Author Topic: SMUSH PARKER- Exit Interview. (Read 141 times)

Now_Im_Not_Banned · « **on:** May 11, 2007, 06:14:47 PM »

Exit Interview: Smush Parker

Part 1 (In MP3)

Part 2 (In MP3)

Report Card-
There are exit interviews of the "Have a great winter, see you around the facility, looking forward to next year!" variety, and then there are true exit interviews. As in, "Turn in your keys and parking pass, leave an address with the secretary so we can forward your mail." For Smush Parker, his definitely falls in the latter category. While he didn't flat out say, "I'm not coming back next year," Smush made it pretty clear he didn't expect to be return, and if there was any doubt, P.J. would soon put it to bed. Parker won't be resigned, and there will be few tears shed among the Laker faithful, given that the pride of Fordham had become a lightning rod of criticism since the last few games of the '05-'06 playoffs.

In terms of grading him out, there is one important thing to remember about Smush Paker's performance in his second season as (more or less) the starting PG for the purple and gold: It isn't his fault that the organization couldn't come up with a better option. Parker isn't a starting caliber NBA guard, and to expect him to perform like one just because the Lakers had no real Plan B (not that it would have made a huge difference, but I would have like to see a little more run for Shammond this year) isn't realistic. On the other hand... even measured against himself, Parker didn't make any progress this season. He got off to a bad start early in the year, and never fully picked it up. Parker's scoring, rebounding, steals, assists, and FG% all went down in '06-'07, as did the consistency of his play. Not necessarily by a lot, depending on the category, but it's hard to say a guy made steps forward when the numbers go the other direction.

Smush had some good moments, taking and making some big shots. And I still contend that a less surly attitude would have made his output seem far more palatable to Lakers fans (after all, scrappy lil' Sasha Vujacic is loved by many, despite being a much less productive player). But his disposition may be the worst possible for a point guard, and overall, he just wasn't good, especially defensively, where his effort and willingness to finish plays were always questionable. Again, given a second year to start in the NBA, Smush didn't progress but went backwards, his sense of entitlement seeming to grow daily.

Smush seemed to become a symbol of everything that was wrong with the Lakers, "Starting point guard, Smush Parker!" not exactly being a healthy inclusion into the pregame introductions of a championship caliber team. And while I don't think he was as bad as many of you do- given the venom spewed by some fans you'd think Parker started off every game clubbing a baby seal at mid-court- I don't think he was good, either. And more importantly, I don't think Parker was nearly as good as I suspect he thinks he was... which goes a long way towards explaining some of his deficiencies as a ballplayer.
GRADE: C-, very narrowly missing a D+. And give me an hour, it'll probably head lower.

Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2007, 08:44:02 PM »

LOL @ letting Sam Cassel go from the 3 point line all the way to the basket for an easy lay-up

lmfaorofl

...Smush is a fucking bum...it was cassels 1st game back from injury..the dude had back problems..he's over 35 years old...how do you let him beat you of the dribble like that

...i doubt he'll get the money that he wants''he's fucking GARBAGE...muthafucka didn't even improve...and his attitude was horrible.