In addition, dwight is probably most overrated player. A team leader cannot be player who has to be benched in clutch time. Shaq had free throws problems as well. But statistics show that Shaq's percentage increased significantly in clutch time.
its not only about free throws...you could give the ball to shaq in the post and run your offense through him. you can't do that with dwight, he mainly really scores off put backs and wide open dunks. shaq impacted the game in a dominating way in his prime...dwight is no where near that level.
They've already prematurely canned one coach and switched to a completely different system (that may not match their personnel). To blow it up again 23 games into the season and switch to another totally different approach would be another panic move that could cause them to miss the post-season. Their best bet to make the playoffs is giving Steve Nash a chance to make D'Antoni's system work. I'm sure Pau will benefit. Not sure about Kobe or Dwight.
I'd agree if they just wanted to slightly improve and get into the playoffs only to get bounced because of their defensive woes. They've made an awful decision by thinking Dwight could do enough defensively (without proper direction) to allow them to pick up who they considered an offensive guru. The main goal for the Lakers this season, despite what Kobe/Nash/Pau think is to get Dwight to re-sign. The way you do that is by giving him confidence that he can win and installing a well developed offensive/defensive system that utilizes his and everyone else's strengths. A Pick-n-roll/pick-n-pop Nash/Pau led team may be fun to watch for some but it won't win a championship. To play your best, you have to integrate your best players, which are actually Dwight and Kobe.
That's never their goal. That's the point. Kobe's window is only a few seasons left. It's win now or never in Laker-land. Their talent alone will lead them to the playoffs. There's no way they're missing it, I can guarantee you that, regardless of who the coach is. You basically only need to be .500 to make the playoffs, and the Lakers will be at least .500 even if they keep sucking. But it's a definitive yes that this isn't a championship team this year or next year or 2 years from now. And they have a ton of talent not to be a contender. Like I said, if they already canned a coach 7-8 games in, there's no need to explain if they can another. They have high standards, and these 2 coaches suck period. They need to instill a defensive culture if they want to be contenders and reach their potential. FYI, they have been playing with just Dwight and Kobe and they are 1-5. Their problem is trust on both ends. There's an ESPN Dime article where D'antoni/Kobe/Dwight all differ in their opinions on why they're losing.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Pau Gasol will not play tonight vs. Washington, missing a 7th consecutive game because of knee tendinitis. Lakers 1-5 without him.</p>— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Bresnahan/status/279641669337509888" data-datetime="2012-12-14T17:39:04+00:00">December 14, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--kobe-bryant-still-sees-hope-in-lakers--season-while-looking-for-someone-to-help-him-lead-081050564.html [Yahoo NBA - Woj] Kobe Bryant still sees hope in Lakers' season while looking for someone to help him lead [rquoter]"A lot of responsibility is going to fall on me and Pau [Gasol], but we need Metta [World Peace]," Bryant told Yahoo! Sports. "Metta has a big presence on this team. I really encourage him to take that role head on – and to be an enforcer with it. But Metta, he's done it before. We've won before together." ... He let that hang there for a moment – who have done it before – and finally smirked and said, "Metta's just as intense as I am, and he's got a lot of that psychopath attitude that I do. ... Here it was, mid-December, and Kobe Bryant was leaning on the one thing that he's ever sure about, the one thing that ought to buoy a staggering franchise in its moment of need: the heart of a champion. These Lakers are a long, long way from raising a banner, but if they're ever to get there again, Bryant knows who'll have to lead them, who'll have to raise them out of the rubble. From Metta World Peace to Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant is closing ranks and clinging closer to those who've hung banners with him, to those he desperately needs if he's ever to do it again.[/rquoter] Now Kobe wants to bring Metta into his 'clique'. What a character guy . This guy just uses people as much as he can and discards them without a second thought. ...and heart of a champion? I hate that Woj used that on Kobe - Woj, you fell down a few notches in my book.
That's why I said integrate. Just because their there, doesn't mean they're being used properly. Dantoni is simply an impotent coach. As long as he's in LA, the Lakers won't reach their roster's full potential as title contenders.
The lakers need a true leader. Kobe is hard to coach. If youre submissive you are ****ed. You have to ignore what he wants because he will take 100 shots. This is where Phil won. Even though you were a superstar he didn't give a **** and told you what you did wrong. Nobody right now is blaming Kobe and he hasn't taken accountability.
Ill make what I think is a safe prediction in that if the Lakers lose tonight to the Wizards, someone is going to blow up.
Just started watching the Wizards game. Howard just picked up 3 quick fouls and will sit the final 7 mins of the 2nd quarter. 41-32 Wizards right now.
