Cranrab, let me get your opinion.

[TimRock]

I believe you've always said that lamar plays better when kobe is not on the floor. Do you think Lamar should come off the bench (i know you probably prefer kobe coming off the bench)? Who should start in his place? Vlad or Trevor? I say Trevor for defensive purposes. Vlad isnt always on, and we know his defense is subpar. What does everyone else think?

 

[cranrab]

I believe you've always said that lamar plays better when kobe is not on the floor.

to be correct, i've said the entire TEAM plays better when tobe is not on the floor.

coach jackson switching lamar odom to PG (and derek fisher to SG) during the preseason is another one of his world class mindfucks, just like the beginning of last season. i'm pretty confident we'll see the lineup revert back to it's "normal" state come november.

Do you think Lamar should come off the bench (i know you probably prefer kobe coming off the bench)?

lamar odom should be in the starting lineup. his positive influence on his teammates (increasing their comfort level on court) and rebounding are invalueable.

Who should start in his place?

who should start in whose place?

lamar odom? if he gets to play the 3, lamar odom should start, without question.

tobe? sun yue.

Vlad or Trevor? I say Trevor for defensive purposes. Vlad isnt always on, and we know his defense is subpar.

vladimir radmanovic (as a SF) would be my 4th option behind lamar odom, luke walton, and trevor ariza (in that order, depending upon healthy bodies). if for some reason he's playing PF, i could see getting him more minutes behind pau gasol.

 

[TimRock]

.
who should start in whose place?

lamar odom? if he gets to play the 3, lamar odom should start, without question.

yes, odom. Odom should surely play the 3. But reports are saying he will come off the bench, possibly playing some pg. And that Trevor or Vlad will start at 3. No mention of Luke since he just recovered from injury.

tobe? sun yue.

Come on, really. I could see if you said Sasha.

vladimir radmanovic (as a SF) would be my 4th option behind lamar odom, luke walton, and trevor ariza (in that order, depending upon healthy bodies). if for some reason he's playing PF, i could see getting him more minutes behind pau gasol.

Trevor over Luke? Why? Hes a smart player. But he hesitates a lot. I would prefer Odom to stay in starting 5. Just to see how he plays with Bynum and Pao at the same time.

Whats your prediction on how the west and will shape out? WCF? ECF? Finals.

Excited about Philly?

 

[cranrab]

Cranrab

yes, odom. Odom should surely play the 3. But reports are saying he will come off the bench, possibly playing some pg.

i always thought that bench talk was just negative motivation.

but i suppose that if andrew bynum can take over the role of fakers leading rebounder, it wouldn't hurt as much.

Trevor or Vlad will start at 3. No mention of Luke since he just recovered from injury.

trevor ariza starting is provocative, and probably worth a 2nd look, but we'll have to evaluate the things he's added to his game over the summer first.

vladimir radmanovic is the token tall guy who can spread the floor because he can hit the deep ball. but if the team isn't going to stick with the game plan, what value does he have beyond that?

Trevor over Luke?

i put luke walton ahead of trevor ariza.

Whats your prediction on how the west and will shape out? WCF? ECF? Finals.

Excited about Philly?

i'd like to take a look at everyone before i make a prediction, but off the top of my head, and assuming a healthy squad, utah, houston, hornets and then maybe spurs. fakers should collect a good record, since they are in the worst division in the conference.

can't really get excited about philadelphia just yet. interesting to see how a new franchise player works out, and they didn't really address their greatest weakness: lack of a shooter at the 2 and the 3.

 

[TimRock]

Re: Cranrab

i'd like to take a look at everyone before i make a prediction, but off the top of my head, and assuming a healthy squad, utah, houston, hornets and then maybe spurs. fakers should collect a good record, since they are in the worst division in the conference.

Are you saying Utah will finish with the best record in the west?

 

[cranrab]

Re: Cranrab

Are you saying Utah will finish with the best record in the west?

no, i'm saying if we assume the squads can stay intact and healthy that those 4 squads should be coming down the home stretch in the lead.

i'm a firm believer in stability as an asset, and sometimes too many (or too signficant) changes upsets team performance. houston added ron artest and new orleans added james posey, but for the most part the teams i mentioned were successful and aren't looking at big lineup changes.

 

[cranrab]

Come on, really. I could see if you said Sasha.

it's doubtful you'll ever see me recommending any fakers' euro as a starter.

aside from that, however, sasha vujacic has a bone fracture that's going to keep him out of the lineup:

Vujacic's fractured ankle

A second medical examination confirmed that guard Sasha Vujacic has a fractured left ankle and will sit out most basketball activities for at least another 10 days, the team said.

Vujacic will be re-evaluated in one week. His goal is to be back playing by then. The Lakers open the regular season Oct. 28 at home against Portland.

Vujacic suffered what was thought to be a sprained ankle two weeks ago on the first day of training camp when he came down on the foot of DJ Mbenga on a drive to the basket.

But an MRI exam by a foot specialist last week showed Vujacic had fractured his ankle earlier and the opening practice session aggravated it.

Vujacic, who shot free throws after practice Tuesday, said he hoped to maintain his conditioning while the ankle heals.

"Right now, it's just a little bit frustrating," he said.

 

[TimRock]

^^^Shouldnt be out too long.