Props to Byron for replacing Booz with Davis. It took long enough. However, I don't understand why he's playing Ronnie Price instead of Clarkson. Sure, Clarkson isn't a PG, but Kobe is playing point already, so that shouldn't matter. This team isn't making the playoffs, and yet we're doing nothing to develop what young talent we do have. I don't get it.
Price won't be here next season, Clarkson will. It makes sense to get the guy that is a 1 year rental the playing time, even though the only thing he brings is average at best.
If Byron never plays Clarkson period, what made you ever think he might just make him our new starting PG? I mean, I'm with you, Clarkson should be getting some valuable run time to further develop, but I dont ever expect him to start this year.
^ I do, but out of necessity rather than desire to see him play. Byron doesn't think he's ready apparently. Maybe he's right, but the only way to get him ready is to play him. What bothers me most is we worked out Mekel and passed. That's clearly a tank move right? We're tanking? Because otherwise we would have gone after a player to make us better by now.
people haven't really respected lin off the ball, either. at least price can stay in front of his guy. lin's offensive skills are wasted when you have a guy who can do the same, but better (see the end of his time in Houston, for example). now, price isn't Beverly, but it's the same general principle--the 13th place version.
Clarkson's not a pg. and if he is, he's lin-esque (score first, high TO), which has been the problem. in theory, the move makes perfect sense; in practice Ronnie price is about 4 years removed from being ready for this kind of unique opportunity. I'm with realdeal--not that I think mekel is much different than lin, but the point is that this team's pg is not currently on the roster. la should be scouring the d-league and Europe for potential rotation guys at this spot. is that bo mccalebb character still around, or some analog thereto?
Clarkson should be getting more time, period. There were games he could have played in...the last game being the best example when Kobe was still out there against Boston down 23. I wouldn't advocate starting Clarkson, but at the very least, he should get some time on the floor.
I still laugh out loud and cheer when I think of Clarkson hitting that 3 at the buzzer to end the game the other night and just walking off the court. If Clarkson ever develops a death stare of his own that would have been the time to do it at Byron after he hit that shot and walked off.
Price starting? ugh I'm glad Ed Davis is replacing the lush but Price is wrong is starting while JC rots on the bench? double you tea eff.
This. If you're going to start Price you need a floor spacer. Our starting lineup is garbage offensively. Kobe is the only creator and there's zero spacing.
I'm surprised Byron didn't think of that before he inserted Price into the lineup...wow, what a shock?
Maybe NOP will waive Rivers now that they have Mekel, and we'll pick him up and he'll turn into the superstar they thought he was gonna be...
Byron also said during his post game press conference that he wants to stick to this line-up change for 10-15 and then see.
I am in complete agreement with Scott about benching Booz. It's been needed for a long time and I'm glad he had the guts to do it. Props for that. I completely don't understand replacing Lin with Price. Price just isn't good enough to start. We already saw him in the starting lineup earlier this year and it was ugly. Tonight's offense was no surprise. Lin is just a better player. And by breaking up Lin and Davis yet again we are getting less offensive production from both of them. Hello Byron, do you not see that Lin and Davis pick and roll works well, but Booz and Lin aren't a great pairing?
Price is a great addition to the starting lineup. Take out his two best shooting performances, in the other 19 games, he's shooting 24% from the field. Take that 76ers.
eh, I understood the idea. I'm skeptical that they would even utilized the lin/davis pick and roll with kobe as a spectator. when you have bad players, it's hard to come up with winning roster combinations. the pg this team needs isn't on the roster. nor is the c, sf, and maybe pf.
