Los Angeles Lakers: Searching for the Perfect Dump

If Black isn't good enough as a rotational backup big we should let him walk and sign Bass. I like Zubac better than Black as a project and we can't have multiple 3rd stringers on the bench.

 

I think we've seen enough from Black to say he's a solid backup center. Rebounds, finishes in the paint, hustles, runs floor, decent defender.

 

I like Black alot, but can we say that he's as reliable as a true backup big like Bass? He certainly has the potential to get better, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking that he'll some day become a starter. Frankly, Black doesn't have the same upside as our other kids, and we can't groom multiple projects/backups at all positions. We're not running a farm.

We need stability at the C position and I'd feel much more comfortable with a proven vet like Bass backing up our FA starter. If Zubac makes our roster, Black may need to go.

 

Maybe not, but that doesn't mean he isn't reliable. Bass is just a really reliable player. He's been around a long time. I don't think anyone ever said he's gonna be a starter. All I've ever heard people say is the same I've said he can be a really solid backup center. He is that.

Tarik does everything you want in a backup center. He'll give you 15 maybe 20 minutes of energy, hustle, rebounding, solid not great, but solid defense and he'll do all the little things and finish around the basket. I don't see how Black doesn't bring stability as a backup. I just don't see it. I don't see or get why he can't be a backup.

Whenever he's actually gotten opportunities Black has played very well. I don't see why Tarik has to go. I also don't see why we can't develop him further as far as he can be developed. It's not running a farm it's called player development and when you have all these young players you continue to develop them. That's part of being a team and an organization.

If there is someone available in free agency that would be an upgrade at center then fine you make that move, but if not Tarik should be the second string center. Even Zubac makes the team so what? Whoever loses that second string battle can be a third string. It gives us depth and since when is that a bad thing.

Either Zubac or Black is the backup and the other is the third string. Then Brown is the backup to Ingram. Lou obviously the backup to JC. Huertas the backup to D'Angelo. Nance backup to Randle.

Russell/FA
Clarkson/Williams
Ingram/Brown
Randle/Nance Jr.
FA/Black/Zubac.

That's only nine roster spots and we'll obviously sign 2-3 veterans in free agency. Assuming we bring back JC of course. Then we still have two more roster spots available so I just don't see the need to get rid of a solid backup center.

This is one scenario I'd like to see. Sign Whiteside, Dudley, and Chalmers. Re-sign Bass and Huertas.

Then we have this.

Russell/Chalmers/Huertas.
Clarkson/Lou
Ingram/Dudley/Brown
Randle/Nance Jr.
Whiteside/Black/Zubac.

Not bad depth there. It's a good thing.

 

Well there's a difference between developing players like Julius, DAR, JC, Nance and Ingram who can be allstars/starters and developing players like Black who's ceiling is projected to be a solid backup. Once you start developing 3rd stringers, that's considered a farm, because you can get finished (2nd string) products like Bass quite readily in free agency. Besides, you admit Bass is more reliable. Then why not sign him over Black? Why take the risk of playing a less reliable player for 20 minutes?

As our 3rd string, I prefer developing Zubac over Black because I can tell already that he has the potential to become our future center. The kid is massive with a unique blend of fluidity and skill. The same can not be said about Black, who I consider a poor man's Biyombo.

Having said all of that, I like him and I wouldn't mind signing him back for cheap. Just not as the 1st center off the bench. He hasn't proven enough to step into that role yet.

 

While most your points are true, half of them are based on assumptions. I believe the argument was "who is better fit as the first big off the bench?" Is Black ready in that role? Maybe or maybe not. With Bass you don't even have those questions. As for drive and energy, Bass is a professional and has shown those traits for years. He doesn't need any extra motivation to fuel his energy on the court. That's half the reason why he's so damn reliable off the bench.

 

Added one more reason to your list above.

 

Is Bass being wasted a polite way of saying you don't want him here? Because why wouldn't the same argument apply to other 30+ vets like Deng, Noah and Horford? And I like that he can also play PF. We need to go 3 deep at all positions in case of injuries, and the versatility helps.

 

i think bass played some at center in all of his previous stops (i know he did in dallas, for sure). the main reason to keep black is that he's likely to be much cheaper. if bass is going to play for limited money again, i'm guessing he'll try to hook on with a contender. i could see him waiting out FA, and if the lakers strike out again, i could see them giving him a decent money one-year deal to help mentor the kids.

 

Bass has played PF/C his entire career. You're right though; he's undersized as a 5. But so is Black. And Black can't play PF so he's more limited in that regard.

 

Bass is a vet and can play two positions. He's the very definition of solid vets we need to surround our young guys with.

Sign Noah, Bass, Dudley, and maybe Affalo and have four great veterans on this roster who can still contribute and fit the team as well.

 

If i hear Dudley one more time, i'll snap...

 

I don't see what's wrong with Dudley. He said something bad about Kobe. Okay I didn't like hearing it, but it's stupid to pass on a guy who is a perfectly capable backup three man and a veteran leader for us. He's played on playoff teams. Instrumental in Phoenix's run when they nearly beat us and advanced to the Finals in 2010. He can spread the court and play perimeter defense and is really a glue guy.

 

Dudley a veteran leader? Being a scrub and a j****** your entire career doesn't make you a veteran leader. If that's your criteria, every player with 8+years in the NBA will do .

 

Yah, cant quite understand the infatuation with that guy. I didnt even know he was in the league the last couple of years.