Returning from an underwhelming display at the Las Vegas Summer League, Robert Upshaw felt that there was more in him than the 1.4 points and 2.2 rebounds he averaged. The 21-year-old rookie had not yet signed a contract with the Lakers, essentially putting his NBA future in the dark. Taking control of his side of the situation, Upshaw went to work returning to the physicality that contributed 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocks at Washington last year. “In Summer League I didn’t feel like myself, and I just didn’t feel as fluid as I usually feel,” Upshaw said. “When I got back to San Diego where I was training, I put an emphasis on being faster, quicker and slimmer.” Upshaw dropped 20 pounds between Summer League and his signing with the Lakers, reshaping his body beginning with 7 a.m. cardio. “I would run for an hour and then I would have a basketball workout and then a strength-and-conditioning workout,” he said. “And then I would get shots up at night. I stayed consistent with that for a month and a half, every day, six days a week.” In addition to not physically feeling like the imposing shot blocker he had been in college, Upshaw also felt motivated by the questioning of his character. After being dismissed from the Fresno State program in 2013, he was asked to leave again by UW last year. Both were due to disciplinary reasons. He now feels the need to prove that he’s moved beyond his collegiate issues. “The real reason I (lost weight) was because I felt like I had something to prove,” Upshaw said. “There’s been a lot of talk about the person I used to be and the person that I am. I just want to show everybody that I know who I am and who I can be as a person in this community and with this basketball team. “I know what person I am. I just know I made a lot of bad decisions twice. When people see that, I feel they say this guy that can’t be anything and won’t be anything. I know that I have a second calling, and it’s going to be a blessing to really do this.” Upshaw jokes that his new physique is “to look good for the ladies,” but he also recognizes the seriousness of his situation. Fighting for a regular-season roster spot as an undrafted free agent is a tall task even for a seven-footer. “Nothing’s guaranteed for me,” Upshaw said. “What I really want to do is go out there and show (General Manager) Mitch (Kupchak), the front office, Coach (Byron) Scott and — most of all — my teammates that I can really play at this level and do something to help this franchise.” http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/150917_robertupshaw?cid=tw
Excellent, excellent, excellent. He put in the work, and he got that contract. Now time for him to outshine Sacre for that last spot.
Bad news for Sacre's PT. He's just 6 fouls and at very worst Upshaw is 6 fouls + 2-3 blocks. Were I Byron, I would give Upshaw those minutes to keep him focused and motivated on why he is here. Sacre's still good big man practice-fodder but we know what his max potential is. And I wouldn't trade Sacre off right away either until I've seen Upshaw actually prove he has his life in order and how do you decide how much time for that? I'd hang on to Sacre for the whole season. Regardless, with Hibbert, Black and Upshaw, barring injuries or issues I don't see many minutes for Sacre.
Huh, I didn't think his summer league play was underwhelming, I thought it was what I expected. He's not a star and he barley played, and he gave the #1 pick fits. Nice to hear that he's working hard on his game and fitness though, really rooting for him.
As long as he continues to follow through with this hard work and this new outlook, this kid is going to be one of the biggest steals in the draft. His talent is that great defensively. Clarkson, Upshaw, Tarik Black, Jabari Brown... Just straight up stolen by Mitch and the FO. Randle and Russell were gutsy choices that we "earned" with awful records, but those other guys are just absolute steals. And more should be said about Kelly and Sacre late in the draft too. Sure they're not special, but they're solid picks in the 2nd round which is more than can be said for some other teams.
Heard him interviewed on radio today by Fred Roggin. He was thoughtful and very well spoken. I'm rooting for him.
Loved the interview with Upshaw, I was hoping to get a chance to ask him those questions myself. He still has a ways to go in order to make the squad but losing 20 pounds is going to help him endure Byron's training camp and will give him a much better shot of convincing the Lakers to eat Sacre's deal.
If he keeps up the work physically, mentally and skill wise he can very well be the biggest steal of the draft for us. I'm rooting for him big time. He still has a lot of work left to do but he's on the right track.
Good stuff from Upshaw. I thought his main issue was conditioning, not basketball skill or instincts which he demonstrated out there in Summer League in my opinion. Great that he worked hard to get back into shape. Rooting for him all the way, have been all the way. I agree that he could be a major steal if he dedicates himself. Here's hoping he does and finds a home here.
This is impressive and shows his commitment to getting back and being serious about the game. I love this signing even more now. He better still be on our roster or on our D-League team so we can call him up when the time is right.
I'd love if he made the team, but I'm hoping he shows us just enough to make sure we keep him in the D-League while he continues to grow.
If we keep Sacre over Upshaw...I will riot. There's NO reason to keep Sacre! He's a bum and I'm sick of seeing his face on our bench. We already have a solid back up C in Tarik Black...so losing Sacre wouldn't hurt us at all...Upshaw would be our 3rd string center and probably develop him in the D-league like we did with Clarkson.
I'm rooting for Upshaw, but Sacre, though not very talented, is a dependable 3rd string center that is dirt cheap. There's a reasonable chance that Upshaw may never make it in the NBA; not because of talent or lack thereof but his off the court issues. Sacre is what he is, but I keep him for now.
^ yep. I'd make Upshaw blow him out of the water in camp, which is what I'm suspecting mitch is up to here. if he's not a clear upgrade over sacre in the coaching staff's opinion, he's not worth the headache.
I think he's easily an upgrade over Sacre... Sacre shows some heart, occasionally, but he manages to always screw something up.
Unfortunately, though it hasn't been disclosed, it's seems pretty clear that his "issues" likely include addiction and as anyone familiar with that can tell you, you can be as articulate, well-spoken and seemingly focused as anyone and all of that means nothing if the problems kick in again. Addictive personalities cannot just throw a switch and be done with it. Hopefully as he has said, he has a support team full-time and most importantly, one that will go on the road with him. That's something you don't see, rookies with an assistant/companion on the road but the FO needs to make an exception here. Having lost a son and some friends to same issue I know how hard it can be for some people to beat it where as for others it's relatively easy. Addictive personalities have it tough. Let's hope he conquers it, I'd love to see this guy playing elite center ball for LAL for our next run of championships.
I feel that even if Upshaw doesn't work out, we still need to move beyond Sacre. Yeah, he's big, and 6 fouls, and cheap, but I'd prefer moving on and looking for talent elsewhere. I can only say it so many times, but dude had reached his ceiling, and it's nothing special. He was the same old guy for team Cananda too, he's extremely limited. He brings nothing other than 6 fouls, dunking when open, maybe the occasional jumper. He doesn't block shots, he isn't a good man defender, he has like 2 post moves, I'm over it. Yeah, he's cheap for a 3rd string C, but lots of guys are, and potentially one of them might have a specialty, like Upshaw and shot-blocking.
