Comments on: The Lakers’ Lackluster Bench Mob

By: The 10-man rotation, starring Sundiata Gaines’ call-up moment | Newstion.com

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:14:39 +0000

[...] teams in the league.PG: But The Game Is On. The five most valuable non-superstars in the NBA.6th: Basketball Free For All. The Lakers’ Bench Mob has been relatively pedestrian this season.7th: Blogcritics Sports. [...]

By: The 10-man rotation, starring Sundiata Gaines’ call-up moment | Hot NBA Videos.com

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:11:46 +0000

By: RedHopeful

RedHopeful — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:53:07 +0000

I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable with Gadzuric or Williams getting any significant run either – they are REALLY bad too. A >1 year rental would be better like Juwan Howard, Kurt Thomas or Joe Smith. Not sure who would be available though – maybe Etan Thomas?

2 years ago, both Sasha and Farmar looked poised to have significant roles. What a big disappointment they’ve been!

By: plonden

plonden — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:47:51 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Jim.

As you alluded to, imagine the bench production if you subtract Lamar Odom. Yuck.

The point you make is a very valid one and was something I thought the Lakers were going to address (the backup center spot) two seasons ago when they let Turiaf go. The Nets’ targets you mention are actually really good choices to pursue because they, especially Sean Williams, aren’t really in the rotation. Mbenga is not the answer.

I’m not sure MIL would let Gadzuric go, as they need serious Andrew Bogut insurance and Skiles loves his defense, as you certainly know from his Chicago days.

By: silentjim

silentjim — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:42:15 +0000

Nice read. I’ve been thinking a lot about this the last couple of weeks. With Gasol out, it doesn’t help that Odom moves to the starting lineup, but the other guys (outside of Farmar who in real life looks good) all look like major down grades from years past. I find it very funny that when you employ essentially a two center lineup like the Lakers do now and the Spurs did in the past (Duncan and Robinson) you’re depth due to an injury is exacerbated two fold. Right now their back-up center is basically DJ Mbenga, which is insane for a team with that kind of payroll.

When Gasol and Bynum are healthy the slide from PF to C and there’s no real need for a major minute contributor at the 5, but without either of the two (who of late haven’t shown to be rock solid plays) you’re really getting worked over down low.

Kaman, Camby, and Craig Smith pretty much ate them alive last night down low and you saw the Lakers starters play 35+ minutes each (except for Fisher) and still basically lose in a blow out.

Walton’s health I agree is a major issue and getting him back eventually will help. Gasol coming back and allowing Odom to be the 6th man should also help. But, I still think their lacking the defensive mindset their bench used to have that revolved around Ariza or Turiaf.

If the Lakers want to win another Championship, I wouldn’t mind them going after another big with a defensive mindset. Why not approach the Nets about Sean Williams or Josh Boone and netting Trenton Hassell for Adam Morrison and Powell or Mbenga? Or unload Morrison and something for a Gadzuric? They have some young talent and expiring contracts that should allow for the acquisition of a decent backup big.