43 replies to this topic

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

Preach? The guy doesn't even mention it.

Neither did Phil even Kobe said so.

[West Coast]

I totally missed this a few days ago:

At some point during Saturday’s practice, Kobe Bryant approached Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni and addressed a problem that’s bothered him for weeks.

The topic: Bryant doesn’t believe D’Antoni’s featuring Gasol correctly in the offense. The Lakers have mostly featured Gasol in the high post and far away from the basket. In the Lakers’ 107-102 loss Friday to the Clippers, Gasol posted only two points on 1 of 6 shooting and often played on the perimeter. Bryant instead wishes Steve Nash and Pau Gasol equally run the offense.

“When you have the two best passers at their respective positions, they need to be the guys that have the ball the majority of the time,” Bryant said. “Myself and Dwight [Howard], we’re finishers. I think that’s how it should operate.”

Whether that will actually happen remains unclear.

Bryant said D’Antoni agreed with his stance. But no matter how many conversations Bryant and/or Gasol have with D’Antoni about changing his role in the offense, very little seems to change. After all, D’Antoni has acknowledged hating the word ‘touches.’

“We talked about it to get him more involved,” D’Antoni said. “But I go back to how I coach this way, whether it’s right or wrong. But I do know that the ball finds energy. If you have energy, you put yourself in every play. I’m not saying you can’t post up. But I want you to pick and roll and go. If you do that, spread out and get it down there, you’ll get it.”


In other words, D’Antoni still suggests that Gasol’s involvement in the offense will hinge mostly on how hard he hustles and less than how he’s actually featured. Gasol, who’s averaged a career low 12.2 points on 41.2 percent shooting, didn’t speak to reporters Saturday. He lamented after the game that most of his effectiveness mostly hinges on whether he makes jump shots. He strung four consecutive double digit efforts partly because of that. But Gasol wants to maintain his preference for the post since he’s excelled more in that area.

D’Antoni maintains that the Lakers still featured Gasol plenty at the elbow against the Clippers, but his effectiveness dwindled because of the Lakers’ 6 of 25 mark from three-point range. Still, Bryant wants a change.

“He’s playing out of position a little bit,” Bryant said of Gasol. “We’ll do a better job in getting him down to his sweet spots. The time that he is out on the perimeter, he’ll knock those shots down. I know he’s working on them now and he’ll be better at it.”

There’s an obvious reason why Bryant has mostly stood up for Gasol during his season-wide struggles in adapting to D’Antoni’s offense.

“I won two championships with the man,” Bryant said.” We won two championships playing through him. I know what he’s capable of doing.”

Bryant then added one more thing.

“Besides the fact that he’s a nice guy,” Bryant said, “and I like him.”

[Disaster in Paradise]

Neither did Phil even Kobe said so.

Didn't Phil Jackson have a defensive coordinator, though?

[West Coast]

Neither did Phil even Kobe said so.

Phil Jackson's way won 11 titles. Don't compare the two. There were plenty of times in pre-game or post-game interviews, practice interviews, in game interviews where Phil talked about defense. D'Antoni talks about offense, even when the defense is the issue.

But again, don't compare the two. Phil knew that defense and rebounding were keys to championships.

[Ham]

Neither did Phil even Kobe said so.

11 vs. 0
Our defense was actually good and respectable under Phil.

[Hollywood]

Preach? The guy doesn't even mention it.

[FranklinPeanuts]

I thought he hated the word touches ..

YOUR RIGHT! He doesn't it.

[steven v]

Better then dwight in the post.

hopefully Pau's feet and legs aren't complete dirt and he can still play.

[Real Deal]

“We talked about it to get him more involved,” D’Antoni said. “But I go back to how I coach this way, whether it’s right or wrong.

In other words...

"I'm gonna coach my offense, no matter what, because I simply can't adjust for anyone else outside of Steve Nash."

[Busty Bluth]

Stay on the arc dood. It'll help get Pringles canned.

[AnnoyingCustomer]

Preach? The guy doesn't even mention it.

He doesn't even know what the word defense means...

[netlord]

http://www.dailynews...rce=most_viewed

[size=4]

So I guess they aren't trying to get rid of him?

Or raising his trade value.

[Drazard]

Phil Jackson's way won 11 titles. Don't compare the two. There were plenty of times in pre-game or post-game interviews, practice interviews, in game interviews where Phil talked about defense. D'Antoni talks about offense, even when the defense is the issue.

But again, don't compare the two. Phil knew that defense and rebounding were keys to championships.

[alec613]

D'Antoni adapting to his players rather than making them adjust to his system?

I highly doubt it

[Mumford]

Our offense is fine

No, it's not. Our offense is very far from being fine.

[t-1]

No, it's not. Our offense is very far from being fine.

We average 103 ppg thats 4th in the league. I know the offence could be run more effectively but its not a primary concern. We are 26 in the league for points allowed thats where our problems are.

[FranklinPeanuts]

So don't listen to Kobe B? Don't listen management or the owner.. HELLO YOU SLOW FOTHAMUCKA.... PLAY INSIDE OUT!

[MDI]

This is just inexcusable

https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/290131461347090433

Steve Nash is attempting fewer field goals per 36 minutes this season than Larry Sanders.

[Gotrings?]

This is just inexcusable

https://twitter.com/...131461347090433

That is what I have been saying all along.

Nash needs to be selfish and more aggressive. He is our best shooter. Shoot it when you are open. He needs to make his presence on the floor known. He is our floor general, not Kobe. There is a difference between being the floor general and the best player on the team.

[Lagunero]

how about mda vows to make the team play better defense?