Phil Jackson: Odom “Likely” To Start

I don't like this at all, I think Odom will have his way with Scola, I am worried now. And Yao guarding Gasol might be a problem as well. He will probably front Yao and Gasol is more mobile than Bynum. Damn I wish Odom came off the bench

 

Also that last thing I want to see is Landry on Odom, Landry looks real slow

 

We did that in game 1. Adelman really likes the Artest on Odom matchup.

I also think Odom is more dangerous off the bounce than Ariza, hence Artest should guard Odom. Ariza is a tough guard for Scola, but if Ariza is forced into being the decision maker for the Lakers, we will win more often than not.

 

This is a nice move on Phil's part. I was afraid of this. When Gasol gets in a rhythm, he's tough to guard because of his ability to drive and shoot from outside. On the other hand, Yao must be in attack mode because Gasol can't handle him on the block. Fronting is also not a long term option because Gasol needs to conserve energy for the offensive end. Bynum off the bench is also a plus for LA. True - Chuck held him in check in the last game - but they were only matched up for a few minutes. So bottomline: let's take advantage of Gasol's weaker interior defense by Yao establish low post position and Brooks/Artest drives.

 

It's the right move for the Lakers. You don't counter Yao with size.

 

I do not think the change will make much difference. Last game Odom came in quite early due to two fouls on Bynum. Maybe they want to use Odom to front Yao. Regardless, the keys are still the same for the rockets: try to give the ball to Yao, if not, Brooks attacks, attacks, and attacks.

 

Him fronting Yao Ming will pose a big problem for the Rockets, like I said in a thread last night.

 

Rox have to hit their shots, is a good thing Blzers fronted Yao for 5 games.

 

No need to hope Artest can stop Odom -- Odom's capable of doing that all by himself.

 

If LA start Odom, then expect a lot of Gasol taking Yao at wing from 18ft out, Yao will have a hard time to stay on the court with foul trouble, our guards have to drop down a step to lend some help.

On offense, Gasol likes to tip the ball away from baseline with his long arm. If he decide to front Yao, it's going to be hard to lob over his long arm. In this scenario, the ball needs to swing quickly from Shane/Artest to Brooks/Lowry in the middle, Yao then needs to hold/seal Gasol behind, so Brooks/Lowry can either pass to Yao if he can keep Gasol behind, or attack the basket aggressively.

For us to win tonigh/series, Brooks/Lowry has to have a BIG game(s), maybe the biggest of their short career.

 

It's a very good move, allows Gasol to front Yao and it puts pressure on Yao on the defensive end.

I think AB needs to be very aggressive from the tip off on the offensive end.

If AB could go off for 30+.... I could see us still winning with Yao having an off night...

It is much harder for Yao to get going when he has to work so hard against a fronting player with weakside help.

This is one scenario where I would move Yao to the high post more and run plays for Brooks and Artest with Battier spotted up in the corner.

 

Let them front. Then go with weakside pick n roll with AB and Scola

 

Bynum is going to be pissed that he's not starting. I would expect that the LA press is going to provoke Bynum to say something negative about PJ.

 

if they think bynum coming off the bench is going to help him make a bigger impact offensively, chuck hayes is going to change their mind real quick

 

Gasol is gonna be a tough guard for Yao on defense, but offesnively, Yao should be able to take it to Pau every possession. I agree with DD about Pau being tired in the 4th though, if they are going to keep this matchup all game long. It's going to be interesting to watch Bynum try to work on Hayes. I really can't wait for the game!

 

I like this idea if Yao can't exploit Gasol. Just run the high post or high pnr. It would conserve Yao's energy and pull out LA's only shot blocker in Gasol. The paint will be wide open for Brooks and Artest to attack. Yao can knock down jumpers and concentrate on defending Gasol.

 

another article confirmed that Odom will start. They are desperated to get the game 2, they play number game now.

 

Who cares if Pau gets tired by the 4th, thats when Kobe is going to try to take over. What if Odom drives right by Scola for a dunk, how is RA going to respond, I have no idea , unless he takes Scola out and subs in someone else

 

With Gasol on Yao, Laker's better front, or double Yao, otherwise he's gonna get over 30pts. Odom, if he is then matched up with Scola, will have the clear advantage there. I'm not so sure this is a better option then to have Bynum/Gasol to start though because it's much more likely that Yao foul out Gasol then the other way around.