Monday Morning Fresh w/Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld.com

Warriors World

The Warriors started the week in impressive fashion as they took care of the Boston Celtics at home with a 103-99 win.  Led by Monta Ellis, the Warriors erased a double digit first quarter deficit by halftime and never looked back.   The following night the Warriors made their way to the City of Angels to take on the Lakers.  The Warriors came out firing as they put together a phenomenal first half paced by Corey Maggette who torched the Lakers in the first half.  Unfortunately, like many games this season the Warriors were unable to sustain their good play for the entirety of the game.  The Lakers won the game behind Kobe Bryant and his big night.

Ronny tells Kobe to get lost

With two pretty good performances earlier in the week the Warriors looked at the Blazers game as a potential laugher.  The Blazers were missing 6 rotation players highlighted by Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge.  The Blazers gave the Warriors an embarrassing loss considering how short handed the Blazers were and how well the Warriors looked in the first quarter.  Following the first quarter, Portland completely shut down the Warriors offense and forced a comedy of turnovers which led to easy buckets on the other end.

WarriorsWorld TV headed to Warriors HQ to sit-down with Anthony Morrow.  In the piece which will be posted later on this week, we get to the bottom of Morrow’s competitiveness, who he thinks is the best shooter and how he’s adjusted to life in the Bay Area.  Morrow also plays a little 1 on 1 with our host, Lucena Herrera.

Quick Hits on the Lakers with Eric Pincus of Hoopsworld.com

WW.NET: How vital is Gasol to the Lakers success? And just how good of a player is he because I consider him a top 5 big man yet he’s overlooked by many.

E.P.: Outside of Kobe Bryant, what makes the Lakers unique is their trio of big men Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom and Gasol.  I’m not sure the teams is a true championship squad without all three.  Pau is the most polished and consistent of the group.  He’s so versatile offensively but has always been an underrated defender.

Back in the days when the Memphis Grizzlies were a 50-win playoff team (not that they won any postseason contests), they were a regular season defensive powerhouse.  I’m not going to credit that all to Gasol, but he’s no slough.  As you say, list five big men in today’s game more effective than Gasol?

WW.NET:Kobe is discussing signing a contract extension which has reportedly been worth $91 million dollars over 3 years.  Is there any way Kobe doesn’t re-up with the Lakers?

E.P.: From what I understand, the Lakers are completely willing to give Bryant an extension but his camp is moving slowly.  Technically Kobe may be able to lock in more guaranteed money if he waits until this summer to become a free agent.  There are different rules when it comes to extending vs. signing a new deal outright.  With the Collective Bargaining Agreement in flux, I could see Bryant holding off until the offseason.  I would be shocked if he left the franchise as a free agent.

WW.NET: How has Kobe transitioned from being a difficult and abrasive teammate to more of a nurturing leader nowadays?  Is there a more mentally tough player in the NBA?

E.P.: Kobe has matured some.  He’s not all glares and stares.  I mean – that’s still there – but he spent a lot of time last year mentoring guys like Trevor Ariza.  A few years back he seemed to be more isolated.   I think some of it is better players alongside him – but also Bryant growing up some.

I’ve spoken to Gary Vitti about Kobe.  The Laker trainer said that Bryant is the toughest player he’s ever worked with – bar none.  There’s no one who can handle pain like Kobe.

WW.NET: Ron Artest has settled in quite nicely with the Lakers as he’s accepted his role and played within himself. Will we ever get to a point where fans and media are not simply waiting or expecting Ron Ron to flip out in a fashion reminiscent of what took place in the Palace of Auburn Hills?

E.P.: They can wait – and it may always be something Ron has to deal with – but people forget that Shaquille O’Neal was considered a bust until he won a ring – Kobe Bryant was never going to win again once Shaq left – Kevin Garnett would never win a title, etc.  Thing are true until they’re not true anymore.

WW.NET: If the Lakers have a weakness, its the bench unit.  Are they looking to upgrade their bench and who are some realistic targets?

E.P.: Coach Phil Jackson has been typically running an eight man rotation with the starters plus Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar.  Once Luke Walton is healthy (back), Jackson will go nine.

Long term the team is set at four positions plus Odom.  How they proceed moving forward at the point guard position remains to be seen.  Derek Fisher has indicated he’d like to return.  Jordan Farmar will be a restricted free agent and while he’s probably playing his best right now for the team – he’s not really a fit.

If the Lakers could get their hands on a Kirk Hinrich while simultaneously dumping off Sasha Vujacic’s contract (along with the expiring one of Adam Morrison) and possibly include Farmar – I could see LA making a move.  The Chicago Bulls are struggling.  Hinrich is expensive and hasn’t put up good numbers which has reduced his value.  A Laker deal might help the Bulls get further under the cap this coming summer – although I doubt they have any interest in Vujacic – and that might be a requirement on the LA side based on finances alone.

A couple of other names I’ve heard bantered about loosely are Kurt Thomas and Chris Duhon – but I would say it’s more likely than not the Lakers just hold firm and figure out their point guard question after the season.

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