Ugh, if you could build the worst possibly fit of a starting center to play next to LeBron and AD, Drummond probably wouldn’t be far off. Hell, Damian Jones as raw as he was and without question in being an inferior basketball player to Drummond was a better fit, because he was a lob/vertical threat, and a shot blocker. We lack this badly, Dwight filled it last season, nobody did this season. But at least with Marc we had a guy who could make threes, didn’t clog the paint, was a fantastic passer, and a sneaky good defender and shot blocker.
I made a long post about about a week ago we better see the damn best professional A. Drummond then .... that he has been as a pro so far. He can do it if he wants to be a better player considering he is in the absolute prime years for a Big Man and he has "fallen off" not gotten better. If this guy does that then win win for him and for the organization going forward. But if he takes our MLE he g-damn better do it ....and start by getting his a** in the best shape of his basketball career. Again. Now. In his prime. Or he's a piece of crap for taking our money that could be better used elsewhere. I found this post early on in a thread on LG last night discussing this very topic of bringing him back for how much money. AD23 Star Player Joined: 15 Jul 2019 Posts: 1364 Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2021 1:30 pm Post subject: I'll be nice but Drummond has loss 90% of his athleticism. If you think I am lying... And this very first reaction directly below it, which should be all of our reactions! LakerSD Franchise Player Joined: 10 Nov 2016 Posts: 16508 Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2021 1:49 pm Post subject: Wtf. <<< _________________ There’s nothing like being a Laker! -Lebron James In spite of Slick telling us "naw he's good, he's just a big guy". After ripping Gasol at 36 years on a minimum deal of being overweight. I had no idea he used to jump like this. Drop some weight and get in the best shape of his life or he is stealing money from us that can be far better spent.
Good insightful interview. Seems like a really nice guy. He said his idols growing up were Shaq and Shawn Kemp. D***it dude, play like them.
Get his a** in shape again like when he came out of college not all that long ago. Maybe he could. He's in his damn prime years and he should be at his peak physically but he's too FAT. Not mincing words. That highlights clip of him at the lighter weight, that I posted above in this thread, from LG, was an eye opener. Otherwise he is stealing money.
He should definitely drop weight and work on his speed and quickness. There's no need for this mass, there are very few big guys in the league you really need to bang with anymore. It's easier on the joints too.
Bro, you got the starting position straight from the buyout market and complaining about playing time?
We should de-prioritize the center position going into FA. Someone like Damian Jones would suffice enough to cover the regular season and save AD's body for the playoffs when he slides to the 5. Plus, that player would be dirt cheap and we wouldn't have to worry about special demands or expectation of heavy minutes. We need to use our limited trade assets and exceptions on shooters and/or scorers. The log jam we had at center was problematic and basically put Vogel in an untenable position. Gasol was upset (maybe still is?), Drummond is upset, and Trez is upset. Although, to be fair to the coaching and front office, the 3 of them don't really want to accept the reality of today's NBA, especially so in the playoffs when teams need to go small, space the floor and be able to effectively switch on defense.
Damian Jones is a 10 day contract guy. He would not suffice over the long haul. If he did, we would have kept him IMO. There are better players then him. He can't stay with any team. And you want him as our long term starter??
Of course there are better centers than Damian Jones. My point was that in hindsight, we spent too much time and resources on a position that really is not that important in the modern NBA anymore, in addition, when it matters, AD's going to be playing the 5 anyways.
I think the players and their agents are going to do that for us. After two years of not playing the centers in the playoffs. Centers of all varying abilities, I think we're going to struggle to attract quality ones for any price, if they want a regular rotational role. I don't know what's going on with any of ours from last year. If I had to guess...Trezz runs, Marc retires for Spain, and Drumm sounds like he wants back in depending on who's behind him nipping at his heels. And judging by the exit interviews of Vogel and Rob, sounds like they want him back. I'm just wondering at what $? And if that's what it takes to keep AD and Bron happy, you do it. I do think with a full off season and training camp with us that Drumm can have value here. My biggest wish for our roster next season is that nothing is promised to no one. It seems defined roles were offered to DS and all 3 centers. Putting Vogel in a tough spot because he couldn't honor all the promises made to the centers. If we have to go shopping for cheap centers, here's some of the guys I'd take a look at: R. Lopez - earned $7.3 last year. He's 33, no idea why he went to DC to begin with. Thought he'd be looking for a chance at a ring. If he's willing to come down to $2.6m minimum, I'd take a look. But he will probably be looking for the $6m tax payer mid level. Not worth that. Ed Davis ($4.9m last year) - could be a nice buy low scenario. Loved the energy and hustle he brought 6 years ago as a Laker. He just turned 32 last month but his past two seasons have been awful. Not sure why. Should be a minimum guy and could be 3rd C/3rd PF depth insurance. McGee (coming off $4.1m) - $2.6m enough for JaVale to wanna shoot for "Pierre 4x"? He's one of the best hustle/ energy/ cheerleaders we've had. I think we left on good terms with him and he's close with Drumm, so I don't think he'd mind backing him up. Boban (coming off $3.5m) - he's so massive, but he can't stay on the court long enough to be anything more than your 3rd C. Doubt he leaves Dallas. Biyombo ($3.5m last year) - 5/5/1 in 20 mpg isn't bad depth. He's only 28 so he'll get overpaid somewhere. Gibson ($2.3m) - like Ed D, you can give him run at both spots. At 36, he's definitely a minimum guy. Always been a fan though. Dwight- if all else fails Other guys I didn't include... Tucker (3 ball is getting uglier each year), Olynyk and Dieng (too expensive).
There are exceptions, but for the most part yea, of the 5 positions on the court, the center is the least important. The Lakers should focus their time and resources on other needs like shooting, scoring, and wing defense. I mean look at how exposed Rudy Gobert was in the playoffs. When we were playing the Suns, Drummond ended up getting a DNP and we even played Lebron at the 5 at certain times when AD went down. Trezz and Gasol also didn't play much. Zubac for the Clippers, was ok, but they were at their best when Marcus Morris was essentially playing the 5 and they went small. Last year during our championship run, Dwight and McGee sat on the bench for extended time. AD prefers playing the 4, but when it comes to the playoffs and/or certain matchups, he's willing to play the center position: https://sports.yahoo.com/anthony-davis-playing-center-makes-151430238.html https://www.silverscreenandroll.com...ba-playoffs-andre-drummond-marc-gasol-harrell
Unless AD is injured and can’t play (not seriously, temporarily for some games in the playoffs and bulk of regular season) and that center needs to be capable at the least, to help hold down the 5 spot while Lebron attempts to carry the team until AD is back. Like he possibly could have to some degree this year had he not been seriously hobbled himself. I’m still hopeful since Drummond is apparently going to be here, that we are going to see a much improved version of him this year, after skills work all summer with staff and getting himself back into top shape at a lighter weight.
I agree, drop 25-30 lbs so he can move enough to play some defense and stay on the court. Maybe he can earn a bigger payday. Having a guy help you get to the playoffs is okay, much better to actually have him still be able to play once there.
