While I agree Upshaw isn’t the “future” of this team, we absolutely need players like Upshaw to pan out if we want to build a contender. Contenders have their cornerstone guys (which for us will be hopefully Randle and Russell). But in order to get to that elite level, you almost have to have a couple of your gambles pay off. Even the Spurs needed Parker (a late first) and Ginobli (a late second) to turn into something unexpected. Maybe the Spurs “knew” they would be good, but any time you draft that low there has to be questions regardless of how much you insist you knew all along. Otherwise they would have been top ten picks. Ibaka for the Thunder. DeAndre Jordan for the Clippers. Draymond Green for the Warriors. Lebron is pretty much the only player in the league who can single handedly make you elite no matter what. Upshaw may not be the future of this team. But if not Upshaw, we need someone other than Clarkson to turn into a force if we want to be in the title conversation within the next 5-6 years.
I'm going to say Bob moves feet on defense 85% of the speed or more of Willie Cauley Stein. It was just one play I recall in a summer game picking a guy up driving from near the 3 point line and having to shuffle and move really fast to keep proper position on him all the way down. What do you think of that % .... too high, too low, close? Do you even care about this question?
Generally speaking you are right. But please remember...Upshaw wasn't even drafted. To become a contender, the Lakers won't sit around for undrafted players to become steals. The Lakers need Russell, Randle and Clarkson to pan out to attract high caliber FAs...that is the goal IMO right now. if that is the case and we can add 2 prime players in the free agency, we are pretty much set to become contenders. The Lakers won't sit idle and wait for players to become good because that might take decades to happen. We had no choice this year. The goal is to sign FAs and make trades to become contenders again. We aren't the Clippers or the Hawks or GS that wait 20 years until a good generation comes around. With that said, of course it would be great if Upshaw becomes a player in this league. You can never have enough good players and talent. If Upshaw is the next Ben Wallace, well, great for the Lakers. I just don't think that the Lakers front office prioritizes developing undrafted projects rather than gun for all-stars in FA and trades.
I generally agree with your post. If we need Upshaw in order to become competitors, we're in trouble. Time to scrap that plan. Still, there are aspects that make an Upshaw investment worthwhile. Upshaw's upside is higher than any other undrafted player whose rights we hold, for sure. He can be paid as little as anyone in the league. He can be stashed and work on his game while we maintain his rights. All this is ours for <$500k. I'd LOVE to see Upshaw start in the D-league and then come up after 20 games or so to backup and learn from Hibbert how to get vertical. He's already blessed with absurd length and timing on D; if he learns some technique to go along with that, he'll be a defensive beast.
....in spite of the disgusting looking whatever dripping down the phone sreen, THAT was impressive for his out of shape posterior. Where the hell is he now and how is he looking???
I'm assuming he has to make the team in camp, that the contract is not guaranteed. Really hope he works out, Sacre needs to go.
Super glad this happened. We needed another guy with a center body and frankly Sacre doesn't cut it. Upshaw's a project and I know a lot around here won't hold their breath. I like the way he plays, he's got a high motor he wants to play his role, does the dirty work, sets screens etc. If all works out he could end up being our Ben Wallace but if not I can see him being a solid backup center. Great move.
Great news. PIncus said the Lakers gave him some off-season goals (probably pass a drug test/go through some therapy or something like that) and he apparently passed those tests.
Encouraging news. Glad for Upshaw . Gives us some depth at the 5, a talent upgrade, and competition for Sacre.
Another very good move... a quite solid rebuild in progress... I like being under the radar for now. With the talent and smarts this team has Byron has to be chomping to get started. Can't wait to see what version of Kobe we r getting.
