Just as they did for the Team USA Select Team, the Lakers’ most recent lottery selections will be teammates in the Rising Stars Challenge held during All-Star weekend in New Orleans:
NBA announces rosters for rookie-soph game (aka "rising stars challenge"). pic.twitter.com/ovx4uxIfQD
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) January 25, 2017
The league will again make the format of this game “USA vs. the World”, so sophomore Russell and rookie Ingram will be on the same roster facing off against the likes of Kristaps Porzingis, Joel Embiid, and Emanuel Mudiay among others.
This is a nice honor for both players. Every year there seem to be guys left off — last year, for example, Julius Randle did not play in this game even though he’s a former lottery pick who has a high upside — who have a good argument to make the team. This year, one might even argue that Ingram might not deserve to play in this game, regardless of his draft status. I’d counter with his play in the last 15 games as an example of why he should be there, but he made it so no need. Ha.
Anyway, I like any environment where the team’s young guys get exposed to more talent and good coaching. This game won’t be “serious” nor will it count for anything, but just to have these guys invited, seeing what the all-star experience is for the guys who make the big game, and getting enough of a taste to (hopefully) continue to inspire their work ethic to some day get there themselves is a nice carrot for them.
CHearn says
Quite an honor.Congratulations, Russel and Ingram!The Rookie-Sophomore game should be competitive and entertaining.
KevTheBold says
Here’s to hoping that this honor lights a fire inside of D’Angelo, to match his talent.
Pbz06 says
Interestingly
enough, considering the perception (once again), DAR and Randle have higher PER
than Wiggins, LaVine, and Booker (Porzingis is only marginally ahead of the
group), yet those guys get all the praise and I sense only negativity when it
is towards the Lakers’ youth. Never mind that those teams have been rebuilding
for what seems like 15 years. Never mind that DAR and Randle only play 27
minutes per game, and all those guys above are in the 34-36 minute ranges.
Comparing them to a per36 minute baseline, the Lakers actually look favorably.
Luckily people have eased off on the Mudiay and Exum bandwagons.
It’s also
evident in the numbers that the Lakers lineups with DAR do considerably better
than without him. Granted, Lakers don’t have a Towns or Embiid, but you never
know what Ingram or DAR can become. It’s not like Steph was Steph in year 1-3….
_ Robert _ says
Kev: DAR – Yea – I am not so sure that a combo of Byron’s approach and Luke’s approach is not the right answer. Let’s see if Luke does that. DAR seems content with the “participation trophy” at this point.
Pbz06: “those teams have been rebuilding for what seems like 15 years” Well yes – they have – and hence ther concern some of us voiced when we started this fall. Once at the bottom of the NBA it is hard to rise again. And by the way – according to the measuring stick that should be used – we are in our 4th year of rebuilding. We certainly were not really trying to win the title during those years. What if the 76ers or Wolves said that this was their 1st year of their true rebuild. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it?
Yes – nice that these guys were named, but most top picks from the 2 years were named so it is almost an automatic bid for those guys. Even Okafor who people think has taken a step down is here so it is hardly “elite only”. There are 20 guys in this game from two classes, so if you were picked 2nd and 3rd, you better be on this team. If this were ranked like the All NBA Team, we would have nobody on the first team for sure and 2nd team would be questionable.
new rr says
Pbz06
Your post is inaccurate.
Wiggins has taken a lot of criticism, actually, in general, and has not been praised specifically much at all here, nor has LaVine. I personally would rather have LaVine than Randle, but you can make the argument either way. As to Porzingis, PER is a useful metric, but it doesn’t tell you everything. Porzingis has been hurt some by the additions of Noah and Rose, and Porzingis’ appeal is based on his size and unusual skillset. Also, some people said some positive things about Mudiay and Exum prior to those drafts, but the general reception to the Russell and Randle picks in the Lakers blogosphere has been mostly positive throughout. There was never a “bandwagon” for other picks. Some people wanted Okafor on draft night, but no one is talking about Okafor now.
The only thing I agree with you on is, as I have said, that some people are asking too much of Russell. He is doing fine.
The real issue is that the organization has spent three years going backwards, so people are impatient for serious progress. But the young guys they have simply aren’t good enough at this point to reward those hopes, and neither are the veterans that the FO brought in.
Finally, like I have explained, comparing Curry to Russell is a mistake. Curry was shooting .437 and .885 as a rookie and is one of the greatest shooters ever. Russell is not going to reach those levels, but if he can get his numbers up to .390 and .800 he can be a very good player, and I think he is capable of doing so.
Last point: you mention minutes. One thing people are calling for is for the young guys to get more minutes.
LT Mitchell says
Pbz06
Playing a few less minutes has little relevance since PER is a per minute stat.
PER also largely ignores the other half of basketball – Defense – an area where DAR would likely rank dead last in relation to other starting PG’s. Porzingis, for example, is already a decent defensive player, and has the potential to become an elite two way player. PER may show that Porzingis and DAR are on a similar level, but in actuality, Porzingis brings much more value to his team.
Another example is Lou Williams who currently has the 22nd highest PER in the entire league. If you take into account his defense, he is nowhere near the 22nd best player in the league. Mike Conley, a 2 way stud, is ranked 35th in PER.
Basically, the worse you are defensively, the higher your PER needs to be to make up for the difference.
Pbz06 says
LT Mitchell Pbz06 You misunderstood me. I showed their PER statistic, and then said that if you also interpolate their numbers on a per36 minute (counting stats) like ppg/apg/rpg their numbers are just as studly with lesser usage rates and minutes.
You can complain about his defense all day long, that’s fine. Lillard and Curry and Harden are not good defenders. It seems that nobody is. Most of the +/- stats are a reflection of how good offensively you are. Ain’t nobody stopping anybody at the PG position.
Clay Bertrand says
new rr Pbz06
“The real issue is that the organization has spent three years going backwards, so people are impatient for serious progress. But the young guys they have simply aren’t good enough at this point to reward those hopes, and neither are the veterans that the FO brought in. ”
___________________________________________
Very succinct. A Perfect Nut shell summary of the situation IMO.
On DAR-The harsh judgment of Russell as a “BUST” (mostly seen on other sights and comment sections) is blind to the context of his development compared to others at his position. He may not fit anyone’s mold for a PG or a SG but its way too early to declare him a bust IMO. He is immature and developing so let’s see where he tops out. Hopefully, the injuries are not chronic.
On Fan Expectations-A great deal of the angst that creeps into Laker analysis is that we have had 3 down years in a row and somehow, it seems like an eternity. What contributes to the vast difference between reality and expectation is the continued crowing, even from the likes of Magic Johnson, criticizing the Lakers based on some mythical Laker Exceptionalism Standard from Long Ago. How many times do we hear, “The Lakers only play for Banners. The Lakers don’t Rebuild, THEY RELOAD. Dr. Buss would not have tolerated this losing!! Laker fans aren’t used to this type of losing and they deserve better!!” BLAH BLAH BLAH………
This is all BS. The NBA has changed and the Lakers have not. The CBAs have changed and the FO strategy has not. The league landscape has changed talent wise, and the Laker Fans’ often unrealistic expectations have not. Parity is here and Parity is what makes leagues stronger and more credible even if people want to believe that only BIG MARKET success fuels league successes.
The NBA is the NFL as much as it can be now. ALL teams will have HUGE advantages over others in retaining their own players now. Guys will not leave $40-$60 Million on the table just to play in front of Jack Nicholson’s Kid. The Stage has been evolving and is set to where player development is a huge part of how teams will need to improve their talent base going forward. Players that are drafted are often younger and have a longer development arc than those in the past who played more years in college. The WHOLE game has changed on and off the court.
Not only does the FO need a shake up to get with the times, but a large % of the fan base needs to temper expectations and join the real world. It isn’t the Globetrotters here. Losing is part of growing as a team. We aren’t OWED anything just because we’ve won in the past. The notion that Laker fans have to be better served IN SHORT ORDER by team success is CRAP.
These days, the team growth must be from seeds as opposed to the past Laker Teams that brought in full grown fruit producing trees for transplanting. Seeds take awhile to reach maturity. So these articles (Like Pelton’s BSPN Insider piece) explaining how far away the Lakers are from contending are not doomsday write ups or kick-em-when-they’re-down national pundit pot shots. Rather they are true, realistic perspectives. Its just that when the delusional portion of the fan base reads them, they gnash their teeth at the current state of the Lakers and demand immediate greatness. The team should not be viewed through this lens IMO.
Its like being upset that your teenager isn’t an adult already. We are in a period of youth and development. Hopefully, change is coming in the FO that will set the strategy appropriately for the current NBA environment. But impatience by a spoiled and seemingly entitled fan base should not be a motivating factor in Team Strategy. I hope the BUSS people can understand this. If not, we will be the WEST COAST KNICKS.
Clay Bertrand says
BTW, did anyone else happen to notice what looked like Jim Buss at the Portland Game last night??? I noticed a pair of guys both wearing black polo shirts sitting in the seats a couple of rows behind the scorer’s table but all the way over on the end of the aisle nearest the Portland bench.
When they showed Terry Stotts in his 70s throw back suit, in the clear background (with the benefit of REWINDING the DVR) you can see 2 guys and one of them was wearing a gray plaid looking MONARCH BEACH hat. Jim Buss is most often seen wearing a Monarch Beach hat because apparently, he wants everyone to know that he lives in the exclusive Dana Point community of Monarch Beach (and he is probably also hiding some hair loss).
Anyway, after they were able to be seen on the BSPN broadcast, for some reason they vacated the seats for the rest of the game.
My Conspiracy Theory is that Jim was contacted and told he was visible on tv and that he then moved on to a VIP area or bar where he could finish out the game out of public view.
Just wondered if anyone saw this or has an alibi for Jimmy??? Seeing him actually going to WORK to observe the team (on the road no less) would be like seeing a real live Yeti.
new rr says
Clay Bertrand new rr Pbz06
Clay,
Wow. Laying it out. I gave the like in part because of the “Jack Nicholson’s kid” line.
LT Mitchell says
Pbz06 LT Mitchell
Harden, Curry and Lillard are three of the top offensive players in the league……… and are good examples of players who are sub par defensively, but more than make up for it on the offensive end. The lowest PER in that group is 23, and that’s with Lillard and Curry having down years. I can’t realistically expect DAR to be as good as those guys, but he is going to have to be more than just good offensively to make up for his defense.
new rr says
I normally avoid, SSR, but they have a substantive piece up today. Excerpt and link:
“…it hasn’t mattered much which member of the Lakers’ frontcourt is defending the rim either. Opponents are shooting 60.8% within six feet of the basket against Timofey Mozgov. Tarik Black is having marginally more success (59 percent), but both of those marks rank near the bottom of the league (14th highest percentage allowed at the rim for Mozgov, 28th for Black among centers to play in at least 20 games this season).
Thomas Robinson (62.9) and Larry Nance, Jr. (70.5 percent) have been just as bad. Ironically Julius Randle, he of the “too short of a wingspan for the NBA,” has actually had been the second-best Laker at defending the rim (opponents are shooting 57.5 within six feet of the basket against Randle).
Ivica Zubac has also been surprisingly good in limited minutes, allowing opponents to shoot just 54.5 percent within six feet so far this season, ”
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2017/1/26/14343956/la-lakers-poor-rim-protection-stats-worst-defense-in-franchise-history-analysis-mozgov#comments
Pbz06 says
Lol
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2017/1/26/14381016/la-lakers-dangelo-russell-starting-lineup
Clay Bertrand says
new rr Clay Bertrand Pbz06
I don’t know if its his kid or his grandkid….lol…..But Jack is passing on most games these days it seems.
Clay Bertrand says
new rr
If EVERY conceivable “rim protector” is so terrible it is at least partially a testament to how poor the perimeter defense is. We all KNOW we only have one or at the most two decent perimeter defenders in Ingram and to a much lesser degree Clarkson (who honestly may simply APPEAR decent because the rest of the guys are so lacking).
As much as I am hammering the TM and LD signings, I can’t lay the blame for these miserable defensive numbers solely at his feet or at the feet of any of the rim protector types. When the problem persists no matter who is at the 5, it suggests there is something else that is the overriding factor here.
Zubac, Ingram, and Nance seem to be the only guys who go after blocks. Mozzy is a big guy and he is pretty good at the verticality thing and going STRAIGHT up with his length which is generally seen as smart, non fouling defense for a 5. Unfortunately, it isn’t helping us because the perimeter guys are TURNSTILES!
new rr says
Clay Bertrand new rr
The piece talks about that–it is not, obviously, only the fault of the bigs.
Clay Bertrand says
new rr Clay Bertrand
I hadn’t read the entire article when I posted. You are correct. This sentence from the piece says it all:
“The team allows a parade of ballhandlers into the paint and (as seen in the clips above) helps the helper poorly.”
SO true. The Help the Helper thing has been an issue FOREVER….