Missing Antawn

Like a cruel joke, it was just a couple of days before Antawn Jamison got hurt that I read John Hollinger arguing that the Wizards were unlikely to stay on top of the East because they had no ability to survive an injury. And how true it is. The Hayes/Songaila duo that tried to replace Jamison went a collective 3-12 from the field while failing to get to the line and grabbing just five boards in a combined 36 minutes at power forward. In particular, Hayes kept getting the ball for open jumpers that he would miss, followed by me muttering "Jamisonw would have hit that." Obviously, Gilbert launching 15 (!) three pointers and only hitting three doesn't help.

Photo by Matthew Yglesias

Unrelatedly, far be it from me to tell Phil Jackson how to coach a basketball team, but if the Lakers were healthy and I were (as tends to happen today's NBA) facing a lineup that didn't have a proper inside scoring threat, I would try to play Bryant-Walton-Odom-Radmanovich-Cook . . . with all those sharp-shooting tweeners you'd be an overall decent rebounding team and could spread the floor super-wide for Kobe.

Comments

Walton's still injured, I think, Cookie's pretty soft (but apparently crazy, so there's that), and Rad no one can figure out. But, yeah, size is the Lakers' strength; they know it, and I think they believe it can take them to the WCF.

Posted by SomeCallMeTim | February 4, 2007 12:19 PM

You would not play Bynum 36 minutes, to give you 12 points in an efficient 9 shots, 13 boards, 1 block and no TO, and to give him experience to build on in his young career? That is, twice as much as your Hayes/Songaila combo in the same minutes?

But you are right that with Bynum and Turiaf clogging the middle, the floor was pretty crowded for Kobe, who scored only 39 points on 14/26 shooting.

If I face a line-up with no inside threat, I play Bynum as much as I can, as he is as close to a dominating center as anyone else in the league.

Best centers in the league 2 years from now: Yao, Curry and Bynum.

Posted by cedichou | February 4, 2007 12:24 PM

Cedichou, DWIGHT HOWARD!!?!?!

I don't think Phil's too worried about his job. The last thing you want to do is have two defenders like Cook and Radmonovic in at the same time against a strong offensive team like the Wizards. And, of course, Walton's out with injury. Plus, having a center in there means A. rebounds and B. and outlet for driving players who get double teamed. If Radmanovic gets the ball down low, the Wizards can make a play, if Bynum receives by the basket, it's over.

Posted by Mavis Beacon | February 4, 2007 1:16 PM

I watched the Washington feed of the Laker/Wizards game last night and got so sick of hearing about Jamison's absence. The Lakers played that game missing two starters to injury but apparently no Wizards fan noticed that.

Posted by Mark | February 4, 2007 3:19 PM

My Lakers will always dominate your Wizards unless Gilbert scores 60.

Posted by Jimm | February 4, 2007 4:20 PM

Of course, missing Antawn was big, but now you're starting to see what it's been like for the Lakers all season (missing key players).

Posted by Jimm | February 4, 2007 4:21 PM

"I would try to play Bryant-Walton-Odom-Radmanovich-Cook"

I guess Bryant would have to defend both opposing guards because the other four wouldn't have a prayer of stopping any competent "one" or "two."

Just want to point out that Bynum is only three months older than Greg Oden, and while Oden is doing nice things as a freshman against the kids in the Big 10, Bynum is being coached by Phil Jackson, mentored by personal coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and schooled big men of the NBA. These two should have a nice rivalry for the next 15 years.

Posted by Steve in Sacto | February 4, 2007 6:06 PM

Come on Matt ... ive been waiting for this game to hear your opinion of Kobe. He played a masterful game ... was in many respects everything that Gil should be trying to be. His shot selection was amazing given how often and efficiently he shot. His defense was pretty darn good. His ability to involve his other teammates ... One of his best performances of the year.

Posted by Jason | February 4, 2007 10:56 PM

Who did you sell out to for those seats?
You young progressives should be getting paid
but your suppose to be spending that money on
tofu, books and union-made organic cotton tshirts.

Posted by snark attack | February 4, 2007 11:02 PM

Who did you sell out to for those seats?
You young progressives should be getting paid
but your suppose to be spending that money on
tofu, books and union-made organic cotton tshirts.

Posted by lakersfansblow | February 4, 2007 11:20 PM

Mavis, isn't Dwight a power forward? But yeah, that kid is good. Bynum can only wish to be as good a rebounder as Howard.

Maybe Oden will be there too in two years. I like Mehmet Okur too, it's like he's the best 3 point shooter for the Jazz since Jeff Hornacek. If only he could get double digit rebounding.

Posted by cedichou | February 5, 2007 12:11 AM

"Bynum can only wish to be as good a rebounder as Howard."

Rebounds per 48min:

Howard: 16.2
Bynum: 14.4

Bynum's not far behind now in essentially his first full year at age 19. Let's see where he is in two years when he'll be Howard's current age/experience.

Posted by Steve in Sacto | February 5, 2007 12:46 AM

What Steve in Sacto said. Walton, Odom, Cook, and Radmonovic are all forwards, all at least 6'8" and 240, and can't check guards able to go the basket with NBA skills. (In fact, Cooke and Radmonovic have trouble against forwards who can drive.) Yes, they can all shoot, but Jackson has always believed that defense wins championships.

There is some reason to believe he might be right.

Posted by Kit Stolz | February 5, 2007 3:44 PM

If you haven't watched the Gilbert / DeShawn smackdown, it's pretty damn good...

Posted by Petey | February 5, 2007 4:44 PM