It's not that the Lakers won tonight 104-101. It is how they won. There was no Kobe to depend on. A lot of the regulars from last season didn't play a lot of minutes. It was all about our new guys and our young studs. We beat Seattle because we brought more energy to the floor. The following is a player update based on what we have seen so far.
BRIAN COOK - Looked phenomenal tonight, connecting on several shots from long range, and a couple going to the hoop. He had 15 points hitting 5 of 10 shots and 6 rebs. He is more than ready to go, and tonight looked like the most improved player from last years squad.
JORDAN FARMER - I take back everything I said in the prior article. He is not the PG of the future, he is a guy who seems prepared to be the starting Point Guard now. In 22 minutes he had 10 pts hitting 5 of 9, 5 assists, and a couple of steals. But the stats do not tell the whole story. He looks like he is ready to run the show. Did he look like a 19 year old rookie to you tonight? He didn't to me. He looked like he has been around the Lakers running the Triangle for years. And some are talkling about sending him down to the D league. Cut me a break.
LAMAR ODOM & SMUSH PARKER - Both look like they are ready to pick where they left off last year. Smush hit a couple of deep 3 point shots.
DEVIN GREEN - He has so much portential it is impossible to imagine letting him go. If they do, it will come back to haunt them. His athleticism is scary. One play, a rebound came off the rim and he flew in from the baseline and slammed it home in traffic. One another play, he led the fast break with all the skill of a prolific point guard. He missed a couple of open shots, but the others are the stuff of hightlight reels. He finished with 8 pts, hitting 3 of 6 and both freethrows, 1 steal, 1 assist, 2 rebounds, and 1 block, all in only 11 minutes.
JR PINNOCK - Didn't play a lot but showed that he is very quick and could eventually play defense against the fastest point guards in the league. Might be a Steve Nash stopper some day. He will need more playing time to make a case for making the team. He has a lot of potential, but with all the guards I think he is heading to the D league. To Bad.
RONNIE TURIAF - Played a lot of minutes tonight and showed he has improved over his last year's injury delayed season. He has taken off a couple of pounds. He was aggressive even when guarded by centers. He moved well without the ball and was rewarded with some good passes leading to scores while slashing accross the key. He had 15 points while hitting 6 of 8 shots. He is going to give us hustle points and hustle rebounds, but may never become a prolific scorer. The most valuable asset he brings to the team is his infectious enthusiam that makes everybody playing with him have fun. He is the best bench cheerleader I have ever seen.
KWAME BROWN - The lakers traded for him looking for a power forward and found a center instead. His numbers definitely went up last season after he became the starting center. He showed tonight that he continues to improve and 11 points and 4 rebs in 21 minutes. There may be centers bigger than him, but there will not be a lot centers who are going to be stronger than Kwame. He works best close to the rim where he can use his power to score.
ANDREW BYNUM - played with better poise and confindense tonight. Seemed to know his role and where he was going on offense. His defense was solid. He hit a couple of nice shots around the hoop going for 6 pts in only 10 minutes and didn't miss a shot or a any free throws. Nice night for the young guy.
AARON MCKIE - Played quite a few minutes tonight and accomplished.......NADA. In the last three years he has accomplished....NADA. If the Lakers keep this guy and send Devin Green packing I'm going to go shoot somebody.
MO EVANS - Couldn't get it going tonight at the same level as he did on Tuesday. When handling the ball he looks like a PG. Tuesday's game impressed everybody.
LUKE WALTON - Played a lot of minutes tonight and already looks ready for the start of the season. He was definitely one of the team leaders when he was on the floor and showed more versatility on offense than we have seen in the past. He had 10 pts in 20 minutes hitting 5 of 8 shots, 3 assists, and 2 steals. He looks like he is ready to step up the season.
VLADRAD - Played sparingly tonight but played confidently. Hit a couple of nice long range shots. With a new team and a new offense it will take him a little time to get comfortable but when he does, watch out.
VON WAFER - Played only a few minutes. He is headed for the D league. It is just to crowded at guard.
SHAMMOND WILLIAMS - Played quite a few minutes tonight and look lost a lot, and did not play with a lot of confidence. He even passed up a couple of easy open shots. He is only dealing with a new team, a new coach, a new offense, a new league, on a new continent. So lets give him a free pass and a little more time to get into his groove. He didn't shoot all that well the first time he was in the NBA but he lit it up over in Europe. He probably won't start often, but against certain teams and certain matchups where we need a small guard on the flloor to guard a quick PG, he will get his minutes.
SASHA, who was the talk of Tuesday's game sat out with a day to day injury. CHRIS MIHM is making progress but there still is no timetable for his return. No reason to rush other than possibly including him in a trade. KOBE, who was interviewed during tonight's game, looks like he is chomping at the bit. I gotta believe he will somehow be ready for the opener. Wouldn't be odd to see him maybe coming off the bench at first. NAH!
That's the run down the way I see it so. If you agree, give me some love. If you disagree, hit the discuss buttom and give me hell.
JamFan
