Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers championship and “Threepeat” hopes had the door emphatically slammed shut this week after Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks shocked the basketball world,  sweeping Los Angeles in four games.

Credit is due to the Mavericks, as their recently discovered toughness – influenced by the Tyson Chandler effect – soundly demolished the Lakers in 4 straight games. However, had the Lakers actually played as a team for even one game, they would have not been swept away in such a devastating fashion.

Not only were all the Lakers deficiencies exposed during the series, but questions now arise regarding how the Lakers move forward, and whether or not Kobe and the current makeup of the Lakers has a legitimate chance at challenging any time soon

The concept of team chemistry immediately comes to mind when addressing the first issue in Lakerland. There appears to be some sort of off court rift between Pau Gasol and Kobe. If the Lakers are to find a way to get back on track, reconciliation between the leagues most skilled power forward and the leagues most arrogant superstar must be first on the Lakers organizations agenda.

Restructuring the franchise must address the following needs for the Lakers:

Head Coach

This is the one position that is changing with absolute certainty. Phil Jackson has made it clear he is stepping down as the Lakers head coach. But will Brian Shaw get his chance to run the Lakers? Whoever it is, expect that there will be no way the players net yield on the floor will be as plentiful as it is with Jackson.

Point Guard – Derek Fisher

Fisher needs to retire. He has little left to offer his team as a full time starting point guard in the NBA. Steve Blake has proved he can run a team as a full-time starter, but teams seem to do better with him coming off the bench. If a Dwight Howard trade does happen, look for the Lakers to also try to improve here.

Shooting Guard – Kobe Bryant

Kobe is starting to look his age. His injuries and wear and tear finally caught up with him, and he looked like a mere mortal against Dallas. Of course, Kobe will never have to worry about a thing, as whatever he wants, he gets.

This does not bodes well for Gasol’s future with the Lakers.

Center – Andrew Bynum

The Lakers should trade Bynum while he has any value left. Bynum imploded this year in the playoffs, and at this point in his career it is hard to believe he is going to get it together mentally, or play a complete season without injury. Fortunately for the Lakers, Bynum is less injury prone than Greg Oden, and has value still.

Bynum  could be implemented in a system that caters more to him, and gives him more touches, thus allowing him to have major market value.

Power Forward – Pau Gasol

Gasol is the most valuable player on this team behind Bryant. It is truly a shame that he might be on the way out simply to appease Bryant, the aging star on the decline. If Bryant gets his way, it will be some combo of Kobe, Lamar Odom, and whoever else they can keep while liquidating the leagues best power forward in an attempt to rebuild.

Small Forward – Ron Artest

Artest has fallen off the planet as a NBA player. His game has worsened so bad that his disappearance was the only thing going unnoticed against the Mavericks. He barely contributed, and his suspension didn’t help either. Apparently, the Lakers will likely be stuck with Artest, unless Mitch Kupchack  can create a whopper of a trade.

Expect the Lakers to be one of the most active teams this summer.

Kobe Bryant was spectacular in game 5 of the NBA Finals in Boston. He took shots that bordered on ridiculous and yet made them almost effortlessly. For a brief moment during the third quarter, the possibility of the Lakers turning things around and pulling out a much needed road win began to enter the thoughts of the Celtics fans.

Unfortunately for Kobe, his effort was wasted due to the fact that his supporting cast continued their recent disappearing act from game 4 into and throughout game 5. What about game 6?

Will a switch of scenery back to Los Angeles revive the Lakers hopes for back to back championships?

You know Kobe will be hoping for his team to wake up, and justifiably so. Other than the oft-hobbled Andrew Bynum, who looks as though he is stunting the longevity of his career while playing on a torn up something-rather simply because he wants to win, there is not another Laker who is stepping up to back Kobe.

Kobe depsarately needs help.

To be fair, Bynum is rather useless out on the floor due to his injuries. Perhaps if we could build some sort of device to remove and transfer his effort level and then, say, divide it and then install it inside the bodies of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, the Lakers would have a much improved chance than they do currently of winning two games in a row against Boston.

Unless the Lakers make drastic moves, or if Phil Jackson can somehow channel his inner chi and turn it into an internal rage, the Lakers are in serious trouble.

It makes my heart go out to Kobe in a similar vein of Dwyane Wade wasting his talents the past few years in Miami.  Watching Kobe’s masterful performance go into the wastebasket because nobody else could step up and help him. It’s actually quite shameful.

Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and “Bad-shot-Ron” Artest, this means you.

Wake up, or your season will be all for naught.

Hopefully for the Lakers, Kobe can use some of that magic on the court to inspire his teammates to help him out.

Ironically as I was checking up on game 4 of the Western Conference Finals the Beatle’s song “Here Comes the Sun” was playing on my computer. I couldn’t imagine a better song coincidentally playing while Phoenix gave the Lakers all they could handle awhile evening the series to 2-2 tie.

I guess what really substantiates this series will be if either team can step up and win on the road. I know it sounds cliche, but in what I consider this years playoffs to be one of the largest snooze fests in NBA playoff history, and this post season could use a big road win to make things lively again for the first time since round 1.

Based on games 1 and 2 at the Staple Center, it seems somewhat unlikely that the Suns can win there, but they have to win there if they want to advance. I hope they win there, for the sake of the NBA playoffs having a resurgence, revival, and possibly again have a pulse.

Kobe, wanna play game 5 here????

When analyzing games 3 and 4 it seems to be the exact scenario for the Lakers in US Airways Arena. Kobe Bryant put up insane numbers, and absolutely dominated but his insatiable appetite for individual statistical greatness didn’t amount to a Lakers victory.

The glaring discrepancy: Lamar Odom was the lone bench player worth squat during game 4, meanwhile Phoenix’s bench lambasted the Lakers with nine 3-pointers and 54 points. That’s what I consider making up for crappy performances by the Suns in games 1 and 2.

So what do we expect for game 5? Will Phoenix’s bench continue to terrorize the Lakers’ bench? Phil Jackson is a great motivator, and the Lakers are on their home court, both of which would make one think that the Lakers indeed possess the uppe hand.

Perhaps Channing Frye has finally awoken for good in these playoffs, perhaps he will shrivel under the pressures of the Staples Center. But if Frye and his shot are on, it creates major problems for the Lakers defensively.

However, what sports fan does not want to root for Steve Nash to make it to the finals? Toss out all other aspects to this analysis, and take the collective consciousness of all NBA fans, put it in a blender, then a centrifuge. What percentage of this mental mush would be rooting for Nash and the Suns versus the Lakers?

Nash has never been there.

Kobe is a great player, but his arrogance tarnishes the ability of most NBA fans to root for him to make it there, when deciding between him and Nash.

Nash has never been there.

Karma alone is on the side of the Suns.

]]> http://protectthepaint.com/2010/05/26/here-come-the-suns/feed/ 0 http://protectthepaint.com/2009/10/08/shannon-brown-dunks-all-over-the-golden-state-warriors/ http://protectthepaint.com/2009/10/08/shannon-brown-dunks-all-over-the-golden-state-warriors/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:03:31 +0000 Adam Sedie http://protectthepaint.com/?p=2859

Last year Shannon Brown emerged as the best player of the Vladimir Radmanovic/Adam Morrison trade for the Lakers.

His solid defense, stellar hustle, and flat out hard work earned him significant minutes during crucial stretches of the Lakers Championship run. But did anyone know he could climb the ladder so viciously and throw down a dunk with such ferocity?

Once I got past Randolph....... (Credit:KCAL9)

Shannon Brown created his opportunity using his reputable defense. He filled the passing lane on a lackadaisical entry pass, tapping the ball out in front of him. He then turns his court vision up the floor while dribbling to start the fast break.

As you will see in the video, Anthony Randolph is clearly not fast enough to catch up to him and front him, so nobody is in position to stop his momentum up the court.

Once Brown turned the corner on Randolph, there are three warriors in the key at a stalemate, standing flat footed, both hovering around Lamar Odom, almost seemingly too petrified to make an aggressive defensive decision committing to stop Brown.

Those guilty: Corey Maggette, Mikki Moore, and Acie Law.

At this point, Brown has already picked up his dribble, and is at the elbow of the key, eyes widened, and he knows he already has the time to take it all the way.

To his credit, one Warrior, although doing so far too late, Mikki Moore steps up. Unfortunately, he does so only to be victimized by Brown.

You can see part of Brown’s hip smack Moore in his head as he acrobatically soars high above him for the dunk. I admit, I wanted to be considerate for Mikki Moore.

Upon further review, however, I decided he deserved zero compassion.

People who cannot protect the paint fail to live up to the namesake of this blog, and for that, sympathy is something they are entirely unworthy of.

I tip my hat to Shannon Brown, who mesmerized me with his leaping ability after living up to the namesake of this site. He got the steal while protecting the paint, and then flipped the coin on to the Warriors.

Shannon Brown is Protect the Paint approved! Enjoy!

It was rather strange to hear the rumors that Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian were going to wed after only seeing each other for around 1 month.

It was even stranger to find that it was entirely scripted by Khloe’s television producers. The wedding is set to air on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”.

To make things even wilder, the wedding is completely meaningless, speaking in legal terms.

Reality shows get ready for Lamar's mug! (Crddit

You see, the prenuptial agreement and all the legally binding documents that technically make a marriage binding in the state’s eyes have not yet been finalized.

DISCLAIMER: This report from thesuperficial.com, true or not,  that bookmaker actually is taking odds on their split is just hilarious:

HOW LONG WILL LAMAR ODOM AND KHLOE KARDASHIAN’S MARRIAGE LAST

• 1-3 Weeks +165 (38%)
• 1-5 Months +120 (45%)
• 6-11 Months +200 (33%)
• 1-2 Years +300 (25%)
• 2+ Years +400 (20%)

Has Lamar Odom finally decided to turn Hollyweird? He will most likely now finish his career in Los Angeles. He has started his own clothing line, Rich Soil Clothing.

Being on camera wearing articles from your own clothing line, or just featuring the behind the scene aspects of his business during the show is pricelss promotion that he will not have to buy. Seems like a no brainer.

It seems that Odom is ready for his own reality show perhaps. He will obviously be scripted into “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and/or “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami.”But seriously, how easy could it be to sell a network programming director on the concept of “Lamar and Khloe take Los Angeles”?

Once this prenup is out of the way, its on! (Credit: thesuperficial.com)

Odom is charming, a member of the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. His life is already high profile. He is recognized nationwide playing with the Lakers. He’s likable. He has a winning smile.

Khloe is accustomed to having every moment of her life documented for entertainment purposes. She is famous, as is her entire family. She will be a loving wife and help Lamar make the adjustment to life as a celeb-reality undoubtedly easy transition.

Even this basketball blogger has heard of the Kardashians, or has been in the room while someone has been watching the show.

Sounds like a television match made in heaven. If they can, so to speak, “beat the odds”.

If not for the TV shows, then perhaps Lamar will begin his quest to procreate many children who have  a good chance, based on Khloe and his genetics, to rival Shaquille O’Neal in size.

This past week we have seen Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva join Detroit.

Ron Artest took a pay cut and is hoping to get his first ring playing for the world champion Lakers.

Hedo Turkoglu reneged on a Portland offer, selecting the Raptors instead.

Rasheed Wallace is now alongside Kevin Garnett in Boston.

Trevor Ariza maxed out his contract value and is Houston-bound.

And Finally, Jason Kidd is staying in Dallas instead of going to New York.

The free agent signings become official today, the first day that players are allowed to ink their verbal agreements. There are more deals to come involving free agents, and it is going to be interesting to see where everyone ends up.

We here at Protect the Paint will list some of the rumors/moves involving the available free agents.

REMAINING FREE AGENTS

Lamar Odom

Odom might be hugging members of the Blazers soon. (Credit: daylife.com)

Lamar Odom doesn’t seem to be thinking repeat. Instead he and his agent want to be shown the money in the neighborhood of $10 million per season. Odom appears to be going the Trevor Ariza route, cashing in elsewhere now that he has the ring. He sacrificed his stats to win and now wants to sign with a team that could offer him a starting position and big bucks. Should have a different address in 2009-10. The Blazers are reportedly interested. Championship experience on an up and coming squad never hurts.

Andre Miller

Looks like Miller is heading to Portland. Gives the Blazers the floor general they lacked last season and gives Miller a chance to win. Good match all the way around.

Brandon Bass

Bass would make a mistake going to Detroit. (Credit: ocregister.com)

Bass could be staying in Dallas, heading to Orlando, or possibly ending up in Detroit. It makes absolutely no sense for him to sign with the Pistons. With rumors circulating of Carlos Boozer being shipped there for Rip Hamilton, and Charlie Villanueva signing a 5-year deal, he would essentially be the third option at power forward. The Magic need help up front. Orlando would be a good fit.

Antonio McDyess

McDyess could get a ring if he heads to San Antonio. (Credit: ugplay.com)

McDyess is leaning towards San Antonio in the most recent rumor involving the veteran which would provide more depth in the Spurs front court. He’s a solid shooter and depenable on the glass averaging 9.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg last year for the Pistons. The Spurs would have a solid 1-2 post punch with McDyess and Tim Duncan giving them the size to contend with the Lakers huge frontline.

Marcin Gortat

Marcin Gortat is going to get paid big bucks this summer. (Credit: mlive.com)

Most likely headed to Dallas. We’ll see how he responds to more minutes and more responsibility. This is a huge loss for Orlando who now have lost the majority of their front line not named Dwight Howard–Tony Battie via the Vince Carter deal, Hedo Turkoglu to free agency, and Gortat. The Magic better hope Ryan Anderson is as good as Pat Williams thinks he will be.

Grant Hill

Hill should go to a contender rather than a pretender. (Credit: offsideswithfletcher.com)

There are rumors of Hill heading to the the Knicks. Finally healthy, his game resurfaced playing with Phoenix. He appeared in all 82 games for the Suns last season. It’s unfortunate that he would want to make the move to New York, especially when he could most likely ink himself onto another team with better chances of winning a title. Seems like he and fellow 1994 co-ROY Jason Kidd have more in common then we thought: Take the money, not the chance for a championship ring.

Channing Frye

Frye could play minutes that matter for the Cavs. (Credit: nike.com)

Frye is very interested in signing with Cleveland. The guy has been marred with the “wrong place, wrong time” syndrome during his career. He was buried behind David Lee in New York and then behind LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland. If Cleveland loses Anderson Varajao, Frye will have an immediate chance for big minutes at power forward for the Cavs. This is a good opportunity for both sides. Frye has showed he has a lot of game and could be a late bloomer if given the chance.

The division featuring the 2008-09 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers will have other teams in the division seeking out immediate help to contend during the 2009-10 season. Look out for a healthy Los Angeles Clippers roster with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon leading the way to contend this season as the best in the west.

Yup, we said it. The Clippers.

Griffin will make an immediate impact in the NBA (Credit: northwesternwins.com)

Los Angeles Lakers (65-17)     The Lakers could lose Lamar Odom, and Trevor Ariza to free agency. Although highly unlikely, it is a possibility. The only real weakness the defending champs will have is depth at point guard.  Jordan Farmar has not proven his worth as a long-term solution. Look for LA to see what is left on the table with the 29th pick. Perhaps they will stay local and draft another UCLA alum in Darren Collison. If not, they would need to go for the best available player like Marcus Thornton.

Phoenix Suns (46-36)    With a team full of veterans and no room on the roster, we suggest you keep your eyes on the trade market as with only $7 Million of salary on Goran Dragic, Jared Dudley, Robin Lopez, Louis Amundson and Alando Tucker,  With Dragic expected to see an increase in tim t his year, It might be a stretch, but Chase Budinger would be a nice local fit after playing down at the road at Arizona last season.  If not Budinger, perhaps James Johnson is another suitable option at SF.

Jennings has 1 year of pro experience in Europe. (Credit: Rueters)

Golden State Warriors (29-53)    The Warriors are at a crossroads. Their most glaring need is a true point guard. Monta Ellis is supposed to be their 1, but he is absolutely a pure 2 in a 1’s body.  Even though Ellis was promised by management a PG would not be drafted, look for the Warriors to select either Brandon Jennings, Jonny Flynn or Stephen Curry. Curry would fit into Nelsons offense almost immediately. If the Warriors draft Curry, watch out for trades coming out of Oakland in the immediate future.

Los Angeles Clippers (19-63)    This is a no brain decision. Blake Griffin. Look forward to having two franchises in Los Angeles at the top of this division very soon. With Eric Gordon having starters minutes and a healthy roster from the start of the year, look out for Blake Griffin and the Clippers

RIcky Rubio is a hot NBA draft commodity (Credit: panaramio.com)

Sacramento Kings (17-65)    The Kings need one position desperately filled in the Sactramento: a solid PG. If  not available with the 4th overall pick, it is within reason to see the Kings making draft day moves to secure Ricky Rubio as their long term investment at PGs. If Rubio is not available,  look for Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings, and as a long shot we have Jeff Teague.

Kobe Bryant wins his 4th NBA Championship (photo by AP)

At the start of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Orlando, we expected to see the Magic come out of the gate like gangbusters. Dwight Howard’s claim of a game 6 led us to expect fighting, clawing, and intimidation in forcing their way  into a game 6 at the Staples center.

In reality, the Orlando Magic played as if they did not want to fly west.

Kobe Bryant had a compelling all around game with 30 points, 5 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 4 blocked shots. His supporting cast played wonderfully. Odom scored 17 points, Ariza had 15, Gasol 14 and 15 rebounds, and Fisher, whose clutch 3s in Game 4 lifted L.A., finished with 13 points.

Orlando started the game matching the Lakers pace, but  faltered in the second quarter being outscored 30-18 by the Lakers.

At the start of the second half the Magic were unable to gain ground. Orlando showed some fight, but costly turnovers  were then converted by the Lakers and defused Orlando’s chances at a run. It became apparent things were going the Lakers way in the 3rd.

Due to Dwight Howard’s limited offensive repertoire, the big and athletic Howard was called for an offensive foul  with 7:12 left to play. Lamar Odom then converted a high arching 3 from the corner which squandered and deflated the Orlando Magic.

The Lakers then rolled over the Magic, basically matching Orlando bucket for bucket until the buzzer sounded in an otherwise unexciting 4th quarter.

Mark Jackson of ESPN brought up a very intelligent point during the fourth, directed towards Dwight Howard:

“If I am Dwight Howard…..after this game…… I am going to seek out a big man camp”

Dwight Howard needs to learn more than a dunk. (Photo AP)

Truer words could not have been spoken. Dwight Howard must realize the short comings of his game. How hard can it be to develop  a 10-15 foot jump shot, or even a baby hook?

I am sure we have all had that friend, who tries to play a pick up game after never playing ball before.  You watch them, the form of the shot is horrible, and  no real clue or basketball sense.  Time passes, and that person does get better. Some eventually become actually fairly decent.

How is it that a kid who gets paid gobs of cash with nothing but free time does not use his time to develop an all around game?

Andrew Bynum  adhered to a work regimen after Kobe Bryant called him out, and he has a ton of moves now.  Beset by injuries over the past couple seasons, he still has a leg up on Howard’s offensive sets.

Maybe it is time these players are paid less cash. Reflecting upon the old Lakers and Celtics rivalries, and further back, we see how players cared more about winning and losing. Players refined their games.

Nowadays  players would rather make predictions in the media while drinking vitamins, spending the off season stroking a superman cape preparing for the photo shoot to be on the cover of NBA Live 2010.

It would be nice if there was time for learn some jump hooks, an elbow jumper, and perhaps a few other valuable fundamental elements for the game of Basketball.