Why The L.A. Lakers Should Start Ronny Turiaf & Move Luke Walton To BenchOctober 08 07 The Associated Press reports on the Lakers looking at making changes to their starting line-up:
Jackson said he was "seriously considering" starting Ronny Turiaf because of his high energy and shot-blocking ability. That could move Walton to the bench and Odom to small forward. Jackson said the response Saturday by some players was mixed. "It seems OK. It’s neither good nor bad," said Jackson, adding that "compliance is what I’m looking for." Walton said he just wants to help the team. "I have an interesting role on the team," he said. "For me, it’s not about scoring a certain amount of points or assists, it’s doing whatever is needed to help this team win."
My Quick Take: Last season, Luke Walton, as the starting small forward, provided energy and hustle. Ronny Turiaf, if he became the starting power forward, would provide the same energy and hustle. So why would Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson start Turiaf and move Walton to the bench? - Phil Jackson’s triple-post offense works best with a blue-collar power forward. And Turiaf’s hustle and effort surely reminds Zen-Master Phil of Horace Grant. Starting the Frenchman would give the Lakers a pest to grab offensive rebounds and set firm picks.
- With Walton as a reserve, Lamar Odom shifts from power forward to small forward. This makes sense because the lanky left-hander is a natural three-man. He likes his touches on the perimeter, where he can create for others and become that Scottie Pippen sort of player.
- Odom, Turiaf, and Andrew Bynum or Kwame Brown at center gives the Lakers a big, imposing front-court. They can dominate the glass and impose their will on opponents. Most importantly, they would have an identity-other than being Kobe Bryant’s team.
- Walton did a nice job as a starter last year: 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. But the Arizona grad’s strength is his basketball IQ. This is why Walton works best as a reserve. He can observe the play from the bench and make adjustments when he checks in.
Who should the Lakers start: Walton or Turiaf? Get at us in the comment box below with your numbers.
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Posted by
James Taylor
on 10.23.2007 | The starting lineup should be Fisher, Bryant,Mihm,Odom,and Turiaf. Luke Walton does have a high basketball IQ, he is not very athletic. He can’t guard most of the starting power forwards in the league. If this team plays defense and rebounds, they can make the playoffs, and possibly get past the first round. But they are not even close to being a championship team. . | Posted by
kobesteak
on 10.10.2007 | if mihm didn’t get hurt and was completely healthy, he’d be great to start at the 5...the starting lineup should be (if everyone was completely healthy): d-fish, kobe, odom, turiaf, mihm. this way the lakers have great subs off the bench for any one of those positions and aren’t over-working their starters...bynum is still too much of a baby, and well i’m sure we all agree that kwame is just plain horrible....and having luke come off the bench is a magnificent idea because odom plays best at teh 3 spot where he can create ridiculous mismatches...and if turiaf gets in some foul trouble or odom gets tired, or if the lakers need a little bit more offensive coordination, here comes luke off the bench and odom slides down to the 4...but of course, mihm isnt 100% yet...so i guess you’d prolly have to start bynum at the 5...oh and aside from kobe...the lakers always seem so dead and slow...turiaf is a monster with a surplus amount of energy that will pump the lakers up and get them going early on...kobe can’t be the only guy with fire in eyes . | Posted by
on 10.9.2007 | I like the Idea of putting turiaf at pf and moving walton to bench. Walton is a graet player and could sub in at most any position. Turiaf would dominate the boards and bring energy. so, that might work out . | Posted by
Gil Jackson Jr
on 10.8.2007 | You have to start Bynum for now, to boost this kids confidence, after the Kobe thing. I think Laker Guru’s lineup was fair. Really none of the Laker bigs have great offensive games except Mihm every once in awhile. The main scoring is gonna come from positions 1-3 regardless of who it is . | Posted by
on 10.8.2007 | Sorry Guru, but Bynum can’t play more than15 minutes a game. Are you gonna start him and then take him out after three or four minutes? What about when you make your subs, that would make the back up big-men Mihm and Turiaf—I’d like a little offense with my vegetables. . | Posted by
lakers
on 10.8.2007 | lakers should have gone after chris webber, even tho hes like 100 yrs old now. he is still better than baby bynum. butter fingered kwame, and ankle-less mihm . | Posted by
Got Clippers?
on 10.8.2007 | I to agree with the Laker Guru, he made a valid rotation, I think Phil and the Lakers could compete with that type of line up, and I don’t even like the Lakers . | Posted by
OS
on 10.8.2007 | I totally agree with you Laker Guru . | Posted by
Laker Guru
on 10.8.2007 | The Lakers starting line up should be: Fisher at PG, Kobe at SG, Lamar at SF, Kwmae at PF, and Bynum at C. The 6th man should be Walton, 7th man Turiaf, 8th man Mo Evans, Mihm 9th man, Farmar 10th man,Vladimir 11th man, and the 12th man Vujacic. Then let Cook, Crittenton,and Karl battle it out in practice to fight for an active roster spot, I feel that’s the Lakers best bet to keep a balance on the team, and puts them in the best position to be successful . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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