[inukawaii8Participant]

As the Lakers are cruising through the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, one question has been brought up again and again. That is, since Odom has been playing extremely well with this starting units, when Bynum is healthy, do the Lakers put him right back into the starting lineup or do they use him as a 6^th man? I think the Lakers should do the latter.

1. Phil Jackson has stated in the preseason that if Bynum is finally back fully healthy, the Lakers would consider playing him sparingly, as in play him maybe 20 – 25 mins per game, to prevent Bynum from getting injured again. If that is the case, why play Bynum with the first unit that has so many offensive powers when the Lakers can probably slot him in with the second unit and get probably the maximum offensive production from him.

2. Furthermore, the Lakers’ second unit needs a scoring big man. When watching Lakers second unit play, they rely on their guards and wing players to create the shot and score. Although they are decent rebounders and defenders, both Caracter and Ratliff are not capable of scoring inside themselves. Therefore, by putting Bynum in the second unit instead of Odom, it gives the second unit a big man to work with down low all the time since Odom, from time to time, would stay out of the key.

3. Before this season, the second unit of Lakers uses Odom often to dribble up the court and control the tempo of the game. This season, they do not need to rely on Odom since they have brought in a good triangle point guard in Steve Blake.

4. Basketball is all about rhythm and chemistry. Odom has already developed such great rhythm and chemistry with this first team unit, why take the risk of putting him back into the second unit.

Nonetheless, no matter what Phil decides to do, the Lakers are a force to be reckoned with.

 

[magmo68Participant]

…Judging by Phils comments about Bynum and how well Odum is playing with the 1st unit i dont think he will start Bynum when he returns

[magmo68Participant]

…Judging by Phils comments about Bynum and how well Odum is playing with the 1st unit i dont think he will start Bynum when he returns

[llperez]

i agree about keeping odom in the starting lineup. But phil said recently that he thinks it could be tough for bynum to get warmed up before the game and then to sit down for the first 15 minutes and have his knee get stiff so he will probably start him. Either way, odom will end up plyaing more minutes and finishing games.

[llperez]

i agree about keeping odom in the starting lineup. But phil said recently that he thinks it could be tough for bynum to get warmed up before the game and then to sit down for the first 15 minutes and have his knee get stiff so he will probably start him. Either way, odom will end up plyaing more minutes and finishing games.

[SupParticipant]

Phil will start Bynum, when he is 100 percent. Bynum is a young up and coming center, if you make him a "6th man" he will leave the Lakers. I don’t even think that call is in Phil’s hands but who cares anyway it’s about how many minutes you play.

Seriously though who cares, they are both millionaires living in LA about to 3 peat.

[SupParticipant]

Phil will start Bynum, when he is 100 percent. Bynum is a young up and coming center, if you make him a "6th man" he will leave the Lakers. I don’t even think that call is in Phil’s hands but who cares anyway it’s about how many minutes you play.

Seriously though who cares, they are both millionaires living in LA about to 3 peat.

[TooNice4TVParticipant]

 I think that is a good statement.. but come playoff time the Odom-Gasol front court won’t win you a championship.

Bynum and Gasol’s size are a force to be reckoned with in the post-season. 

I surprise myself by saying this, but it also might be true: The lakers might have gotten eliminated if Bynum wasn’t playing. He was a difference maker against the Thunder while he was on the floor. 

I think their rotation of starting Gasol and Bynum is ultimately their best. I mean, aren’t they 2/2 in championship series?

Gasol/Bynum -2

Gasol/Odom – 0

[TooNice4TVParticipant]

 I think that is a good statement.. but come playoff time the Odom-Gasol front court won’t win you a championship.

Bynum and Gasol’s size are a force to be reckoned with in the post-season. 

I surprise myself by saying this, but it also might be true: The lakers might have gotten eliminated if Bynum wasn’t playing. He was a difference maker against the Thunder while he was on the floor. 

I think their rotation of starting Gasol and Bynum is ultimately their best. I mean, aren’t they 2/2 in championship series?

Gasol/Bynum -2

Gasol/Odom – 0

[Author]

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