Kurt Rambis, ex-Laker player and a new assistant coach for Mike D'Antoni, has surveyed the team's roster and delivered some bad news: the team isn't built to run.
"The [Lakers] still have big people and I think you have to take advantage of the big people," Rambis told The Los Angeles Times. "You can't ignore them because they are an asset to your offense."
Later in the conversation Rambis said, "You need guys that can really get out and fill the wings because that pushes the defense down," said Rambis. "That's not necessarily the way that you would look at this team and describe them. You might say that with Nick Young, but it's not necessarily Kobe's forte nor was it Metta World Peace 's forte last year."
Rambis' assessment backs up what departed center Dwight Howard reportedly felt when he decided Los Angeles was not the best fit for him. As a post player, Howard demanded touches in the paint while D'Antoni favored running the floor and jacking up 3-pointers.
The comments made by Rambis could also fuel speculation that he's truly on the side of Phil Jackson, despite professing loyalty to D'Antoni. Rambis has a relationship with both Jackson and D'Antoni; as a head coach Rambis did use a version of Jackson's triangle offense.
Regardless of whose side Rambis may be on, his point that Los Angeles needed to better utilize its big men last season was borne out. Howard is gone now, so D'Antoni must repair his relationship with Pau Gasol, whom he shunted to the bench after he struggled to share the floor with Howard.
Gasol is the far more gifted offensive player; he has a wide variety of post moves, better touch around the bucket, and a lethal midrange jump shot. If Kobe Bryant misses significant time with his ruptured Achilles tendon, or has to come along slowly early in the year, Gasol will likely become the focal point of the Lakers' offense.
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