Summer League Team : Russell smooth 21 (1-4)

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by unpossibl1, Jun 25, 2015.

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  1. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Man, screw Towns. He's in Minnesota. I hope Upshaw dominates him!
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Jun 27, 2015
    #101
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  2. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    [​IMG]

    This summer league roster is so ridiculous. We're so ridiculously fortunate.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Jun 27, 2015
    #102
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  3. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Ashley is gone to ATL but it sure looks nice. Randle, Black, Brown, and Clarkson alone SHOULD dominate summer league... throw in Russell AND a talent like Upshaw... not to mention our other rooks like Brown and Nance...

    This is going to be really fun. Really really fun.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 27, 2015
    #103
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  4. jerryr88

    jerryr88 - Rookie -

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    Chances we go undefeated? Lol that would be something :D
     
    jerryr88, Jun 28, 2015
    #104
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  5. karacha

    karacha Moderator Staff Member

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    I can't wait to see this team play. Amazing.

    Upshaw can be a star in this league. He can be one of the top big defenders in the NBA right now, and you can quote me on this one. He needs to stop drinking and whatever else he is... uh... using these days. Tremendous talent though.
     
    karacha, Jun 28, 2015
    #105
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  6. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    I'm excited. What an electrifying looking team. We actually have basketball players who are athletic. What will that be like? Haven't seen it in ages.
     
    trodgers, Jun 28, 2015
    #106
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  7. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Yeah, heck of a talent.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Jun 28, 2015
    #107
  8. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I think that team is probably better than the team we had the last few games of the regular season... Really I do.

    Our last game here was our team:
    Vander Blue
    Jabari Brown
    Ryan Kelly
    Tarik Black/Carlos Boozer (only 10 minutes)
    Jordan Hill/Ed Davis/Robert Sacre

    Here's our Summer League roster:

    D'Angelo Russell
    Jordan Clarkson/Jabari Brown
    Anthony Brown/Larry Nance Jr.
    Julius Randle
    Tarik Black/Robert Upshaw

    Which one looks better?
     
    therealdeal, Jun 28, 2015
    #108
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  9. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    I'll take the summer league roster for $10,000...Alex
     
    LTLakerFan, Jun 28, 2015
    #109
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  10. JLaker17

    JLaker17 - Lakers Starter -

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    I look at that roster and I am anxious to see everyone play, but maybe I'm alone on this but I am most anxious to see Upshaw. Man if he can play well and we can sign him, that is HUGE potential right there for us.
     
    JLaker17, Jun 28, 2015
    #110
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  11. LakerFanIam

    LakerFanIam - Lakers 6th Man -

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    LakerFanIam, Jun 28, 2015
    #111
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  12. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers All Star -

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    In realy rooting for the guy. Be smart kid and you'll be set for life along with your family.
     
    Kenzo, Jun 28, 2015
    #112
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  13. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I wouldn't get my hopes up on him being a contributor right away even if we keep him around... I think it'd be better for him as a person to be brought along slowly. If he blows us away in Summer League and looks great, give him the 1+1 deal we give to all 2nd round picks and stash him in the D-League. That way he can't be "stolen" from us if he keeps up his good Samaritan role but he's not just handed the keys to what can be a life of ridiculous excesses. He admitted to having a tough time with the college atmosphere which I figure includes the emphasis on partying, experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and of course the advantages of being a star athlete. All of those risks are increased as a professional athlete. For a guy who struggles with addiction, I'd make him work his way back up instead of throwing him in the mix and hoping he stays clean.

    It'd be awesome though if he stayed clean. If he really DOES have his life together he has incredible talent. Lamar fought off his demons for a long time and was successful with us. Hopefully Robert can do the same.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 28, 2015
    #113
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  14. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    I hope people have watched the videos of him - he has skills and fluidity that weren't on display within the confines of what Washington wanted him to do. He looks like he can take bigs off the dribble (not a great post repertoire, but he can go between his legs quickly, can spin, has good handles), hit threes, and run the court.
     
    trodgers, Jun 28, 2015
    #114
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  15. JLaker17

    JLaker17 - Lakers Starter -

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    Well yeah, I'm not expecting him or necessarily want him to be the starter or anything like that. Just hoping the kid can keep his head on straight and we get him signed to that 1+1 deal. Sure if he really works for it and what not he can get playing time, but keep him on the bench for the most part and let him develop mentally.
     
    JLaker17, Jun 28, 2015
    #115
  16. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Sure, that sounds perfect. He needs the work anyway and the most important part of not having someone else snake him. Two dominant (with Upshaw, potentially dominant) big men in our grasp and lost would be twice the pain. We really really really do need what he can provide especially on D.
     
    LTLakerFan, Jun 28, 2015
    #116
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  17. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I honestly don't know if I'd rather him be with the team (where there's vices literally following these guys around) or on the D-League squad where he's forced to play nice and mature as a person on his own. I think with the team you can kind of supervise him more, but there's more temptation... With the D-League there's less to do so it's on him to mature on his own. It all depends really on how he looks this summer and in camp if he makes it there.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 28, 2015
    #117
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  18. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I was definitely surprised at the spin moves. His spin moves look good not just in a "in practice" kind of way. They look really fluid and I think would work in the NBA if he got a chance to use them. I'm not looking for him to shoot any threes ever, but definitely looks like he can pick-and-pop when the occasion calls for it. He's so intriguing.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 28, 2015
    #118
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  19. JLaker17

    JLaker17 - Lakers Starter -

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    I think it will come down to something we can't answer, and thats the feel/feedback they get from Upshaw during these Summer League practices/games. Being with the team might prove to be too much for him, thus him developing in the D-League might make more sense like you said. At the same time, maybe he needs that sense of guidance all the time, and would need a player to sort of take him under their wing and help him out.
     
    JLaker17, Jun 28, 2015
    #119
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  20. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    That's also totally possible. He said in that interview with DE that he's just all about basketball right and is using THAT as his crutch. Maybe taking him away from the team would be harmful? Who knows... Either way I'm excited to see how he look in Summer League. He's got a hell of an opportunity here.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 28, 2015
    #120
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