They've started Bynum and Gasol the last two or three games with Odom coming off of the bench. At times they've looked good, but there is definitely a learning curve for those two to operate effectively together. Gasol has hit some set shots at the high post, but he seems like he wants to operate on the low block with his back to the basket more.
Odom started the first two pre-season games but has been coming off of the bench since. He's actually looked much better coming off of the bench and playing with the second unit. We'll see how long that lasts. Radmonovic has started in his place and other than hitting his first two shots last night has looked like his usual space cadet self. I'm not sure what Phil sees in him as he recently stated that the team plays better when he starts. Maybe that statement was just another Phil Jedi mind trick because I sure don't see it.
The two players who've been the most impressive so far in the pre-season have been Farmar and Ariza. Both have played hustle D and led the team back from deficits the last two games. Jordan basically single handedly won the game for the Lakers last night with his play in the second half. He's being much more aggressive, making better decisions and most importantly ... not settling for so many 3 pointers.
That Chinese player is absolutely terrible. It doesn't look like he belongs in the NBA at all. I was surprised to just hear on the radio that they cut Crawford instead of him. Giles was cut too, which I expected, but I would have liked to see them keep Crawford over the Chinese guy and Coby Karl for that matter.
Mihm hasn't looked great, but he does look like he's finally healthy. Hopefully he can get back in to the swing of things because I think he can be a serviceable backup to Bynum and he was really starting to play consistently before he went down with that foot injury two years ago.
I like Powell and think he can be a valuable banger. Great rebounder and a surprisingly decent set shot from 10-15 ft out.
The trick will be finding enough time for all of these guys esp, Mihm, Mbenga, Powell, and the plethora of small forwards. The Lakers are deep, which I'm excited about, but it also poses a challenge of finding the right rotations and minutes for guys.
Is it Tuesday yet?!?
edited to add: Oh yeah and Kobe's injury actually looked pretty ugly to me. He clanged knees with Powell, but his bent back the wrong way. Hopefully, it's just a hyper extension and will heal up in a few days. When it happened I was like, "what the heck is he even doing in there with 3 mins left in the 2nd qtr. I don't get why Phil is playing Kobe so many mins in pre-season. If it's me, I play him in the first Qtr and that's it. One, you don't want him to get hurt. Two, I think they should have given guys like Crawford, Giles, the Chinese kid, more time. These kids are trying to make the team, give them some in game minutes to evaluate.
