I don't like this move by Phil Jackson. I liked Bynum/Yao better. Gasol's quickness is going to wear down Yao. Pau runs ALOT for a Center. And Odom is just way to quick for Scola. Hayes got some short time on Bynum but I don't like that matchup. Bynum's like 7'1 and Hayes is 6'7, too much size. Rockets will have to double on Bynum which leaves their 3 point shooters open. Lakers were really bad shooting wide open 3's last game but I don't think we're going to be that lucky again. Why Phil, Why?
Most of you are looking at this from only one angle. Yeah Gasol guards Yao better than Bynum but if he is guarding Yao the whole game, the Lakers risk him getting in foul trouble. It is up to Yao to be aggressive and get Gasol in early foul trouble which will screw up his rhythm on offense and render the Lakers' second best player null.
They're doing this to involve Yao on all the Kobe/Gasol pick and rolls they'll be using tonight. Yao will also struggle against Gasol's shooting range and quickness. Tonight is going to suck for Yao defensively. They're trying to wear him out.
This did not happen in their last regular season meeting. Gasol played 43 minutes and guarded Yao the entire time I think. He was very effective the whole game.
Well said, The Rockets can easily make Gasol a blue collared player more than Yao. Not to mention they pay a pretty big price for losing Odom as their 6th man and they'll be weaker defensively. Gasol defends Yao better than Bynum, but really it isn't saying much.
The first 3 minutes will tell the whole story, in my opinion. RA should of been prepared for this, he should already have a solution to this.
Pretty good point, but in the last game Gasol was pretty much starting because he played center a lot more than Andrew Bynum If i recall and these posts should tell you that as well.
Good move by the Lakers. Gasol for some reason was always able to knock the ball away from Yao in Game 1. Yao needs to improve at preventing Pau from doing this. If Yao doesn't, the Rox will lose big tonight. I think this is also a Utah Jazz-type move by LA. If Gasol hits the perimeter jumper, like Okur did the last two years, that could be bad news for the rockets. Scola and Landry are going to have to STAY in front of Odom. If he's hot from the perimeter, tip your cap.
Damnit! Looks like Stu Jackson has a brain. If this happens, this adjustment makes the Lakers better on both ends of the floor.
That's what I remember too. Sending Bynum to the bench would be a smart move by Jackson. Artest did a good job on Odom last game, but what was more surprising was how effective Scola was on Ariza. Scola basically gave the perimeter shot while taking away the paint, and Ariza couldn't hit much.
