I agree completely with your assessment of Phil (and Tex). For all those critical of Phil for winning with Michael and Scottie, then Shaq and Kobe, they should have been envying Phil’s relationship with Tex.

As for the Lakers’ small forward situation, in the Finals, their best small forward was Kobe Bryant. All this activity at shooting guard, even after signing Sasha, tempts me to wonder if they might start Sasha at the 2 and Kobe at the 3, (and Lamar off the bench), or at least play Kobe at 3 more and bring Sasha in as the 6th man.

As for Odom at the 3, I think he guards bigger guys better than he does quicker. And offensively, he doesn’t care if his defender is a power or a small forward, Odom’s going to score or pass according to what the defense gives him.

The Lakers greatest failing in the Finals may have been vanishing role players, but defense and rebounding were lacking as well. If the Lakers as a team can show that they take defense and rebounding seriously now, during the regular season, then I think we’ll see a team serious about June. If they play business as usual, relying on Bynum to be the difference maker, then the Lakers may not make it out of the west. Portland could up end them, as well as the Hornets (with Posey and a year’s more experience).

Thanks again for your comments, Roland.

Some questions, though. Radmanovic is no back-up power forward. He was the starter at small forward, backed up by Walton. Odom was the starter at power forward, backed up by the eccentricities of Phil’s rotation.

Your breakdown is great because it exposes even greater weaknesses than the Finals did. First, the Lakers faced issues at small forward (no good match for Paul Pierce); at point guard (Rondo’s quickness and ability to help defend and recover really troubled Fisher’s shot); at center (Gasol was too thin); at power forward (Garnett over Odom).

If Andrew Bynum remains healthy and continues to develop at center, that moves Gasol to the 4, which will bring a new look.
Odom at the 3 has been tried before with mixed results.
The Lakers need a good backup for Bryant and a younger player to develop. That explains their interest in Dwane Mitchell; they need a defensive tough guy, who can guard a 2 or a 3; that explains their hope in Ariza and their interest perhaps in Crawford.
Owner Jerry Buss has soured on Farmar, but Jackson still prizes the young guard, who is frustrated as he adjusts to the triangle.
The question is, given a season together and the boost from a heathier Bynum and Mihm, will this Lakers team come together this season? Was it merely too green, to mentally weak, last year?

Those are the hard questions the front office and coaching must try to answer.

Love your site.

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show