Phil Jackson to make Gasol the first option early in the season?

[All Net]

What him coasting??? I think he does it this year, that knee is not ready for 82 game season and all the pounding....Kobe will still go all out, but he will curtail his offensive output and conserve some of that wear and tear for when it matters most...I don't see how 22-24 ppg is a bad thing, probably sacrifices 2 to 3 shots a game for Gasol

His knee isn't the issue right now it's lack of game shape. I think Kobe will still put up 25-27 a game but Lakers being deeper this year will help alot and he won't need to hit game winners for the team to win.

[sagr32]

About Time Phil Starts going to Pau more. Like Many Analysts and Posters have said LA doesn't use him enough. He is an extremely efficient player and can have the offense ran through him because he is such a good passer but he still only takes about 13 shots a game.

[magnax1]

What a stupid statement

Kobe is 32 hardly past it. Guy averaged 29, 7 and 6 for godsake last year.

The crap you talk about the Lakers in unreal. Even suggesting this is their last year competing for a championship. What a fool

We'll see. I see no reason why LA will contend for more then another year or two, unless you count teams like Dallas as real contenders.

[the GIBBET]

Considering Pau plays a far more important role than Kobe (sorry to break it to morons who think going 1 on 5 and taking turnaround fadeaways is the goal of basketball) its a pretty obvious move to make.

[Jacks3]

People who look at Pau's FG% and then say he should get more shots don't understand basketball. There is a inverse relationship between usage and efficiency. This has been statistically proven by Dean Oliver. Now, the truly great offensive players in history have no problem maintain efficiency while increasing usage, but Pau can't. He's not in that class. So, STFU about him getting more shots. There's a reason he only got 12-13 FGA per game in Memphis as the #1 option.

[Droid101]

People who look at Pau's FG% and then say he should get more shots don't understand basketball. There is a inverse relationship between usage and efficiency. This has been statistically proven by Dean Oliver. Now, the truly great offensive players in history have no problem maintain efficiency while increasing usage, but Pau can't. He's not in that class. So, STFU about him getting more shots. There's a reason he only got 12-13 FGA per game in Memphis as the #1 option.

Because Hubie Brown employed a balanced attack option and a 10-man, even-minutes rotation.



Another Kobe homer with an agenda.

[andredagiant]

this ain't ever going to happen, Kobe is gonig to be Kobe, the only way that Phil can realy implement this is to limit Kobe's minuts, but as some posters have mentioned already Phil plans to play Kobe his usual minutes, Phil can try to implement this, but it will only result in failure, because Kobe's not one to defer to others,as shown by the rift between him and Shaq during their threepeat years, especially now he's a veteran and wants to be THE man in order to surpass MJ, it ain't gonna happen. I, personally feel like this is a good option because Gasol has shown to be the more stable and efficient scorer on the team, albeit Kobe takes alot more shots than Gasol, but that's because Kobe's "scorer mentality" won't allow him to defer to someone else anymore.

[Jacks3]

Because Hubie Brown employed a balanced attack option and a 10-man, even-minutes rotation.



Another Kobe homer with an agenda.

lol @ that garbage excuse. The Grizz were mediocre offensively. If Gasol was capable of handling it he would have gotten more than 12-13 shots a game.

[Jacks3]

Yes, let's change up what's lead to the Lakers to three straight Finals and two straight championships.

[ILLsmak]

Yes, let's change up what's lead to the Lakers to three straight Finals and two straight championships.

Pau Gasol?

lol, no, but you can't deny that Pau is a huge factor in their run as the greatest team the past few years. I think he deserves more touches, he doesn't need shots he can pass, too.

-Smak

[KenneBell]

Pau Gasol?

lol, no, but you can't deny that Pau is a huge factor in their run as the greatest team the past few years. I think he deserves more touches, he doesn't need shots he can pass, too.

-Smak

He is a huge part of the Lakers' sucess. But is he #1 option material? No. That's why Phil said it wasn't really natural for him.

He's not the type of player you can lean on and say "take 17-20 shots and carry the offense" for a season.

[ILLsmak]

He is a huge part of the Lakers' sucess. But is he #1 option material? No. That's why Phil said it wasn't really natural for him.

He's not the type of player you can lean on and say "take 17-20 shots and carry the offense" for a season.

Sure he could. The Lakers have a lot of weapons, nobody needs to be taking 20 shots a game. 17 shots isn't a lot. Just getting him a touch every play is number 1 option, to me, he could pass it every time and still only take 12 shots. Nobody wants him to force it...

It's just playing a more post offense and dumping it into Gasol and letting him work. It'd make life easier for everyone...

-Smak

[All Net]

Gasol is a top 7-player I think it's foolish to think he shouldn't get more shots.

[gts]

Lakers have plenty of weapons, Gasol can carry the load easily and he won't be doing it himself there's other talent to back him up and it's not like kobe won't be on the floor at all...

[G-train]

I expect Gasol and Odom to be more prominent early this season - as Bynum is out too.