55 replies to this topic

[MDI]

https://twitter.com/...982087546892290

Head Coach Mike D’Antoni confirms that Pau Gasol will play tonight, but Earl Clark will remain in the starting lineup. #GoLakers

What do you guys think? Will this work long term?

[West Coast]

He's only going to come off the bench tonight, D'Antoni said it's likely he returns to the starting lineup vs Toronto

[Goku]

I don't think that's a long term plan. But for tonight? yeah it will.

[Lagunero]

Imo its all good, so far with clark in the line up our defense has been better, we are more quick of a defensive team with clark in there, plus he seems to work well with d12. also pau could come off the bench, and possibly schools opponents bench players.

Edited by Lagunero, January 17, 2013 - 11:09 AM.

[True Lakers Fan]

it's only one start, I like it tho, I kinda want to see if Clark can guard LeBron too

[bigfetz]

Wish this was permanent.

[manaro90]

It is because of CONDITIONING!

[MDI]

He missed a whole bunch of games with Tendonitis a month ago and returned to the starting lineup. I think MDA would rather have it this way. If we win tonight he'll convince Pau this is the way to go

[Lagunero]

He missed a whole bunch of games with Tendonitis a month ago and returned to the starting lineup. I think MDA would rather have it this way. If we win tonight he'll convince Pau this is the way to go

hopefully that happens. but will see.

[True Lakers Fan]

It is because of CONDITIONING!

calm down there buddy lol

[Dr. Jekyll]

I think Pau would ask for a trade if he starts coming off the bench.

[gque24]

ballsy move Coach D. good job

[Real Deal]

Should be permanent, if we aren't trading him.

[UKUGA]

It's the best move. Everything works better if Pau comes off the bench.

Clark is a complementary piece. He works the best playing alongside Dwight/Artest/Kobe/Nash. He hustles, rebounds, etc. He's more ready to take open jumpers as well. He doesn't overthink it the way Pau does. He has a motor. Pau doesn't.

You put Pau back in the starting line-up and you go right back to where we were when we were losing at home to Philly & Denver. Do you want to relive that? I don't.

Letting Pau play mostly back-up minutes at the 5 gives him a chance to play his natural position without Dwight on the court and see if he can actually still produce in there.

OTOH, if you start Gasol, and play Clark mostly with the second team, you lose some of Clark's effectiveness. He's just not the same playing with Sacre, Duhon, Jamison, etc.

I realize there is a rotation, and different combos will be out there, but right now, it's critical that we have our best combination on the court to start the game so they can set the tone. We have spent so much of this season falling behind early, and that's partly on Pau.

With Dwight rounding into shape. With Nash faciltating the offense, and with Kobe doing whatever it takes to help this team win, the Lakers actually have a chance again. Consider it a blessing that Pau got popped in the face and George Karl tabbed Earl Clark to shoot those free throws. That could truly be the most fortuitous move of our season - having the opposing coach remind us that we had a talented player sitting on the end of our bench.

I still go back and forth on whether or not Pau is washed up. But, let him prove himself with the second unit, playing in the low post, where he says he wants to be.

When he hangs out 20 feet from the rim, he takes bad shots, cuts down on our second chance opportunities, and doesn't get back on defense.

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

It's only gonna last one game.

[Mr Terrific]

[Phil Jackson]

It will work if he stops being soft

[BasketballIQ]

Earl Clark's birthday!
What if he has a few notable defensive plays on LeBron..as well as a good statistical game? Do you think he could put Pau on the bench with his play or will Pau still be the symbolic starter like Bynum was when Odom was here?

[MadSci]

I think its a one game thing, but who knows.

[Listen2TheBeatt]

woah!