It has been pretty obvious this season that Vladimir Radmanovic has not lived up to expectations as a starter for the Lakers.
The Lakers are 8-1 so far and have been pretty solid all around this season, but Vlad's stats have been anything but good through nine games.
In preseason, Phil Jackson decided to have Lamar Odom come off the bench. Personally I thought it was a great idea, mostly because he isn't the best outside shooter like Vlad or Trevor Ariza. With Andrew Bynum back healthy and Pau Gasol now at power forward, there would be a lot more open looks for good outside shooters on the floor.
Derek Fisher has proven over the years that he can shoot from beyond the arc. Even his backup, Jordan Farmar, can shoot well from deep. Kobe Bryant still holds the record for most threes in an NBA game with 12 (tied with Donyell Marshall), so you know Kobe can shoot the long ball.
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Sasha Vujacic was given a big contract in the off season just because he is a good outside shooter—and finally, Vlad shoots the three as good as anyone on the Lakers with his sweet-looking high arc threes.
The problem is that Lamar Odom just isn't the best shooter. He can hit a shot on occasion, but he is more of a playmaker in the paint, with his long wing span and quick post moves. So hitting the three isn't something he is used to doing like the rest of the Lakers—and for good reason. He definitely a bigger penetrating threat than he is with a spot-up shot.
That being said, while Phil Jackson's decision to put Vlad in the starting lineup instead of LO makes sense, Vlad has become increasingly inconsistent in shooting the basketball, and therefore might be sent to the bench in favor of Ariza or Odom.
Personally, I think it is too early to make the change. When you give a player more shots, regardless of whether he is a shooter, you can expect him to miss a lot of shots in the beginning before he adjusts to his new role on the squad.
Who knows what will happen? But I think you if give any professional time to work out the kinks in his game, you will see it pay off in the long run.
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about 1 month ago
i remember vlad with the sonics..the man was a 3 ball machine.i think maybe his short stay with the clippers zapped his juice..he has been nothing if not inconsistant since.odom is a blessing off the bench as is ariza.its so bad ass to be able to sit your starters and bring in guys like odom,ariza,farmar,sasha,even mihm who was a starter before he went on the injured list.what like 2 seasons ago.what will keep vlad in the starting lineup as opposed to arize or odom..is his defense which he focused on in the offseason and is visibly improved and the thought that any rainbow he hurls very well might find the bottom of the net.his reputation will continue to stretch the defense even if his shots dont fall..but if he doesnt find his shot soon that will change..going 5 or 6 against the suns is a good start in the right direction..dont forget also that its still forever til the trade deadline and guys like vlad,odom,walton,powell,mihm..could all end up trade bait too..wgile id hate to see any of them go.odom is the only one i cant see trading.no matter the return..hes to important to this team.hes a master facilitater and does all the things you dont see in the stats even on off nights..plus he ties the second unit together,lending them his starter abilities.unfortunately odom has been subject of trade talks almost constantly since he was aquired as part of that package for shaq and i have a feeling the axe will fall sooner or later.keep in mind the lakers resigned sasha and and locked bynum in for 2 more years leaving the lakers with very little cash to spend and odom coming up on renegotiation time.
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