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

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

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  1. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    I think that's a bit harsh. We are in a rebuild for one, and the summer league doesn't include any free agent signings we're going to make, at least one of which could be very big with the money we have to spend. I also don't think it's a bad thing to have 2 top 10 picks in a row on your team go out there and get in work during the summer, as well as a steal you got in the 2nd round that ended up making the all-rookie team. Just because they're playing for the summer league team doesn't mean they aren't good players and don't have great potential and bright futures. Almost all top picks play summer league, gotta start somewhere. I'm excited that we're finally starting to build with some young guys again, at the very least these are players that are hungry to prove themselves, make the NBA, or stay in the NBA.
     
    Weezy, Jun 26, 2015
    #21
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  2. SFGOLDRUSHER

    SFGOLDRUSHER - Lakers Starter -

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    Atleast he likes the brown pick. Everyone got sad with Nance pick. Jay Williams liked the pick and his game. Has down low and outside game. But getting Brown and Upshaw to me make it a complete draft and gives us good flexibility for free agency.
     
    SFGOLDRUSHER, Jun 26, 2015
    #22
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  3. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    !
     
    trodgers, Jun 26, 2015
    #23
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  4. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Brandon Ashley
    NBA Comparison: Smaller Channing Frye, less range; smaller Bargnani, less range; Markieff Morris; Brandon Bass
    Strength -
    Midrange +
    Defensive rebounding +
    Offensive rebounding -
    Scoring (Last Year/Career): 5.8/5.7
    Passing: 1.5/1.7
    Hustle: 3.0/3.0
    Wing Position: 55.0 (70 as a big)/54.7(70)
    Rookie Projections, if all goes well: 55 games, 19 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 0.6 APG, 3.9 RPG
    -Bottom Line: he's a kind of stretch four lite, has lost explosiveness since a foot injury, doesn't seem to be much of a passer, but he's active, especially on the defensive side.
     
    trodgers, Jun 26, 2015
    #24
  5. Big Mamma Jamma

    Big Mamma Jamma - Rookie -

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    Big Mamma Jamma, Jun 26, 2015
    #25
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  6. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    trodgers, Jun 26, 2015
    #26
  7. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Robert Upshaw
    NBA Comparison: Tree Rollins, Patrick O'Bryant, Ben Wallace
    Size ++
    Defense +
    Rebounding +
    Intangibles --
    Free Throws --
    Leadership -
    Quickness -
    Jump Shot -
    Athleticism -
    Scoring (Last Year/Career): 5.8/5.3
    Passing: 1.3/1.3
    Hustle: 4.5/4.2
    Big Position Rating: 103/87
    Rookie Projections, if all goes well: 43 games, 11.9 MPG, 3.6 PPG, 0.6 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.2 BPG
    -Bottom Line: Big often struggle in their first season; if Upshaw can right the ship, he's one of the best shotblockers in league history. On the other hand, he might be out of the league before the season starts.
     
    trodgers, Jun 26, 2015
    #27
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  8. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I really like bringing in Upshaw. Tons of potential if he can work things out off the court.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Jun 26, 2015
    #28
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  9. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    How in the world did we luck out with Upshaw?

    Give him temporary deals all-year long to keep him on a leash and we could have a gem!
     
    tada, Jun 26, 2015
    #29
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  10. Kenzo

    Kenzo - Lakers All Star -

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    ^ i don't think you can do that all season.
     
    Kenzo, Jun 26, 2015
    #30
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  11. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I think if he has a good summer league showing we might do a a short deal with some kind of team option. I'm quietly optimistic that he pans out. He could definitely be the defensive presence we have needed for ages.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Jun 26, 2015
    #31
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  12. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    Didn't know that. How many times can we extend 10-day contracts?
     
    tada, Jun 26, 2015
    #32
  13. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    10 days aren't available until later in the season. I think you can do 3 to one player. He'll make the team on a 1+1 or won't make it in all likelihood.
     
    trodgers, Jun 26, 2015
    #33
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  14. tada

    tada - Lakers All Star -

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    Bummer. I like the 1+1 deal if we have some cash left over.
     
    tada, Jun 26, 2015
    #34
  15. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers MVP -

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    I love shotblocking centers but I hate addicts more. I hope he won't Len Bias our No. 2 pick.
     
    KareemtheGreat33, Jun 26, 2015
    #35
  16. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Upshaw blocks a shot. Randle secures the board, kicks to DR who runs the floor, dishes to JC for a dunk. All. Year. Long.
     
    trodgers, Jun 26, 2015
    #36
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  17. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    Best news of the night. Russell or Okafor were expected. Wasn't sure if Upshaw was even in our thought process. If Upshaw gets his head on straight, he has DeAndre Jordan potential. No hyperbole. He is that talented. As JSM said, he may end up our starting center if things don't fall our way in FA. And I'll be honest, it could end up being the best thing that happens to us. He's a top 10 talent. Imagine if 3 years from now, we look back and realize we got the best defensive center, the best pf and the best pg of these last two drafts? It's not entirely impossible.

    Upshaw
    Randle
    Durant
    Clarkson
    Russell

    Bench: Black and KJ McDaniels

    Your 2018-2022 NBA champions.
     
    Savory Griddles, Jun 26, 2015
    #37
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  18. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    Or at least...all summer long. ;) :D
     
    Savory Griddles, Jun 26, 2015
    #38
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  19. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Yeah I think IF he gets his head straight he gets offered the Tarik Black deal- minimum contract with a non-guaranteed 2nd year.

    Kyler said the league really just saw too many red flags. Drug addiction (he pointed out not weed, for what it's worth), injury concerns, they found some really big character issues apparently when looking into his personal history...

    I'm pulling for him. There's no better story than a kid pulling himself out of the dirt and getting his head on straight. IF he can get his head on straight, most people had him as the 3rd most TALENTED Center in this rookie draft. That's a hell of a grab for the summer league team.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 26, 2015
    #39
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  20. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Yeah it's harsh, but I also see where he was coming from... Back in 08-10 even a year or two afterwards we were pretty relentless on this summer league stuff. Great teams don't need it and at the time we were great! Now we're down here among those teams we mocked and it doesn't feel so good when you take it out of the context of our rebuild...

    Still though, I'm with you. It's great seeing the future in front of us. We're not LIKE other teams. Teams like Orlando and Philadelphia and Milwaukee they'll ALWAYS be Summer League champs. What we're seeing though is our future and the Lakers know better than any other team how to build champions. The kids we're seeing this summer are the ones that in a few years will be taking us over the top. No doubt about it. We've got a couple of interchangeable guards now and a bull of a forward. Throw those guys in with a few other talented guys and this year WE'LL be the Summer League champs. Hopefully next year we won't even be Summer League relevant.
     
    therealdeal, Jun 26, 2015
    #40
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