Hopefully Kelly will be gone to allow room for Metta and when Upshaw is ready to contribute...... same thing with Sacre.
Kelly is no Center. Bass is too short for Center. Black had a great rookie season, but is still undersized/unproven for the spot. Sacre might not be great, but he's the only true back-up Center we have. Black is capable, but he's more likely a PF long-term.
Black is an undersized center, but not necessarily skilled as a Power Forward Bass is undersized as a Power Forward Randle is unproven Kelly is stretch 4 in particular rotations, but really hasn't been an impact player on either end. Hibbert has never really averaged more than 30 mpg I'd say I'm hopeful that the Hibbert/Bass combo works out ok. It could be great or woefully aweful. Sacre is at least an experienced body with size and a great attitude on the cheap. Unless there is something better, I see no reason to move him.
Lakers News: Tarik Black On His Development During Off-Season Posted by: Jabari A. Davis Posted date: September 08, 2015 In: News | Comments : 199 SHARETWEET Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports With so much of the focus understandably being paid toward how D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle acclimate themselves to playing at this level or what Kobe Bryant’s presumed “final year” might look like, it is easy to forget about some of the other very intriguing storylines from the roster as the team heads into training camp later this month. Joey Ramirez of Lakers.com recently caught up with the second-year big man to discuss a variety of topics including how his continued training and development is going, nickname origins, his tattoos, and what particular aspects of his game he wants to improve upon. “Being more effective on offense,” Black told Ramirez. “Being more versatile at my size, at 6’9″, I’m right there and I play against guys that are 7’ or 6’11 with great wingspans, so being more versatile on offense, presenting more on the floor is definitely something I want to venture into and also just becoming the best basketball player I can be all around.” – What will Tarik Black make this season? Find out here! — After going undrafted and then being cut by the Houston Rockets in order to make room for Josh Smith, Black experienced some success in the role as an energy guy and disruptor for last year’s Lakers squad (7.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG as a reserve for the Lakers in 2014-15), but it is clear he is not satisfied with merely contributing here and there. “I want to be on both ends of the floor,” Black continued. “I hang my hat on rebounding and defense, so I just want to get better and better and become more of a ‘lockdown’ defender and also become more of a threat on the offensive end to make people honest.” The focus may continue to be on the further development of some of the names mentioned above, but if the secondary players like Black are truly able to take that proverbial “next step” as well, then these Lakers will be in really good shape moving forward. http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-news-tarik-black-on-his-development-during-off-season/2015/09/08/
At the end of last season, I had Black as an integral part of our future core. As I type this, this thread is in the 4th page of the Lakers Discussion and Ryan freakin Kelly is getting the nod over Black. This is mind-boggling to me.
He was given almost no playing time in preseason, after being one of our best in summer league, and he played 2 minutes of non-garbage time last night. I don't know what he did to deserve this, I really don't get it. He's become an afterthought when we need rebounding and he's one of our best at it.
This is the exact same s*** both Brown and D'antoni also did with some guys. One can only wonder what happened behind scenes not related to basketball abilities. Really makes me long for the stubborn and not much open to change Phil, with getting his rotation virtually set in stone before going into the season. Then the same 8-9 guys went all season and through the playoffs if a player was doing his job. Even not. He wouldnt change like the Fab Four team begged going into the last game against Pistons. At least everyone knew what to expect barring the unforeseen and foul trouble.
Why isn't he playing? The Bass Kelly idea is a total bust. It needs to be one or the other at PF and Black at Center. End of the freaking story. Get your $%^& together Byron.
He was one of our few bright spots last season with his hustle and rebounding. I saw no regression from him in summer league or what little we saw of him in preseason. Absolutely no reason he shouldn't be playing at least a little. I feel like Byron didn't play him last season either until he was forced to, but I could be wrong.
And he was one of the guys in the gym all summer long here with the other "young guns". The guy had freaking game last year (considering he was a rook) and showed the "flashes" of beastliness we value so much.
I really, REALLY don't understand what he did to get into the dog house. if the lakers aren't careful, they'll alienate a good, hardworking young player.
It's hard to call anything Byron has done his "worst" move given how many bad decisions he has made, but not playing Black is up there.
