Antawn Jamison Discussion: Cockroach

Rooscooter wrote:The "not being able to sign because he's in Italy" is bogus..... you can execute international trade contracts legally via FAX if it's done right.....or any other contract for that matter. I've done similar contractual executions farther away that Italy....

If he hasn't signed yet it's for other reasons... He may have agreed but is waiting to hammer out details after after other potential roster moves are completed (Howard or Pau trades for example)....

D.B. Cooper wrote:

Rooscooter wrote:The "not being able to sign because he's in Italy" is bogus..... you can execute international trade contracts legally via FAX if it's done right.....or any other contract for that matter. I've done similar contractual executions farther away that Italy....

If he hasn't signed yet it's for other reasons... He may have agreed but is waiting to hammer out details after after other potential roster moves are completed (Howard or Pau trades for example)....

Maybe he's on vay cay and didn't exactly go to Europe to sign contracts. Or is that bogus too...

Kobe Bryant 8 wrote:Wow, we got lucky for real.

strikemode14 wrote:this signing is the beginning of the end of pau gasol in a lakers uniform...and most likely ron artest as well b/c they probaly trade gasol for a stud SF.

Mark Medina of the LA Times wrote:Here are five reasons why Jamison's arrival significantly improves the Lakers' bench.

1. Jamison provides the Lakers needed scoring punch. It's safe to predict the Lakers' bench won't rank last anymore in points as it did last season (30.5). Jamison's whole calling card involves scoring points. His 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds may mark a decline relative to his career averages (19.5 points, 7.9 rebounds). But considering the 36-year-old is entering his 16th year in the NBA, it's clear Jamison has mastered staying efficient.

To a small degree, the Lakers points per game average as a bench unit is misleading simply because the team's identity features a star-studded starting lineup. Both Lakers coaches Mike Brown and Phil Jackson had in seasons past mixed plenty of combinations that featured the reserves with the starting lineup. Still, the Lakers finished 27th in the NBA in overall efficiency (27.2), and plenty of that rooted in the Lakers lacking a consistent scorer.

The Lakers may not be fretting Lamar Odom's absence as much these days since the trade exception from his trade eventually landed them Nash. But the Lakers still couldn't find ways to directly compensate for Odom's loss. WIth Jamison's arrival, it appears the Lakers have filled that vacuum relatively speaking.

2. Jamison's experience will pay off in various ways. His Sixth Man of the Year award may have happened only eight years ago. But it generally requires a player to adopt the right mentality in coming off the bench. That often requires a player knowing how to feed off the rhythm of the game and contributing regardless of when he enters the lineup.

The Lakers may not experience such heavy roster shuffling as they did last season since Brown will have more familiarity with his roster. But in terms of the unit gelling together, Jamison's experience shows he'll have little issue in adapting to any new role. Add in previous history with Brown (half season with Cleveland in 2010) and Steve Nash (Mavericks teammates in 2004), and it appears Jamison will have minimal hiccups fitting in with the Lakers.

3. Jamison's defense may be suspect, but he may indirectly help that effort. Jamison doesn't fit the defensive characteristics Brown gushes over. He's not scrappy. Jamison doesn't intimidate opponents in the lane. In fact, he doesn't defend much at all. These weaknesses mostly have to do with abiility, though. So don't expect Jamison to elevate his defensive focus just because he's on a championship-caliber team. But he can upgrade it in another way.

Jamison's scoring will inevitably create more ball movement and more offensive chemistry. Because that unit wll be more engaged, it will be more likely to channel that extra enthusiasm into staying disciplined on defense. All in all, the scoring and added chemistry he creates will offset any baskets the Lakers concede.

4. The Lakers have an insurance policy in case they can't re-sign Jordan Hill. The Times' Mike Bresnahan reported the Lakers still hope to sign Hill, but won't spend too much money to ensure that happens. Ideally, the Lakers would pursue Hill considering his scrappiness gives the Lakers an added element on their frontcourt depth. But the Lakers are already strapped pretty tight by securing Nash and possibly obtaining Howard (and a possible additional weighty Orlando contract) that it's just unrealistic.

Jamison has a completely different skill set than Hill. But his presence still ensures that the Lakers aren't completely thin on the frontcourt. Should this scenario unfold, it's critical Josh McRoberts can provide the energy he once did at the beginning of his arrival.

5. Jamison could also give the Lakers minutes at small forward. For now, Jamison is presumed to play heavier minutes at power forward. The Lakers declined to waive Metta World Peace through the amnesty provision. Although the Lakers haven't signed a deal, Devin Ebank's agent told The Times recently the two parties agreed to a one-year deal worth a little over $1 mllion. Still, the Lakers could experience a void at this position.

They're not expected to re-sign veteran forward Matt Barnes. Even if I witnessed World Peace appearing to be in good shape at a workout Tuesday at UCLA, his play always remains unpredictable. It's possible Ebanks' increased role could yield some speedbumps. As a last-case resort, the Lakers could lean on Jamison to play at small forward if these scenarios unfold.

therealdeal wrote:I think Medina is off about McRoberts. I know a lot of posters here hate him for some reason, but depending on him and McRoberts as a two man group off the bench doesn't sound great to me. You need a real banger in the last few minutes left at the backup C position after Gasol and Bynum.

I'm think that could easily be filled by the cheap option of our 60th pick. We don't need Hill.

KeepBynum wrote:

therealdeal wrote:I think Medina is off about McRoberts. I know a lot of posters here hate him for some reason, but depending on him and McRoberts as a two man group off the bench doesn't sound great to me. You need a real banger in the last few minutes left at the backup C position after Gasol and Bynum.

I'm think that could easily be filled by the cheap option of our 60th pick. We don't need Hill.

We hate him because he sucked last year.

therealdeal wrote:

KeepBynum wrote:

therealdeal wrote:I think Medina is off about McRoberts. I know a lot of posters here hate him for some reason, but depending on him and McRoberts as a two man group off the bench doesn't sound great to me. You need a real banger in the last few minutes left at the backup C position after Gasol and Bynum.

I'm think that could easily be filled by the cheap option of our 60th pick. We don't need Hill.

We hate him because he sucked last year.

He barely played. Not his fault, but that's beside the point. This is the Jamison thread.

KeepBynum wrote:There's a reason he barely played. When he was given minutes he did nothing. Hopefully we can get rid of McScrub.

Kobe Bryant 8 wrote:

BDG wrote:Kelly Dwyer actually wrote a decent article for once but then reminds us that he's ... well ... Kelly Dwyer with this last line.

Signing the modern-day equivalent of James Worthy, even if he is in the winter of his career, will do that to a team's fortunes.

C'mon son.

Ugh... what?

nthydro wrote:Jamison is definitely an improvement over the garbage we have on our bench but I'm concerned about how much he has left at 36. He came off his worst shooting season last year, although I think he'll get much better looks playing next to our starters. It's just that CL is notorious for hyping up role players only to have them stink it up.