I hope we find a way to hold on to these four players from the SL team: Max Christie Jay Huff Cole Swider Scotty Pippen Jr.
Pippen looks like he is ambidextrous. He finishes around the rim with his left and can shoot from outside with his right. He actually has surprised me with his play, he is fun to watch. His dad must had raised him well, because the kid has a real good feel for the game, he will make the roster imo. He's got the cross over, mid range jumper, step back, nifty with his footwork around the rim and perimter. This little guy has some skills, he can play.
Swider is already a better shooter than everyone on last year’s team not named Melo. Add in the fact that he’s not 40, can move, and we have our much needed replacement for Melo. This kid needs to be in with the Big Boys.
Swider is listed as 6-9, 220. Scores very well, shot 60% for three. He is going to be an elite shooter in this league, please keep.
I like Pippen a lot don’t get me wrong. I think he has some “IT” with the swagger and confidence. I also think still that letting McClung get away may bite us in the a** and as good as Scottie gets … Mac “may” have the higher ceiling both on offense and defense. A little taller, stronger, quicker, faster, better athlete, is picking up the instruction greatly at this level with the skills training and will get better and better. Also has “IT” going on. In fair competition for a spot in practice it would have been a hell of a battle and I don’t think they wanted to see it. Maybe even some politics involved because of “name”. Mac may even wind up shooting better. No idea at this point. I would bet he'll be a better defender because of the great quickness. I’d have gone with the slightly taller, much better “athlete” with the chip on his shoulder if could keep only one. Under our developmental team he was flourishing.
I like him and I’m hoping the staff can help him in the other areas of his game so he can get on the floor.
I get it, Mac is more athletic and flashier. However, he doesn’t control the offense like Pippen does- he doesn’t have his poise. In the small sample size I have seen Pippen, he has already shown me that he’s a much better passer. He’s also much better at creating space between himself and his man. I liked Mac, and wish him well, but I’m siding with the Lakers staff on this one. I also feel like this has nothing to do with the name. I think they see in Pippen a player who will be ready to contribute sooner and who comes with a higher ceiling to improve.
Yeah I do hope you're right. Thing is we didn't really get a chance to see how much Mac has improved since even the end of the season. If I recall he was the G-League ROY? And no doubt he has been working non stop since he got to the Lakers being of the gym rat mentality, not to say Pip isn't. Have to be to make it at their sizes.. Pippen also does a good job putting guys on his back with his dribble, but again this is all stuff Mac is capable of. It's not the "flashiness" that gets my eye with Mac really as they both have their own versions of that, but just rather that he is picking up the speed and control of the skills such as handles required at the NBA level .... and has the added physical speed, quick feet and athleticism to be more explosive with them. Also required for small guards in the NBA. I do like Pip's passing and poise running the offense. Don't know where Mac is cause didn't really see much of him. If defense is where you really get screwed with smaller PGs then the best you can hope for is a very athletic and strong and quick with his feet player. Mac ought to be able to trend higher there while continuing to learn. Pip shows flashes with his quick digs at the ball and heady play "at this level" at least. And of course it doesn't suck that he has his Pops to school him on all the finer points of defense.
