Defending Sasha (again)

A series of post in this thread on LakersGround.net on 8/17/07.

If the 2004 draft were re-held today, Sasha would be drafted just about where he was drafted. Some players drafted after him would move up before him (Anderson Varejao, Chris Duhon, Trevor Ariza), some players drafted before him would move down after him (Rafael Araujo, Pavel Podkolzin, Viktor Khryapa, Sergei Monia). He's an OK player for a 27th pick.
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hoopschick29 wrote:
Beno is a way better player than Sasha. At least he is if actually watch games. I would take him right now over Sasha. Somehow, I don't think SA would do that swap.

Sasha's stats for last season:
4.3 ppg in 12.8 mpg, shooting 39.2%, 37.3% on 3's, 1.5 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.56 spg, 0.01 bpg, 0.41 TO, 2.13 A-to-TO

Beno's stats for last season:
4.7 ppg in 13.0 mpg, shooting 36.9%, 28.7% on 3's, 1.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.37 spg, 0.01 bpg, 0.77 TO, 2.18 A-to-TO

Sasha played 43 minutes in 4 of the Lakers' 5 playoff games, shooting 56%
Beno played 21 minutes in 8 of the Spurs' 20 playoff games, shooting 0%

Not that it matters - I think most people have made up their minds about Sasha and a few facts aren't going to change it.
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hoopschick29 wrote:
And the point, KD, is that when you're as great as SA, having a Beno is of little consequence. But on the Lakers, having someone like Sasha get significant minutes because we're so difficient in quality players hurts us.

Could you explain this logic to me? Sasha was the 5th guard on the roster behind Kobe, Parker, Evans, and Farmar. The only cost I see to having him on the roster was that Green or Pinnock could have been on the roster instead. For the Spurs, if Parker or Vaughn got injured before the Suns series, then Beno would have had to play minutes against Barbosa. If Barbosa ate him up, then the Spurs don't advance. When you are a contender, injuries could make one of your reserves the difference between advancing or going home.
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