View media item 390679
The shooting guard position for the Lakers is surrounded with question marks this off-season. Can Kobe Bryant recover from his ruptured Achilles tendon? If so, when will he return? Is Jodie Meeks a suitable backup? Can he be a reliable starter if Kobe is sidelined to start the season? All these questions will have to be answered by Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss this summer. For the sake of this post, I'll just assume Kobe will miss the start of the season and the Lakers may need to look at shooting guards in free agency. For the record, I think Kobe should aim to return by December instead of Opening Night in late October. He probably won't be the Kobe we're accustomed to, but I think he can be plenty effective with a few adjustments on his part and the Lakers. As for Meeks, I think he's an adequate backup. His shooting was more inconsistent than I would have liked, his adventures to the rim were comical and defensively he was atrocious, but I liked the hustle and effort he showed.
View media item 390604
Marco Belinelli, 6'5 195 lbs.
A reliable three point shooter for his career, who played this past season for the Bulls. He's very good from the above the break three, but just good from the corners. Other than his three point shooting, he doesn't offer much. He can handle the ball a bit, thanks to his above average handles and low turnover rate. He won't threaten defenses with his driving ability, because he doesn't have much of one. He won't draw fouls either. He's got a thin frame, which leads to him getting bodied by other shooting guards. Historically, his teams have always been better defensively when he's off the floor, but better offensively when he's on the floor for them. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after making $1.9 million this past season. I think it take something along those lines to sign him if the Lakers want him.
View media item 390608
Raja Bell, 6'5 205 lbs.
Honestly, I think Bell is done playing significant minutes. He didn't play this past season because the Jazz hated him enough to send him home while paying his full salary before he was waived in March. The previous two seasons, he wasn't very good either. His PER was hovering below 10 both seasons. He's now 36, at the end of his career. On offense, I think he can still be a decent situational three point shooter on offense. He also has experience being in D'Antoni's offense, so he has that to offer to the team if he were signed. Now that's older, he's lost a step. Conversely, his defense has declined noticeably. The Lakers want to get younger on the wing, but to maybe be the backup's backup he might not be a bad option. After sitting out the season, no way he gets anything beyond the veteran's minimum.
View media item 390607
Ronnie Brewer, 6'7 225 lbs.
Kobe and Mitch mentioned wanting to get "more length, speed and athleticism on their roster." Brewer definitely answers all those aspects. He has long arms, runs the floor well and can finish around the rim. He's a poor shooter from the perimeter, which hurts him given Dwight Howard needs the space to operate in the post. Same with Steve Nash in the pick and roll. However, Brewer is an effective cutter off the ball. He's also a decent ball handler with a high assist rate and low to average turnover rate. Defensively is where his value shines. His long arms, quick feet and smarts allow him to give opposing players a hard time scoring the ball. He signed with the Knicks for the veteran's minimum before he got traded to the Thunder and hasn't seen consistent playing time since early January. That should bold well for the Lakers if they target Brewer.
View media item 390603
Anthony Morrow, 6'5 210 lbs.
Morrow is one of the best shooters right now and all time. He's a career 42.4% shooter from three for his career. Offensively, he's what Jodie Meeks should strive to be. Meaning he should just set himself outside the three point line, ready to let it fly and leave the long twos and drives to the rim alone. Meeks is probably better in the other areas of basketball, such as defense (which is especially sad), passing and general hustling. Morrow made $4 million this past season and should expect to take a paycut this summer in free agency.
View media item 390605
Nick Young, 6'7 210 lbs.
I don't like Young much. But if Kobe is out for a significant amount of time, the Lakers may have to sign him as a "hired gun". Young has never met a shot he hasn't liked. He has absolutely no conscience in shooting the ball which is a problem because he's not a good enough shooter. But the Lakers might not have a choice but to sign Young because he can provide offense at times. The best way to use him would be to stick him in a second unit and see what he can do for short spurts. For an athletic 6'7 shooting guard, who leaves a lot to be desired on defense and rebounding the ball. He's never been much of a passer either with his low assist rate. He made $5.6 million this season with the Sixers. I think it would take the full mini-MLE to sign him, which would probably be a waste of resources given the holes on the roster. But the Lakers might not have a choice.
[/quote]Yeah he's doing it on purpose.
