From: centeno@pasadena-dc.bofa.com (R. CENTENO)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: RE: Lakers are in Trouble
Date: 29 Dec 92 13:28:44 PDT
Organization: Bank America Systems Engineering, Pasadena, CA

>Well, it may soon be time for Jerry West to act. The optimism
>of a few weeks ago has been shattered completely. The offense
>has gone completely flat - with the exception of Sam Perkins, and
>occasionally James Edwards, NO ONE is scoring from the paint. The Lakers
>have gone to a perimeter game - perhaps not intentionally, but they
>are not getting anything else. The defensive intensity of a few weeks
>ago is GONE, Divac and Campbell have all but dissappeared at both ends
>of the floor. Edwards is too old to carry the inside scoring responsibilities
>himself, and Green and Perkins need Vlade and Campbell to carry their
>share.

I'm thiking Vlade, Worthy, and Scott for Hakeem and draft pic(s).  Vlade 
replaced by Hakeem, Scott replaced by Peeler/smith/cooper, and Worthy replaced
by Campbell. I think with moore playing time, Campbell will be a good player.
He has loads of raw talent.

>The loss last night in Miami was pathetic. The Lakers were marvelous
>during the first quarter and the first 4 minutes of the second, twice
>leading by 18. Then they went absolutely FLAT. Completely outplayed
>by those two "superstars", Harold Miner and Grant Long.

I was thinking that they should have been charged admission to the Miner/Long
show!!!!  Harold was absolutely great.  Being from LA, its great to see a
local play like that.  He looks like he will be a superstar.

>Sad irony: a large reason why the Lakers surged to the early lead
>was the play of James Worthy, who look as if he regained his touch
>last night. But after the first 18 min or so of the game, the
>team just gave up. The rest of the team failed to become inspired
>by Worthy's play - in fact, they may have gone back on their
>heels a bit and watched him, or perhaps became deferential to
>him instead of each player doing what was needed, when it was needed.

Your right.  Its sad that the others did not take cue from him, and play some
ball!!!  Scott returned, and played pretty well for his return.  He played 
the #3 guard, and produced for the limited time he was in.  Lets hope he
returns to his pre-injury form.

>What do the Lakers need? A true point guard, so that Sedale could start
>as offguard and average the consistent 20+ per night that he would
>if he didn't have the responsibility of running the offense. And
>a center who is tough and animated all of the time, instead of one
>who's tough and animated for a few weeks and then takes a month off.

I disagree.  Sedale is a true point guard.  He handles the ball extremely
well, and still created his own shots when he wants.  The point is...the off
guard, Peeler/Smith, need to be a threat so that Sedale is not covered at all
times.  Hopefully Scott will do this for him, but I will NOT hold my breath.
Personally, I think Peeler will eventually achieve this type of play, just 
needs to season more.  As fas as the Center goes, your right.


>Will West do something soon? My guess is that he won't. I suspect
>he'll wait until about midseason to see how things look before
>deciding if any changes are needed. In the meantime, we're along 
>for the ride.......

I think you are right here too.  He will see if they improve for a while, but
I think he will definately make some personel changes, and I think before the
All-Star Break (Watch out Vlade!!!).

>				R.S.

-Rob

Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro