2015 Nba Draft Discussion: Russell, Nance Jr., Brown

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by LaVarBallsDad, Oct 14, 2014.

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  1. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    ^LOL! Good. Keep yelling and hope it starts translating into some damn wins for Minny...
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 24, 2015
    #781
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  2. Ryanwestlombardi

    Ryanwestlombardi - Rookie -

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    Ryanwestlombardi, Feb 25, 2015
    #782
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  3. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    I can't see Knicks passing on him regardless. Knicks need a home run sell to the fans and media even more than we do.
     
    JSM, Feb 25, 2015
    #783
  4. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Honestly I could see them going for Mudiay who could have a little more mystique and flash from the perimeter.
     
    therealdeal, Feb 25, 2015
    #784
  5. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    JSM, Feb 25, 2015
    #785
  6. JSM

    JSM - Lakers Legend -

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    People are already calling for Phil's head. His handling of the Melo situation and not sitting him didn't help. If he gets to pick first, I don't think he can sell mystique and asking media and the fans to wait even longer. Okafor will give them NBA starting center production from night one. And it'll buy him some good faith until he gets a top tier FA.

    I don't think Mudiay is a triangle player either. Could he be? Sure. But forcing that on a rookie PG is asking for trouble. Trying to learn the NBA game and triangle as a point in your first year is going to slow your development immensely.
     
    JSM, Feb 25, 2015
    #786
  7. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Good point. I just feel like the history of sucking from the Knicks isn't changing any time soon... It seems like a "Knicks" move to have Okafor available and take someone else for marketing purposes.
     
    therealdeal, Feb 25, 2015
    #787
  8. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    Do ultra-athletic PGs have a chronic injury concern? Is there a pattern or trend in league history, or is Rose an anomaly? I'm not only referring to career ending injuries, but injuries that seem to put guys out repeatedly for large chunks of time.

    Rose, Westbrook, Rondo are current players that fit the description. Iverson, Nate Robinson, and Spud Webb are guys that would be exceptions. Help me out because I can't think of other examples that confirm or refute this claim off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are plenty.

    I ask this in this thread because of Mudiay.
     
    Punk-101, Feb 25, 2015
    #788
  9. thkthebest

    thkthebest Administrator Staff Member

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    Currently? Wall and Bledsoe are also ridiculously athletic.

    All-time, I can also think of Steve Francis, Baron Davis, Kevin Johnson.
     
    thkthebest, Feb 25, 2015
    #789
  10. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    I posted a similar theory today.

    Baron Davis is a prime example. I wouldn't contribute it to their athleticism, but the style of play and their dependency on athleticism over footwork and fundamentals.

    They constantly put their body on the line when guards should primarily be perimeter based. Iverson and Nate Robinson are guys who can shoot particularly well, and don't force contact in the paint as some of the other guys mentioned. Meanwhile, guys like Davis, Rose, and even Westbrook constantly attack the paint and put themselves in positions to get injured.

    That's just my take.
     
    lakerfan2, Feb 25, 2015
    #790
  11. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    All true. Wall has been healthy. Bledsoe's health has been hit and miss. Franchise was mostly healthy IIRC. Baron seemed to be injured a lot. KJ was healthy most of the time (one of the most underrated players ever, IMO. Hated his guts, but a beast!)
     
    Punk-101, Feb 25, 2015
    #791
  12. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Without getting too detailed- Today's game is based very much off of athleticism instead of skill. Point guards these days are expected to run faster, jump higher, and handle the ball better than ever before. Couple that with AAU ball which teaches almost nothing about proper body mechanics, footwork, and fundamentals and what you have is guys who don't get proper weight training/long-term conducive workouts until they hit the pros. By then it's usually too late. Rose has very thin legs and is incredibly explosive. Every time he jumps he puts tremendous pressure on his knees at points that shouldn't be tested. That being said, most basketball players have improper jumping mechanics because they're very tall and lanky. Only the ones who are trying to do too much athletically keep getting hurt (Rose and Westbrook). Everyone was amazed at what he could do leaping around the floor, but the reality is your body isn't built to do those things.
     
    therealdeal, Feb 25, 2015
    #792
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  13. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    It's something I've thought of too. I think Russell might be a safer pick if we had our choice between the two. A solid pg who just does a lot of things well as opposed to someone who will burn bright for a few years. I'd love a Randle/Russell tandem going forward.
     
    Savory Griddles, Feb 25, 2015
    #793
  14. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    Agreed. Good point. Disagree about Iverson though. He attacked relentlessly and took a beating but kept coming. He was just lucky I guess or has an adamantium skeleton.
     
    Punk-101, Feb 25, 2015
    #794
  15. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    Great post.
     
    Savory Griddles, Feb 25, 2015
    #795
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  16. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Wall might be the exception to the rule. I haven't watched much of him. I'd like to see what he looks like gathering before he jumps.

    edit- I went back and checked. Wall has a more natural jumping motion than Rose and he lands better two. Wall's claim to fame is more about his speed than his leaping.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2015
    therealdeal, Feb 25, 2015
    #796
  17. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    I strongly prefer Russell over Mudiay, even if they both stay healthy. I think Russell has the "it" between the ears. He relishes the moment, is clutch, thinks the game through, and is also incredibly skilled. I see a lot of Nash and Kidd in him in terms of having skills+brains but lacking athleticism.
     
    Punk-101, Feb 25, 2015
    #797
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  18. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    He doesn't seem to have to burst as some of the other top PGs that were recruited in the past. He is uses advanced ball handling moves to get into the paint when he penetrates and unlike Nash or Kidd has the length to finish around the the rim evidenced by the 64% he shoots at the rim.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Feb 25, 2015
    #798
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  19. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    Athletically, is he about Mike Conely level? higher? lower? It's tough for me to gauge sometimes.
     
    Savory Griddles, Feb 25, 2015
    #799
  20. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    All also isn't much of a contact type guy. He has good general handles enough to avoid it and get the shot he wants.

    Whereas guys like Rose and Westbrook like to initiate contact.
     
    lakerfan2, Feb 25, 2015
    #800
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