The Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics were carefully assembled teams. The newly constructed Los Angele Lakers are a clumsy collection of pieces that do not fit. Kobe is a scorer, not a facilitator. Steve Nash is a great passer, but he is also nearly 40 years old. Dwight Howard is a good player, but he is also returning from offseason back surgery. And, this guy simply cannot make a freethrow. Mike D'antoni is an overrated coach in my opinion. Phil Jackson would have been a much better fit for this team.
Mike D'antoni seems focused on implementing the system he used, with a great deal of success, in Phoenix. That decision is not sound becuase his personnel does not fit that system. He does not have a team full of outside shooters. Outside of Kobe, Nash and Jodie Meeks, the team is short on outside shooting. Also, his system has relegated Pau Gasol to the perimiter. This makes him very ineffective. He is positioned far away from the basket and is unable to rebound effectively. He also does not have the chance to score on the block where he is very difficult to stop.
The Lakers are also one of the oldest and slowest teams in the league. If Kobe Bryant, who is 34 years old is maybe your quickest player, you have team speed problems. Metta cannot defend quick perimeter players as he once could. Nash has never been able to keep up with his own shadow. Dwight Howard is not completely healthy and Pau is too busy pouting to play defense. The team is in a state of disarray. I could go on and on about their problems, but I will not. I hope they can figure it out because I hate the thought of Kobe's last years being wasted on a losing team.
Peace
No comments:
Post a Comment