If Mike D'Antoni is such an offensive genius....

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Hyperion

I believe I said that they weren't trying to bring him back before the end of the season or he would malinger and stay in street clothes. Back injuries are curious in that they aren't predictable. Two people can have the same degree of disc injury and one will recover fully within two months and the other is permanently crippled.

I don't think Dwight was slacking that much, I think it was poor communication and the fact that he couldn't challenge like he could. Let's face it, a 7' 280lb player is a rare commodity in the NBA. Merely by trying he would be able to grab 10 rebounds and block 2 shots a game. However, the DPOY of the past he has not been in any way shape or form.

You're a Lakers die hard and a big Dwight fan now?


No. Dwight was 100%. Maybe not the first few games, but hes been 100% for the majority. Hes been too busy yelling and evil eying refs, smiling into the crowd, and adjusting his head band to worry about defense.

He seems just fine when he gets the ball in the post and uses his shoulder as a battering ram (should be an offensive foul), or when he catches an ally oop and brings it down. He's fine there. But all the sudden when he puts 0 effort into a defensive play (some) fans and the terrible announcing crew go to "Well you know, hes not even close to 100%".


All the while Kobe gets blamed for not only the offense, but now the defense. Its ****ing ridiculous.

[Hyperion]

How dare you call me a Lakers fan, let alone a die hard. How dare you!


Howard has surgery at the end of April and they say it will take at least 4 months to recover. We all know about sports timelines vs real timelines.

My good friend had this type of surgery (L4-L5 discectomy) and he couldn't walk comfortably or even stand up from sitting in a chair without pain for two or three months. So, supersize the stresses on the back due to an additional 100lbs and leveraged forces that Dwight's back has to support and increase the amount of physical activity required (including all those potshots that everyone will take at his lower back) and you can't tell me honestly that he was 100%. That's just not true.

"What a lot of people don't know is when I hurt my back, it affected my nerves to the point where my whole left leg just went dead basically," the Lakers center said Thursday. "I couldn't do a calf raise."
After undergoing surgery in April for a herniated disk, Howard said it took about two months before he could lift his calf off the ground. He was told he would recover fully in about five months but received solid feedback in August.

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[King Sancho Fantastic]

The guy was barely cleared to start running a week before training camp started.

[R-Star]

Jesus you guys are ridiculous.

[JBKB]

Originally Posted by Dre

...then why is it essentially his way or the highway in regards to Pau Gasol?

You guys have probably been talking about this ad nauseum but I haven't been on here in a minute. My thing is Gasol is still capable of playing like an all-star or close to it, and to completely marginalize him because you can't manipulate your "system" to incorporate his sweet spots shows that maybe you're not an "offensive genius", just maybe a one trick pony

If Pau Gasol is a professional player, then he should be able to adapt to Mike D'Antoni's system. However, I put very little blame on Pau or Mike D'Antoni. As far as I'm concerned, the only system that is played is "Kobe's system."

Kobe is a great player indeed, but he's also a very selfish player who can often destroy team offense and chemistry when he plays his selfish stat-boosting game. If Kobe passed the ball to Gasol and other players more, perhaps we can see Mike D'Antoni's offense in full effect. : )

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by JBKB

If Pau Gasol is a professional player, then he should be able to adapt to Mike D'Antoni's system.

yep, he should totally be able to lose 5 inches, 30-40 lbs and develop a 3 point shot - I see no reason why he cant just will himself to become the matrix over the course of like 10 or 15 games except that he's a pussy and weak willed but if he were a real professional there is no reason he couldnt just become a completely different smaller, more agile, more perimeter focused player after spending the last 12 years of his career as a post oriented center

[XxIrvingxX]

Originally Posted by JBKB

If Pau Gasol is a professional player, then he should be able to adapt to Mike D'Antoni's system. However, I put very little blame on Pau or Mike D'Antoni. As far as I'm concerned, the only system that is played is "Kobe's system."

Kobe is a great player indeed, but he's also a very selfish player who can often destroy team offense and chemistry when he plays his selfish stat-boosting game. If Kobe passed the ball to Gasol and other players more, perhaps we can see Mike D'Antoni's offense in full effect. : )

No, you wouldn't. Kobe already passes the ball more than enough times.

Anyways, Pau Gasol shouldn't be talked about this much, considering how regardless of his struggles, the Lakers are still doing well offensively. Defensively is where they need to make improvements asap, because that's where their weakness is. And the first step in that process is firing D'Antoni and hiring a coach who actually cares about both offense and defense, but of course LA won't do that so they're already screwed.

[JBKB]

Originally Posted by e-monk

yep, he should totally be able to lose 5 inches, 30-40 lbs and develop a 3 point shot - I see no reason why he cant just will himself to become the matrix over the course of like 10 or 15 games except that he's a pussy and weak willed but if he were a real professional there is no reason he couldnt just become a completely different smaller, more agile, more perimeter focused player after spending the last 12 years of his career as a post oriented center

I'll repeat that I don't blame Pau nor D'Antoni. I blame Kobe for his selfish play.

[JBKB]

Originally Posted by XxIrvingxX

No, you wouldn't. Kobe already passes the ball more than enough times.

Kobe passes more than enough times? What's next, pigs fly? : )

Originally Posted by XxIrvingxX

Anyways, Pau Gasol shouldn't be talked about this much, considering how regardless of his struggles, the Lakers are still doing well offensively. Defensively is where they need to make improvements asap, because that's where their weakness is. And the first step in that process is firing D'Antoni and hiring a coach who actually cares about both offense and defense, but of course LA won't do that so they're already screwed.

Defense is overrated! Offense is far more important than defense. The greatest players to ever play the game are known for what: offense or defense? : ) lol

[Basel]

at people who always try to pin any Lakers struggles on Kobe's selfishness. Give me a break already. 17 years and 5 championships later and we're still talking about that?

[JBKB]

Let's not forget that Kobe always had help! He didn't win those five championships alone. Even the last championship the Lakers won, Pau deserves credit for his incredible gameplay. Many people were shocked that Finals MVP didn't go to Gasol.

Anyway, right now Kobe is trying to do it all on his own. It simply won't work that way unless he becomes a better shooter. If I were the Lakers head coach, there is no way in the world my team would be under 500 when there are so many horrible teams out there already. If I had to bench Kobe to finally get a win, so be it!

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Basel

at people who always try to pin any Lakers struggles on Kobe's selfishness. Give me a break already. 17 years and 5 championships later and we're still talking about that?

This reminds me of 05 or whenever it was when Kobe was terrible and Kobe was shit, and the teams woes were Kobes fault because he wasn't utilizing such greats as Smush Parker enough.

[Luke]

Putting this on Kobe's shoulders alone is retarded.


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[R-Star]

Agreed.

[JBKB]

Originally Posted by R-Star

You're a Lakers die hard and a big Dwight fan now?


No. Dwight was 100%. Maybe not the first few games, but hes been 100% for the majority. Hes been too busy yelling and evil eying refs, smiling into the crowd, and adjusting his head band to worry about defense.

He seems just fine when he gets the ball in the post and uses his shoulder as a battering ram (should be an offensive foul), or when he catches an ally oop and brings it down. He's fine there. But all the sudden when he puts 0 effort into a defensive play (some) fans and the terrible announcing crew go to "Well you know, hes not even close to 100%".

I completely agree with you here about Dwight Howard.

I personally think he's a lazy player who has no drive to become better. It seems as though the only way he can score is by taking the easiest shots possible (alley-oops and basic dunks). I'm so thankful that I don't have to watch him in the All-Star game. : ) : ) : )