In this edition of the NBA PM: Kobe Bryant and the Lakers need Pau Gasol back soon…Wally's run may be over at this point…More Stephen Jackson trade talk…HOOPSWORLD chats.
Lakers Lack Pau's Defensive Punch: The Los Angeles Lakers pulled out a gutty win last night against the Houston Rockets, winning 103-102 on the road and in overtime. However, as HOOPSWORLD's Bill Ingram tweeted, Rocket fans have plenty to be proud about with the team's performance, playing with serious heart and grit to take the defending champs to the brink of their second loss on the season.
But as proud as Rocket fans should be, Laker fans should be equally concerned with the way the team is performing.
Last night's game was a great indicator of some of the early-season woes for the Lake Show, giving up 17 offensive rebounds to a squad that didn't even dress a player taller than 6-11 (and that was Australian rookie, David Andersen, who only played for six minutes). The Lakers, with Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum primarily playing at the 4 and 5, were abused by Chuck Hayes (14 points on 7-9 shooting and 14 rebounds) and Carl Landry (20 points on 9-12 shooting and 8 rebounds), shedding light on the importance of Pau Gasol (nursing a hamstring injury) on the defensive end.
Let's face it and be honest – Gasol isn't known for his prowess on the defensive end, but the Lakers clearly needed him last night. They were out-hustled, outworked, and outgunned on the inside. Gasol is also needed to help mitigate some of the pressure opposing point guards are putting on the Laker defense when they blow by Derek Fisher on the perimeter. Without Gasol's length to disrupt passing lanes and alter shots, the Lakers are struggling to contain quicker guards.
Sure, they may have just ran into an inspired Houston squad, but the Rockets had no business leading that game late in the fourth quarter before the Lakers pulled away in overtime. Gasol is expected to return on Friday (against Memphis) or Sunday (against New Orleans) and the Lakers won't be happier to see their bearded big man back on the court.
The End of Wally World?: Wally Szczerbiak's playing days may have come to an end, the free agent swingman admitted to the New York Post. Szczerbiak told Marc Berman of the newspaper that he had a third knee surgery three weeks ago and doctors have told him that his knee lacks the cartilage needed to sustain another knee injury.
"I'm not ready to sign my retirement papers yet," Szczerbiak told the paper. "The doctors have their opinions. I'm getting my body right and see where that takes me. Basketball has been very generous to me financially. It's not about the money."
The implication there? It seems like Szczerbiak is willing to take the Veteran's Minimum at this point if it means he can continue playing the game he loves. Szczerbiak's $63-million deal expired this past summer and he is still widely considered to be one of the more talented players still on the market.
His shooting ability and veteran leadership would be welcome on several teams. Realistically, Szczerbiak would only want to go to a team that is after a ring, so which contenders out there would Szczerbiak fit in with?
There's a lot to speculate out there, but a possibility could be the Toronto Raptors. After trading Jason Kapono away, the team doesn't have a great outside shooting threat beyond Hedo Turkoglu or the still-developing Marco Belinelli (read: unreliable) and Szczerbiak, if he decides to return despite his doctors' warnings, could give them a piece to work with off the bench.
Should Wally opt for retirement so he can spend time with his kids and family, what will his legacy be? He certainly isn't a Hall-of-Famer, but how will you remember Szczerbiak's career? Leave a comment to let us know.
