Some of this might be of interest on this day w/ out a game. Here is what I remember:
* Speaking about Hamblens performance, Jeanie was OK with it - But said his comment about this job being more or less doomed from the get go cannot sit well with the players. She said as a player if you read those kinds of comments from your coach...it's definitely not going to motivate you.
* Rambis said that Rudy didn't go over any defense during training camp at all. None. He attributes the players not being on the same page defensively to that. He said their defense under PJ was flawed because of Shaqs refusal to play the pick and roll..but they got by because he was so intimidating, took up space in the paint, and blocked some shots. He said this team doesn't have that and all 5 guys must play on the same page.
* Kurt says they need a tough defender at the 4. He said that is not LO's game - Which is why he has been harping on them to move Odom to the 3. The problem he says, is that they have no tough defending 4's(aside from Grant who can't play big minutes) so they are forced to play LO there.
* Mark Heisler was there and asked Rambis how well he sees Kobe and LO playing as a 1-2 punch thus far. Rambis said they have not played that well together so far. He said potentially they could be better, but it hasn't happened yet.
* Jeanie wants the fans to judge this team in a couple years and not now in regards to the Shaq deal. She compared the trade to Detroit dealing Hill. No one liked it at the time for the Pistons but things worked out for them. She reiterated that it was $$$ as to why he was traded, nothing else but that..and she is curious as to how his negotiations will go in Miami.
* Rambis said that this team just doesn't have the right pieces. He said they would have had to play great all year to be a higher calibre team..because they can't afford not to be playing great. He said too many SF's, no defense at the PG spot, and no tough defending 4. He said they have a lot of areas to address in the offseason.
* Regarding the teams mindset, Rambis said things are going as well as they could expect. The guys were real competitive in practice today..trash talking etc. Although he did say that the losses are getting to them and you'd expect that. You see guys shaking their heads and muttering things occasionally.
* Heisler wanted Kurt to compare what this team is going thru to the Del Harris squads. Rambis said its not really comparable because the Harris coached teams were more talented than this team. He said they need to get the pieces in place before they are at that stage.
* Kurt also said Mihm is on a lot of pain and thats why he is playing the way he is. Dave suggested putting Mihm on the IL, and Rambis said they ask him if he feels if he can go before every game and Chris says yes. He said players that are willing to play through pain like that are the kind of guys you want on your ballclub.
