Jordan Hill has been killing it lately. He's got that jumper goin, along with some good interior finishing. Always bringing that energy as well.
I do think that we'll break into the W column in the next three games, and I continue to have faith that eventually we're going to figure things out defensively. I think we have sufficient talent and intelligence to compete defensively, and if we keep working at it it's eventually going to show up. It can happen with or without Wes. He either needs to get it together mentally or ride the pine.
We had it going against the Clips and GS. Progress. We've had a pretty brutal first four games, 2 back to backs against playoff teams? Combined with the fact that we're depleted and we have a completely new system and players. The theme with this team the next few games is sustained effort. We show moments defensively that we can do it, and then break down because the effort drops off. Offensively, Scott needs to find ways to space the floor for Lin. He can't operate with everyone inside the 3 pt line, and Wes is not an option outside. :shutters:
Again, I would just try replacing Booz with Davis in the starting lineup. Hill Booz is bad news on D. Davis shores that problem up. Davis also gives Lin another viable option for the offense. Very viable, really, kind of his best possible option. To me just inserting Davis cleans up a lot of issues with the starters.
I think we'll be fine. It's gonna take some time to get used to playing with each other with all the new faces. Eventually we'll start winning games and hopefully have some winning months. Hopefully.
Seriously though, the offense has improved since our first two games for optimism. However, we just cannot buy a stop when we really need one.
Hey, remember when Smush Parker was our second best player? http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=260122013 Yeah, this isn't quite that bad. And Kobe isn't quite that good, but just to put things in perspective....
More things to be optimistic about than the record indicates.. Kobe looks like Kobe, still a superstar that would lead any team he was on. Hill & Davis look great. I'd love to see them getting more minutes at PF. Even if it means increasing Sacre's minutes. When Nick Young gets back it should solve a lot of problems, we desperately need his scoring to get Wes off the floor. Limiting Wes & Boozers minutes & keeping Ellington at the end of the bench this team gets a lot better. More minutes for Davis, Young returning, Kelly being worked into the rotation. As long as we stay healthy we can only get better from here.
I think i have a good optimistic toughts for the guys in here who are around my age and younger (27). i was born into Lakers dominance. i wasn't big enough to understand the downfall in the early 90's as I started keep up with the NBA in the 1996-97 season. i grew up living as it was obvious Laker nation can become the champion every season. even in 2005 i was calm and knew Kobe will do it somehow the years after (ofcourse Kobe's monster numbers helped). after the last 3 years, I become less spoiled when it comes to the Lakers. it's been and still is a hard period of time for us. BUT, i know that when the time will come, and it will, i will be more happy than I ever been in a Lakers championship. and i'm sure you guys will to. I just hope it will be in this Kobe's era (I kinda think he will sign another LAST season at the end of the contract after the team will finally take shape in 2 years).
I think Ellington is a good pickup. He can seriously stroke that three. Once Young gets back, I'd give Ellington those minutes when Kobe is sitting.