LA Times: It was as if Phil Jackson could no longer ignore the bouncing pogo stick at the end of the bench.
Ronny Turiaf was little more than an energetic curiosity piece his first two seasons with the Lakers, carving a part-time niche by collecting rebounds, floor burns and fan admiration with his short bursts of intensity at power forward — not to mention his twisting, gyrating dances from the end of the bench after all Lakers plays deemed worthy of a celebration.
Now he’s a starter, practically doubling his points, rebounds and minutes while showing a reliable mid-range jumper to partner with his trademark hustle around the basket.
“It’s nothing different from what I’ve done in the past,” Turiaf said.
Turiaf, 24, is averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 25.8 minutes, eclipsing the 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 13.1 minutes he averaged during his first two seasons. He is also shooting 60%, making 18 of 30 shots through four games.
It looks as if he’ll retain his starting job, even when last season’s starting power forward, Lamar Odom, returns to the lineup Friday.
Continue reading ‘Turiaf doing more than leading cheers’
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Its good to see him getting the playing time and earning it too. I think he was a good pick at 37. He would have gone in the first round but he had the heart problem and some other injuries which made people stay away from him.
Ronny was a steal he will be in the League for a long time
RONNY IS GOOD PEOPLE…HE’S GOT THE VIBE!!!!
We love you Ronny! You are a true Laker.
Ronny is the man. he was a true laker player is. he dances for any laker play. keep it up dawg!
I hope mitch give him a good extension so we can keep him, he deserves it, he has work hard for it.GO Ronny!
What’s this? A player coming into being a legit PF for the Lakers??? I love it!
Hey I’ll tell you what Ronny needs to stay away from Bynum, it’s funny to see how he snatches the rebounds from him. He’s actualy hurt Ronny a couple of times already, i like to see Bynum’s aggresion, but dam calm down! Ronny is in the same team.You are not going to prove nothing by ripping you’re own team-mates of for rebounds…lol
Why can’t Kwame-saurus be more like Ronny? Keep up the great work Ronny!
i meant to say proove anything
Ronny and Odom as the starting forwards. Those are some big forwards who should cause problems to most teams. Bynum, Odom and Turiaff becoming rebounding machines could only help that much more with all the shots Kobe takes.