Our Bench has arrived...

[Rocco007]

If you add Gasol and Hill, this all of a sudden looks like the best bench in the NBA??...The way these guys are shooting, I would say they're in the conversation....My how times have changed...D'Antoni deserves some credit...

Blake
Meeks
Jamison
Hill
Gasol

Second Unit Providing A Lift
Published by Trevor Wong on March 2, 2013 3:10 pm in Practice News.

In Thursday’s 116-94 win over Minnesota, the bench combined for 52 points, 46 of which came from Steve Blake, Antawn Jamison and Jodie Meeks.

“We’re playing with the ultimate confidence,” Jamison said postgame. “We’re relying on each other. We know what our roles are.”

Post Saturday’s practice, the 15-year veteran elaborated on the bench’s play.

“We have chemistry and a closeness with each other,” Jamison explained. “That’s been the difference as far as my play and the way the second unit has been playing.”

Their roles, as Jamison noted, are more defined compared to a couple months ago. With coach Mike D’Antoni transitioning in and trying to implement a new system less than a month into the season, he also had the task of mixing and matching the right combination of player lineups.

“The hardest thing was having to go through the whole bench to find the combinations of what I liked, and who I liked,” D’Antoni told Lakers.com’s Mike Trudell in early February.

Jamison sat six straight games because of DNP-CD’s in late December and early January. Meeks found playing time sporadically during one stretch in January sitting out two games, while seeing less than 10 minutes of court time in seven others. Darius Morris was in and out of the starting lineup. All the while, Blake was recovering from abdominal surgery, Steve Nash was healing from a lower left leg fracture and the Lakers lost Jordan Hill to season-ending hip surgery in the process, too.

“There was just a lot of stuff we didn’t get traction,” D’Antoni said. “There were a lot of injuries and a lot of things just didn’t go well.

Times are much different now.

L.A. has won 12 of their last 17 to pull within one game of the .500 mark at 29-30, and sit just two-and-a-half games back of the final playoff spot.

“We really had to be patient,” Jamison said. “We knew we weren’t playing up to our standards and what we were capable of doing.”

That patient approach, has, in fact, helped aid in the Lakers turnaround – especially the play of the second unit.

During the month of February, Jamison averaged 13.2 points on 48.5 percent field goals, while also hitting one 3-pointer in 12 of 13 contests. Meeks poured in 9.2 points and nailed 23 triples at a 41.8 percent clip.

Blake averaged 5.8 points and 3.4 assists on 46.6 percent field goals and 45.5 percent from the 3-point line, but his impact on the court cannot be understated, even though the numbers don’t show up in the box score.

“He’s getting more comfortable with the team and what we do,” D’Antoni said of Blake after Saturday’s practice. “He is a very disciplined player. Defensively, he’s always in the right spots. He’s tough. He settles us down offensively. He’s always trying to make the right play. Sometimes you won’t see it if you don’t watch film and what we’re trying to do. But if you’re a coach, you appreciate all the intangibles he brings.”

Since Blake returned from abdominal surgery on Jan. 29 against New Orleans, the Lakers have posted a 10-5 record. In those 10 wins, the Lakers have posted a defensive rating of 96.6. Extrapolate that to an entire season and that would rank second in the NBA behind the Indiana Pacers.

Continuing that type of play over the next 23 games is the key, but even D’Antoni acknowledged this is the most comfortable he’s felt about the Lakers performance all year long.

“Without a doubt,” he said. “We’re finally figuring out rotations and getting guys comfortable and where they fit. It’s just trying to figure out what fits better. Obviously there were some problems before trying to figure out what this team needs to win. But I think we’ve got a pretty good formula down.”

- See more at: http://blog.lakers.com/lakers/2013/0....Istx10sF.dpuf

[Sssmush]

Its not too late for Dantoni. 23 more games, lets see what happens. I still say Kobe is carrying this team right now with Nash, but Dantoni is closer to redemption

[Sssmush]

Possible redemption. Maybe he was on crazy pain meds for his knee all year or something, thats the best we can say, but maybe now he shows what he can do, shows why Kobe and Nash and kupchak had faith in him

[Hitman 3:16]

Question for everyone.


Do you think Blake, Meeks and Jamison can prove to be the Fisher, Fox and Horry come playoff time?

[GREATNESS ONE]

Only way he saves himself is to make the Finals and win it all.

[GREATNESS ONE]

Question for everyone.


Do you think Blake, Meeks and Jamison can prove to be the Fisher, Fox and Horry come playoff time?

I sure hope so, I'm still holding onto the belief that the return of Gasol. Will be the difference maker for the bench/team and just enough to upset a few teams come playoff time.

[Sssmush]

Well if it all just suddenly come together we have to say he survived the storm, but that is bot for sure. Just making the playofs is a lock and doesnt mean much

[Rocco007]

Question for everyone.


Do you think Blake, Meeks and Jamison can prove to be the Fisher, Fox and Horry come playoff time?

I think all 3 guys have the cojones and the game to make big plays...now they just have to go out and do it...Blake choked last year vs OKC... hopefully a learning experience...

[GetShrutedOn]

Kind of a moot point since Hill won't be back at all and Gasol is out the rest of the regular season. So Blake, Meeks, Jamison is what were rolling with. I don't really consider that a solid bench at all. Jamison has proved he can be consistent, but Meeks and Blake just aren't. Also, we won't have the best bench next year either because Jamison will likely be gone and who knows what is going to happen with Gasol. He has trade written all over him.

[Mr_Jones]

I'll be shocked if they play well later in the season.

They appear just so inconsistent.

[Hitman 3:16]

I'll be shocked if they play well later in the season.

They appear just so inconsistent.

Perhaps with set rotation, set minutes and defined roles, that'll translate into consistent play?

[Mr_Jones]

Perhaps with set rotation, set minutes and defined roles, that'll translate into consistent play?

I'd hope.

[Showtime Steve]

I think when gasol returns it will mess us up again. His mins have to come from someone. If he is with bench unit he will want no1 option.

[Hitman 3:16]

I think when gasol returns it will mess us up again. His mins have to come from someone. If he is with bench unit he will want no1 option.

He should take the minutes from whoever starts off slow and is having a bad game (either Clark or World Peace). But bench minutes for Blake, Jamison and Meeks should stay consistent.

[GREATNESS ONE]

He should play starter minutes off the bench be the #1 option when he subs in for Dwight and dominate every back-up big any team can throw at him. Pau needs to bring it for us to go deep in the playoffs.