The Lakers have been working the edges of the roster in recent weeks, adding all types of wings and combo forwards to compete for a roster spot when training camp opens later this month. In continuing that pursuit, the team has added Marcus Landry, a combo forward who shined for the team’s summer league outfit in Las Vegas in July.
Marcus Landry's contract w/ Lakers is non-guaranteed, his agent Keith Kreiter told me. Deal is for 1 year at vet minimum ($788,000)
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) September 17, 2013
As Mark Medina notes, Landry’s contract is not guaranteed so he joins the ranks of recent signees Shawne Williams, Xavier Henry, and Elias Harris as guys who will have every chance to let their skill set shine through and potentially earn a role when the games count starting in late October.
As for earning that role, I believe Landry has a pretty good shot. He has a history with the D’Antoni brothers, getting a brief stint with the Knicks in the 2010 campaign, and, while not getting a lot of burn, impressed with his skill set and work ethic. Further, after his showing in Vegas, Landry showed he has an NBA style game and an offensive versatility that serves him well in a spread pick and roll attack. With Landry’s ability to space the floor and, just as important, his willingness to compete defensively and on the backboards, he is a solid (if unspectacular) player who doesn’t take a lot off the table.
Does this mean that Landry is a shoe-in to make the team? No. Nor does it mean that he should be viewed as some sort of a difference maker who should be looked at as a future contributor. That said, after signing guys who were high draft picks but haven’t been able to translate that pedigree into production, Landry is likely to be a player who doesn’t flash a high ceiling, but also has a higher floor than a boom or bust gamble.
Ultimately we won’t know if that’s enough to get him onto the final roster until we see him in the mix with the other players competing for a spot, but like the tortoise and hare, his more methodical style may just prove to be enough.
Warren Wee Lim says
I like Landry during Summer League. He’d be the 15th guy on the roster.
Warren Wee Lim says
There was a discussion two threads ago about the way we’re going to play. Offense, Defense, Dwight’s usage, etc.
Lets try to assess our team from MDA’s POV since he’s the coach. MDA is an offensive coach, thats not a secret at all. Alot would argue that he doesn’t give enough emphasis on defense. Be that as it may, we need to look at it from his perspective.
MDA loves early offense, 3pt shots, layups and foul shots. Thats not a coincidence because these type of shots are generally the most-efficient shots when the defense has not yet set-up or give out the best output. If your team is capable, then you would see something like the 2005 Suns team featuring Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion. MDA usually has a gunner in there like Quentin Richardson or Raja Bell that is able to play the fastbreak 3-ball or go inside for a layup. Usually, players are encouraged to shoot when they are open, but its unselfish basketball as it also emphasizes the quick pass.
Shot selection and Shot-clock usage often become in question. Sometimes we take the 3-ball even on a fastbreak. If you can score 2 without getting fouled, or three undefended, that is much better than taking up 18 seconds of the shotclock feeding the ball inside and finding the last-minute cutter.
In contrast, Greg Popovich’s team often waits for the last 8 seconds to choose the best shot. That doesn’t mean they do not run, they do, but do so selectively. This offense is such because he has Tony Parker whose teardrop shot is indefensible even after a decade in the league and he has the best power forward to ever play the game in Duncan who is ever-reliable.
Going back to the MDA philosophy, he wants you to fetch fouls moving toward the basket and not with your back behind it. He wants ball-movement, spacing and quick offense. Its not a coincidence that he’s from Europe because this type of offense is generally regarded as Euro-ball.
MDA wants to take big leads at the burst of the quarter. Expect no less than 25-point 1st quarters, preferably 32, as high as 40. The idea is to outscore your opponent early and play ‘good enough’ defense to sustain the lead till the starters come again and bury the team before halftime. Assuming we will be healthy, this is executable.
Lineup WITH Kobe: Nash, Bryant, Young, Hill and Gasol.
Lineup WITHOUT Kobe: Nash, Blake, Young, Hill and Gasol.
Emphasis on shooting and pace of the 1st quarter, its not outrageous to believe that this team is predicated on excelling offensively. Alot can be said about the other side of the ball, and thats fine for the more-traditional types, but you kinda have to factor in that MDA is the least-conventional of coaches.
Hill and Gasol are almost shoe-ins. Hill would play center in different sets and the biggest emphasis on him is because he can run the floor alongside the team. Gasol and Kaman, most-advisably, SHOULD NOT play in the 1st quarter together.
Early leads, our defense can be as bad as blowing up alot of leads. This is what I realistically expect from our team. You can turn off the TV after the 1st 8 minutes and turn it back on near halftime.
Jay A says
@Warren, Jordan Farmer is the best PG on the Lakers. If the Lakers have any plans to win games, Jordan should be starting before January.
Vasheed says
I like Landry. I dunno who will be left standing without a chair when the music ends but, Landry would be a good choice for the roster.
I keep seeing Hill being penciled in by everybody at starting PF. He is a talented small ball Center. Playing him in the starting line up is in effect pushing Pau back to PF which would mean a total failing of every other possible option.
I too see Farmar as filling the PG slot in MDA’s system the best but, I think the nod will be given to Nash. How many minutes Farmar will get though will be telling.
Craig W. says
Warren,
I suspect we will not see Young in the starting lineup if Kobe plays. He is too valuable coming in for Kobe and maintaining a semblance of shooting. This is also where I see Farmar, because he can both relieve Nash and help with penetrating offense. Yes, Blake probably gets the nod starting at the 2, if Kobe isn’t playing, with Young at the 3 – I agree with you there.
I believe, if any of the others competing for the 3 spot shows a separation from others they will start at the 3 with Kobe in the game. This leaves Farmar and Young to backup the guard spots.
As for Farmar starting ahead of Nash – not likely this year. Nash knows Mike D’s system too well and they are somewhat wedded. Now if Steve N. gets injured or can’t play over 15 minutes, that might force another decision.
pio2u says
Nice pick up; ML is a talented played and should be able to contribute to the team in a limited role. maybe on down the line he’ll be able to earn an extension.
Renato Afonso says
While I do like Marcus Landry, from what I saw in Summer League, I still think that Elias Harris would be more useful to the squad. I’d like to keep them both though…