I haven't really been a fan of Mike D'Antoni's style of coaching in the past but I do find this to be an interesting topic. There is somewhat of a culture clash here. Steve Nash and Dwight Howard are at their best in a fast spread out pick-n-roll type offense while Pau Gasol and Kobe are more half court type post players. D'Antoni is the coach but Kobe is the leader of the team. Who's style wins out? What will be their default play?
Kobe 7 of 23 for 30 pts Howard 2 of 7 for 7 pts Hey Kobe, might want to pass it to that dominant big man you have on your team.
D'antoni becomes coach and they put up 2 of their worst defensive games of the year. Defense is what will win them games, esp. a championship. They should have just kept Mike Brown b/c eventually Dwight will get healthy and that defense will take it to the next level. The Lakers commentators last night said the lakers haven't even practiced a lick of defense. Such a pathetic coach. I don't see the Lakers getting out of the West this year. They'll win some games b/c they're so talented but their defense sucks balls. And they can't get their big men involved (with Nash, it will improve). But Dwight and Gasol need the ball in the post to create for the perimeter, not simply off the pick and roll.
The Lakers were constructed by their FO without a clue as to how they would fit together. It shows. Pau and Kobe have to play half court, while Nash and Dwight need the freedom to create. Well I do hope it does not turn out badly for them.
If I am DW12 I would leave after the seaon, no.24 passes every good opportunity to feed him when DW12 gets a good position at the post. DW12 is just running up and down the floor like uncle drew, heck it's probably better to stay at Magic, oh wait.
World Peace is responding 16 pts (6-7 FG, 4-5 3 PT), 5 rebs, 2 asts at the half Dwight still useless. 1-5 for 4 pts. Mavs getting blown out by 27.
