It might be the main position battle left for the Lakers: Which two centers will be kept to back up HIbbert? Tarik Black showed some spring in his game last season but is undersized for the position at 6 feet 9. Robert Sacre is a fun presence in the locker room but his offense lags his defense. Undrafted free agent Robert Upshaw has blocked a lot of shots in practice and, like Sacre, needs work on offense. Only two of the three will stay. Lakers fans are intrigued by the raw talent of Upshaw even though he didn't play in either exhibition. The next one is Thursday against Toronto in Ontario, Calif. "He's just go to wait his turn," Scott said. "I've got so many bodies and I don't want to give guys a two- or three-minute look. I don't think that does them any good. I want to see them play extended minutes and that could be anywhere from eight to 15." Scott wants improved post play and a better mid-range jumper from Black, along with something else. "The biggest thing I told him last year is that he's just too nice," Scott said. "He's got to get some type of mean streak in him. If he does, then he could be a monster." Sacre has the most experience and only fully guaranteed contract of the group, though the Lakers would eat his $981,000 salary if the other two centers were more impressive this month, according to a person familiar with the situation. http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-jordan-clarkson-20151008-story.html
We've already seen Black being more impressive than Sacre already, time for Upshaw to get his chance.
You know how when they talk about all around players, and say "he does no one thing great, but he does a lot of things good". Well with Sacre it's more like "he does no one thing good, he does a lot of things mediocre". He gots to go.
Yes Sacre symbolizes lottery for me...he is one of the faces that I associate most with the Lakers failing and losing. Good luck for your future but I don't want you on my team, sorry.
I think Sacre would be a fine third string insurance type center, but with Upshaw and Black fighting for spots here I'd much take a chance on them developing than keep Rob here. We've seen enough of him to know he's not going to get a whole lot better.
Look, I understand the want to 'get rid of Sacre' movement we have here; believe me, I do. Nevertheless, while Upshaw has loads of potential, are you willing to get rid of Sacre not fully knowing if Upshaw can keep his life together for a full season? Are we willing to take that risk? Addiciton is no joke, and within any moment, Upshaw can revert back to his old ways, and while I certainly hope he doesn't, I'd like to figure out a way to keep him on the roster while keeping Sacre FOR NOW. Is that possible? I don't think so unless Upshaw goes to the D-league. I don't trust Upshaw fully quite yet. Happy with his progress, but I need to see at least a full season of developing, growing, and maturating not just as a basketball player but as a person.
^^^^ It's a risk related to a 3rd string center .. At worst we can use R. " I know I can't fly" Kelly or Metta at the 5 ... just kidding
With Black in the fold, I'm willing to let go of Sacre but I'm still not as down on him as a lot of people. Black is enough depth for me with Upshaw spending a lot of time in the D-League developing.
From the coaching perspective, I'm coming to the point I highly doubt we cut Sacre actually. Coaches like guys that know there offense and are vets often time regardless of potential. The fact that we have so many other young players on this team means I doubt they drop Sacre for yet another young player (even if I wish they would). I'm not saying I as a fan would rather they keep Sacre in front of Upshaw or Black, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if they did.
Black will serve as Hibbert's primary backup; the problem with Black is not the player, IMO; it's more of a skillset issue. If you're bringing Bass off the bench and you're pairing him with Black, that's not the ideal pairing which is why I think we saw Byron experiment with Kelly/Bass. Dare I say, we'll see Kelly more at the 5 because the coaching staff likes Kelly more with Bass than a Black/Bass pairing. You can keep Sacre in limited minutes and develop Upshaw in the D-league...
Technically it's Bass at the 5 because he's strong enough to fight with those guys, but yes I agree. Kelly/Bass is a lineup that I think we could see a bit of. I think it'll be match-up dependent though. We saw Black play effectively at the five against smaller lineups.
I think Scott trusts Bass more and would like him more at the small ball 5 rather than Black. Just a hunch, but I like Black mind you.
On a scale of 1-10. Black is going to give you a solid 7. Keeper. Sacre is going to give you a consistent 4-5. He's not horribad but he'll never be good. Time to go to China. Upshaw is going to give you 3 some nights and 7 on others. But he might one day reach 8. Worth the shot.
I don't necessarily disagree, but it depends on the match-up. Black is faster and more athletic than Bass. If GS were to run the super small ball they liked last year with Green at Center, I'd trust Black more in there.
So, then try a Kelly/Black lineup then...either way, I see Kelly sticking on this team. I'll get shot for saying this, but I keep Sacre unless Upshaw blows me away in these upcoming preseason games...
