Jackson’s “Favorite Martian” to Receive Less Playing Time

Sticks and stone may break his bones but words will never hurt Lakers’ Vladimir Radmanovic. The Lakers’ forward has been (affectionately) called “Space Cadet” and “My Favorite Martian” by coach Phil Jackson, but as long as he’s called into the games it doesn’t bother Radmanovic. Naming-calling aside, Jackson started Radmanovic last season, when Andrew Bynum went down with a knee injury, although he won’t in the 2008-09 season. Bynum’s left knee is healed and he will start at center in the upcoming season, with Pau Gasol moving back to power forward and Lamar Odom shifting to small forward (unless Jackson decides to put Kobe Bryant in that spot of Odom winds up playing point guard).

Radmanovic, who is entering his eighth NBA season and has three years and $19.4 million left on his contract with the Lakers, told the L.A. Times, “I’m not going to say I don’t care about not starting. But at the same time, I want this team to be as good as it can.” The 6-foot-10 Radmanovic has received less playful name-calling from Jackson during this year’s training camp, probably because his playing time will be limited this season. Rumor has it that Trevor Ariza may start at small forward and Luke Walton (who is recovering from right ankle surgery) may clock in some time at small forward as well. As for his speculation on the upcoming season, Radmanovic told the Times, “There are going to be some guys who aren’t happy. Hopefully it’s not going to be me.”

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 3, 2008 - Post a comment

Phil’s Experiment: Odom to Ball-Handling Guard

Veteran forward Lamar Odom has been shifted to ball-handling guard during the exhibition season as part of an experiment by Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson. This news comes on the heels of recent clashing between Jackson and Odom, who has brought the ball up court for the Lakers during the past two days of training camp. Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times points out that if Phil’s plan goes well, the 6 foot 10 Odom could post up smaller point guards, but on the downside the Lakers would lose some of Odom’s offensive rebounding if he remained out on the perimeter.

Also part of Jackson’s trial, Derek Fisher has shifted to a shooting guard position on offense and Kobe Bryant has shifted to small forward. As for the defense, Odom would pick up the opposing small forward, Fisher would shift to point guard and Bryant’s role would be guarding the opponent’s shooting guard. Odom (who averaged 4.4 assists a game in his first nine NBA seasons) has played point guard before; the soon-to-be 29-year-old spent about half a season with the Clippers at point guard earlier on in his career.

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 2, 2008 - Post a comment

Lakers Training Camp Begins with (Gasp!) No Drama

The Lakers opening day of training camp was yesterday, and frankly it was a little dull in comparisons to past year’s.  Let’s do a recap: In 2003  Kobe Byrant flew straight to training camp from Eagle, Colorado, where he was attending a hearing for his sexual assault trial. Two years later, Bryant told reporters at the start of training camp that he was “OK” with Phil Jackson returning as the Lakers’ coach, despite Jackson’s claim that Bryant was “uncoachable” in his tell-all and previous feuds between Jackson and Bryant. Just last fall no one knew if Bryant would even be present at training camp after he spent the off-season bad-mouthing the organization.

So is there something in the water? Things are uncharacteristically quiet this year at the Lakers’ training camp, although small problems are nonetheless brewing. Odom and Jackson are bumping heads about the Lakers coach’s recent statement that Odom would come off the bench and fans are anxious to see how Bynum’s recovery will pan out. But still, the Lakers are favored to take home the NBA title this year and if things keep going like this it looks like smooth sailing. Nervous Celtics?

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Permalink - Posted in General on October 1, 2008 - Post a comment


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