But see he's got skills too. Look at that gif Doc Brown originally posted and I bumped not far above this post. He clearly was out of shape in summer league but on both the defensive end with the great recovery block on Towns in that first game, me seeing him move his feet like WCS almost......laterally and backward following a guy driving toward the hoop at good pace from near the 3 point line and that great jab-steps-pivot-rise-up sequence for a sweet looking J nothing but net above that he sank over Okafor...... he still gave some moments of WOW. When he is in game shape finally we should really have something here. Mitch and the front office seem to be making ALL the right moves this off season. Metta would be great for Upshaw to be around and talk to as well. Get him locked up.
Very good. We got a premiere young defender... hope his heart is in the right place. Russ/Clarkson/Durantula/Randle/Upshaw. Make it happen. :twothumbs:
Upside Upshaw. I really hope everything works out for him, not just as a player but as a person. He just needs to make sure that he surrounds himself with the right kind of people and actively avoid situations that could bring unwanted temptation/distraction. The only thing he needs to become addicted to is working out, improving his skills, and winning basketball games.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/laker...lakers-sign-robert-upshaw-20150914-story.html Lakers sign undrafted center Robert Upshaw; roster climbs to 18 By ERIC PINCUS Los Angeles Lakers NBA On Monday, the Lakers signed undrafted free agent center Robert Upshaw to a two-year deal. Upshaw, who is 21 years old and 7 feet tall, averaged 1.4 points and 2.2 rebounds a game with the Lakers' summer league squad in Las Vegas, playing only 11.5 minutes a game. Only $35,000 of Upshaw’s $525,093 is guaranteed for the 2015-16 season, according to a person with access to the NBA’s salary database. The second year of his contract, worth $874,636, is non-guaranteed. Upshaw played college basketball at Washington and Fresno State, but he was ejected from both teams because of a number of off-the-court issues. According to a team executive, Upshaw was up front about his many missteps when interviewing with the Lakers. The team gave the defensive prospect personal treatment goals in order to earn a spot in training camp. Upshaw's numbers at Washington through 19 games this last season suggest a significant upside -- averaging 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in 24.9 minutes -- provided he can show the team he has significantly matured. The Lakers' roster has grown to 18 players, with 12 fully guaranteed. The team is also considering adding up to two additional players, including veteran forward Metta World Peace. Second-year players Tarik Black and Jabari Brown are both on non-guaranteed $845,059 minimum contracts. Rookie forward Jonathan Holmes has $100,000 of his minimum salary ($525,093) guaranteed. Guard Michael Frazier has $50,000 locked in, while Marcelo Huertas has no salary protection, both on similar rookie minimum contracts. The details of Upshaw's deal have not been released. With a regular-season maximum of 15 players, the Lakers will eventually need to make a number of cuts. Training camp starts later this month. Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
Nice news! I've been rooting for Upshaw and I liked what I saw in limited time during the summer league. He's got good instincts for the game, sets solid screens, has a little post game and can swat it on D. He's exactly the kind of player we can develop if he stays on the straight and narrow path. Low risk, high reward. Good stuff.
good news that he's done enough to move the needle for the FO. though his 35K guaranteed (compared to 50 and 100 for likely camp fodder in frazier and holmes) isn't a great sign of organizational confidence.
Really hope he makes the roster. Based on the small sample size in summer league he plays with a bit of nasty, not afraid to go at someone defensively, something we desperately need in the middle.
I was on another forum, and a moderator who is reputable said, 'word is the Lakers are high on Holmes.' Frazier and Brown have different games, but I wouldn't put past Frazier to make that battle competitive. Verified account @EricPincus I think under-the-radar-guy in Lakers' camp is forward Jonathan Holmes - I've heard good things. Obviously needs to be proven in preseason
Yeah I was thinking the same. Is it possible that his guaranteed money is conditional on off-the court stuff? What if they guaranteed 35K and said the rest is contingent on his performance/body shape in camp and drug tests being responsible in LA and respecting the coaching staff.
Again, I really do like this. I like what we're doing so far in acquiring youth too evaluate who can play at the NBA level. If they can't, no big deal, move on. So far, though, I do like the way our roster at training camp is starting to look and it will be a very competitive camp from the way Mitch has constructed it. 2 more weeks until training camp.
Definitely a work in progress, especially off the court. Hopefully it works out, it is worth the chance regardless.
