Friday, February 19, 2016

NBA CALL UPS: Should the LAKERS call upon the D-Fenders?

Jimmer Fredette will be signed to at least one 10-day Contract by his mother team, the New York Knicks, on Monday.




CONGRATS!

Callups happen a lot and the Lakers have certainly utilized their D-League squad, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, as a source for talent.
There is AT LEAST 7 Players on the Current D-Fenders Roster that SHOULD be in the Show
This season, however, the D-Fenders have been used as more of a "training program" for players like Ryan Kelly, Tarik Black and Anthony Brown to get some run and reps as compared to sitting on the bench with the Varsity brethren.

 Jordan Clarkson, last season, spent ample time playing with the D-Fenders before he ultimately solidified himself as a Lakers starter, especially with the team's injury woes.

 What about the other D-Fenders?  Unless a player has a contract with a team, like Anthony Brown does with the Lakers, they are all free agents.  So, just because a player is on the "D-Fenders" does not mean that player may ONLY play for the Lakers.

 The Lakers called up Dwight Buycks last season from the Oklahoma City Blue (D-League team of OKC Thunder) AHEAD of their BLUE, Vander Blue.

 Buycks went down with a foot injury and Vander was called up for the last two games of the season.  Vander ended up receiving an offer from the Lakers but somehow managed to show up in BULLS' gear during NBA SUMMER to then have NO DEAL.  He has been playing this season with the D-Fenders and is an aggressive player going to the rim or around the perimeter and generally fills up a stat sheet:
25.6 ppg (2nd), 5.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.0 spg

Robert Upshaw:  Upshaw hit the scene in Vegas with quite the buzz amongst the record-breaking fans that were ALREADY buzzing due to the shiny new toys of the Lakers: Russell, Nance, Randle (back healthy)...But, Upshaw was waived by the Lakers and has struggled to see the floor.  A lot of that has to do with the PT of Lakers like Black and Kelly when they have been assigned.  

 Upshaw did not look healthy recently and apparently came off two weeks of some viral infection (this had NOT been confirmed by anyone but "reported" by many on the so-called "inside").  He is getting healthier and stronger but he was looking way to "rail thin" to be attempting to ball with the big boys in the NBA right NOW.

 *UPDATE (3-9-16) Saw Upshaw Saturday night vs. Texas Legends (3/6/16).  He looked good.  Upshaw has a nice touch on his shot and 4-8 for 8 pts in 10 minutes.

 Josh Magette:  No, not the long lost "brother from another mother" to former Duke and LA Clippers Star, Corey Magette (rhymes with Spaghetti).  Josh, not YOUR JET, but "Ma-JET" who played for the D-Fenders in 2013-2014 came back to the team this season after playing overseas 1 year.  

 Magette HAD been leading the League in steals with 2.5 but stands one tenth behind the current leader who has played in 11 fewer games.

 He puts in 10 points, 4.6 boards and leads the league in ASSISTS at 8.6.  Magette is a great floor general that sacrifices his body and self for the team.

 How about a name more unfamiliar?

 This is the Fourth Season as A D-Fender and 8th in the D, for Andre Ingram...

 Known as a solid, lock-down defensive player, Dre became the NBA D-League's ALL-TIME leader in 3 point baskets made in the NBA D-league. 



 He is right at 50% LEADING THE LEAGUE in three point shooting on 2.32 (makes) of 4.65 (attempts).  

He will get you a couple-a boards and assists, 8 or 10 points and a steal each game.


this happened as well..


Ingram went against newest, ahem, NBA CAll-UP Jimmer Fredette in the NBA D-League 3 point contest... and WON!!!

 Fredette will be with the Knicks next Monday and will presumably ride out the remainder of the season, because, "why not?"

 IN many ways Ingram might "deserve" this opportunity more than most perhaps in the League.  He is a veteran.  He has respect.  Ask his teammates.

  IF these LAKERS REALLY want to go "Twenty and Seven" down-the-stretch, as Metta WORLD PEACE SAID on Thursday,  they could use any ONE of these guys.

 BUT, with Ingram I add veteran stability and leadership that will ONLY benefit the younger players.

 He can personally mentor young Anthony Brown on being a defensive stopper.

 And he ONLY helps your team.  Andre Ingram is the type of player that will never hurt you.  Mistakes do happen, but Ingram makes it up right away.  If you want DEFENSE?  Intensity? And, the guy who just beat out JIMMER FREDETTE in the three point contest then please call HQ in El Segundo,



muchas gracias !





Congratulations to Andre Ingram


Other notables: Ryan Gomes has been nothing but a solid pro and Justin Harper has been playing really good ball as well for LA.

 UPDATE* (3/9/16): Glad I mentioned Harper.  I regret not saying THIS which applies to Gomes and Jeff Ayres (new D-Fenders' acquisition):

 Solid player.  Won't hurt you.  An absolute pro.

 Jeff Ayres was acquired on Thursday (3/4/16) and put up 16 points and 10 rebounds in his debut with LA.

 BTW...he's Baaaaaack...

 Jabari Brown played in his SECOND game with the D-Fenders on Saturday (3/6/16).  He had a bit of an "off" shooting night putting in 15 pts
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