No. We have gotten something out of our prized rookies 2 years in a row 2 coaches in a row. Reaves and Christie. I think Castleton is in that class and Bigger size wise.
Love the optimism with Max but.... Castleton ain't ready for the NBA just yet. He's not strong enough to hold the glass and doesn't have a 3 point shot. He's definitely worth investing in him but he needs a year of experience and in the weight room before he can handle NBA minutes for a playoff hopeful at least
Man none of you guys seem to agree even in the least with what toklat very lucidly wrote. I saw the logic in all of it, even if starting Colin is not doable. But are you guys ALL saying from what you’ve seen him do ALREADY with no summer body training yet, handling and passing the basketball and having a nice touch shooting it …. that he couldn’t by pre-season games come off the bench and match up with a weak 2nd string PF or center? With the base he has on him? To save even more minutes for our front line that don’t need to needlessly stack them up. If you can’t see that with what he’s shown so far and at least one of the many good points made for it in what he wrote….. then I think that’s illogical to me.
Second string bigs in the West include guys like Plumlee, Reid, Biyambo, Holmes, Tillman, etc. I personally don't want him against any of those guys just yet: simply not strong enough to hold position in the glass and on defense I don't know why it has to be all or nothing. I like Castleton and I've been consistent in saying hes been the second best Laker in summer league but the Lakers summer league is Christie at an any entire different level then the rest of the guys. Castleton against summer league has struggled on the glass and on rotations: i think this is fixable but not with just a summer of NBA work
This isn’t rocket science. Whenever the **** he’s ready to come off the bench against, what did I say … a LESSER PF or center strength wise that he can handle, then do it. A lot of folks here this point of summer league would have obviously said the same thing to not expect any contribution from Austin Reaves. Reaves earned his time and impressed Handy and Vogel let him contribute that rookie year. The very same with Christie, Handy and Ham this past season. I’m saying Colin is in that class and good enough and developed enough strength wise in a weight class equal or down from him against whomever, like they’ll do with Victor, to give him a chance to contribute maybe in the pre-season games? For a look at what they might have. Everyone should stop hyper ventilating over this 23 year old 5 year college experienced player as to what he can do holding his own. Reaves did great overall and was allowed some burn and to shine. Same with Max and it’s going to happen with Colin. Why they gave him a 2 way.
I said contribute when he’s ready not be THE backup big. Same as Reaves did and same as Christie did. Like 3 times now, and at least try it effing out in pre season for shi*s and giggles. Reading problem much?
Wenyen would look like a potential star in the summer league. Max is too good to be playing summer league ball. It's a big difference against the regulars during the season. I think Max is ready to play, but how much is up in the air. He'll be behind Austin at 2, and competing against Prince and Reddish at 3. Sometimes Vanderbilt and Rui will play 3 too.
I don't think hes ready to contribute anything meaningful. If you see something like Reaves in him I don't. He's a good project wholl take a few years. Not someone who is worth a roster spot outside of an emergency. Reading Comp enough?
Yes. We can agree to disagree on that. I think he is going to get various shots later in the season, not sure how much later, and there’s a good chance they may like how it goes and give him more attempts at it as needed. Not park him the whole year in the G league with no time at all. And for a “few” more years.
I appreciate the optimism. But I don’t agree on many of the points. Firstly I don’t expect Castleton to get any time outside of garbage minutes - he fouls way too much and bigs just need time to develop. Secondly, I don’t like the suggestion of Lebron playing the 3, it causes us a lot of problems defensively, unless we have another strong SF defender and can hide Lebron on that end. Thirdly, I think fans are very optimistic on Reaves and Christie starting together. First of all, neither are PGs and I’m not a fan of having them bring the ball up and have to initiate offence. Also what does that mean for Gabe and Vincent? I mean if they get outplayed fair enough, but you don’t just start young guys becsuse they’re young guys and you like them. Especially not when we’re just basing this off summer league.
Christie will definitely NOT be a starter any time this coming season. I don't see it. But he should get minutes off the bench. He's really good and getting better.
Look at skillset, basketball IQ and drive. Inexperience and body mass aren't a big deal right now. John Salley was a toothpick and provided good play his first year. We got a lot of the same small box thinking that just doesn't add up. I would love to have an all-star center or somebody that could play major minutes and let Castleton play his 5-10 minutes per game. What I don't see is who is better than he is that we can get? I can name a ton of centers I had rather have starting but I can't name a ton of them available. Rob pulls off another miracle I will completely change my position but we have what we have an Castleton is much better than most here are giving him credit for. If he had been in the league a couple of years and playing this way most would be thinking we got a steal. To already say he can't contribute anything this season to me just shows a total lack of basketball understanding.
No one is suggesting they play anyone just because they are young. That is just regurgitated rhetoric. I'm saying don't not play them just because they are young. We said the same thing. If they earn the spot play them. Imo Max showed last season he was ready and it looks like he put in the work to back it up. Max and Austin will be our best guard combination. Max handles the ball well and Austin is a point guard. Both are two way complete players in ways the others aren't. Not sure where the myth started that Austin isn't a point guard. Who Lebron guards isn't a big deal because he really doesn't guard anyone till the playoffs start. He just floats and plays some help which is cool. Austin will be a starter and it isn't out of the question Max earns that spot sometime this season. I'm not sure exactly sure what you mean by Gabe and Vincent. Castleton won't be getting a ton of minutes even if he starts with all the guys we have so fouling is not that big of a deal and he will cut down on fouling by the time the regular season starts. The guy is already 23, how much time you need for him to develop? He has played a lot of ball, has a high IQ and fundamentally sound. He will develop more by playing. He avoided the draft to come here the same as Austin did. It isn't like he wouldn't have been drafted. Maybe Rob finds someone and this all becomes moot but the only other option we have right now is Hayes. It is hard to imagine anyone thinking Hayes is a better option than Castleton. At least I'm hoping not.
Camp should be highly competitive this year, and our team is full of some pretty good options. Nice problem to have.
Why not just start Christie at small forward? I know we just got a bunch of big wings, but Max might be the best 3 and D of them all, and it would allow Lebon to stay at the 4. Might be a moot point though if Lakers promise Wood a starting role to sign for the vet minimum.
I get the feeling Ham only knows Lebron and AD will start, but positions are undecided. Mike Dan Tony dream scenario
