SPL: Lakers vs. 76ers impressions (07/13/15)

The Lakers summer league team was back in action Saturday night. This time they faced off against the 76ers and a guy they were expected to draft, Jahlil Okafor. Julius Randle did not play as a precaution set by the training staff. He's completely healthy to play, but they don't want to rush him back. He will play tonight against the Knicks.

Here's what I saw from each player:

D'Angelo Russell
- In this game Russell had some struggles with turnovers. There were a few times where he dribbled into heavy traffic or tried a risky pass
- He tried to get in the lane more this game. He's got a euro step in his arsenal. Would love to see him work on his first step and get some more explosion out of it.
- His shooting looked good even on the misses. And he had threw a few beautiful passes that his teammates weren't expecting. They'll learn to be ready for anything when Russell is on the floor.

Julius Randle
- DNP

Jordan Clarkson
- There's almost no point to covering Clarkson here. His game is too advanced for the SPL level. He shook a defender out of his shoes at one point and just made him look silly. As I said previously he's playing to get reps with the rest of the Lakers young core.

Robert Upshaw
- This was another solid defensive effort by Upshaw. He's a guy who will be able to change the complexion of a game with his defense. He did it in this one as he stuffed Okafor several times.
- You can tell that he's still really rusty and is far behind in the strength training as compared to other rookies. But with time he'll get it together
- One very encouraging thing about him, he runs the floor pretty well for his size

Anthony Brown
- This game showed more of that fire from him that I wanted to see. He had a few blocks and locked up the opposing PG on one possession
- His outside shot looks pretty reliable to me
- I'm impressed with Anthony Brown thus far

Tarik Black
- Nothing new to report still on Tarik. He's doing a solid job.

Larry Nance Jr.
- "Larry!! Larry!! Larry!!" The crowd was chanting his name so I guess he was doing something right haha.
- This game shows why the Lakers drafted him. Larry was all over the floor. Pinning Okafor's shot against the glass and skying in for putback dunks got the crowd going wild. That's his game. Hustle plays, athleticism, and defense. If the other team doesn't box him out....look out below!!
- Good performance by Nance Jr.

The Lakers will play again tonight at 5:30pm PST against the Knicks summer league team. I'll have analysis up on that as soon as I can.

Also, coming up soon on July 23rd I'll be apart of a team doing missionary work in Kenya. We'll be working in Kibera Slums which is the largest slum in Africa and is home to over 2 million people. There is one toilet with plumbing for every 2000 people there. We are in need of prayers and financial assistance. We're at about 54% funded right now. If you'd like to give you can at the link below:

www.wateroflifecc.org/gorgive

Register and then hit the give to teams button to select "2015 - Kenya Team 1" and my name is Jason

Thank you SO MUCH for your help. Any amount counts :)

Thanks for reading, go Lakers!!!