the Los Angeles Lakers are represented by their affiliate,
the LA D-Fenders.
For more information on the playoffs, CLICK HERE.
The DFenders, like many teams in the "D," have experienced some player movement this season but maintain a great core of talented players.
The DFenders, although I am sure they miss Mr. Harris and his 30.6 ppg (led the D-League), have had other guys on the team step up in his absence. Manny was also a tremendous rebounder and defensive player for the team. One of the guys that stepped up for the DFenders has been former Laker Shawne Williams. Shawne has been putting up 20.5 per contest and shooting the three really well. Another thing that Shawne has been doing for the DFenders is blocking some shots! (2.08 BPG)
Another player that had been playing well for the DFenders is Forward James Southerland. Mr. Southerland had been avergaing 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rebounds.
Several Hours before the game on Thursday (April 10, 2014), between the DFenders and Santa Cruz Warriors (in Santa Cruz), it was announced that Mr. Southerland had been signed by the NBA Pelicans.
From the D-Fenders Press Release:
"The New York native has recorded four double-doubles and scored in double-digits 30 times in his rookie year in the NBA D-League. The Syracuse University alum appeared in one NBA game with the Charlotte Bobcats before joining Los Angeles.
Southerland joins Malcolm Thomas, Manny Harris and Shawne Williams as the fourth D-Fenders player to earn a Gatorade call-up this season. This also marks the first Gatorade call-up of his career, and the franchise’s 18th all-time Gatorade call-up."
James did a lot for the DFenders and was really tough on defense for them and I know he will be missed.
This is what he did in his debut with the NBA Pels: 10 pts in 9:31, 4-7 FG, 2-3 3 FG and 3 Rebounds.
Messrs Williams, CJ and Terrence, the other of the D-Fenders "Bucket Bros," need to bring their A-Games for tonight's game (4-12-14) along with the rest of the crew: Travis Hyman, Josh Magette, Brandon Costner, Josiah Turner, Andre Ingram, Gideon Gamble, and newcomer Elijah Millsap.
Timing.
Although I, and no doubt his teammates, are excited that James is now in the NBA, they really could have used him on Thursday Night.
The D-Fenders came out aggressively and were putting up numbers quickly, but the Warriors hung in there. The D-Fenders pushed their lead out to as many as 16 points in the second quarter but by the end of the third, the Warriors came back to a one point disadvantage 98-99.
However, in the end, the combination of missed shots down the stretch (for the D-Fenders) and A part of Splash Bros 2.0, Seth Curry (44 pts), were too much to overcome and the DFenders fell to the #scwarriors 140-127.
The Warriors did what they had to do to stay alive in the playoffs; they took care of their home court. Because the DFenders are the higher seed they now have the home court advantage for the last two games in the "best-of-three" format.
Let's change that tonight and get some "pulled pork scrilla!"
WHERE: TOYOTA SPORTS CENTER
WHEN: 6:30 PM
TICKET INFO: (CLICK)
AND, Steve Mason of Mason and Ireland, ESPN (LA) 710 Twitter: @espnla710, will be singing the National Anthem.
C'Mon out to EL SEGUNDO!
