Lakers Finally Land Coach

Back from vacation. 

And maybe the 2004-2005 Lakers are finally taking shape. 

A big piece was FINALLY placed when the Lakers FINALLY officially named Rudy T as the new head coach.  This was the man that was first rumored to get the job when Phil Jackson left.  This was the man that was all but signed, sealed and delivered all week.  Here are a few of my takes over what the Lakers have been up to [or rumored to be up to] over the past week:

COACH K STAYING AT DOOK.  Fine with me.  As a UNC fan, I'd love to see a possible Dook crumbling with K's departure....but it is just as well to me if Roy Williams can ascend past Dook on Coach K's watch.  As a possible Laker coach....to me, it was VERY risky to have him as our coach.  He is unproven as a pro coach....and that means something with the lack of success that recent NCAA coaches have had making the leap.  The only thing that fit here was the greatness of the name on the marquee....but not much else.  Stay at Dook, Coach K.....just as Dean Smith stayed at Carolina.

SHAQ TO MIAMI.  I don't know about this deal.  Yes, it isn't a bad deal all things considered.  Shaq goes 3000 miles away to the Eastern Conference.  He goes to a team that has Eddie Jones and Dwayne Wade....but not much else.  We'd get Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and possibly a 1st rounder.  Well, Odom is a 15-10 guy who can handle the rock.  He'd be a nice player to have at the power forward spot.  Butler is a quick, athletic and tough guy who can come in at the SF.  Grant would "replace" Shaq at the center.  But, 10 days ago, we were all banking on a Shaq-for-Dirk, Nash and Walker deal.  None of the guys we are getting are in that class.  But, they all have bright futures and Odom is well on his way.  Another aspect that seems to be looming is the fact that this whole "trade" is going to go pretty slowly.  Possibly in an effort to give Cuban one last chance to throw up a real trade proposal.

THE 2004-2005 LAKER TEAM??  So, looking at the team....you'd have Payton, Bryant, Grant, Odom and Butler as your starters and [maybe] Malone, Fisher, Rush and George as the main reserves.  I think they'd let Slava walk and develop Cook and Walton to get more minutes.  Vujavic [sp] may get some run....especially if some kind of deal sends Payton out of town.  Fox may retire due to a logjam for minutes at his position.  But, this team looks to be the exact opposite of the past few seasons of Laker hoops.  A more of a running team.  Not so much like Dallas or Sacto...but maybe like Memphis. 

RUDY T AS THE NEW COACH.  A great hire.  I'm not going to go into how great of a coach he is...you know that.  But, from this personnel standpoint...he will let these Lakers get out more on the break.  He will let Kobe do much of what he wants.  Without a low-post presence, he won't demand, too much, of getting the ball inside....though Odom is capable of posting someone up.  I think Luke Walton could thrive.  Look what Matt Bullard did for those Rocket teams....and he's not half as basketball smart as Luke.  If Cook can block shots....he'll get lots of time.  If you prove you can contribure...he'll play you.  It will be a pleasant change from Phil Jackson...who didn't seem to know what his players were capable of during the playoffs.  But, realize that as much as Rudy tries to move around parts....he pretty much has a pretty short and set rotation when the playoffs roll around.