It is NBA Draft Week. And while the crowning of the Cavs as the new NBA Champions will make up many of the storylines over the entirety of the off-season, the draft will occupy more and more of our time as we get closer to Thursday. Expect to read more mocks, more articles about who is moving up and down draft boards, and what each team should/will do.
Oh, and expect rumors. Lots of rumors.
This draft, even with the potential for twists and turns, really does seem to have a consensus:
- Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are the top prospects in the draft.
- Dragan Bender intrigues as a versatile European player with a high ceiling, but his youth and lack of playing time/production this past season have teams wondering if he’ll fall out of the top 3.
- After those three players, finding a consensus on who the next best players are is very difficult.
The profile of this specific draft has left some looking for storylines which, more than in year’s past, seem to be manufactured in order to drive the discussion forward in ways that bring intrigue to places where it’s lacking. This isn’t a knock on those throwing out ideas, I just think this year, more than in recent ones, there’s simply not a lot of viable discussion around the players and the picks.
For example, if you have been following, there have been stories saying the Lakers should draft Washington forward Marquese Chriss at #2. Another story surfaced in the last few days stemming from Chad Ford’s comments that the Lakers have interest in obtaining another top 5 pick in this draft with him then speculating on how that might happen.
This is not a knock on Ford. I read the transcript where he gave this opinion and to me it came off as just that — opinion. I did not take his comments as a report that was based on him having any inside information. He didn’t say anything about “sources” or what he “is hearing”. Without those buzz terms, I took his comments as him playing out a scenario from his own perspective.
Which brings me back to my original point. In the absence of real questions or inherent intrigue with the draft, questions and intrigue will be, for lack of a better word, created. It gets boring to have the same stories replicated week after week on the radio and TV. Again, this isn’t a knock on Ford or any other draft-nik whose job it is to talk about what could happen on Thursday. The nature of the beast is that mixing it up and throwing out some ideas — even if a bit farfetched — is fine. It’s why mock drafts change from version to version.
The fact is, though, since the announcement of who would be in this draft and the fallout of the draft lottery, the most likely scenario has remained the same. The 76ers are likely to draft Ben Simmons. The Lakers are then likely to draft Brandon Ingram. There is then intrigue with what the Celtics will do, but that has as much to do with their possession of multiple 1st round picks and their want for a marquee player to add to a roster which is ahead of schedule.
After the Celtics, I expect the draft to play out in a way which has the rest of the top-8 or so prospects go in some order which meshes talent with team need (another consensus is that after the top-8, there is another talent drop off). Maybe there’s a surprise trade or two, but I’ve grown accustomed to GM’s who are selecting in the lottery to start to have dreams of how a good player helps their own team and then simply taking that player.
None of this is to say the draft won’t offer any moves out of left field. But if something does happen, I don’t expect it to happen with the Lakers #2 pick nor do I expect them to make any rash moves which involve either of D’Angelo Russell or Julius Randle.
The Lakers are in a position which is pretty much fool-proof. If you think they tinker their way out of that position, it probably means you think they’re capable of making fools of themselves. Which, I guess, is fair, but probably says as much about your opinion of them as it actually does of what they will do.
R says
The FO has indeed in my opinion shown the ability/willingness to make fools of themselves with respect to intra family squabbling. As far as drafting goes, though, they’ve done a pretty nice job. Even going with DAR over Jah seems (argueably – relatively) defensible.
Let’s see if they continue this relatively positive trend of drafting fairly well.
Dom says
Spot on post Darius. Ford is a hack. And the real drama here surrounds Boston and too many picks. There is such a thing as having too much youth. Boston may make a trade involving there latter two picks but they will get a player at number 3. The prayers of Laker fans were answered when they got the number 2 pick. There is no way the team makes the playoffs, which is supposed to mean JimB resigns. The 2017 FA class is loaded plus unless something miraculous happens the Lakers will keep their protected top 3 pick next year. A year into Luke and the building of system and culture they team should be ready to take a major step in 2018.
Dorian says
The Lakers won’t finish with a bottom 3 record next year. With Russell, Randle, Clarkson, Nance Jr and very likely Ingram they’ll improve 12-15 games on young talent alone. Plus I do think they’ll get a FA center and 3&D wing to help. Throw in Luke for 5 wins Byron cost us and I think they win 35-40 games. Not a playoff team but an up and comer! I see last year as them being a huge underachieving team because of bad chemistry, coaching and Kobe jacking up all those bricks. So I don’t see the jump to respectable as big as others.
Anonymous says
I second r. The FO guys in charge of scouting have a good track record. So credit goes to Mitch, Jesse Buss and Ryan West. That is an interest mix of legacies there: ex Laker player, son to deceased owner and son to ex Laker player and GM. Is this good? Is this bad? Dunno. Dont care.
david h says
well said Darius. to me, a lot of it has to do with the sixers pick being simmons and not ingram I believe. simmons body language and overt non committal to working out for nba teams is a red flag to which I would wave a white flag.
so based on all analysis and crossing my fingers, let’s hope ingram falls to the lakers at the number two pick.
Go lakers
Rico says
Assuming Ben Simmons goes to 76 erst.
Our Lakers should take
1. Brandon Ingram
2. Buddy Hield
With the 32nd pick, they should pick up.
1. Thon Maker PF/C
2. AJ Simmons C
3. Diamond Stone C
4. Michael Brogdon SG
Rob says
No buddy hes not that special rather we draft brown before him maybe you should actually look at some of buddys scouting reports and watch some of his tape he is only good at shooting it would be a huge mistake if we drafted him at #2
I CALLED GAME says
The Lakers don’t even need to consider Hield if the Sixers take Simmons, Ingram will be the best player out of this draft mark my words and at 32 just draft a good defensive player whos ready now.
Tom says
Buddy at all is a mistake. I’m one of the ” morons” who say if we can get a top 5 pick even top 7 for Russell we do it. I’m the idiot who says Dunn or Murray would be better for the Lakers than Russell. Clarkson, Murray or Dunn, Ingram, Randall.
Nick says
Fords comment was put out like it was a source over assumption. But I agree, Ford was mentioning a possibility, nothing else. It sounds to me like LA really likes Russell and Randles potential. Ditching that for a mystery draft pick seems unlikely. You draft Ingram or Simmons and attack free agency. This shouldn’t be a quick fix. I want to build a long term contender. Lakers have that chance with a young but talented squad
Anonymous says
The whole thing that’s been bugging me for than it should is not just guys like Ford spewing out inaccurate garbage like that. Even with the whole decision between Simmons and Ingram, you have guys like Gary Parrish on CBS saying stuff like he’s been told by sources that the Lakers would prefer Simmons, which flies right in the face of what The Vertical and Kevin Ding have said about the team’s preference for Ingram.
I’ve hated this whole build up to the draft with guys who have clearly not broken any relevant Laker news in the past who are claiming that they have inside info from the organization, which we know has been air tight regarding decisions with no outside parties.
Fern says
@T Rodgers from the other thread, for me they are. They won 73 games because Steph and Klay bail them out a lot of times with those ridiculous shots. They can win a lot of games in the regular season the way they play. But in the playoffs you can’t depend on just a one dimensional game. Case in point, in the last 4 minutes the Dubs went 0-9 and of those 9 misses seven were beyond the arc and really bad shots too boot. That shot that Curry took was beyond horrible it’s like it never crossed his mind to take Love off the dribble and head to the rim and take what the defense gave to him. Or try to make it a 1 point game. It was a 3 or bust. Now im convinced that if Irving wasn’t injured last season the Cavs would had won it too. The Dubs are a jumpshooting team that don’t adapt if the shots don’t go in…
J C says
Fern
I agree that a healthy Kyrie in 2015 may have altered the finals landscape.
But there are more factors to consider.
One is that the Ws may have spent themselves a bit too much getting to 73. In fact, finishing with 70 wins may have given them fresher legs and also more incentive to repeat. The 73-win season became a bit of an albatross around their neck and ratcheted the pressure up with each series.
Another is that the Cavs had an easier path to the finals in the East. The Thunder would have given the Cavs a real run for their money but the Warriors had to go through them instead.
On the flip side, the Cavs were hungrier this year. Lebron played the finest series of his career, and was intensely motivated as his post game demeanor clearly showed. The Warriors just didn’t have another gear this time.
I do agree that Kerr may have been outcoached this year, but to revert to thinking that you can’t win with the 3-ball being an integral part of your attack just isn’t accurate. After all, the Ws were in fact the defending champs, and they didn’t only beat the Cavs last year- they won the West as well, both last year and this year.
J C says
Darius,
Have you reviewed Sabonis?
Son of a great player and passer – or maybe he’ll be long gone by #32.
Mid-Wilshire says
One other rumor worth considering: Richard Jefferson, who just won a championship with the Cavaliers and who just renounced his retirement, could possibly join Luke Walton’s staff as an Assistant Coach. Jefferson went to the University of Arizona as did Luke and, as I understand it, they are best friends. So…this could happen. Or not. Here’s the link:
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2016/6/20/11975280/la-lakers-offseason-rumors-richard-jefferson-luke-walton-coaching
One other note: based on their performance during the NBA Finals, I hope that the Lakers pursue neither Festus Ezeli nor Harrison Barnes. They were both major liabilities to GS during the Finals, especially during the last 3 games.
Could you imagine offering, say, $20 Mill to Barnes and perhaps $8 Mill to Ezeli?
I would think the Lakers could do better.
I eagerly await Thursday’s NBA Draft. So far this off-season has been interminable.
Darius Soriano says
JC,
Sabonis is projected to go late lottery and will surely be gone by the late teens in this draft.
Basquiatball says
The lack of uncertainty has made it a little less fun than last year for me. I’m mostly looking forward to Summer League at this point and know next to nothing about anybody projected between the 2nd and 30th picks.
Of course last year, while there wasn’t much consensus overall on Russell v. Okafor, it was reported that the Lakers were set on taking Okafor until pretty late in the process. I think it was only the day or 2 before when we really started hearing that Russell was an option, then their preference. Seems unlikely anything like that happens now though.
Texas says
I don’t know if this’ll work under the salary cap but if we sign Bazemore Durrant James gasol and Noah(latter 2 team friendly deals). In order to stay under the salary cap we might have to trade Lou and maybe a sign and trade deal To get gasol or Noah. The only reason I bring this up is because on ESPN they reported that James may be interested in coming to Los Angeles and since we have the most cab space this makes a lot of sense The roster would look something like this pg Russell Lou Huerta
shooting guard Bazemore Clarkson brown
small forward Durrant Ingram brown
power forward James Randall Nance
center gasol Noah Nance black
For some reason they would have to move Randel or Nance in order to stay under the salary I still think it would be a good deal and I’m not sure but we still might have our mid-level exception to sign another player if we couldn’t sign Noah or Gasol to a deal. Somebody tell me what you think thanks from Texas
Filipe says
Ford main weakness as a writer is that he has a tendency to play armchair GM and not make clear he is just stating an opinion (by contrast, one always know when Marc Stein is moving from a source to just give his own opinion about something) which goes with him ocupping a very blurry position on ESPN between reporter and columnist. I think one should always read him with that in mind.
Fern says
JC one thing is the 3 ball being an integral part of the offense. Another is being basically the entire offense. Im not saying the Warriors are bad or nothing but they became predictable. I think they need to go back to the drawing board and make some changes. They need another threat downlow besides Draymond who sure love to shoot 3s too. And lastly the Bulls won 72 games and they steamrolled the opposition on their way to their championship.
Texas says
And I forgot to add to cut as many players that r on our current roster that I don’t mention especially swagy p. (Stretch provision)
Fern says
Can we put a stop to the Lebron to LA bs again? How many years in a row this stupid rumor has surfaced?
Robert says
Fern: am with you with regard to GS. I was getting sick of the Dubs adulation, Curry’s mouthpiece, and Green’s targeted kicks. I was pulling for LBJ which was a first for me.
BigCitySid says
– Gongrats to LeBron…he was awesome!
– The strategy of the Laker choosing Ingram w/ the #2 and teaming him with the young guys, Russell, Randle, & Clarkson plus Laker vets like Bass (re-sign) & Lou Williams and adding solid, but not spectacular veteran free agents is just too logical, just too safe, just too smart, just too boring.
– This type of team rebuild is foreign to this franchise and it’s fanbase. Especially those who pay crazy $$’s for the privilege of sitting anywhere near court side. Would THIS franchise & it’s fan base be okay taking Minny T’Wolves steps? 30 wins 2016-17, 37 wins ’17-’18, & 44 wins & a low playoff berth in ’18-’19?
– Or will they swing for the fences, signing a big name scorer for those all mighty entertainment $$’s, ignoring the solid foundation a long term title contender needs. And if L. A. is one thing, it is a place that offers a lot of options for your entertainment $$$’s.
– Here’s hoping this new ownership group’s worst days/decisions are behind them.
-Today you can get your coffee in an instant. But isn’t slow brewed worth the wait?
J C says
Fern
I think you’re right. GS will undoubtedly look to make additions to their front court. I’m surprised they got by OKC.
And I agree they got predictable. I posted previously that Steph and Klay had the ability to break down the defense by driving to the hole to mix things up and they didn’t do it – with the results being a loss.
I saw an interesting stat today. The aggregate score of the finals was Cavs 703 and Ws 699. Pretty evenly matched. I honestly think the game was up for grabs and the Cavs just wanted it more.
Thanks Darius – that shows how out of touch I am.
Hope he does well in the NBA. His father was a really interesting player with a great reputation for a stellar European career.
Fern says
Robert, i started to “turn” on the Dubs when Curry got his MVP in a way that no one, not Magic,not Kobe, not Wilt not even MJ himself got it. Unanimously? It was a PC era MVP because he is such a good guy and talks aboit God and all that jazz. Earlier still their owner saying they were “light years” ahead of everyone else. Then Klay running his mouth about the Showtime Lakers, Draymond behavior and lastly Curry chocking the way he did. Because let’s make no mistake about it. He choked and he lost his composure the last couple of games. At the end of the day they weren’t that good…
John Citizen says
I think the FO are (or should be) looking into pairing Lebron and KD in Lakers Uniform, Lebron might ask for certain players to join him, and at that point, they will go All In.
Or Lebron stays home one more year and KD stays home and both along RW join the lakers next year.
Thinking of these scenarios kinda make me lose interest in the coming draft (or in the players we have now). I am sorry, but watching the finals made me lose interest in a rebuild,
Fern says
It was a damn shame that the elder Sabonis got to the NBA after his knees were shot. If he joined in his prime he would had dominated. Great center with an outside shot which was a rarity back then. JC it was a even series but the Cavs were more composed at the end.
Robert says
Correction I forgot I also rooted for LBJ when he was matched against the Spurs. I hate the Spurs.
AusPhil says
Fern – Preach on regarding that LeBJ-to-LA stuff. I’ve just been berating people here for even entertaining the thought. Anything from SAS isn’t even at rumour level for me. More like a semi-lucid fever dream.
Fern says
I agree Aus, but this was his finest hour lol http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ufHvG-fJ6ao
KenOak says
“That moment right there happened, and I was like ‘ok, I’m fine’ ” Irving said. “And all I was thinking about in the back of my mind was Mamba mentality. Just Mamba mentality, that’s all I was thinking.”
Confirmed. Kobe Bryant switched bodies with Kyrie Irving to win his 6th title!
Nik Kannan says
Whoa… Sometimes a big dream doesn’t work the way u want, sometime u wake up in the middle of the dream, and yes just sometimes u are in control of your dreams.
Example 1. Nash and Howard w/ Gasol and Metta, & Mamba – dream didn’t work out the way we wanted.
Example 2. Chris Paul Trade that happened but never happened… Waking up in the middle of dream.
Example 3. Gasol to Lakers for Gasol and Kwame + Ariza for randoms I think Brian Cook if I remember. Dream realized.
Not sure if it is too bad to dream big … But it is certainly better than winning 17 games (but maybe that is all Byron’s fault)….
As a Staunch Lakers fan … As I am sure all of u are … To take a baseball analogy.. The FO should be willing to swing for the fence instead of trying to draw a walk without swinging the bat.. Sure a bunch of singles are productive but as the ESPN Classic commercial reminds us “chicks dig the long ball.”
Vasheed says
@Darius,
The Lakers have worked out Labissiere and Ellenson. These are also guys in that mid first round selection area. It would lead one to believe the Lakers are at least considering some move to acquire a mid first round pick by some means. I do think we should focus on discussing the 2nd and 32 picks but, I would say the guys the Lakers are looking at are interesting conversation too.
Kareem says
I lost a lot of respect for Chad Ford When I found out that he’s been retroactively editing his draft boards to make himself look like a better evaluator of talent for years. How petty and egotistical do you have to be… Darius you’re spot on about the need to invent stories with a lack of legitimate news. We’re sure to hear all sorts coming in the next few days. I find it crazy that cavs fans can’t even live one day to celebrate without stories breaking of lebron skipping town.
Vasheed says
@Fern,
I thought the elder Sabonis was pretty amazing even on hobbled knees. He was one of the few guys who could really match up with Shaq.
Marlon Blodgett says
I Liked Big City Sids Remarks,We can only hope that the front office is in this for the long play. Get me ingram,Get me a stud at 32,Sign Jordan Clarkson so he can give us his heart on the floor every time he is on it ,Get me horford for a short term that turns into boogie cousins in 2 years FA-Batum-Bazemore-Bass the move to needs players in the lower tiers, remember we also have a minimum cap that we have to spend around 80 million I believe, so fit as much as you can into our talent pool now ,but save to make the big play when it is coming for sure and not a one season hope,. but the cherry on top of the dynasty sunday that we crave. I’m talking to you MITCH the adult, Do what is right or go down screaming.
Nik Kannan says
Vasheed – if getting drop stepped dunked on for 30 ppg is matching up.
Let’s not compare the Disel with Sabonis. Sabonis could pass and was a decent 16-19 ft shooter… But match up… Nobody could match up against Disel – besides he, just like everyone else just fouled shaq.
His son – might be good – is mid grade at best in the association long term.
Baylor Fan says
The talk about the Warriors being a “jump shooting’ team and therefore inferior to the Cavaliers is a little confusing. The two teams were ranked #1 and #2 for 3 pointers made per game this season. The Cavaliers won Game 7 on a long, contested 3 by Irving. Both the Warriors and Cavaliers were about even with their opponents in scoring points in the paint. It looks like these were the two teams with the best balanced offenses. Which brings me back to liking Ingram if he is the player that falls to the Lakers.
J C says
Add to Baylor fan
Prior to Kyrie – or after, I forget
Lebron got fouled on a 3 – Made 3 free throws
Then next time down made a 3 point from the left wing
I think the Cavs also set a record w 25 made 3s in a game, earlier in the playoffs
Gene says
Things I would love to see happen next year:
-One of our young guys becomes exponentially better. My bet is on D’Angelo, the kid seems to be working hard this summer to improve his game; tightening his handle and working on his strength and explosiveness.
-Develop team chemistry and cohesion while playing a more exciting style of basketball. If we draft Ingram, we’re positionally solid 1-4. Utilizing some of the team principles GS incorporates on offense; passing, space and movement, we should be able to play an exciting brand of basketball.
-Improve Defensively. Last year we were the worst team in the league defensively. We need to improve our team defense, while hiding our players individual weaknesses.
-Sign FA’s who best fit with our current players and in Luke’s system. Signing a solid defensive center in free agency with the ability to pass and roll hard to the basket, should be our number one priority. Also, adding a defensive minded back up Guard and Wing with 3 point capability would help mold our roster in a more similar style to GS with their tremendous wing depth and adaptability.
Marlon Blodgett says
I agree with genes opinion that one of the guys is going to break out, Actually I think that they all will improve significantly. Another summer , a bunch of gym time,Support and improvement but most of all , Stability from the front office.Don’t buy a super team on paper that can implode with huge egos clashing,Build a super team that lasts for years and years.I,m talkin to you Jim Buss, don’t talk about quitting before the job is done,buttin your chin strap ,kick yourself in the ass and get to work,No quick fixes
Dom says
Dorian they have a new coach a new offense a new defense a new culture and new environment, add in the fact that these are kids i think you are being a little objective about the improvement you are expecting. pump the brakes a little. if the lakers get their pick next year they owe orlando 2 number 2’s instead of a number one in 2019. here is the breakdown from SI
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/lakers-salary-cap-offseason-future-jordan-clarkson-free-agency-draft/1muz8wiwbmof71px5h4sf4b56z
The FO will be very careful to maximize the availability of talent moving forward 2017 projects to be one of the strongest classes in years. Protecting that draft pick can be the difference between being good (losing the pick) and being great (losing enough to keep it while showing some growth). Adding Ingram this year a year of maturation for randle and russell and that top 3 pick next year will set the team up for greatness plus give them a young core of valuable assets needed to trgger a major trade if something (boogie) develops in 2 years. Dont forget Boogie has 2 years left on a contract that is kings friendly so unless someone knocks their socks off he is staying till 2018 when he can become a FA. Run from LeBron hes old and expensive, run from KD hes a player and hungry but we cant surround him with finals type talent. Slow play your hand looking to build a 8-12 year run, not a 1-3 year almost then be right back here pining
matt says
D’angelo russell is 2 years younger than kris dunn
Vasheed says
@Nik,
Shaq had difficulty guarding Sabonis since he could shoot threes. If he came out to guard him it opened up the paint. Sabonis could not stop Shaq but he had enough size to make things difficult for Shaq like few others could. This was why Portland forced the Lakers to a 7 game Western Conference series where the Lakers pulled a dramatic come from behind victory.
matt says
Unlike last year the lakers have not really worked out potential 2nd round picks, according to silverscreenandroll here’s the players lakers met with who could be at 32, lakers went to a workout featuring yabusele, Damian jones, and ullis. Lakers interviewed maker at combine. Lakers are supposed to meet with bentil before the draft.
But the lakers have met and worked out the following players all 1st round or top 10 prospects, ingram, heild, j.Murray, j.brown, labissier, ellenson, and chriss…. this makes me speculate what they are going to do…
Texas says
I don’t know if this’ll work under the salary cap but if we sign Bazemore Durrant James gasol and Noah(latter 2 team friendly deals). In order to stay under the salary cap we might have to trade Lou and maybe a sign and trade deal To get gasol or Noah. The only reason I bring this up is because on ESPN they reported that James may be interested in coming to Los Angeles and since we have the most cab space this makes a lot of sense The roster would look something like this pg Russell Lou Huerta
shooting guard Bazemore Clarkson brown
small forward Durrant Ingram brown
power forward James Randall Nance
center gasol Noah Nance black
For some reason they would have to move Randel or Nance in order to stay under the salary I still think it would be a good deal and I’m not sure but we still might have our mid-level exception to sign another player if we couldn’t sign Noah or Gasol to a deal. Somebody tell me what you think thanks from Texas
Warren Wee Lim says
Let me add to the boredom.
The Sixers are going to select Ben Simmons #1 overall. This comes as no surprise as their team needs a primary playmaker. The PG position is still a hole, but they can always sign Jeremy Lin for 10M per season and fill that need. I don’t know the rest of their plans, all I know is Colangelo is a bit eccentric compared to Hinkie.
The Lakers are going to select Brandon Ingram #2 overall. The kid has too much upside, defensive potential range and just a snug fit to Walton’s offense. His weaknesses, are manageable. Height and length are not. What he is going to need is time and some coaching.
At 32, the Lakers are known to be interested at seniors whose games are polished. Malcolm Brogdon, Caris Levert, Taueran Prince, Isiah Cousins, Joel Bolomboy. Those are the names most-likely to be our 2nd rounder, unless of course we trade it.
Free Agency, unless something really weird happens between today and July 5th, will be boring as well.
I expect us to sign these guys:
HIGH (2 out of 3)
Hassan Whiteside – max
Ryan Anderson – max
Nicolas Batum – max
LOW
Evan Turner – 48/4
Jared Dudley – 33/3
Marvin Williams – 48/4
Allen Crabbe – 60/4
OWN
Jordan Clarkson – 52/4
Marcelo Huertas – MIN x 2
Tarik Black – MIN
bleedpurplegold says
While i really like to speculate what happens during summer time, i just dont like the idea of signing lbj…he has 1, maybe 2 prime years left in him when you consider the milage he has on his body (especially his knees since he relied to much on his athleticism) coming straight out of high school….plus we’d likely have to give him a 1year deal and after that a max for 4-5years AND make a huge roster overhaul and sell our younguns for pennys on the dollar… simply not worth it
Vasheed says
If LBJ and Durant agree to come to LA you say yes. This is probably the 1% chance scenario though.
matt says
Stephan a smith, and the rest of those who think lebron is coming to the lakers should note the odds for the lakers to win the 2017 championship are 100/1 as of today. Put your money on it.
Also stephen a smith, reminds me jimmy “the mouth of the south” hart
Nik Kannan says
Vasheed –
Although Sabonis could be attributed to some of the success that portlandia had against us in 2000 Season… It was way more Rasheed & Bonzi plus Pipen and Damian Stat – Steve Smith. No doubt they were a talented team
Sabonis really was a benefactor of having lots of talent for him to utilize his skills – specifically in passing the ball – of course shaq gave him plenty of space.
Lets be realistic – If any opposing center could shoot the three… Shaq wasn’t guarding it no matter what, really I don’t see that as much of matching up – just that Shaq didn’t like to leave his domain…
but we are getting off topic – this is more about the draft and his son and other next year rookies more importantly – unless Disel or Sabonis Sr can find Ponce de Leon….
matt says
Bleedpurplegold,
“I just don’t like the idea of signing lbj”
Um ok??????? I don’t know what to say here, I will just keep it inside…. don’t wana throw gas on this fire
matt says
My guess if a draft trade is made, it will be because they are not sold on ingram, and they trade back to about 5th-10th pick, and also get a 1st round pick for next year and somehow swap lou or swaggy.
Most likely they are just prepared for whatever is thrown at them, with the way the youngsters played defense last year you gotta be up for a deal
matt says
If they don’t like ingram, you draft him anyway, and if dunn falls to 7th trade with denver for #7 and #15,
Backcourt of dunn and d’angelo russell
Warren Wee Lim says
The mocks for 3-8 has been changing like crazy over the last few weeks. 56 hours into the actual draft and it is still moving. Nothing is set and teams are seemingly uncertain of what to do.
Marquese Chriss pegged at 3-8
Dragan Bender pegged at 3-7
Kris Dunn pegged at 3-7
Jamal Murray pegged at 3-5
Buddy Hield pegged at 3-8
Jaylen Brown pegged at 5-8
Its going to be interesting who teams pick after the 1st 2. Seems like a tossup at that point, you simply draft BPA that fits a need.
bleedpurplegold says
@matt: i understand most fans, and our fan base in particular, tend to be impatient. I also know that lebron would make us an instant contender, but the price we would have to pay would simply be too much.
I dont like the idea of going through a drought like the last few years again, but thats what you would get in signing lebron for all the reasons stated above. I’d much rather keep our youngsters and contend for 10 years down the road instead of having a complete roster overhaul, trading our young assets for vets (thats what lebron would ask for to win now) and compete for 2 years. We as fans went through too much these last seasons to throw away our future for a couple of good years.
Feel free to say whatever you want(ed) to say, i know you have some valid points to make…i just think that long term we will be better off without lebrons dead body in 2 years and especially without jim buss.
matt says
Didn’t wana say anything cuz the whole lebron is coming to the lakers talk just upsets me………And I think it’s all laker hater, troll garbage…….But any GM would sign him in a heartbeat. That’s why I said that.
Anonymous says
true any GM would love lebron – you’d have to take him if he were available –
but it makes me wonder – if he actually were to leave cleveland again, after leaving there once before for miami, and then leaving miami, is this guy ever gonna settle down?
if he leaves cleveland now there’s no telling how long he’d stay put. maybe a year or two.
personally i think he’s just gonna stay in cleveland for the rest of his career.
Alex says
Watching the 9-minute video of Ingram (Duke tribute), this kid has Kobe’s manaical focus on basketball, with tremendous skills, size, and natural ability. If desire coupled with ability sets the true limit for the upper echelon, I disagree with the endless punditry of Ingram projected as a good but not generational player. His rate of growth, both physically and in his game, has the potential to take another upward leap or two in the next 2-4 years. His work ethic will make the most of that, plus it’s big for a championship locker room to have its stars dedicated to the game. I like Simmons too, but I will jump with joy upon hearing Brandon’s name to the Lakers this week.
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2016/6/20/11986044/la-lakers-brandon-ingram-nba-draft-2016-duke-mens-basketball-video
Mitch will say later this week that Brandon was their top target and everything else, from “there are three top players” to early reports of liking Simmons will all have been intentional smokescreens. Which is why he also said they’d trade the pick only for “one or two handfuls or nba stars”.
R says
There’s been ocassional mention of the “impatient Lakers fan base” as if that would be a surprise or somehow amazing after and during this current three year tailspin…
BTW, kudos to Luke Walton, his timing to maximize his value was superb.
(I do consider his signing a win/win BTW)
rr says
If James came here, he would instantaneously and permanently vaporize most of the good vibes now surrounding him, again be the most hated player in the league, cost himself a little money, and probably make it harder for himself to get back to the Finals even if he got Durant here with him. Speculating about it is the NBA equivalent of writing fanfiction.
As to the draft, yeah: I think it will be Ingram at 2 and a playable older college guy at 32. Personally, I like Lavert but we will see.
matt says
Vegas Odds are out, where lebron will play next year
Cleveland -400
Miami +500
Lakers +650
Clippers +1100
Knicks +1500
Buck Foston says
LeBron to LA, but not the Lakers. “4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse”** could easily happen with the LA Clippers.
Clippers already have Chris Paul, and both LeBron and D-Wade are Un-retricted Free Agents.
Both of them opt out of their contracts, and sign with the Clippers for whatever dollar amount that makes sense with the salary cap. Then swap Blake Griffin and Carmelo – New York would not say no to that deal – and bam! your 2017 LA Clippers:
1. C.Paul
2. D.Wade
3. L.James
4. C.Anthony
5. D.Jordan
6. J.Crawford
7. JJ.Reddick
8. P.Pierce
** Cause you know the Clippers winning a championship will kick-off the beginning of the end.
If Doc isn’t pitching this scenario to LeBron’s team right now, he is a failure as a GM.
Warren Wee Lim says
Buck Foston,
By your scenario the Clips are signing Lebron for mid-level exception and Wade for room exception, right?
Q wuor says
Wouldn’t kd come if we get lebron?
Russell. Ingram. Kd. Lebron. Center
That team could compete for a ship