The Finals Hinges on Lakers “Space Cadet”
L.A. Times writer Bill Plaschke has an article this morning about one of the most important Lakers players in this Finals series, Vladimir Radmanovic.
It’s not exactly a glowing piece – Plaschke basically spends the entire article outlining what a knucklehead Radmanovic is and how he’s going to be tasked with dealing with Paul Pierce:
You know how coaches are always talking about the importance of spacing?
Jackson once called Radmanovic a “space cadet.”
And he’s guarding Paul Pierce?
The coach has publicly, if not seriously, urged his erratically gifted forward to seek professional help.“No one has been able to do anything with [his] head for a while,” Jackson said. “Something is wrong with it.”
And he’s guarding, well, you know.
The most delicious part of it all is that Pierce’s nickname is “the Truth” and he’s being guarded by a guy whose most celebrated Lakers move has been a lie.
To read the whole thing, go HERE.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Oscarisalakerfan says:
FUnny
June 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Big Freeze says:
“Vladimir Radmanovic must defend Paul Pierce.
With Lakers championship hopes perhaps riding on it.
Funny, huh?
“I don’t joke about things like that,” Radmanovic said after Tuesday’s practice. “People joke about things like that, I punch them.”"
Ha ha, Vlad is the fuckin man!
June 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am
shake&bake says:
I wouldn’t think Vlad is gonna get a ton of minutes this series. I think Kobe’s got to move over and guard Pierce and Sasha can chase Jesus.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
vlad is gonna get his minutes against the celtics 2nd unit. when posey comes in the game. he aint gonna have to guard pierce after the first 8 minutes.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Mike C says:
I don’t know if it’ll be that one-sided.
Vlad did a decent job guarding Melo in the Denver series.
What’s really going to be ugly is Ray and Posey trying to guard Kobe.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
doc says:
When Vlad hit that clutch 3 to end it I hope he does the piss on your heart dance.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Sushi says:
This is the same guy who was beat out by Reggie Evans and Jerome James for tick in Seattle. Sad panda for all LA fans. I can’t wait to see Odom and Vlad on the floor at the same time, both with the “deer in headlights” look. It’ll be fun.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
dagwaller says:
I like Vlad. He’s definitely a cadet, but a harmless one. Sushi, I don’t think that Jerome James beat him out for time, and Reggie Evans is a pretty decent player – nothing wrong with that.
That having been said, he’s obviously not the one guy you want defending Pierce. Anyone have a better idea?
June 4th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
AY says:
they’ll have vlad on him.
1) vlad will crowd his jumper
2) pierce will take two dribbles and go to his favorite spin move
3) fish will slide over to take a charge
between paul pierce throwing his head back like he was getting stabbed back in 2000 during his spin move and fish getting knocked into the paint from a charge at the three-point line, this is the last time we’re going to see crazy flopping: enjoy it.
and yes, every team needs a reggie evans in case you’re getting out-rebounded and requires someone to pull the other guy’s balls. I call him reggie “the equalizer” evans.