Now that the draft is over the Lakers can focus their attention on NBA free agency. Free agency starts tomorrow, July 1st, and there's about a week moratorium when teams can officially sign players to contracts. So who is available and who should the Lakers target? That's probably a question best answered by first knowing how much spending money the Lakers have. LA should have about $23m in cap space this summer. There is a small chance that they could trade Nick Young and Ryan Kelly which could get them in the ball park of $29m to spend. However that is unlikely to occur. So assuming the Lakers will have about $23m in space (plus a small $2.8m exception), let's look at their roster and see where the needs are:
Roster as of 06/30/2015
Guards (PG or SG)
Jordan Clarkson
D'Angelo Russell
Kobe Bryant
Nick Young
Jabari Brown
Wings (SF)
Anthony Brown
Bigs (PF or C)
Julius Randle
Tarik Black
Ryan Kelly
Larry Nance Jr.
Robert Sacre
The Lakers have the most need at the wing position and at the center spot. At the moment they don't have starting quality NBA talent at those positions. It is possible for them to play other players in those spots, for example Kobe and Nick Young are capable of playing SF if need be, but it is less than ideal. Mitch Kupchak will look to fill these holes as best he can this summer. But he will go into free agency with the understanding that he may not be able to fill all the holes in one offseason, and that it's not possible to get an all star at every position either.
So let's a take a look at some of the names the Lakers have been linked to in rumors. Remember that rumors are worth about as much as we pay for them. In this case they're free so...take from that what you will lol :). I'll also include if I think that player would be good for this team or not and why. In the last section I'll discuss my top 2 hopes for this summer's FA signings.
Player Rumored to be signed by the Lakers
Kevin Love - Do not want - Most people would say why don't you want Love? My answer is simple. He's injury prone and doesn't play much defense. In addition to that he commands $19m in salary. We only have $23m to spend. I'll pass on him. 2 years ago I would have loved to have him.
Rajon Rondo - DO NOT WANT - Notice I put this one in all caps? It's for emphasis. He can't play effectively anymore, shoots free throws worse than Dwight Howard, has an attitude worse than Dwight Howard's, and would take playing time away from our young guards in Clarkson and Russell. Even if the league paid us to take him I still wouldn't sign him. Puke.
DeAndre Jordan - Yes please - He fills the gaping hole we have at center. He's a rim protector and he's athletic enough to run on the break. He's also an excellent rebounder. He finishes everything within reach of the basket at a high percentage. He'd take up nearly all of our $23m in cap space but he'd be worth it because he brings a lot of things we desperately need. The only downside is his free throw shooting. But it's been statistically proven that strategy actually works against the team using it. Would love to have DJ on this team.
LaMarcus Aldridge - I guess - I'm on the fence about this one. He's an all-star player with lots of experience. My reservation only comes from the fact that he doesn't have the rim protection that we need and in the past he's been hesitant to play at center. Like Love and DJ he would take up essentially all of the open space we have. It's worth noting that while I'm on the fence about this I don't think the Lakers are, they would sign him in a heart beat if given the opportunity.
Greg Monroe - No thanks - Monroe will likely wind up on the Knicks which is a good thing because I certainly don't want him here. He is too slow to be a good defender at the power forward or center position. And his offensive game is really inefficient.
Those are some of the more well known players rumored to be pursued by the Lakers. For a full list of 2015 NBA free agents go here: http://www.nba.com/freeagents/2015/
My plans for the Lakers free agency are very simple. Go after the best player available. If you don't get him, then get complimentary role players/pieces since Kevin Durant, Mike Conley, etc. will be free agents next year.
Plan A: Sign DeAndre Jordan ($19m), Sign a SF with the remainder Alfariq Aminu/Rudy Fernandez/Dorrell Wright ($4m)
Plan B: Sign Tyson Chandler ($12m), Sign Danny Green ($11m)
Let me explain Plan B a bit because I haven't talked about those players before. Tyson Chandler is pretty much the same style of player as DeAndre Jordan. He is much cheaper than Jordan because he is much older. He's 32. However he can still be a solid contributor, and he'd serve as the perfect mentor to a player like Robert Upshaw who is currently signed to the Lakers summer league team. Chandler would get a chance to finish off his career in his hometown and make one last decent contract. Danny Green would be able to play SF or SG. His specialty is shooting 3 pointers at a high percentage and playing pretty good defense. He is a solid veteran with championship experience from San Antonio. Adding another vet to the locker room helps Kobe and he'd also be a good mentor for Anthony Brown who the Lakers drafted at #34. To me there wouldn't be much of a drop off from Plan A to Plan B. Although Plan A makes a much bigger splash in marketing and ratings.
The next article will cover the Lakers other two draft picks this year, Larry Nance Jr. and Anthony Brown, so stay tuned!
Also, 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. 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!!!
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Lakers #loading (06/28/15)
With the 2nd pick in the 2015 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select...D'Angelo Russell from The Ohio State University." NBA commissioner Adam Silver uttered these words Thursday night as the Lakers used their highest draft pick since James Worthy in 1982.
It's safe to say most Lakers fans were a bit surprised by the pick. Not because Russell was undeserving, but because it had almost been a forgone conclusion that the Lakers would simply select whichever big man prospect that was not picked at #1. This is because the Lakers have a rich history of talented big men who have helped them produce championships. Additionally the Lakers have a gaping hole at the center spot on their roster right now. I could actually start at center for the Lakers, and you wouldn't notice a drop off in performance from last season. Putting two and two together, most fans and sports writers believed the Lakers would select a center since we need one, and the two available were projected to be really good.
Enter D'Angelo Russell.
I'll admit I was surprised they picked him too. But not in a bad way. Like in the way you're surprised when you leave work on a Friday, and there's no traffic on the way home. It was a pleasant surprise! I didn't think the Lakers would go against conventional wisdom that says you should pick a big over a small. Ever since Russell was brought to my attention last year, it was clear this dude can play the game of basketball. But we'll get to that in the next section. Even better still for the business side of the house, D'Angelo has that LA personality. He has a ton of natural charisma and isn't afraid of the spotlight. In the end I think that, combined with his skills, made him a can't miss pick for the Lakers. One which I agree with. (I had him at #2 on my personal board after Towns).
The Lakers also had two other draft picks which they used on Larry Nance Jr (#27) and Anthony Brown (#34). They also offered summer league contracts to forward Branden Ashley and center Robert Upshaw. I will cover these players in a follow on post :). I'm really excited about Upshaw. We're desperate for a center and he's got all the skills we would need at that position. His only question mark is if he can get his head on straight. Much more or follow on that. He has the potential to be an even bigger steal than Jordan Clarskon...
So let's take a look at D'Angelo Russell and see what kind of player he was in college, and what type of player he can be in the NBA. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
Passing ability/IQ
Shooting
Ball handling
Unselfish but not afraid to take over
Weaknesses
Doesn't have elite athleticism
Lacks strength
Needs better moves for finishing at the rim
NBA comparison (play style): Stephen Curry, James Harden, Manu Ginobli
Russell plays the game very smoothyly. What I mean by that is he's always in control. He controls the pace and tempo of the game. He's able to manipulate the defense with his high basketball IQ, and sees plays develop before they happen. He always makes the right pass at the right time. Whether it leads directly to he assist or it is the pass the leads to the assist he usually has his hand in it. Additionally, because he is a deadly shooter off the dribble or in catch and shoot situations it makes the defense have to respect him. They can't give him too much space so it opens up lanes for his passing game.
D'Angelo is equally adept at playing up tempo as he is at playing in a half court offense. With him, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle the Lakers have 3 promising younger players who can all initiate the offense by creating for themselves or others. It will make for EXCITING basketball a few years down the road. Without further ado, here's a great highlight video showing Russell's play style:
Laker fans should be excited about the future with D'Angelo Russell on board. They obviously saw enough talent in him to take a risk in drafting him against conventional wisdom over Jahlil Okafor. More posts to follow on his development. The next two articles will be on what moves the Lakers should make in free agency and a look at the other two draftees from Thursday night.
Also, in a month 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. If you'd like to give you can at the link below:
www.wateroflifecc.org/gorgive
Register and then select Kenya Team 1 and my name is Jason
Thank you SO MUCH for your help. Any amount counts :)
Go LAKERS
It's safe to say most Lakers fans were a bit surprised by the pick. Not because Russell was undeserving, but because it had almost been a forgone conclusion that the Lakers would simply select whichever big man prospect that was not picked at #1. This is because the Lakers have a rich history of talented big men who have helped them produce championships. Additionally the Lakers have a gaping hole at the center spot on their roster right now. I could actually start at center for the Lakers, and you wouldn't notice a drop off in performance from last season. Putting two and two together, most fans and sports writers believed the Lakers would select a center since we need one, and the two available were projected to be really good.
Enter D'Angelo Russell.
I'll admit I was surprised they picked him too. But not in a bad way. Like in the way you're surprised when you leave work on a Friday, and there's no traffic on the way home. It was a pleasant surprise! I didn't think the Lakers would go against conventional wisdom that says you should pick a big over a small. Ever since Russell was brought to my attention last year, it was clear this dude can play the game of basketball. But we'll get to that in the next section. Even better still for the business side of the house, D'Angelo has that LA personality. He has a ton of natural charisma and isn't afraid of the spotlight. In the end I think that, combined with his skills, made him a can't miss pick for the Lakers. One which I agree with. (I had him at #2 on my personal board after Towns).
The Lakers also had two other draft picks which they used on Larry Nance Jr (#27) and Anthony Brown (#34). They also offered summer league contracts to forward Branden Ashley and center Robert Upshaw. I will cover these players in a follow on post :). I'm really excited about Upshaw. We're desperate for a center and he's got all the skills we would need at that position. His only question mark is if he can get his head on straight. Much more or follow on that. He has the potential to be an even bigger steal than Jordan Clarskon...
So let's take a look at D'Angelo Russell and see what kind of player he was in college, and what type of player he can be in the NBA. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
Passing ability/IQ
Shooting
Ball handling
Unselfish but not afraid to take over
Weaknesses
Doesn't have elite athleticism
Lacks strength
Needs better moves for finishing at the rim
NBA comparison (play style): Stephen Curry, James Harden, Manu Ginobli
Russell plays the game very smoothyly. What I mean by that is he's always in control. He controls the pace and tempo of the game. He's able to manipulate the defense with his high basketball IQ, and sees plays develop before they happen. He always makes the right pass at the right time. Whether it leads directly to he assist or it is the pass the leads to the assist he usually has his hand in it. Additionally, because he is a deadly shooter off the dribble or in catch and shoot situations it makes the defense have to respect him. They can't give him too much space so it opens up lanes for his passing game.
D'Angelo is equally adept at playing up tempo as he is at playing in a half court offense. With him, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle the Lakers have 3 promising younger players who can all initiate the offense by creating for themselves or others. It will make for EXCITING basketball a few years down the road. Without further ado, here's a great highlight video showing Russell's play style:
Laker fans should be excited about the future with D'Angelo Russell on board. They obviously saw enough talent in him to take a risk in drafting him against conventional wisdom over Jahlil Okafor. More posts to follow on his development. The next two articles will be on what moves the Lakers should make in free agency and a look at the other two draftees from Thursday night.
Also, in a month 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. If you'd like to give you can at the link below:
www.wateroflifecc.org/gorgive
Register and then select Kenya Team 1 and my name is Jason
Thank you SO MUCH for your help. Any amount counts :)
Go LAKERS
Friday, October 10, 2014
Pre-season Impressions (vs Nuggets & Warriors) 10/10/14
The dawn of another Lakers season is upon us and there is a lot to be excited about!! :) :)
The Lakers have a completely overhauled roster from last season. Which is good news for those who don't enjoy setting franchise records for losses. 2013-2014 was an injury filled year for our Lakers (led the league by a wide margin in that category). It's one that we'd all like to quickly forget.
So this year we have some new young talent, and a rejuvinated old guy named Kobe Bean Bryant. I'm really looking forward to watching the development of Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and Jeremy Lin. They all are being put into a good position to succeed thanks to the mentorship of Kobe, Nash, and Carlos Boozer. Additonally the Lakers hired a new coach in Byron Scott who is looking to bring back the championship culture of the Laker brand which evaded the last two head coaches.
Impressions
For full game analysis check the one and only Dancing Barry threads over at Lakers Ground. I won't be doing more detailed anlaysis until the regular season starts. This is because the team is experimenting with different lineups, players, schemes, etc. instead of being focused on winning the game. Instead I'll focus on the impression I've gotten from each player through training camp and the pre-season games.
vs. Nuggets: http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=170280
vs. Warriors: http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=170325
Nash - Played well in his 20 minutes of action vs. Denver. They sat him out to rest against Golden State. He seemed to be moving well and was more agressive shooting the ball than he was last season. It appears to be a point of emphasis from coach Scott.
Bryant - He is operating from the free throw line extended just like he said he would. He's doing much less ball handling. He is running the offense from the post positions. His ability to score and draw fouls still exists despite his elevation on the jumper not being as high. I look to see him get in even better shape as the season progresses and start to test the waters with his slashing game. Defensively he's had good and bad spots. But he looks capable and I don't think he will get abused on that end.
Johnson - Still has minimal impact on the games. He'll do probably 2 things a game that make you notice him. Other than that you forget he is playing. Wesley needs to play better.
Boozer - His 15 footer has been automatic. His defense has been below average. And most of his drives to the basket have been blocked. Maybe it's just because of pre-season, but I'd like to see him play with more fire.
Hill - Looked good in the first game against Denver. Didn't do much in the second game. If this trend continues he will lose his starting spot to Ed Davis.
Lin - Looks a little shaky at times while trying to find his role in the offense, but overall I've liked his play. He is crticial to the Lakers making the playoffs. I think when he settles in he will have a good season. He has the talent.
Clarkson - He has made some rookie mistakes when it comes to shot selection and defense, but his effort is unquestionable and he's made some good things happen on the court in both games. He's looking to be the scorer of the 2nd unit with Swaggy P being out. Unfortunately he strained his calf in the last game and is expected to miss at least a week. Get well soon Jordan!
Ellington - Has been competing as the backup 3 even though he is a 2. I think he's demonstrated that he can shoot the basketball (which is why the Lakers signed him as a Jodie Meeks replacement). I think he's performed slightly above expectations so far.
Randle - Looked good in both games. He got off to a rocky start in the 2nd one though after taking forced shots and then hesitating on wide open jumpers. He cleaned up his mistakes toward the end of the game and showed flashes of the superstar caliber player that he can be. The best part about it is that he recognizes his weaknesses and he works on them.
Davis - He has impressed many with his play in the first two pre-season games. He had great pick and roll chemistry with Lin in game 1, then he continued to impress with his defense and effort in against the Warriors. If he keeps this up he will be starting.
Price - Did not play against the Nuggets. Showed some defensive hustle in the second game. He can shoot if open, but he can't really orchestrate an offense.
Sacre - Looks the same as last year except with a slightly improved jumper.
Tyler - Got a few mins to play in the Warriors' game, but did not show anything other than bricked jumpers. In his defense he was in the game with all 3rd stringers though.
Smith - See Tyler.
Swaggy - Injured (Wrist)
Kelly - Injured (Hamstring)
Henry - Injured (Back)
The next game will be Sunday against the Warriors again at 6:30pm.
The Lakers have a completely overhauled roster from last season. Which is good news for those who don't enjoy setting franchise records for losses. 2013-2014 was an injury filled year for our Lakers (led the league by a wide margin in that category). It's one that we'd all like to quickly forget.
So this year we have some new young talent, and a rejuvinated old guy named Kobe Bean Bryant. I'm really looking forward to watching the development of Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and Jeremy Lin. They all are being put into a good position to succeed thanks to the mentorship of Kobe, Nash, and Carlos Boozer. Additonally the Lakers hired a new coach in Byron Scott who is looking to bring back the championship culture of the Laker brand which evaded the last two head coaches.
Impressions
For full game analysis check the one and only Dancing Barry threads over at Lakers Ground. I won't be doing more detailed anlaysis until the regular season starts. This is because the team is experimenting with different lineups, players, schemes, etc. instead of being focused on winning the game. Instead I'll focus on the impression I've gotten from each player through training camp and the pre-season games.
vs. Nuggets: http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=170280
vs. Warriors: http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=170325
Nash - Played well in his 20 minutes of action vs. Denver. They sat him out to rest against Golden State. He seemed to be moving well and was more agressive shooting the ball than he was last season. It appears to be a point of emphasis from coach Scott.
Bryant - He is operating from the free throw line extended just like he said he would. He's doing much less ball handling. He is running the offense from the post positions. His ability to score and draw fouls still exists despite his elevation on the jumper not being as high. I look to see him get in even better shape as the season progresses and start to test the waters with his slashing game. Defensively he's had good and bad spots. But he looks capable and I don't think he will get abused on that end.
Johnson - Still has minimal impact on the games. He'll do probably 2 things a game that make you notice him. Other than that you forget he is playing. Wesley needs to play better.
Boozer - His 15 footer has been automatic. His defense has been below average. And most of his drives to the basket have been blocked. Maybe it's just because of pre-season, but I'd like to see him play with more fire.
Hill - Looked good in the first game against Denver. Didn't do much in the second game. If this trend continues he will lose his starting spot to Ed Davis.
Lin - Looks a little shaky at times while trying to find his role in the offense, but overall I've liked his play. He is crticial to the Lakers making the playoffs. I think when he settles in he will have a good season. He has the talent.
Clarkson - He has made some rookie mistakes when it comes to shot selection and defense, but his effort is unquestionable and he's made some good things happen on the court in both games. He's looking to be the scorer of the 2nd unit with Swaggy P being out. Unfortunately he strained his calf in the last game and is expected to miss at least a week. Get well soon Jordan!
Ellington - Has been competing as the backup 3 even though he is a 2. I think he's demonstrated that he can shoot the basketball (which is why the Lakers signed him as a Jodie Meeks replacement). I think he's performed slightly above expectations so far.
Randle - Looked good in both games. He got off to a rocky start in the 2nd one though after taking forced shots and then hesitating on wide open jumpers. He cleaned up his mistakes toward the end of the game and showed flashes of the superstar caliber player that he can be. The best part about it is that he recognizes his weaknesses and he works on them.
Davis - He has impressed many with his play in the first two pre-season games. He had great pick and roll chemistry with Lin in game 1, then he continued to impress with his defense and effort in against the Warriors. If he keeps this up he will be starting.
Price - Did not play against the Nuggets. Showed some defensive hustle in the second game. He can shoot if open, but he can't really orchestrate an offense.
Sacre - Looks the same as last year except with a slightly improved jumper.
Tyler - Got a few mins to play in the Warriors' game, but did not show anything other than bricked jumpers. In his defense he was in the game with all 3rd stringers though.
Smith - See Tyler.
Swaggy - Injured (Wrist)
Kelly - Injured (Hamstring)
Henry - Injured (Back)
The next game will be Sunday against the Warriors again at 6:30pm.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Insider Info on the Lakers Coaching Choice & Cool Vids (08/05/14)
Welcome back everyone. In two days I'll be heading out of the country on a mission trip to Kenya with my church. I had hoped to have analysis of the new coaching staff by then, but as of now only head coach Byron Scott has been announced. For now I'll leave you all with some insider info from Lakersground.net forum poster Luca Brasi. He has been vetted by moderators over there and I find him highly credible. Here is what he had to say regarding Derek Fisher as a coaching prospect:
In regards to John Calipari:
Interesting stuff for sure! I think Madsen will be head coach one day, but he needs more time and experience right now.
Also, here are some really cool Lakers videos to keep you happy until the season starts. The first is a real tear jerker about Kobe's battle back from injury. The second shows some down right scary comparisons of Kobe and Jordan. And last but not least is a great 6 minute interview with our new rookie Julius Randle. I highly recommend watching it as I think he's a great guy and I'm happy to have him on the squad. Enjoy and let me know which one you liked the most! :) Go Lakers!!!
"For those wondering about Dfish the Lakers had serious interest, but alas we figured the prospects of teaming with Phil would be too persuasive, and he also wasn't interested in keeping with the Lakers timeline to hire a coach.
The goal as stated a couple years ago was to hire a younger coach with Laker legacy. Mission accomplished. "
In regards to John Calipari:
"Calipari was always on the radar, but he took himself out of the running when he committed to the Harrison twins. If he turned his back on those kids, I'm not sure the lakers would be interested, that's a horrible thing to do."And before Scott was hired he mentioned this about Mark Madsen:
"One option is hiring Mark on an interim basis till someone else becomes available.
*Backs away slowly. Fearing fan reaction.* "
Interesting stuff for sure! I think Madsen will be head coach one day, but he needs more time and experience right now.
Also, here are some really cool Lakers videos to keep you happy until the season starts. The first is a real tear jerker about Kobe's battle back from injury. The second shows some down right scary comparisons of Kobe and Jordan. And last but not least is a great 6 minute interview with our new rookie Julius Randle. I highly recommend watching it as I think he's a great guy and I'm happy to have him on the squad. Enjoy and let me know which one you liked the most! :) Go Lakers!!!
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Summer League Summary & Roster Update 07/19/14
The Lakers played their last summer league game yesterday. They defeated the Denver Nuggets summer league team 83-77, and had a final record of 2-3. Just as in pre-season, the final outcome of each game is not as important a getting a good look a different players and how they perform individually. For the Lakers there were two players who clearly stood out from the rest. It was none other than their two picks from this year's draft: Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson.
Julius Randle
To put it simply, this kid is a bully. If you met him on the playground he would take your lunch money. And if you got the courage to tell a teacher they wouldn't help you because they'd be scared of him too. That's not to say he isn't a good guy because he definitely is...but this guy is like a built like an ox. When you watch him drive to the rim you just see defenders bouncing off of him in every direction. It's like watching bumper cars. To give you an example there was one play in Summer League where a defender tried to stop a Randle drive. He got caught with an elbow and needed 3 stitches on his forehead. And the foul was called on him! LOL. Randle is that good.
Here's some highlight clips of his play against the 76ers:
Obviously he's still a rookie so there will be much for him to learn, and there are a few things he needs to work on a lot. However, he is oozing potential right now and Laker fans should be excited! Here are the top three skills he demonstrated in SL, and the top three things he needs to improve.
Skills:
Adept at getting to the basket due to ball handling and quickness
Has the ability to finish through contact and draw fouls
Has excellent court vision and makes good passes
Areas for Improvement:
Conditioning is not where it should be thanks to being 3 months removed from the college season
Only attempted 2 jump shots in summer league and missed both, will need one to continue offensive success in the NBA
Set very poor screens which never provided opportunity for anything in pick and roll situations
Jordan Clarkson
The Lakers spent $1.7M to buy this pick from the Washington Wizards. Right now that is looking like money well spent. Clarkson is a 6'5" guard who can play the point guard and shooting guard roles. He's been the Lakers' highest scorer in summer league. He averaged 15.8 pts, 5 reb, and 1.2ast. Like Randle he plays with a chip on his shoulder and has a knack for getting to the basket. He surprised the Lakers with just how good his shooting has been. Clarkson even had a game winning tip in vs. the Warriors. He was projected to go in the first round of the draft but somehow fell to the mid second round where the Lakers got him. Good pick by Mitch and Co.
Here's some highlights from his best summer league game:
Here are the top three skills he demonstrated in SL, and the top three things he needs to improve.
Skills:
Fearless attacking the basket and effective once he gets there
Has the ability to knock down open shots off the pass or dribble
Seems to be a leader orchestrating the offense
Areas for Improvement:
Could improve his ball handling
Defensive intensity could improve
Distributing the ball on offense
Roster Update
The Lakers have signed several more players making their roster all but complete for the start of the 2014-2015 season. GM Mitch Kupchak was quoted as saying the roster would be at 13 players. He could change his mind but that is where the current count stands.
Without a head coach or a system in place it is difficult to predict what the Lakers depth chart will look like. Here's how I would place it.
PG: Lin, Nash, Clarkson
SG: Bryant, Young
SF: Johnson, Henry
PF: Randle, Boozer, Kelly
C: Davis, Hill, Sacre
It should be noted that some players can play multiple positions. Bryant, Young, and Henry can all play SG/SF. Clarkson can play PG/SG. Kelly can play SF/PF. Davis and Hill can play PF/C. So the Lakers have some flexibility in their lineups. It will be up to the coach to put them in the best position to succeed.
This roster doesn't scream championship contender (not enough interior D or shooting on paper), but I think it is an entertaining squad that can make the playoffs. It should be a far better team than last year. There are several shot creators who will make it interesting on offense. Lin, Bryant, Nash, Young, and Randle can make plays. That is plenty to make sure the offense doesn't get stagnant. The Lakers also have a good mix of pick and roll and post players which gives even more options on offense.
The major concern here will be defense. There is only 1 shot blocker on the roster (Davis) and 1 player known as a "defender" (Johnson) who was inconsistent last year. The Lakers will have to play consistent team defense if they want to make the playoffs. That means they will have to communicate and work well as a unit on that end of the floor since they don't have a Serge Ibaka type player who can erase the mistakes of others.
All in all it should be a fun team to watch and I can't wait until training camp. I'll bring more articles as things develop :) ... GO LAKERS!!!
Julius Randle
To put it simply, this kid is a bully. If you met him on the playground he would take your lunch money. And if you got the courage to tell a teacher they wouldn't help you because they'd be scared of him too. That's not to say he isn't a good guy because he definitely is...but this guy is like a built like an ox. When you watch him drive to the rim you just see defenders bouncing off of him in every direction. It's like watching bumper cars. To give you an example there was one play in Summer League where a defender tried to stop a Randle drive. He got caught with an elbow and needed 3 stitches on his forehead. And the foul was called on him! LOL. Randle is that good.
Here's some highlight clips of his play against the 76ers:
Obviously he's still a rookie so there will be much for him to learn, and there are a few things he needs to work on a lot. However, he is oozing potential right now and Laker fans should be excited! Here are the top three skills he demonstrated in SL, and the top three things he needs to improve.
Skills:
Adept at getting to the basket due to ball handling and quickness
Has the ability to finish through contact and draw fouls
Has excellent court vision and makes good passes
Areas for Improvement:
Conditioning is not where it should be thanks to being 3 months removed from the college season
Only attempted 2 jump shots in summer league and missed both, will need one to continue offensive success in the NBA
Set very poor screens which never provided opportunity for anything in pick and roll situations
Jordan Clarkson
The Lakers spent $1.7M to buy this pick from the Washington Wizards. Right now that is looking like money well spent. Clarkson is a 6'5" guard who can play the point guard and shooting guard roles. He's been the Lakers' highest scorer in summer league. He averaged 15.8 pts, 5 reb, and 1.2ast. Like Randle he plays with a chip on his shoulder and has a knack for getting to the basket. He surprised the Lakers with just how good his shooting has been. Clarkson even had a game winning tip in vs. the Warriors. He was projected to go in the first round of the draft but somehow fell to the mid second round where the Lakers got him. Good pick by Mitch and Co.
Here's some highlights from his best summer league game:
Here are the top three skills he demonstrated in SL, and the top three things he needs to improve.
Skills:
Fearless attacking the basket and effective once he gets there
Has the ability to knock down open shots off the pass or dribble
Seems to be a leader orchestrating the offense
Areas for Improvement:
Could improve his ball handling
Defensive intensity could improve
Distributing the ball on offense
Roster Update
The Lakers have signed several more players making their roster all but complete for the start of the 2014-2015 season. GM Mitch Kupchak was quoted as saying the roster would be at 13 players. He could change his mind but that is where the current count stands.
Without a head coach or a system in place it is difficult to predict what the Lakers depth chart will look like. Here's how I would place it.
PG: Lin, Nash, Clarkson
SG: Bryant, Young
SF: Johnson, Henry
PF: Randle, Boozer, Kelly
C: Davis, Hill, Sacre
It should be noted that some players can play multiple positions. Bryant, Young, and Henry can all play SG/SF. Clarkson can play PG/SG. Kelly can play SF/PF. Davis and Hill can play PF/C. So the Lakers have some flexibility in their lineups. It will be up to the coach to put them in the best position to succeed.
This roster doesn't scream championship contender (not enough interior D or shooting on paper), but I think it is an entertaining squad that can make the playoffs. It should be a far better team than last year. There are several shot creators who will make it interesting on offense. Lin, Bryant, Nash, Young, and Randle can make plays. That is plenty to make sure the offense doesn't get stagnant. The Lakers also have a good mix of pick and roll and post players which gives even more options on offense.
The major concern here will be defense. There is only 1 shot blocker on the roster (Davis) and 1 player known as a "defender" (Johnson) who was inconsistent last year. The Lakers will have to play consistent team defense if they want to make the playoffs. That means they will have to communicate and work well as a unit on that end of the floor since they don't have a Serge Ibaka type player who can erase the mistakes of others.
All in all it should be a fun team to watch and I can't wait until training camp. I'll bring more articles as things develop :) ... GO LAKERS!!!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
The Roster and Randle 07/13/14
Before we get to the fun of discussing the potential of the Lakers' #7 draft pick, Julius Randle, let's go over the current roster and see what we have.
As of today:
Point Guards
Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin, Kendall Marshall
Shooting Guards
Kobe Bryant, Jordan Clarkson
Small Forwards
Nick Young
Power Forwards
Julius Randle, Ryan Kelly
Centers
Jordan Hill, Robert Sacre,
Obviously this is far from a championship roster. In fact it's far from a complete roster with only 10 players. Nevertheless the biggest holes I see are:
Interior size, Shot blocking/rim protection, Perimeter defense
This team will struggle to stop people from scoring. The Lakers need an athletic wing player or two who put effort into defense. They also need a center who can do the same thing. Javale McGee might not be a bad option for the center position is the Lakers can trade Nash for him (it would depend on how desperate the Nuggets are to get rid of him). He has had maturity issues on the court in the past so the Lakers would need to take a gamble that he could fix those.
The strengths of this team would definitely be on the offensive end. Here are my top 3:
Shot creating, potential for good shooting, potential for good rebounding.
Notice that 2 of the top 3 are labeled as "potential". That lies a lot on what type of system the Lakers run and if Nash is actually able to contribute at all.
JULIUS RANDLE (#30)
6'9" PF 250lbs
All year long I wanted the Lakers to get the Aussie Dante Exum with their #7 pick. He was selected by Utah at #5. But when it was announced that we were picking Julius Randle I wasn't really disappointed. After watching his post draft interview and his introductory press conference I was flat out excited! I do like his game, but perhaps most of all I have been impressed by his upbringing, his maturity, and his old school attitude. One of his first comments after being drafted was that he was going to" Make other teams pay for not picking him." When another reporter asked him if he wanted to play with LeBron James, Randle responded by saying he'd rather play against him because he's a competitor. Does that sound familiar at all? It should because Randle's favorite player growing up was none other than Kobe Bryant. As a freshman, Randle led Kentucky to the national championship game. They lost a close one, but Randle was impressive throughout the tournament.
Here are Randle's strengths as a player:
Motor (hustle and energy)
Quickness and speed for size
Strength
Agility
Touch around the basket
Competitive drive
Post moves/footwork/face up game
Ball handling
Here are things he needs to work on:
Defensive effort/intelligence
Consistency with jumper (has a nice stroke)
Conditioning
Below is a nice welcome video that shows some of his standout plays from college. However the system he played in was a little restrictive for his game so his high school highlights may actually be more relevant to the NBA.
Welcome home Julius!!
The Lakers also drafted guard Jordan Clarkson with a 2nd round pick that they bought from Washington. He has impressed so far in Summer League. If he makes the team I will have a write up on him as well.
Go Lakers!!!
As of today:
Point Guards
Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin, Kendall Marshall
Shooting Guards
Kobe Bryant, Jordan Clarkson
Small Forwards
Nick Young
Power Forwards
Julius Randle, Ryan Kelly
Centers
Jordan Hill, Robert Sacre,
Obviously this is far from a championship roster. In fact it's far from a complete roster with only 10 players. Nevertheless the biggest holes I see are:
Interior size, Shot blocking/rim protection, Perimeter defense
This team will struggle to stop people from scoring. The Lakers need an athletic wing player or two who put effort into defense. They also need a center who can do the same thing. Javale McGee might not be a bad option for the center position is the Lakers can trade Nash for him (it would depend on how desperate the Nuggets are to get rid of him). He has had maturity issues on the court in the past so the Lakers would need to take a gamble that he could fix those.
The strengths of this team would definitely be on the offensive end. Here are my top 3:
Shot creating, potential for good shooting, potential for good rebounding.
Notice that 2 of the top 3 are labeled as "potential". That lies a lot on what type of system the Lakers run and if Nash is actually able to contribute at all.
JULIUS RANDLE (#30)
6'9" PF 250lbs
All year long I wanted the Lakers to get the Aussie Dante Exum with their #7 pick. He was selected by Utah at #5. But when it was announced that we were picking Julius Randle I wasn't really disappointed. After watching his post draft interview and his introductory press conference I was flat out excited! I do like his game, but perhaps most of all I have been impressed by his upbringing, his maturity, and his old school attitude. One of his first comments after being drafted was that he was going to" Make other teams pay for not picking him." When another reporter asked him if he wanted to play with LeBron James, Randle responded by saying he'd rather play against him because he's a competitor. Does that sound familiar at all? It should because Randle's favorite player growing up was none other than Kobe Bryant. As a freshman, Randle led Kentucky to the national championship game. They lost a close one, but Randle was impressive throughout the tournament.
Here are Randle's strengths as a player:
Motor (hustle and energy)
Quickness and speed for size
Strength
Agility
Touch around the basket
Competitive drive
Post moves/footwork/face up game
Ball handling
Here are things he needs to work on:
Defensive effort/intelligence
Consistency with jumper (has a nice stroke)
Conditioning
Below is a nice welcome video that shows some of his standout plays from college. However the system he played in was a little restrictive for his game so his high school highlights may actually be more relevant to the NBA.
Welcome home Julius!!
The Lakers also drafted guard Jordan Clarkson with a 2nd round pick that they bought from Washington. He has impressed so far in Summer League. If he makes the team I will have a write up on him as well.
Go Lakers!!!
Rebuilding the Franchise... 07/13/14
"There's a storm coming, Mr. Wayne. You and your friends better batten down the hatches, because when it hits, you're all gonna wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us."
It's funny how a classic quote from the latest Dark Knight movie can sum up the state of the Lakers today. Simply put the league was tired of being dominated by the Lakers. Sixteen championships (actually 17 since there is one the league won't recognize) and appearing in 31 finals tends to make the other girls at the party a little jealous. To completely understand why the team is in a rebuilding phase today all one has to do is look back 3 years ago to the NBA lockout in 2011.
The average fan doesn't understand the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and how it affects a team's management strategy. This document controls the rules of the NBA involved with trades, salary cap, and free agency. That's not even to mention how it governs the money distribution between the owners and the players, which is perhaps the most important part. After the 2011 lockout the players and owners signed a new CBA which had a new set of rules written to stop the Lakers and other big market teams from acquiring high talent players easily. The new rules are so effective that large market teams can no longer just pay more money for the players they want. They have to do more with less.
Before the ink had time to dry on this new CBA, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak had already figured out a way to succeed. He traded Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom for Chris Paul. Not only had he gotten the best player in the trade, but the team was saving enough money to afford Dwight Howard and David West as well. Of course sadly we all know what happened from there. In a never before seen move the NBA blocked the trade. From that point forward the Lakers have been making high risk moves to try to put a contender around Kobe and give him one last shot at a ring. Unfortunately their injury history has been horrible, and their coaching hires have almost been as bad.
The Lakers gave it one last shot this summer to get Bean another superstar to play with. They went for Melo. They even went for the long shot of LeBronze. They struck out on both. Despite what ESPN might tell you Lakers' management/ownership is not to blame on this one. This new CBA makes it far more lucrative for players to stay with their current teams (Melo), or for them to go to a team with young players on rookie contracts (LeBronze). Kevin Love is a lost cause at this point as well. The Lakers don't have the pieces to get him, drafted a talented rookie who plays his position, and he wouldn't stay here unless the team was closer to winning.
With no real shot at a contending team the Lakers were forced to adjust to the strategy of re-building. The best way to do that is to acquire young talented players on affordable contracts until you can attract a superstar to carry your franchise. That's why the Lakers traded for Jeremy Lin. Sure, he could miraculously improve from being average to all-star point guard, but the real benefit of getting him was the two draft picks Houston gave us. They will explore other similar deals throughout the rest of summer and the season.
It's funny how a classic quote from the latest Dark Knight movie can sum up the state of the Lakers today. Simply put the league was tired of being dominated by the Lakers. Sixteen championships (actually 17 since there is one the league won't recognize) and appearing in 31 finals tends to make the other girls at the party a little jealous. To completely understand why the team is in a rebuilding phase today all one has to do is look back 3 years ago to the NBA lockout in 2011.
The average fan doesn't understand the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and how it affects a team's management strategy. This document controls the rules of the NBA involved with trades, salary cap, and free agency. That's not even to mention how it governs the money distribution between the owners and the players, which is perhaps the most important part. After the 2011 lockout the players and owners signed a new CBA which had a new set of rules written to stop the Lakers and other big market teams from acquiring high talent players easily. The new rules are so effective that large market teams can no longer just pay more money for the players they want. They have to do more with less.
Before the ink had time to dry on this new CBA, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak had already figured out a way to succeed. He traded Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom for Chris Paul. Not only had he gotten the best player in the trade, but the team was saving enough money to afford Dwight Howard and David West as well. Of course sadly we all know what happened from there. In a never before seen move the NBA blocked the trade. From that point forward the Lakers have been making high risk moves to try to put a contender around Kobe and give him one last shot at a ring. Unfortunately their injury history has been horrible, and their coaching hires have almost been as bad.
The Lakers gave it one last shot this summer to get Bean another superstar to play with. They went for Melo. They even went for the long shot of LeBronze. They struck out on both. Despite what ESPN might tell you Lakers' management/ownership is not to blame on this one. This new CBA makes it far more lucrative for players to stay with their current teams (Melo), or for them to go to a team with young players on rookie contracts (LeBronze). Kevin Love is a lost cause at this point as well. The Lakers don't have the pieces to get him, drafted a talented rookie who plays his position, and he wouldn't stay here unless the team was closer to winning.
With no real shot at a contending team the Lakers were forced to adjust to the strategy of re-building. The best way to do that is to acquire young talented players on affordable contracts until you can attract a superstar to carry your franchise. That's why the Lakers traded for Jeremy Lin. Sure, he could miraculously improve from being average to all-star point guard, but the real benefit of getting him was the two draft picks Houston gave us. They will explore other similar deals throughout the rest of summer and the season.
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