All purpose NBA thread 07/08

More of the Lakers' success is going to revolve around the supporting cast rather than Kobe. If the Lakers can swing a deal at the deadline, and maybe move Odom and a pick to get a solid 4, the Lakers should be set. They could even get a decent center at the deadline and move Bynum to the 4. I think the first would be a better option, but the pressure is more on Odom, Fisher, and co. rather than Kobe.

 

Moving Bynum to power forward is not an option. The kid is a legit 7-foot-1 center who, while still has a ways to go to become a complete player, has shown the ability to become the next dominant big man in the West.
I do agree, however, that the Lakers will only go as far as the supporting cast allows them to. It's amazing "how well Kobe is playing" (not your words, but a lot of experts) when his teammates are finally knocking down open shots. Take it from someone who has watched around 90 percent of Bryant's career games -- he's not playing too differently than he did last season or the season before. It's just the guys around him finally seem to have the confidence to hit open shots, or create off the dribble.

The Lakers' biggest problem right now is the No. 2 scoring option. If Bynum can become consistent, then Odom slides to the third option spot where he belongs. Odom is so inconsistent and disappears so frequently at big moments, there's no way that team can rely on him. But with Bynum and Derek Fisher playing so well, it's allowed Bryant not to have to shoulder the load all the time.

Also, I really like what Trevor Ariza is bringing to the team. He's long, lithe and is looking more and more comfortable in his role with the team. And, he's only 22. If he stays aggressive, he could end up being the anti-Odom.

 

Bynum is showing flashes of the talent that could propel him to be one of the best big men in the west. Not THE most dominant though. Duncan will still rule over the west for a while, with Amare soon to follow, once he learns how to play defense. Bynum has the offense to compete and to be the #2 scorer on that team, but he doesn't need to be.

Odom should be able to pick it up and get them 15-18 a game. Odom is a poor man's KG. He'll get you a triple-double when he is on. He won't get one every month, but he can still get a double-double every other night.

 

Yeah, when he's not high, feels like playing or doesn't have sand in his vagina.

 

Exactly ... as someone who sees the Lakers play quite often, Odom is one of the most overrated "underrated" players in the league. There's a reason why people are still talking about his potential, despite the fact he's been in the league for almost 10 years. Bryant needed someone else to step up into the No. 2 role on the team and, fortunately for him and Laker fans, it appears Bynum is warming to that challenge.

 

Odom is a solid No. 2-No. 3 player on a good team. Not man enough to carry a team by himself because he doesn't bring it on a nightly basis.

 

Odom did seem to play the best when he was the #3 scoring option on the Clippers back with Brand and Corey Maggette.

 

This is proving to be one of McHale's more underrated terrible moves. There have been so many it sort of gets lost that he had Roy and traded him for Foye. I think Foye can still be good, but not as tough as Roy.

 

On the flip side, the Blazers have made some brilliant moves, starting with that draft. I love this team, which is only going to get better when Greg Oden actually steps on the court. I would love to see this team do damage in the postseason.

 

Greg Oden looked ancient last night. I thought Bill Walton was going to reminisce about how good he was in the low post.

 

Brandon Roy is an interesting story. He comes from a pretty tight family, certainly not rich in monetary terms; or at least they weren't. He tried to come out for the draft at least twice, from high school, and again while in college--I believe after his junior season--but had the good sense to face reality and stick around, and wound up graduating.

I figured him for a good sixth man in the NBA, very smooth, quick, and with a wide range of skills. I underestimated him. (At least I wasn't the only one.)