · 10-26-2002, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by <<<D>>>!

I like Ruckers game, but I'm sure the Lakers can look beyond him. In my opinion, He's the odd man out of the selections. The LakeShow is really looking to bolster up the front line and the back court.

Samake brings in size and a decent game, that will help Shaq out during the regular season. Pargo is another speedy guard, who is capable of handling the ball and bringing it up, most important of all, he has the quickness to compete with the other PG's in the league. Who do we have to cover Fish in the rotation?? a concern for sure.

Both Samake and Pargo can adapt well into the Lakers style of play. It's going to be a big decision and I'm sure the Lakers will make the right choice.

Brian Shaw is the back-up PG for now.

That gives us 2 players at each G position w/ gauranteeed contracts

PG D.Fisher
PG B.Shaw
SG K.Bryant
SG K.Rush

I imagine if we keep J.Pargo, B.Shaw will move to PG/SG.

<<<D>>> · 10-26-2002, 07:11 PM

Just wondering? I haven't heard any updated info..
Since Pargo made the team already...
Does anybody know the possibilty of the Lakers keeping both Samake & Rucker??

Wilt_The_Stilt · 10-27-2002, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by <<<D>>>!
Just wondering? I haven't heard any updated info..
Since Pargo made the team already...
Does anybody know the possibilty of the Lakers keeping both Samake & Rucker??

I would think that only Samake would make the team.

Samake does have some things to work on-but he has the height and is already a great shot blocker and rebounder. He just needs to work on bulking up and getting some regular consistent post moves.

Rucker has more experience in basketball but he looks lost to me and gets dominated in the post, and doesn't seem to have much of anything on offense. In fact he reminds me of Madsen. Plus he is a PF only and we don't need another one of those.

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