Literally the process is what @KB24 said: suck long enough to draft the next Michael Jordan. Tank forever and ever, don't develop talent, and wait until Jordan falls into their laps. They think/thought Embiid was the guy, but he's a walking injury so now it's back to the tankathon.
Yeah...that's kind of the plan but I don't think it's that extreme. Jordan's, Kobe's are once in a generation players. Every few years or so their is a true franchise changer that comes around....Wade, Bosh, KD, Westbrook, Harden, AD, etc. I don't think he's per say waiting for the Jordan talent. I think he's trying to accumulate a franchise changer like one of the guys above. It's a terrible idea IMO but I think this goes on no longer than 5 years.
Semantics really. Of course trying to find Jordan in the draft is almost impossible because there's only one of them. But they've traded away tons of talent that they could have developed just for a shot at a more talented kid. Makes no sense to me. Instead, why don't you try drafting better and then developing your kids? Hey I don't know there's guys like Jordan Clarkson you could have had. Or... They could have drafted Upshaw with any of their five or whatever it was second round picks! (see what I did there @TIME ? )
Yeah. Like I said, I don't believe it's a great strategy by any means but hey, not my squad. Meanwhile quietly we've stolen talent in the drafts....and made key pickups for young talent like Upshaw, Black, etc.
yeah, lot of eggs in the draft basket for philly. soooo much luck involved there. they haven't used their cap space for anything save collecting more draft picks, either. there are other ways to develop assets if that's what you're after. anyway, back to Upshaw...why so few minutes tonight? I like that he actually tries to set screens and do basketball things that don't involve touching the basketball. he and nance are setting examples that others should follow in this regard.
He's a terrible rebounder for his size. I don't mind the defense, but he doesn't even try to grab boards. Kinda lazy.
Exactly, Upshaw and Nance tries to help team win by doing the small things, play defense, rebounds, set good picks, get after loose balls. There are other ways to help team when shooting is off.
Upshaw is not a terrible rebounder. He just isn't in shape right now. Will he be gobbling up 15 rpg? no. But he can get 10-12 if he plays 35 minutes. The problem is he cannot play that many minutes. Bigs always struggle with minutes but in this case, he is extra out of shape.
Lakers Summer League: The ups and downs of Robert Upshaw in Las Vegas http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/7/13/8955373/la-lakers-robert-upshaw-summer-league
Yeah, he needs more repetition out there. While we are playing zone, he's not developing. What he needs is time on the court...
Upshaw has 8 rebounds in 41 minutes, which isn't good, but it's such limited minutes it's hard to complain at this point. Randle has only 7 in 40 minutes. It would be like saying D'Angelo isn't a PG, because he has only 10 assists in 82 minutes. Upshaw needs more time, and he also needs someone to pass him the ball once in awhile. He busts his a** setting screens, and he's one of the most active players on the court, on both offense and defense. The conditioning will come.
The chemistry between Russell and the big men just isn't there yet. He sees them but they aren't on the same page and a lot of the passes end up as turnovers. I think that will work itself out with more time and Upshaw (and all the other bigs) will get more scoring opportunities.
Upshaw is a good rebounder actually, but he's way out of condition and his legs are weak right now. Give him a little more leg strength and he's gobbling rebounds at a much more respectable rate.
Get his a** into the gym, weight room and practicing all summer. Byron will kill it the first day of practice if he doesn't. I expect to see another 5 lbs or so on Russell by start of camp. He needs it. I need it. Okafor "is who we thought he is".
Five pounds?? That's asking a lot of a young'n. I'd settle for two pounds and better decision making.
