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Robert Sacre Gets Camp Invite from the Pelicans

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During his exit interview after the season, Robert Sacre said he wanted to return to the Lakers next season. As the only NBA team he’d ever played for, Sacre said he was comfortable in Los Angeles, loved the city and the fans of the team, and did not want to uproot his family.

Well, despite his professed hopes, Robert Sacre will not return to the Lakers next season. Instead, he will fight for a roster spot in New Orleans:

Sacre is a native of Louisiana, so heading “home” to try to make the Pelicans’ roster is a natural move. However, as Eric Pincus notes, this will be an uphill challenge for him as they already have 15 guaranteed contracts on their roster. It will take a fantastic training camp for him to dislodge a player who is already guaranteed his paycheck.

Still, I wish Sacre the best of luck. As the 60th pick in the 2012 draft, Sacre’s road to being a legitimate NBA player was always going to be tough. Players drafted in his position rarely have good odds of sticking in the NBA, where the bottom of rosters churn and players shuffle between the NBA, the D-League, and overseas in the hopes of making their NBA dream come true.

Sacre stuck for 4 seasons with the Lakers via hard work, an enthusiastic attitude, and an honest approach to wanting to improve himself and the team via his efforts in practice, in the film room, and on the bench. By all accounts he was a fantastic teammate who always came to work ready to contribute in any way he could.

No, he was not as talented as other players. And, based on his lower ceiling, he probably should not have gotten as many minutes as he did during his tenure with the team. That is more reflective of the construction of the roster, injuries, and coaching decisions, however. I never thought Sacre should have caught the flak he did for not playing better than he was likely capable of. I know I’m not alone on that, but on too many nights it seems like I was.

In any event, I wish Sacre nothing but the best of luck in his basketball future. His time with the Lakers didn’t produce a lot of wins, but he made the best out of the situation with his work ethic and how he supported his teammates. Hopefully he’ll be able to do the same somewhere else.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. adamv37 says

    Sacre’s bench game is unrivaled in the NBA… His services can be used by several teams in the league that lack an entertaining bench mob.

  2. Clay Bertrand says

    He was born in LA…..(Louisiana not the REAL LA!!!!) and Anthony Davis needs a Dance Instructor his own size with a positive outlook on life.  Enter Rob Sacre.  

    Maybe Ryan MAN-BUN Kelly can con someone into an invite too.  He was DECENT as a rookie then his shot VANISHED.

  3. J C hoops says

    Since Dantoni went on record as saying Sacre ‘has it all’ I wonder why he isn’t headed to Houston.

  5. A Horse With No Name says

    OT: U.S. Men’s Volleyball comes up clutch; beating Brazil in four sets to remain alive in pool play. Commentary by Paul Sunderland, who made several basketball references, including likening a hit to a Kareem skyhook. Awesome match with mind boggling rallies. Go watch the highlights.

  9. Vasheed says

    I waited 4 years for announcers to say, “Sacre blew past his defender!”  I never heard it.  If it is on youtube please link! lol. In all seriousness though Sacre is the perfect 3rd string center.  He isn’t going to amaze anyone but he is serviceable.  He knows his role and doesn’t make a fuss about playing time.  He comes ready to play every night even when on most nights he will never play.  A great locker room presence and all around nice guy.  I can only wish him well.

  10. _ Robert _ says

    Vasheed    I have a photo from the Dwight Howard year, where DH is slamming in a bucket with the Laker bench in the background. I was sitting right behind the bench.  Robert Sacre is jumping up and towel waving, and I am right behind him standing and cheering.  Everyone else on the bench and in the stands has completely disinterested expressions on their face. Will miss that guy.   John Sally was another like him from. He took towel waving to a new level in 2000.