Lakers OFF-SEASON IS A WRAP

[mr j 858]

I don't see how projecting Russell to be on the same tier as All Stars is an insult. He has his limitations that may or may not keep him from being a superstar (not an explosive athlete, needs to get better finishing in traffic, questionable defender). But there's nothing wrong with being on the same tier as Conley and Dame. Those are two very good players.

It's just the way the Laker fan base is. A lot of fans are not use to going through a rebuilding process and want instant results and instant gratification now.

Some dudes after 2 summer league games are already judging and predicting what Russell's nba career will be like.

Other dudes were upset when the Lakers signed Brandon Bass and were afraid he would take minutes away from Julius Randle.

Last summer a lot of people saw Clarkson playing well in the summer league and later in the season he played well and dudes are already saying he's all star or a franchise level type player.

 

[purpnyellow]

I don't see how projecting Russell to be on the same tier as All Stars is an insult. He has his limitations that may or may not keep him from being a superstar (not an explosive athlete, needs to get better finishing in traffic, questionable defender). But there's nothing wrong with being on the same tier as Conley and Dame. Those are two very good players.

Everythings wrong if thats his ceiling lol what's okafors ceiling smh at people being ok with our # 2 pick being a Conley type player

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Conley is a huge impact player for the Grizzlies that doesn't always show up in the stat book. Dame is a dynamic scorer. Those are solid all stars.

Okafor is gonna be a good scorer, but he's got his limitations as well. Cant defend, questionable rebounder, shaky foul shooter, not an elite athlete.

Russell could become great one day, but he'll need time. He's in a good situation next to Clarkson, can play off the ball, come off screens hit shots. Lot of different things he can do that'll make him a threat. Not everyone can be Chris Paul or Steph Curry.

 

[purpnyellow]

Conley is a huge impact player for the Grizzlies that doesn't always show up in the stat book. Dame is a dynamic scorer. Those are solid all stars.

Okafor is gonna be a good scorer, but he's got his limitations as well. Cant defend, questionable rebounder, shaky foul shooter, not an elite athlete.

Russell could become great one day, but he'll need time. He's in a good situation next to Clarkson, can play off the ball, come off screens hit shots. Lot of different things he can do that'll make him a threat. Not everyone can be Chris Paul or Steph Curry.

I'm not saying Conley is a bad player just not worth the # 2 pick

 

[CP1708]

I'll be THRILLED if Russ gets to Conley's level.

@ expecting a 19 year old to "contribute day 1 cuz he's the #2 pick". That's one of the dumber things I've ever read.

Nance/Brown being better than I hoped is not good for me trying to temper my own expectations.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

He was picked 4th in his draft

I feel you though. Russell is gonna be a solid player. Type of guy that can average 17 and 7, probably playing the 2. Good combo guard with excellent vision. Just needs to be vicious with his handle off the dribble to make up for the explosiveness.

Lakers made the right pick on need. Okafor didn't fit with Randle defensively. Mudiay doesn't fit with Clarkson. Zinger is too risky at 2.

 

[purpnyellow]

I guess I'm dumb then..... But to me it seems like you guys are a lil to high on him

 

[johnnyredstorm]

CP or P can tell you, im not a Russell fan by any means. But he has some decent upside and is a good fit next to Clarkson. He's gonna need a year or two to hit stride but he'll be a solid player.

 

[kal-el-8]

Kristaps looks like he'll be meh.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

JRS you think Russell's future is at the 2? Seriously?

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Combo guard. Long as Clarkson is next to him I can't see him getting the bulk at the 1. Not yet at least maybe in a couple of years. But they'll both get their's regardless of the position.

 

[MambaMentality824]

Nothing Dlo has shown tells me he will be great just seems average to me....hope I'm wrong

Keep perspective guys. Summer league really means almost nothing.

I'm not saying Conley is a bad player just not worth the # 2 pick

You sure about that man, the draft is a bigger crap shoot than you are making it out to be. Don't believe me?

In the last 7 years, the #2 draft selections have been...

2008: Michael Beasley
2009: Hasheem Thabeet
2010: Evan Turner
2011: Derrick Williams
2012: Michael Kidd Gilchrist
2013: Victor Oladipo
2014: Jabari Parker

I'm pretty sure every single one of those teams would have loved if they got a Mike Conley there instead (Bucks pending of course, maybe Magic too).

Any time you can add an all star caliber player to your core especially at the PG position its a HUGE win. Obviously we hope he turns out to be a superstar like Steph, Russ, CP3 but if he's a Conley or Lillard i'll still be ecstatic.

 

[mj 23]

It's just the way the Laker fan base is. A lot of fans are not use to going through a rebuilding process and want instant results and instant gratification now.

Some dudes after 2 summer league games are already judging and predicting what Russell's nba career will be like.

Other dudes were upset when the Lakers signed Brandon Bass and were afraid he would take minutes away from Julius Randle.

Last summer a lot of people saw Clarkson playing well in the summer league and later in the season he played well and dudes are already saying he's all star or a franchise level type player.

This. All of this.

Sometimes I hate our fan base

 

[CP1708]

I guess I'm dumb then..... But to me it seems like you guys are a lil to high on him

????

Chris Paul wasn't contributing right away at 19. But you think Russ should, cuz he was picked 2nd.

I followed by saying I'd be thrilled if he was Conley 2.0

But I have too high of expectations?


Bottom line, stop thinking guys are finished products 2 summer league games in. Kobe was "Kobe" in year 4. Development takes time, even for all timers. Stop labeling Russ like he won't be a COMPLETELY different player in just 6 months. Or 24 months, 48 months, etc.

 

[CP1708]

It's just the way the Laker fan base is. A lot of fans are not use to going through a rebuilding process and want instant results and instant gratification now.

Some dudes after 2 summer league games are already judging and predicting what Russell's nba career will be like.

Other dudes were upset when the Lakers signed Brandon Bass and were afraid he would take minutes away from Julius Randle.

Last summer a lot of people saw Clarkson playing well in the summer league and later in the season he played well and dudes are already saying he's all star or a franchise level type player.

This. All of this.

Sometimes I hate our fan base

L. O. L. At 858 talkin about this rebuild, that he wanted NO parts of, but now he an expert on the subject.

Enjoy those young kids tho.

Sure.

 

[noblekane]

View media item 1624602

 

[orsrt8]

Cant get too analytical after two summer league games but Okafor is the better player right now compared to Russell...but just gotta be patient fellas. He'll have a "breakout" game soon..

 

[pmatic]

Edit:

Madsen just sounds like he's reading off a script with his answers. No need to say a dude's full name.

 

[daddyrabbit251]

Dude said Nance was looking like the joker in that interview

 

[pmatic]

From Kevin Pelton:

Larry Nance Jr.
L.A. Lakers

During the fourth quarter of the Lakers' win over the Sixers, the Thomas & Mack Center temporarily became the Boston Garden in the 1980s, ringing out with "Larry! Larry" chants for the team's second first-round pick. Starting in place of Julius Randle, who is not playing back-to-back games as he returns from a fractured tibia, the son of the former dunk champion electrified a pro-Lakers crowd with his ability to play above the rim at both ends of the court. The Lakers outscored Philadelphia by 20 points with Nance on the court.

D'Angelo Russell
L.A. Lakers

Again, Russell impressed more as a passer than a scorer. The No. 2 overall pick handed out just three assists, but among them were another long outlet pass for a transition layup and a bounce pass threaded through traffic to a teammate cutting backdoor. Of course, those daring passes came with a cost -- seven turnovers. And Russell has had difficulty creating separation to get easy shots in the half-court offense. He missed 11 of his 15 attempts. On the plus side, Russell contributed on the glass with eight rebounds.

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/13242193/nba-day-2-observations-las-vegas-summer-league

 

[5am6oody72]

Larry is gonna be a solid pro. He has a lot of things you can't teach (6'7.5 without shoes, 7'1 wingspan, that vert) and seems to have a very good feel for positioning and defensive timing with his blocks. And despite the Kobe tweet nonsense (which he handled/resolved very maturely) he seems to have a high bball IQ and good head on his shoulders. If he can develop a consistent outside shot he will be a resl asset for us.

 

[cruzair13]

Russell plays so slow but his passing and feel for the game comes easy for him. He has a jumper which could be a problem once he is a consistent with it. Already ahead of Rondo in that department.

What's wrong with him being compared to Lillard? He's a beast.

Nance is extremely athletic, could see him be a problem if he can stretch the floor with shooting like a James posey or Matt Barnes when he found a stroke for the clippers.

How many roster spots are left?
Dlo
JC
Kobe
Randle
Hibbert
Swaggy
Lou
Bass
Nance
Upshaw
Booz
Sacre
Kelly?
Brown?
Hill?
Who's still here.

 

[essential1]

There are 15 guys on the roster. So none.

Boozer and Hill are gone.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Lillard and Russell play nothing alike and Russell is bigger

 

[pmatic]

#HotTake: Russell may be more Dragic than his other comparisons (Curry, Harden, Manu).

But he doesn't really seem to display Dragic's burst either. But that could be the result of heavy legs.