Smush Parker's Exit Interview.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Before you get all angry about how Smush Parker ended the season, remember that the guy didn't perform like a starting point guard in the last leg of the playoffs because he really shouldn't have been a starting point guard in the last leg of the playoffs.  Necessity being the mother of invention, Parker was forced to start 82 games.  All in all, his play was fairly admirable.  That said, the Lakers desperately need some backcourt help, and a perfect world (or even a reasonable one) Smush would be a backup.  He'll have to compete hard over the summer and going into next year if he wants to hold on to the gig.

Okay.  On to the exit interview...

The season didn't end in the way you wanted to.  But have you had a chance to look at the whole season and see what you've accomplished?

"It was a disappointing end to the season, but for myself looking back at the season it couldn't get any better-- actually, it could be better, but looking back to where I came from, being in the NBDL two seasons ago and now I was the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.  Who would have thought?  Not in a million years I would have woke up one morning and said I was going to be the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and I'm playing for the Florida Flame right now."

(Interesting note- Smush started to say "I am the starting point guard," and caught himself, instead stating "I was the starting point guard."  It's an important distinction that shows he doesn't feel a sense of entitlement regarding the job leading into next year.  It also prompted the next question.)

You say "was," in the sense that you have to go back and get it again next year?

"Oh yeah, definitely.  Nothing's guaranteed for me, here.  My name isn't Kobe Bryant.  (Not a dig at Kobe.  It's fair to say 8/24 has a roster spot locked up next year)  Nothing is guaranteed.  I still have to come back and fight and earn the respect of the players, the coaching staff, the fans, the media.  I still just have to get better and grow as a player."

Phil has said he wants to add speed and defense, and those are your things. Things you can bring, too.  Are there things you haven't shown this team yet?

"There's a lot of things I haven't shown myself yet.  I know what I'm capable of doing, and I believe this year (was) just a learning expereince.  And hopefully I can learn from things that I've experienced this year and grow as a player.  You haven't seen the most of Smush Parker yet, and neither have I."

What will you take from Games 4, 5, and 6?  7?   And the series in general?

"Well, 4, 5, and 6 were a lot different than Games 1, 2, and 3 because I put pressure on myself.  Game 3, I scored 18 points, led the team in scoring.  And I just put too much pressure on myself to try to play to that level again.  And I just started overthinking instead of just playing like I did in Games 1,2, and 3.  It wasn't the pressure of being in the playoffs, it was just myself thinking too much about what it is I need to be doing, or what I shouldn't be doing, instead of just playing basketball."

It probably has something with chasing Steve Nash around for seven games, too.

"Yeah.  You know, Steve Nash is a good point guard.  Great guy.  MVP of the league two years in a row.  There's a reason for that.  Chasing him around screens and up and down the court, it just looked like he did whatever he wanted to do at any time in the game, and that definitely took a toll on me mentally as well as physically.  But it was a learning experience with me.  Something that I'm not going to let bother me in the future, and learn from it."

How good can this team be if you stay together?

"We have unlimited potential as far as what we can do as a team if the core of this team stays together."

What did Phil and Mitch tell you specifically that they want you to improve?

"My in-between game.  Phil Jackson said I'm either shooting a three or going to the basket, but it's the in-between- being able to pump fake a three point shot, take one or two dribbles and being able to knock down a mid-range jump shot is something I need to work on.  Basketball wise, as far as being a better teammate, a better point guard, being able to communicate better with my teammates on and off the court is something I also have to work on.  Because I'm a quiet and to myself kind of guy.  Building relationships off the court will help for a better team on the court.  So that's another place I need to work on."

What do you plan on doing this summer in terms of improving your game?

"I have to physically work on some things that will help me on the court.  I talked to Gary Vitti and his staff, and they informed me about certain things that I can tweak up on my body.   That I have to get stronger, that I have to even out, that I need to adjust so that when I'm playing out on the court it'll make me faster on defense or it'll make me stronger in what I want to do as far as when I'm taking my jump shot.  So there's going to be a lot of off the court work to me bettering myself as a player."

And other aspects specifically?  Whether shooting, or on the ball defense, or whatever?  Things that you really want to work on?

"Of course I want to get better on my on the ball defense, but Coach Jackson brought to my attention that it's my off the ball defense that I need to work on.  They say that I play defense off the ball upright, and that's costing me a fraction of a second to react to certain situations and certain things, so that's a place on my game on defense that I want to work on.  Being able to be more alert and be quicker in my decisions in my off the ball defense."

Are you planning on playing summer league ball?

"I don't plan on it.  It'll be my first summer that I actually have a decision whether to play or not play.  Summers before this I've had no choice but to play.  But if I feel the need to or if the team wants me to, I'll play.  I'll definitely play."

Nice to have the choice, though?

"Yeah.  It's definitely nice to have the option not to."

http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2006/05/gettin_smushed.html#more



I look forward to seeing an improved Smush Parker in a Lakers uniform next season...His development should be interesting to watch...PeACe

[BAY_BOY_408]

me too...smush parker is a great player and with alot of potential....

[Teddy Roosevelt]

I look forward to seeing an improved Smush Parker in a Lakers uniform next season...His development should be interesting to watch...PeACe

*sigh* Yeah, I miss Laker basketball already. Smush will definatly improve during the offseason.

[Antonio_]

He betta work with Kobe during the offseason. He'll improve for sure. Oh, and Smush is one of us 100%, i love him.

[jeromechickenbone]

I like his attitude.  How can you not cheer for a guy like that?

[GangstaBoogy]

smush isnt that bad, but if he's gonna have horrible off nights he needs to make up for it on the defensive end.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

smush isnt that bad, but if he's gonna have horrible off nights he needs to make up for it on the defensive end.

He wasn't bad defensively, it was his confidence on the offensive end that took a shot in that series...Remember when Kobe air-balled those threes in his rookie season vs. Utah? Most of the time, quality comes with experience. Smush will have more experience for next season...PeACe

[Antonio_]

smush isnt that bad, but if he's gonna have horrible off nights he needs to make up for it on the defensive end.

He ain't a bad defender, man. We have to improve our team defence, and i think Smush can help. If only McKie didn't get injured.. 2 very good defenders and a great mix of youth and experience. Too bad.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

smush isnt that bad, but if he's gonna have horrible off nights he needs to make up for it on the defensive end.

He ain't a bad defender, man. We have to improve our team defence, and i think Smush can help. If only McKie didn't get injured.. 2 very good defenders and a great mix of youth and experience. Too bad.

Don't trip...we got next season with more experience under our belt...

[Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It]

Smush better shoot 2,000 mid range jumpers and 1,000 3 pointers every single day this summer. And work on your defense, how the fuck you going to allow some canadien to kick your ass 

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Smush better shoot 2,000 mid range jumpers and 1,000 3 pointers every single day this summer. And work on your defense, how the fuck you going to allow some canadien to kick your ass 

LOL, He didn't do bad for basically his first real NBA season...Especially for guarding one of the premier offensive point-guard in the NBA. Remember, he DID pick up those huge steals which won us Game 4...PeACe

[Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It]

Who cares about game 4. We lost the series. I want to know what happened in game's 5, 6, & 7. Smush went 5-30, or something like that...look'd bad on defense, he look'd shook. Mitch needs to sign Jason Terry, But it's not going to happened b/c Lakers have no money to spend  ..

I just hope he works his ass off this summer. Lakers are going to need him to play great if we want to win more games next season & get pass the 1st round.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Who cares about game 4. We lost the series. I want to know what happened in game's 5, 6, & 7. Smush went 5-30, or something like that...look'd bad on defense, he look'd shook. Mitch needs to sign Jason Terry, But it's not going to happened b/c Lakers have no money to spend  ..

I just hope he works his ass off this summer. Lakers are going to need him to play great if we want to win more games next season & get pass the 1st round.

Sam Cassell or Jason Terry for the MLE...That's how it should go down...How do you not know what happened in games 5, 6, and 7 yet? Smush had no experience, he folded under pressuer, he got to where he was way too quickly...He was not prepared. No way does that mean I'm willing to give up in him...Athletic 6'4" point guards with great upside don't come around for so cheap very often...Shit, look at what Derek Fisher is getting paid in Golden State, and he's putting up nearly the same stats as Smush (and that's WITH all the experience)...We need to get Smush coming off the bench next year, we need to spend our MLE on a veteran contributor point guard and trade for a serviceable power forward...PeACe