While the Lakers recover from their “close but no cigar” championship season, many changes need to be made to push them over that hump.
Like many others who watched the NBA Finals, it was obvious to me that the Lakers did not have a solid defense. This is quite ironic considering the team has Kobe Bryant, a 2008 All-Defensive first-team guard, and not one but two seven-footers on the team.
With Andrew Bynum expected to come back next season, the team will have an imposing three seven-footers in the front court.
According to the Miami Herald, there was said to be an offer that sent Lamar Odom and Chris Mihm to the Heat for Shawn Marion. Marion might not be the seven-footer that Odom is, but he would bring in the talent that the Lakers need.
Odom was inconsistent throughout the playoffs. He would go on amazing scoring runs and be active in the offense, like in the first quarter of Game Four. Other times, nobody noticed he was on the court, i.e. the rest of Game Four.
Marion has always played well. During his days in Phoenix and Miami, he played well no matter who was on his team. When Amare Stoudemire went down in 2005, Marion boosted his numbers despite defenses who targeted him.
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Marion shot a higher three-point percentage over the last three years, including his stint with Phoenix where he took roughly 300 attempts (about four per game). Odom only shot about 180 attempts per season (two per game).
Marion is a more dependable scoring option than Odom.
Defensively, Odom has a bigger wingspan. In theory, this would make him the better defensive player. Not quite the case, as Odom has slow feet. He relies on his arms so much that quicker players can go right past him.
Marion, on the other hand, uses every part of his body to make the crucial stop. He isn’t the fastest player on the court, but he puts himself in a good position to stop his defender.
The Lakers can just look to last year’s champion, the Boston Celtics, for advice. The right combination of proven veterans brings home the title.
Marion would fit in with the Lakers’ roster. In the past with Miami and Phoenix, Marion never really was the superstar of the team. Those roles went to Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash, or Amare Stoudemire.
Marion never really complained during the season and did his job, and he can do that with the Lakers since it is Kobe Bryant’s team. His experience can help train the younger guys, such as Trevor Ariza, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton, or even Coby Karl, to develop into stronger role players.
Miami wouldn't really lose out as it is a team that lacks size. In addition to Miami draft pick Michael Beasley, Odom and Mihm would help out Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning in their front court.
Besides, Miami did pretty well in the 2004 playoffs when they had rookie Dwayne Wade and Lamar Odom. And contract-wise, everything supposedly checks out.
The Lakers need to call back Pat Riley and make this trade happen.
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4 months ago
That's a great article, and that WOULD be a good trade.
But, I don't really think this would happen because
the Lakers are focusing mostly on Ron Artest, and some
thought on Tayshaun Prince of the Pistons.
Thanks anyways, Marion for Odom is a very good idea. ;]
from 4 months ago
Sir,
I agree with Kobe about either one of them S. Marion or R. Artest fit for Kobe. So much rumor around and I, hope one of them is in the LA Laker uniform next season I love they Laker.
4 months ago
i agree with Kobe. The Marion trade although appealing is not going to happen. The Artest situation looks more promising especially taking into consideration his comments from this weekend to ESPN's Marc Stein, he wants to be here and thinks that PJ could bring the best out of him.
On the Artest trade I am 60/40 in favor of it due in part because LO has raised my Blood Pressure so many times in the last 3 years, that I am ready for a change and am tired of the excuses.
Bynum in the middle and Artest's agressive savy defense could also help to mentor the guys on the bench like Trevor and Jordon.
Great article though, I've always like Marion and felt that Phoenix shot themselves in the foot for trading him and the playoffs were a good example of that.
4 months ago
I understand the defensive focus in getting Prince or Artest, but the Lakers still need some offensive firepower. Not that I'm against either player, but I think Marion would be a better choice between the three. After all, they do play in the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles. Besides, I like the Lakers with three scoring options (Kobe, Gasol, Marion) rather than two. I don't think Bynum is ready to post a 20-10, but 13-8 is do able.
4 months ago
Great article, enjoyed reading it. I agree...the Lakers definitely need to shape up their defense.
4 months ago
Great article. Definitely agree that the Lakers need to shape up in terms of defense.
4 months ago
"The Lakers can just look to last year’s champion, the Boston Celtics, for advice. The right combination of proven veterans brings home the title. "
Unless you aren't calling Karl Malone and Gary Payton proven veterans, with Kobe and Shaq, I think Lakers went the but a title route about 4 years ago. What works for one franchise doesn't always work for another.
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"In addition to Miami draft pick Michael Beasley, Odom and Mihm would help out Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning in their front court. "
You think Mourning will be back? Props to Mourning if he can come back, but we will see.
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I think T-Wolves should start to get some star players huh? Good article man!
from 4 months ago
The problem with Malone, Payton, Kobe, Shaq, was that in those days, Kobe and Shaq were focused on their own careers before winning the championship. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and KG all had close but no cigar years with their former teams. Payton and Malone had that and were all about winning. Kobe and Shaq already had their rings which may have added to their over confidence.
Even if Mourning does not come back, the Heat still need some size...Unless they start running like the old Phoenix Suns.
I still havent figured out what McHale is doing. Kevin Love-Al Jefferson combo should be fun to watch. Their guards now have some experience so hopefully they can reproduce some of their success from their college days.
3 months ago
I love this article i think the Lakers can pull this off if they were to call back Pat Riley i hop they do
3 months ago
it is not gone hapen
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