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

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

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  1. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    -slow clap-

    Nicely said.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 24, 2015
    #5101
  2. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Oh and one thing I forgot to say, not trying to make excuses, but it's entirely possible that Okafor's poor FT shooting or poor shooting in general (I don't know the stats on that, so I don't know how accurate it is) are in part due to his ridiculously huge hands. Shaq and some others seemed to have a similar issue. Of course I'm not an NBA player, but I know that when I shoot around with my little cousins with one of those mini-basketballs, it's a lot tougher to be accurate.

    Maybe that's a poor comparison because Okafor has had years to adjust to the NBA ball, but it still might not matter and be something that makes shooting difficult for him. Again though, if he's a low post, around the rim player and true Center, and that part of his game is polished and hard to stop, why does he need a jumper? I still think even if his jumper can't be improved much, that his ft shooting still can be. Players say a lot of it is mental, and having a consistent routine that works for you. Not to bring up Duncan yet again, but he was bad at the start as well. So was Karl Malone. More recently even Tiago Splitter greatly improved his ft shooting, it can be done. As long as Okafor isn't DeAndre Jordan at the line there's hope lol.
     
    Weezy, Jun 24, 2015
    #5102
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  3. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    But maybe Mitch & Co. now see Russ as a next superstar? Who knows. If they draft him and sign LMA, that would still be huge. Maybe they plan to get another center this summer.
     
    karacha, Jun 24, 2015
    #5103
  4. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    I wouldn't be opposed to Russell and Aldridge at all. It's a big gamble though, I don't know how likely Aldridge coming here is. That's why Okafor seems so safe, he's ready now and cheap. We have a quality guard in Clarkson already (though he still has to continue to improve and show last season wasn't him putting up big numbers on a bad team), but we don't have a real C. Hill has to go at that 9 mil price, and Davis staying here is not clear anymore with what he's asking. If you take Russell, you better be confident you can sign one of the star bigs this summer, and I don't see how we could know that, because we can't even talk to those guys until July.
     
    Weezy, Jun 24, 2015
    #5104
  5. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    Exactly. But I'm sure they have a plan here. And a backup plan if that fails.
     
    karacha, Jun 24, 2015
    #5105
  6. acetabulum7

    acetabulum7 - Rookie -

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    Agreed with all your analysis. But then again if we took Okafor, who will we get on the wing to complete the puzzle? Seems like every championship goes through a star wing player these days.

    Perhaps Russell + Randle can take us to 40+ wins next year, and that'll be enough to get Durant in 2016? Decisions, decisions...
     
    acetabulum7, Jun 25, 2015
    #5106
  7. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    ^^^ Who we get, I don't know, but I think those players are easier to find than a skilled big like Okafor. At worst we have Nick Young still and he can play that position.
     
    Weezy, Jun 25, 2015
    #5107
  8. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Isn't he a 19 year old, 6'11" dude with the best developed post game of any prospect in the last 20 years? How low could his upside be? A 15 ppg scorer? Btw, swallow your pride and granny shot it if your hands are too big.
     
    trodgers, Jun 25, 2015
    #5108
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  9. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers All Star -

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    This times 1000. I rather shoot it Rick Barry style at 70-80% (and look like a fool to some people), than shoot it around 50% and be a real fool.
     
    Kenzo, Jun 25, 2015
    #5109
  10. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    btw, I've sold myself on joe young. I want him with the 27. I'm not sure he'd still be on the board at 34.
     
    abeer3, Jun 25, 2015
    #5110
  11. JLaker17

    JLaker17 - Lakers Starter -

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    We will see how confident Mitch is with FA tonight, if Russell is the pick, one of the big men in FA will be a Laker.
     
    JLaker17, Jun 25, 2015
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  12. KobeJeterKaep

    KobeJeterKaep - Rookie -

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    Russell, Upshaw, Connaughton

    Okafor, Wright, Connaughton


    I prefer the first.

    We will get LA. Gut feeling.

    JC, Deangelo, ??
    Kobe, Brown
    Connaughton (sp?), Young, FA
    LA, Randle, Kelly
    Black, Upshaw, ??

    JC playing some 2 often. Kobe playing some 3 often. And JR playing some 3 too. LA playing some 5. New NBA - smaller more versatile. My two cents.
     
    KobeJeterKaep, Jun 25, 2015
    #5112
  13. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    I think a lot of people are trying to make this draft pick work THIS year.

    Whether we draft Okafor or Russell, it won't be guaranteed we will be able to fill the other position with a star wing or center with the available money we have. Would it be nice? Of course! But the fact of the matter is, we have time. First thing's first, we have to find THE RIGHT GUY. Then, we have to develop this kid to see if he's even worth it or if he's just another asset for us to obtain an established star. Then we can start building from there.
     
    lakerfan2, Jun 25, 2015
    #5113
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  14. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I am good with Okafor or Russell at this point.


    I agree with the thought that drafting Russell probably means we are definitely signing one of the premier free agent big men.

    I would be very content with an offseason that brought us Russell and Aldridge.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Jun 25, 2015
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  15. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Yeah. I think we have an uphill climb back to the playoffs no matter who we pick.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Jun 25, 2015
    #5115
  16. lakerfan2

    lakerfan2 - Lakers All Star -

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    I just think if we draft Russell, it wouldn't be the end of the world if we couldn't find a star big in the interim. A LOT of fans would freak out, but we can fill other roster needs this year and wait for 2016 to roll around for another opportunity whole our guy develops with more touches.
     
    lakerfan2, Jun 25, 2015
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  17. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    I feel the same way but unfortunately everything seems rushed and things must go quick in Lakersland.
     
    tada, Jun 25, 2015
    #5117
  18. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Ding says Lakers leaning towards Russell because "he's a star"

     
    therealdeal, Jun 25, 2015
    #5118
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  19. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Mighty Joe Young? I'm down. I think Charlize is his agent. [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    LTLakerFan, Jun 25, 2015
    #5119
  20. Doc Brown

    Doc Brown - Lakers Starter -

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    If the Lakers really do draft Russell, LMA is on his way to LA.

    I can't see it being Okafor, Okafor, Okafor and then Russell the day of the draft without the Lakers having other options secured.

    Maybe more smoke to Philly to move up as well, but the way the news is flowing. I think we got a big on the way.
     
    Doc Brown, Jun 25, 2015
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