Honestly, through 3 games, it's been better than I expected. Xavier Henry has a little "it" factor to him. (even though he shoots it every time he touches it). It's good to have Jordan Farmar back (even though his body language is AWFUL at times). And, of course, it feels great to not have Dwight out there. If you would have told me prior to the season that we would win 1 of these first 3 games vs. the Clippers, Warriors, and Spurs with this crackerjack crew of no-names, I would have gladly taken the 1-2 mark. Also, if you would have told me prior to the season that Xavier Henry would be the first player mentioned in this season's blog, I would have crawled in a hole. Gosh...I can't believe this season is about to happen.
My low expectations, however, are only temporary and only low by Laker standards. I'm certainly going to drive myself nuts watching this team fully knowing that they are over-matched. Despite this obvious truth, I still can't tolerate Jordan Hill inexplicably on the bench for the vast majority of games. (Seriously, why not play this guy? He always makes an impact, the crowd loves him, and we've played our best minutes this season with him on the floor. I don't get it). I still can't tolerate embarrassing shot selection and lack of defensive focus (I hope you are reading this Wesley Johnson). And, most of all, I can't tolerate the shenanigans surrounding one Steve Nash--Public Enemy #1 of the 2013-2014 season.
Let's get something straight here. We traded 2 first round picks for this guy. The front office stuck their necks out and made the most controversial coaching hire in franchise history to cater to this guys talents. We invested a ton to have this guy be our answer to Westbrook, CP3, Tony Parker and all the other super guards out there. In return, he has literally given the Lakers NOTHING and he is undoubtedly the third best PG on the team. Despite a few timely spot up jumpers during the course of last season, he has been an embarrassment. He's a total liability on defense to the point that it's practically 4 on 5. And on offense, he regularly looks like a JV player playing against the Varsity team. He gets trapped, bullied, out-manchilded and eventually has turnovers that look like what I would do against NBA players. Oh yeah....make a shot every once in a while!
Also, what's up with this whole health, injury, resting on back-to-backs thing? All I heard all off-season was how Nash was in peak shape and felt great and was ready for the season and was fully recovered and blah blah blah. Then, suddenly when training camp rolls around, all I hear about is this nick and that bruise and this ankle and a sore neck and you name it.
Adding insult to injury, the team decided to rest him against G-State after playing only 20 minutes the night before against the Clippers. I sort of get the whole resting on back-to-backs thing...but after only 20 minutes!? Isn't a benefit of having a productive bench supposed to be that you can then play a guy like Nash efficient minutes every night? You are paying this guy $9 million, hired a coach for him, and traded 2 first rounders for him and he can't do his job 2 nights in a row even when he hardly worked the first night?? I wish my job was like that. Oh yeah...AND it's the second game of the season! The guy hasn't played a meaningful game in 6 months and he already needs to be taking special rests? It's not like it's game #65 and he's feeling the wear and tear of the season. It's game 2 of 82!! Oh yeah...AND Kobe isn't even playing yet. Wouldn't it make sense to use up some of Nash's miles when Kobe is out and then rest him when Kobe is back in control? If you are really serious about winning games and making the postseason, wouldn't playing Nash make sense? I don't get it. I just don't get it.
So what did we save him for? We saved him for a 23 minutes of 1-8 shooting vs. San Antonio. Good thing we did that, huh? He even missed a FT which he never does. Clearly, he's out of rhythm....FROM NOT PLAYING!! We saved him for 23 minutes 3 nights after he played 20! He's a damn professional athlete making $9 million! Someone has to explain this to me. The investment the Lakers made in this guy, what he is capable of doing, and what they are allowing him to do just doesn't add up. I just don't get it.
Anyway...big week coming up. Gut-check at home vs. Atlanta then a 3-game roadie at Dallas, Houston, and New Orleans. I'm calling 1-3 with at least one really embarrassing performance. It's all about staying around .500 before Kobe comes back. Let's hope that happens by Thanksgiving!
In the meantime, this team can use Nick Van Exel.
