[:: LAKERS 2014 THREAD | POLL: Who Should Coach Next Year? ::]

[darthska]

The tag, bruh. 

 

[senorroboto2k5]

 

[kal-el-8]

 

[licensed to ball]

But on the real... This dude has a room full of Warriors memorabilia?

Talk about incriminating yourself

 

[darthska]

To be fair, I'm sure even the Lakers aren't even Lakers fans. 

We are th3 suck. 

And lowkey, I got a few Clipper things. From the Danny Manning, Eric Piatkowski days when I'd get free tix because of this group home I was in. 

 

 

[grandtheftbike]

got me

Spoiler: oops wrong gif

 

[senorroboto2k5]

I think I have an old Kings magazine with Mitch Richmond on the front. rck3sactown

 

[noblekane]

If he aint shirtless rck dont care

 

[mrdieselfuel09]

To be fair, I'm sure even the Lakers aren't even Lakers fans. :\

We are th3 suck. |I

And lowkey, I got a few Clipper things. From the Danny Manning, Eric Piatkowski days when I'd get free tix because of this group home I was in.   

Ska please ban this guy

 

[licensed to ball]

Yeah we all have random nba memorabilia but nothing shows fandom like a foam finger

 

[senorroboto2k5]

If he aint shirtless rck dont care

View media item 598861

 

[darthska]

To be fair, I'm sure even the Lakers aren't even Lakers fans. 

We are th3 suck. 

And lowkey, I got a few Clipper things. From the Danny Manning, Eric Piatkowski days when I'd get free tix because of this group home I was in. 

 

Ska please ban this guy

What do you think this is? Looper?

 

[darthska]

You'd be proud, CP.

Saw a report on FB via LakerNation. Said Lakers leaning towards firing MDA at season's end.

My response:

"And be replaced by who?

Seriously, who the hell is available? George Karl? Pass on that.

Jerry Sloan? Nah, dude hasn't coached in FOREVER.

Phil Jackson? Not available anymore.

Who we replacing MDA with?"

 

[pmatic]

Should Embiid go No. 1?

Chad Ford's Top 100: No. 3
Strengths: Rebound%, Assist%, Steal%, Block% | Weaknesses: TO%, PF%
WARP projection: 3.0 (4th among top 100)
Comparables: Patrick O'Bryant (97.0), Sean Williams (96.3), Byron Mullens (94.1), Robin Lopez (93.5)

The analytics perspective

Kevin Pelton: Don't be too concerned about Embiid's comps; few 7-footers in the NCAA ranks have been similarly skilled offensively within the past 12 years, the span of time covered by my database. Overall, Embiid's statistics back up his spot among the top prospects available. While his 2-point percentage slipped after we covered it at midseason, he was an efficient scorer who made a major impact at the defensive end with both steals and blocks (his block rate ranked 17th in the country, per KenPom.com).

There are some concerns about Embiid statistically. The downside to his aggressive post play was a tendency to turn the ball over, and foul trouble could limit his playing time early in his NBA career. He averaged 5.8 fouls per 40 minutes this season. Still, only serious concerns about the long-term condition of Embiid's back could drop him out of the top three picks.

The scouting perspective

Amin Elhassan: Embiid is a long, fluid, explosive athlete who runs the floor well and moves with a ton of grace on the court. It's hard to believe that he's been playing the game for only four years, as he exhibits the type of feel and anticipation at 20 years old that some players go whole NBA careers without showing.

He has an excellent repertoire on the block with terrific footwork and does a great job of mixing in drop steps, spin moves, jab steps and reverse pivots. Embiid can shoot over either shoulder and finish with either hand. He shows precocious understanding of where the defense is leaning or where help is coming from, and is able to read and react accordingly. He does a good job of deep seals in the post, and has good patience in waiting for ball reversals and re-posts.

I'm not comfortable with the Hakeem Olajuwon comparison, but he does a very Olajuwon-esque thing in the post by hopping into the catch and landing on two feet, allowing him to establish either foot as his pivot. This makes it incredibly difficult for a defender to anticipate which direction he's going to go.

Defensively, his inexperience is a little more apparent, as he can be tentative in secondary and tertiary defensive rotations, unsure of exactly where to recover. And though Embiid has quick enough feet and awesome length to show hard on pick-and-rolls, he seems to be overly cautious in closeouts to pick-and-pops. He also has a tendency to gamble in passing lanes from time to time. He's much more comfortable under the basket as a rim-protector, and he has great timing in contesting shots. He is an outstanding defensive rebounder, and does a nice job of getting outlet passes to his guards.

The NBA front-office perspective

Chad Ford: Embiid burst onto the scene last spring after a stellar performance in practices at the Nike Hoop Summit. He moved up to No. 6 on our Big Board that summer, and slowly kept climbing throughout the season until he reached No. 1 in mid-January.

However, a recent spate of back injuries has put his draft status in question. We won't really know how it affects his draft stock until NBA doctors get a look at him during the pre-draft camp in Chicago in May.

As a prospect, however, Embiid has so much going for him. He has elite NBA size, is a fluid athlete and has shown major improvements on the offensive end. He projects to be a big man who can score both with his back to the basket and on the perimeter. He's also an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker. The only real knock against him this season has been his relative inexperience and his back issues.

If he gets a clean bill of health, Embiid will be back in the discussion as the No. 1 pick. If it's a minor issue, he's still probably a top-three pick. If it's something more serious with longer ramifications, then his stock might slide out of the lottery.

Unless he gets red flags back on his medical report, I think he's the number two prospect (arguably number one) in the draft.

 

[darthska]

Then I hope we don't go #2.

Not... like... 'going to the bathroom' #2.

I hope everyone who has to go #2 goes #2.

I just hope WEEEEE don't go #2.

In the draft.

In the upcoming draft, where you're projecting that that #2 pick will be Embiid.

Who has back problems.

Early.

 

[CP1708]

Comparables: Patrick O'Bryant (97.0), Sean Williams (96.3), Byron Mullens (94.1), Robin Lopez (93.5)

:x

 

[senorroboto2k5]

If the Lakers are that high, it sorta sounds like they'd take someone else even if Embiid is available

All the chatter about their draft boards seem to ignore him

Unless that's exactly what they want everyone to think

 

[noblekane]

They are looking for the next slava

 

[licensed to ball]

Who we replacing MDA with?"

How about NBA Legend Luke Walton?

 

[grandtheftbike]

Comparables: Patrick O'Bryant

:x

this name should sound familiar

 

[rck3sactown]

I think I have an old Kings magazine with Mitch Richmond on the front. @rck3sactown

I had a Karl Malone Lakers jersey that I bought for $10 

 

[grandtheftbike]

just read that Mitch article. he was letting his dominance be known with every "OK?"

 

[essential1]

Randle declared.. Color me shocked.

Side note: still waiting on my Sessions jersey that no one bought me

 

[CP1708]

just read that Mitch article. he was letting his dominance be known with every "OK?"

Got that Hubie Brown thing workin.

"what we have here, is an excellent penetrator, ok?" He's shown that he can penetrate with ease, and impose his will, ok? I mean, come on."

 

[licensed to ball]

So uh... Yeah.

If we lose the rest of our games no one wins the record prediction contest...


#TeamTank