NBA Rumors: Mickael Pietrus Would Help to Strengthen Lakers' Second Unit
The best second units in the NBA pride themselves on defense. Adding Mickael Pietrus to the Los Angeles Lakers' bench would make the team's reserve units a tighter defensive group.
Per Marcus Spears of Yahoo! Sports, the Lakers are interested in signing the veteran swingman.
"Add Mickael Pietrus to list of FA guards @lakers inquired about recently,source tells Y! @wojyahoonba reported LAL interest in Raja Bell,too
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) November 24, 2012"
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The major talent is in place for the Los Angeles Lakers, they just need to obtain chemistry and a firm identity. The second unit needs to establish themselves, and Pietrus' defense and toughness would be a great addition.
He could obviously spell Kobe Bryant—which will be increasingly important as the season progresses—but he can also give Metta World Peace a blow at the small forward position. Pietrus is familiar with the style of play Mike D'Antoni has brought to Los Angeles.
Pietrus spent a brief stint playing for the Phoenix Suns under Alvin Gentry. Gentry's offensive approach is very similar to D'Antoni's. Pietrus has a sizable amount of playoff experience, which is also an attractive quality for a team that plans to advance deep into the postseason.
Pietrus' ability to knock down the three is also compatible with the Lakers' stars. He averages 8.4 points per game for his career, and he shoots a very respectable 35 percent from beyond the arc.
The Lakers should remember how effective Pietrus can be in the postseason. Though the Lakers knocked off the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals, Pietrus defended Bryant as well as anyone could.
He also scored scored 10.5 points per game in the postseason that year.
The Lakers would love to be able to put Pietrus on a tough defensive assignment to give Bryant a break on the defensive end.
Championship teams have players like Pietrus on their bench. The Lakers would be wise to secure his services early in the season.
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