Why havent you been able to build a bench in years?

[ThunderousDemon]

I know this is off-topic, but thought I should mention it anyways.

Via ChrisPalmer
Derek Fisher deserves a statue. Even if it's in a broom closet.

[J4KOP99]

Implicit in the question is the idea that building a pro-basketball bench is like building a house. It's not. When you build a house all the variables are known: you just have to purchase the right parts and assemble them correctly.

Bench players, like starters, are often a gamble. Are they good, but currently in the wrong system? Did they play their heart out in a contract year, and now that they're getting paid they don't really care any more? What about injuries -- are they telling you what's wrong with them, or hiding injuries to keep from being cut?

There's no science to building a bench. You bring players in that you think will help, and if they help you keep them. If not, you send them packing. The Lakers brought in an almost entirely new bench two years ago, and unfortunately almost nobody from that group proved to have staying power. So now we're onto the next group.

If the Lakers starters click when they're all healthy, I suspect the Lakers bench will suddenly look a whole lot better. If Jamison proves to be more consistent, if Meeks' streaks even out, and if Hill learns how to harness his bounce in spot minutes, suddenly the Lakers may be looking very strong through nine deep with Blake. Until the Lakers starters take control of the team, however, the bench is almost certainly going to look weak.

where'd you go for a week and a half GG? I was asking about you in the last game thread. When Pau went down, it seemed you did too. I started to get a little curious...

[Pearljammer II]

Two reason:
1) So much salary locked up in a couple of players: Kobe $27 mill, Pau $19 mill, Dwight $17 mill, Nash $8 mill... thats over $70 mill on just 4 players... that's more than most other TEAMS in the NBA .. not much left over to get 8 more players on the bench

2) Since Lakers win so much... they only get draft picks in low first round (exception year they drafted Bynum) or 2nd round... on top of that FO has traded so many first rounders in trades (example Nash, we gave up 3 first round picks).

ergo ... crappy bench ....

[Cali4rnia]

its a simple answer you pay your starter so much money that its hard to get a bench player that plays for free.

[Tymathee]

the lakers haven't really had a bench in a long long time.

When you focus more up front, you're not going to get much off the bench.

Also, Mitch tends to get rid of his picks, always picking late. The focus is more on star power.

[GailGoodrich]

where'd you go for a week and a half GG? I was asking about you in the last game thread. When Pau went down, it seemed you did too. I started to get a little curious...

There was no point pissing into the wind about Pau or what was ailing the Lakers. Sometimes you can help drive a conversation, other times you're just going to get shouted down. I got tired of the witch-hunt against Pau, and the way in which too many people were excusing other issues and players.

http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/sho...4&postcount=55

[LAKobeBryant]

i miss

farmer
brown
sasha
odom
bmenga/powell

[24KOBE24]

our new bench...make it happen MITCH make it HAPPEN.

I dont know if I'm dreaming, or if I'm the next genius GM lol.

im having too much fun here...

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bf4bqfb

omfg…

TO LA :

Deng, Calderon, Derozen, Taj Gibson

To Bulls:

Pau, Bargs, T Ross

To Toronto:

Boozer, MWP, Blake, Meeks, M. Teague, D Johnson-Odom

[LAKobeBryant]

our new bench...make it happen MITCH make it HAPPEN.

I dont know if I'm dreaming, or if I'm the next genius GM lol.

im having too much fun here...

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bf4bqfb

omfg…

TO LA :

Deng, Calderon, Derozen, Taj Gibson

To Bulls:

Pau, Bargs, T Ross

To Toronto:

Boozer, MWP, Blake, Meeks, M. Teague, D Johnson-Odom

LA - need guys to stretch the floor
Bulls - what are they doing with three 7 footers?
Toronto - their rebuilding not stacking up 30 year olds to contend for a championship

[lakers4sho]

Wasn't Chronz a Laker fan?

yes he was, but not here in PSD

[amos1er]

Jim Buss.

[amos1er]

Wasn't Chronz a Laker fan?

He is a Clippers fan.

[popo85]

The first mistake was signing for Blake then it went all downhill from there

[amos1er]

The first mistake was signing for Blake then it went all downhill from there

No, the first mistake was back in the early 2000's when Jerry Buss agreed to let his no good son succeed him. Since then he has managed to chase away of all the great people in this organization that are responsible for getting all those banners on the wall. It's been a downward spiral ever since.

[deadman8586]

The first mistake was signing for Blake then it went all downhill from there

That was Phil's and your guys fault for that.