Powell goes outside to play

November 3rd, 2009, 10:08 am · 7 Comments · posted by JANIS CARR, OCREGISTER.COM

EL SEGUNDO
In his first season with the Lakers, Josh Powell could be found hanging around the basket, collecting rebounds and taking mostly low-percentage shots.

This season, Powell can be found wandering away from the paint, patrolling the perimeter and even taking a few shots from 16 feet out. Why the change?

Powell said after watching the ebbs and flows of games from his spot on the bench, he realized that he could help spread the offense by venturing further out. So he tried it a few times and quickly earned Phil Jackson’s trust.

“That’s one of Josh’s strengths. He is a good spot up shooter and he’s proved that to us over time,” Jackson said. “I think he’s confident and he has been real good for us off the bench this year.”

Powell, who is averaging 5.7 points and 2.3 rebounds, said his outside shooting (he has made 1 of 2 3-pointers this season) is simply a matter of trying to fit in.

“I like to play. I love to play,” he said, a rare smile emerging. “And I will do whatever I can do be of value to the team.”

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TJ says:

November 3, 2009 at 11:04 am

Wow really good piece Janis. I will not forget the game last year against the Spurs in San Antonio. Down in the fourth by double digits and we went to the KOBE and POWELL pick and roll on like five straight possessions. But, Powell didn’t roll to the basket he rolled off to an open spot 16ft away from the basket, and as the spurs doubled Kobe, Kobe fed the open man and Josh made it rain.

Almost won that game, but Fisher had dumb foul on Mason for an and1.

Niko says:

November 3, 2009 at 12:07 pm

He also came up big last year in the 4th Qtr against Boston, he hit some big shots.

J-Dizzle says:

November 3, 2009 at 11:09 am

Definitely a good piece. Let’s see if our resident grammar police try to find a flaw in this one and try to knock ya for it as usual.

deezy76 says:

November 3, 2009 at 11:19 am

And to think…he’s like, what, the 9th or 10th guy on this team when everybody’s healthy? Way to keep your head in the game Mr. Powell!

Joseph P. says:

November 3, 2009 at 11:28 am

Did someone call for the grammar police? Well, see if you can spot it, my junior deputies:

“That’s one of Josh’s strengths. He a good spot up shooter and he’s proved that to us over time,” Jackson said. “I think he’s confident and he has been real good for us of the bench this year.”

I see two. I know that Phil Jackson didn’t make the grammatical/spelling mistakes, since I’ve seen the video interview. Again, the blame falls upon the writer.

DSource says:

November 3, 2009 at 11:45 am

Josh Powell might want to watch some Horace Grant videos.

He could fill in that role pretty good.

marcd says:

November 3, 2009 at 4:50 pm

get over it, its a damn blog, not a front page piece

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