Los Angeles DFenders Spoil D-League Debut in spite of Diamond Stone Shining

D-FENDERS back-on-track;  WIN at Home over Warriors

Josh Magette (9) goes by in a blur while former Lakers Asst Coach Paul Pressey's Son, Phil, Defends.  Ferrakohn Hill (17), Diamond Stone (1), Cam Jones (9) for Warriors and Travis Wear (background) for LADFenders also pictured

Josh Magette does what He Does. He captured yet another Double-Double with 19 Points and 17 Assists in the Los Angeles D-Fenders Win Over the visiting Santa Cruz Warriors, 134-109.  Dude is averaging a "dub-dub" at about 12 points and 10 assists per contest.

The Other Dubs, from Santa Cruz, received a nice little "drop-in" from the Los Angeles Clippers.
  

OFFICIAL: The @LAClippers today assigned Diamond Stone to the Santa Cruz Warriors, pursuant to the Flexible Assignment Rule.

— Santa Cruz Warriors (@DLeagueWarriors) November 20, 2016

Draft Selection Number 40, Diamond Stone (Maryland U) was in uni for the "Sea Dubs" Saturday Night for the D-League squad from NoCal.  Stone was drafted by the Pelicans at 40 in the 2016 NBA Draft but traded to the Clippers for pick number 39.  He has not played much for LAC (14 total minutes played).

One of the reasons this past draft will show as being "richer" than what most pundits rated it at will be players like Diamond Stone.  Stone was consistently projected TOP 20 in many (early) Mock Drafts last season.  This should also illustrate how inaccurate and invalid ANY early season Mock Drafts actually are.  Dear Chad Ford... 

The Skinny on Stone's Showing: 

He did pretty well.  He Did what he had to do.

 He did what he is supposed to do.  In Spite of a Losing Effort from Team Santa Cruz, Stone made the best of his reps and consistently dropped in the outside shot including 2-of-4 from three point range.  His outside shot and face-up game looked really good technically.  He also played big with a nice balance on the boards: 5 DREBs and 4 OREBS for 9 overall.  I want to see this number higher in D-League games however.  The 2 blocks were a nice addition to his Team-High 31 points. 

 This was the expectation for the Debut of the Lakers young Big, Ivica Zubac on Thursday (11/17/16).  I read, BTW, that 

he (Zubac) said the 

D-League was "less physical."  

Really Zubac?  The opposing team's GUARD at 6-o tall got as many boards (13) as Zoob had points.  Ivica had three rebounds.  Additionally, Zubac got Man-handled by Joshua Smith and other much smaller players on the visting Rio Grande Vipers.  Dude needs to "DEVELOP" the physical side of the NBA desperately.  

That Being Said, it will be guys like Stone and Zubac we will eventually be talking about as being perhaps the two "best bigs" of the 2016 draft and they were selected "40" and "32" respectively.  I  anticipate that when Zubac matures he may be the "very best Big" overall.  However,they BOTH need to sharpen parts of their game and they both need reps.  

Therein lies the beauty of "The D."

Mitch and CO Scouted Stone but opted to Draft Zubac.  Personally, I love Zublocka, but in comparison to the debut of these two "draft picks," the CLEAR edge is to the sharper Stone.  It will be fun to watch these two Develop and emerge.

Oh yeah, Vander did what Vander Does as well: 28 Points, 10-15 FG, 2-3 3 Pt, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 STls.  Vander Blue was a PLUS THIRTY-ONE.  Magette led with a PLUS 32.

Travis Wear, who played sparingly (20 mins) simply because of the eventual lead that LA achieved, dropped in 23 Points on 5-7 from Three Point Range.  Incidentally, Wear is the Starting Center.  Wear added 7 Boards.  Wear's PT was limited also in the previous game because of Ivica Zubac.  In addition to Blue, Magette and Wear, the D-Fenders have other NBA-Ready Talent in Justin Harper and Roscoe Smith. Harp had another solid effort with 19 pts, 8 Rebs.  Roscoe, 1 of SEVEN D-Fenders in "dubs" had 15 and 8.  All Five of these put these efforts and numbers up consistently.

Harper (#23) Is Looking Leaner, Stronger and Better than he did last year when he received a Call-UP from the Detroit Pistons.

New Additions, David Foster (Jersey No. 50) who Did Not Play (DNP) last game because Zubac was assigned, David Nwaba (11), Julian Jacobs (5), and Troy Devries (7)ALL had decent contributions as well in the Victory.  

Nwaba, particularly for me, is REALLY standing out.  His effort, hustle, energy athleticism and determination shine through so far on a consistent basis.  This can also be applied to Jacobs. Nwaba had 10 Points, 9 Boards and was second on the Team to Foster's FIVE BLOCKS.  I want to see THIS every game.  I don't like BIGS that do NOT take full advantage of their size.  Many (BIGS) make themselves smaller by not having their hands UP and crouching down ( see Roy Hibbert Every Laker Game in 2016).  When Foster's          Hands Are UP, Good Things happen = FIVE BLOCKS.

Phil Pressey (26) and Mykal Thompson (15) for NoCal BOTH have ties to SoCal.  Pressey is the Son of former Lakers Assistant, Paul.  Phil had 21 Points and 8 assists.  FAST. Mychel, son  of World Champion Laker and current Laker Broadcaster Mychal Thompson, had 7 points and 3 rebounds.

I feel like something is missing...

OH YEAH...

Recap of Los Angeles DFENDER's DEBUT for Ivica Zubac

Too Much Venom from the Rio Grande Vipers as Ivica Zubac debuts in El Segundo while Laker teammates show up for support. (From THE DFENDER blog)

Ivica fouled out and was on ice with 4:55 left in the game

    Ivica Zubac donned jersey number 33 for his DFender Debut Thursday night in front of the home crowd.  "33" no doubt inspired by whom he patterns his "hook shot" after, tha Cap'n, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar.  Much like his Laker debut, November 2nd against the Atlanta Hawks, Zoob hit his first two shots which were the first four points for the team.

We have your BAC, Zoob. Pick No 32 Wore Jersey 33

    Everything was going according to plan and Zubac did not disappoint in front of a crowd which included Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton, teammates D'Angelo Russel and Larry Nance Jr. and General Manager Mitch Kupchak who sat courstide.  The game looked like it was in cruise control at the 7:30 Time Out (1st Qtr) mark as Gold led 16-6.

    The Vipers started a slow comeback, Zubac leaves the game with two fouls at the 5:47 mark and the Vipers led at the end of the Quarter, 31-30.  The DFenders were close a couple of times and even hovered around a 3 or four point lead but the Vipers had too much firepower. 

 PAC-12 standout Gary Payton Jr went undrafted

 The Viper Room:

Isaiah Taylor (Texas U) 31 pts and Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga) 26 pts, combined for 57 points, 21-43 FG, 6-17 3pt. 

Gary Payton Jr., who also went undrafted, was ALL over the court wreaking havoc and added 12 pts and 13 boards. 10 more than the DFenders starting Center (Zubac).  Speaking of Rebounds?  The League-Leader, Chinanu Onuaku, grabbed 22 which will also add to his 15.7 Rebounds Per Game tally.  Hello D-Fense? What? Oh, no one home?  Yep, with the foul trouble of Zubac and a DNP for 7 foot 3 David Foster the Vipers seemed to have their way and "bull over" the home team after a flat first six minutes of the game.

Remember me El Segundo? I'm Joshua Smith former Bruin

 Speaking of Bull-ies..Remember Joshua, don't call me Josh, Smith?  Former McDonald's High School "All-American?"  Former Bruin?  Former Hoya? Yes, the 6-10, overweight, out-of-shape, lethargic "Joshua Smith."  The Vipers have him listed at "300 pounds"  but much like getting an "8" aka "snowman" in golf I believe that number is a bit "light."  Smith "bulled" Zubac over a handful of times, antagonizing and taunting the "draft pick."  He toyed with Zubac and even coaxed him to an offensive foul that led Zubac straight to the bench.

So, Zoob, while you are in "the D," use it for what it is intended.  To "Develop."  And you are going to need to develop a "thicker skin."  Your skill and game are far superior to many of the opposing Centers.  But, many of these guys went undrafted and will have a chip on the shoulder.  In the case of Joshua Smith they might have too many "chocolate chips" in their bellies.  The combination, "Draft Pick," will make for a Target on your back and these guys will look for EVERY opportunity to dunk on you, push you around and taunt you. We saw this in Lakers Summer.

In other words, work on your toughness.  Not to say you aren't "tough."  But this game in the U.S. is FAR different than in Europe.  When you are in New York, head over to Rucker Park.  In Los Angeles head over to Venice or Compton.  You have the skill, the turn-arounds, and the bank-shots.  So, learn the "smack" game.  How not to get smacked around and how to run it (verbal smack) on the court...

No matter what, ...

WE, FANS, GOT YOUR BACK ZOOB

Speaking of backs, Josh Magette, Vander Blue, Justin Harper and Roscoe Smith are all back for the DFenders this season.  Number 9 had another double-double (16 pts, 13 assists) in the loss vs. the Vipers Thursday Night.  He seems to be able to run the floor and find people no matter who is on his squad.  Having been an invitee this past summer for the Nets, the DFenders have several "cusp" players including all of the aformentioned and new addition Travis Wear.

Laker FAM

WINNING: THE DFENDERS WIN THEIR OPENER AND THE LAKERS START

BOTH THE LAKERS AND DFENDERS WON THEIR OPENERS THIS SEASON

THEY SAY IT CHANGES EVERYTHING. 

WITH KOBE BRYANT NOW GONE FROM LAKER LAND AS A PLAYER, A LEGACY BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY IS NOW LEFT BEHIND.  A NEW IDENTITY IS BEGINNING TO EMERGE AS WE SEE PLAYERS LIKE LAKER FORWARD JULIUS RANDLE STEP INTO THE SHOES THAT KOBE LEFT BEHIND.  WE MAY HAVE ALL LOST THE BLACK MAMBA BUT PERHAPS THERE ARE BITS AND PIECES OF HIM INTERWOVEN AMONGST THE YOUNG LAKER SQUAD.

TEAM.

YOU NEED TO BE ONE.

YOU NEED TO PLAY AS ONE.

IN ORDER TO WIN.

THE NEW "KOBE" IN LA, DFENDERS HEAD COACH COBY KARL, HAD HIS TEAM PLAYING AS "ONE" FRIDAY NIGHT AS THE DFENDERS GOT THE VICTORY IN THE SEASON OPENER AGAINST THE IOWA ENERGY.

THE FINAL SCORE WAS 127-98

NICE TO SEE FAMILIAR FACES IN THE RETURN PLAYERS AND SOME NEW BLOOD WHO INFUSED SOME GREAT ENERGY AND ATHLETICISM IN THE WIN.

GRANTED IT WAS OPENING NIGHT WHICH BRINGS A UNIQUE ENERGY UNTO ITSELF, IT JUST SEEMS THAT THE MOOD "AROUND CAMPUS" IS MUCH DIFFERENT.

IT HELPS THAT THE LAKERS ARE 5-4 GOING INTO THIS AFTERNOON'S MATCHUP AGAINST NEW ORLEANS.

IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SLOW DOWN TRAVIS WEAR AND THESE D-FENDERS THIS SEASON

THE FANS WERE EXCITED, THE PLAYERS WERE PUMPED UP, AND THE LAKER GIRLS ARE, AS ALWAYS, WINNING!

SQUAD

Lakers are .500: A re-cap of the 3-3 start, Jim Buss might be right and the Phoenix Suns Tonight

     Well this "that season" for the Lakers.  This is the so called year that Jim Buss was referring to when he said that if the Lakers were not in contention in three or four years that he would step down.  This chatter started to change a bit last year during the Lakers all-time worst season.

D'Angelo Russell (1), one of the rewards of the Lakers past dismal seasons showing he does have "Ice in his veins."

Speaking of (worst seasons and such..)

     It is interesting to see, hear and read all the so-called pundits, experts and analysts that rank players and teams in the preseason.  I believe the consensus was that the Lakers would finish last in the Western Conference this season. Uhhhhh.... what?  Where were YOU LAST SEASON?!

Many, if not all of us, believed the Lakers would "better" their record last season from the 21 wins of 2014-15 right?  Well, the Lakers had another one of those "top 3 protected" picks that they did not have a chance at unless they were amongst the last rungs of the NBA ladder.


 The Lakers were BETTER than their 21 win AND their 17 win records indicate in my opinion.  
But, in the words of a long-time Lakers Season Ticket Holder I sat next to last season vs Memphis at Staples (1 of the few games Kobe "sat out"),

"We Want the Pick.."

The Lakers GOT THEIR PICK in Brandon Ingram (14) shown here firing one off in Lakers Summer

     Soooo, say or think what you want but A) there were at least 13 games of horrible coaching with respect to line-up moves and situations and B) T....t...t...t...Taaaaank syndrome seemed to set in every now and again so that the race to the bottom remained in tact.  One of the bottom dwellers last season is the team the Lakers face tonight (6:30 pm PST), the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers "edged" Phoenix and the Celtics out for number 2 and went with Ingram.  The Suns took Dragan Bender, a 7'1 ish shooting guard at number 4.  You heard me.  

The reason why Bender "handles the ball so well" is because he has played a lot of point guard.  And, dude likes to shoot from the perimeter.  Not to say he has no inside game to speak of but he looks to be most suited and comfortable at guard and this is where the Suns played him during the summer where we saw him guarding wing players like Jaylen Brown.

Dragan Bender (35) "guards" Jaylen Brown (9), 2016 picks 4 and 3 respectively.  At 7'1" Bender is a perimeter player.

      The Suns are "guard heavy" and one of those guards is perhaps the best shooter of the 2015 draft, Devin Booker.  Booker is averaging 19.8 thus far.  Eric Bledsoe, who the Suns acquired* in an off-season trade in 2013, is at 17.2 and Brandon Knight is averaging 13.2 points and leads the team with 5 assists.  Knight was acquired in another three team deal* in the 2015 off-season.

Devin Booker (1) might be the best shooter of the 2015 draft, taken 13th.  Let's see what D'Angelo and the Lakers D says

     These guards are all good and they are all fast.  Their second-round draft pick, Tyler Ulis (Kentucky), AND their top pick (Bender) are not really seeing the floor thus far.  The Lakers had their chance at Ulis but went with Zubac instead at number 32.  And, what a pick. 



The caveat for Zubac this season will be

Ivica Zubac: Second Round Gold again for Lakers

opportunity as the Lakers have a pretty full deck.  Look to possibly see Zubac pull "Clarkson-Like" double- duty with the DFenders and Lakers this season.  That being said, once Ivica has the right opportunity, ie "PT" Playing Time we may see that the Lakers scored the best big in the last draft.  He is a skilled big and a ball-hawk defender that in time will tally the blocks for the purple and gold.


Lakers 3-3 Roller-Coaster Re-Cap:

After game one (a Lakers Victory):  The Lakers will go 82-0!

After going 1 and 3 (prior to the Atlanta Game) "If they don't win tonight, I don't know WHEN they will get another "double u."

After beating Atlanta and GSW to go 3-3:

The Lakers will win the championship in 2017!

Well, if that last remark is true or if the Lakers are in contention this season that would make Jim Buss correct and safe in his position of management.  Bitter-Sweet?

So, I like the Lakers in tonight's matchup and not because they have played well all season, nor because they have beaten the A-T-L and GS dubs in the last two, but because their roster is a better roster than the Suns.

This is home turf and Luke Walton has his young team focused and poised on D-Fending Staples.  

Tonight will be a great test of the defense and maturity of the Lakers.

But, who is going to guard Randle?

 And as far as Jim Buss is concerned?  

At some point is there credit where credit is due?

Ingram (14), Nance Jr. (7) and Russell (1) all seem to be shining bright and so does Lakers Brass

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.

Game ready! Go D-Fenders! -Lauren #LGLivin pic.twitter.com/gcKBdHi4Pg

— Laker Girls (@LakerGirls) February 19, 2016

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. 

99 for 3!! Congrats Dre!! All time in 3s made 👌 https://t.co/42LPQrDCoK

— Vander Blue (@veezy_SQ) February 5, 2016

 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,

When your teammate makes a league-record 39-of-50 shots to win the 3-Point Contest >>> pic.twitter.com/cBEhiowvQw

— L.A. D-Fenders (@DFenders) February 18, 2016

muchas gracias !

Shoutout my teammate Andre Ingram for bringing home the Trophy for the 3Pt Contest!! @DFenders that's 99!!! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/rFpPGlBomk

— Justin Harper (@Tru_Harp32) February 14, 2016

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

Tarik Black History Month:

Tarik Black, of the Los Angeles Lakers has been "INACTIVE" the last TWO GAMES for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Since Byron Scott of the Los Angeles Lakers has decided to keep Mr. Black, Tarik Black, firmly planted on the bench, or even BEHIND the bench in street clothes, we thought we would dedicate February to him...

Tarik Black was assigned to play for the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Saturday, January 30, 2016, and posted these numbers in the win over the Oklahoma City Blue:

29 mins, 15 pts, 5-7 FG, 5-7 FT, 14 REB ( 5 OREB, 9 DREB),  1 STL, 4 Blocks, +14 (highest on TEAM)

Tarik Black (Looking like Denzel in TRAINING DAY) Has been INACTIVE and in street clothes the last two games for the LAKERS

Speaking of  DENZEL, Roy Denzil Hibbert posted 0 points, 2 Rebounds, 3 blocks for a minus 13 in 21 minutes of action last game against the HORNETS.

Hibbert is averaging 6.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg this season for over 15.6 Million Dollars on the season.


In 38 Games LAST SEASON, Tarik Black averaged 7.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg in 21 minutes played ($840k +/-)

Who knows EXACTLY WHY ROY HIBBERT was brought in.  When Tarik hits the floor, the energy is different and guys look for him out of the pick and roll and when he is in there GOOD things happen

Whether it be on the Lakers OR the D-Fenders, Tarik's TEAMMATES look for him, and when they find him, everyone moves out of the way.  

BOOM BOOM!

Tarik will generally get as many points AND rebounds as he does minutes played AND he generally leads the Lakers in "plus/minus" but his PT (playing time) is sporadic at 10.8 mpg this season.

For whatever reason, "Roy Hibbert is the ONLY Laker that has started EVERY game" is something that we hear EVERY contest from the mouth of broadcaster Bill MacDonald.

WHY?

If this is a LOSING season and if Roy Hibbert is NOT a part of the Lakers future why does he keep starting AND playing about 25 minutes per?

Super Agent David Falk may have had a clause written into Hibbert's contract with the Lakers because if WE see the value of Tarik Black and the positive play he brings to the squad and STILL gets benched something does NOT add up.

Byron has asked Tarik to play like Dennis Rodman and others yet gives away bulk minutes to Ryan Kelly?

Tarik's NUMBERS STACK UP AGAINST WALLACE, RODMAN AND FARIED 

Tarik has been Rebounding like Rodman and playing defense like Wallace yet remains BENCHED

and, dude has mid-range too..







King Kong might not have anything on Denzel but Lord Byron reigns over Black's PT and THIS continues to be a MYSTERY and a glaring issue in El Segundo


While Julius Randle may have been SNUBBED for the Rising Stars challenge so that the WORLD gets to see MARIO HEZONJA, Tarik Black remains SNUBBED by his OWN COACH...

How SnuBBORN can Lord Byron B?

Tarik Black Power Forward of the Los Angeles Lakers

Tarik Black of the Los Angeles finally getting Media Run: Let's SEE if he gets more RUN for the Los Angeles Lakers.

A former player, coach, a Lakers fanatic since 1978-79, a Basketball Jones to the point that my passion has led me to expressing my opinion, while providing statistical data, in written forum here.  Pundits, experts, and broadcasters near and far continue to fuel my fire especially when "sources say" is often a cover-up to not having ANY empirical data whatsoever.  

These are the things that have prompted me to:

(1) Contact the agent (s) of certain NBA coaches to verify salaries, payouts and contracts that were being FALSELY spewed out over the Los Angeles airwaves not that long ago
(2) Contact Marshall University to confirm whether or not Mike D'Antoni was to be their next head coach (men's basketball).. {shouts to DAN D'Antoni}
and
(3) Contact and leave messages for the Agent of Mr. Tarik Black of the Los Angeles Lakers.

#boomboomTB

Am I a fan?  So much so that I felt compelled enough to have dialogue with whomever is representing a player that has been getting the shaft from Coach Byron Scott this season.  Other Lakers have received SHAFT-like treatment including Nick Young.

This is about Black though and it may NOT be about Tarik Black the basketball player and more about Tarik Black the person.

Analytics take into account psychological profiles.  This information is something I am no privy to.  The point here is to suggest that we simply do NOT know what is going on behind the doors of Lakers' Brass.

That being said, Byron Scott is recently recorded as saying that,

After the final horn, Scott told reporters that over the summer he advised Black on how he can have a “10-, 15-year career.” According to the Lakers coach, his third-string center has yet to hear the advice. 

“He hasn’t [focused on defense],” Scott said. “My message was you should play like Kenneth Faried, Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace, guys like that. And basically that is that they play balls-out, full of energy, aggressive. They didn’t care about the offensive end. And I think to me, in the year-and-a-half or two that I’ve had him, that’s what he has to do to be an integral part of any team.” 

_ Michael Pina , BleacherReport.com

That is great.  Brilliant.  Coaches...Parents...Individuals should all aspire to be the very best that THEY can while also aspiring to those who have achieved greatness themselves.



Ben Wallace's Jersey was just retired for the Detroit Pistons, Dennis Rodman is enshrined in Springfield, Mass., and Kenneth Faried  really IS a "manimal" who Laker Fans know to be a guy that literally destroys the purple and gold.

Ben Wallace came to mind, especially considering the wonderful moment he had recently.  Congratulations Big Ben!

Time will certainly tell as far as being likened to any one of those players.  Those are things we do NOT know.  

What we DO know is that Tarik Black in 2014-15:

 21.1 MPG, 58% FG, 6.3 TRB, .6 BLK, 7.2 PPG over 38 games for the Lakers.  

2015-16:Byron Scott, during Lakers Summer spoke highly of Tarik, who he benched THEN because he "knew what he had in Tarik."  In other words, Byron Scott though highly enough of his play during training camp to know that he was already making the squad.

It is difficult to make solid comparisons, from a number's perspective, considering how inconsistently Mr. Black HAS played.  His numbers are down this season at:


3.9 ppg and 4.6 TRB but his minutes are currently at an average of 11.8 (almost HALF the minutes per game as he received LAST season).

Talk Nerdy To Me...

Here is a comparison against the esteemed company, in their second years, that Coach Byron mentioned:

Faried:

28.1 mpg, 55 FG%, 61 FT%, 9.2 TRB, 1 A, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 11.5 PTS

Wallace:

16.8 mpg, 52 FG%, 36% FT, 4.8 TRB, .4 A, .9 STL, 1.1 BLK, 3.1 PTS

Rodman:

26.2 mpg, 54%, 8.7 TRB, 1.3 A, .9 STL, .5 BLK, 11.6 PTS

Those numbers compare nicely.  As do the "per 36" and per 100 over the first two seasons for these players and comparable to career numbers.  The problem with ALL of that is assumption.  WE assume Tarik Black gets 11.5 PTS and 11.4 TRB per 36 minutes of ball played.  Who knows, his numbers could go down with more consistent minutes.  

The reality is simply that he needs PT (Playing Time).  And he needs QUALITY PT.  Not JUST minutes thrown out in the final moments of blowout by Houston the other night.  Even in THAT game, Tarik Black got 4 Rebounds in 4 minutes.

One of the Lakers problems coming into this season was a log-jam at the "6-9 250 lb" spot.  They have 4-5 guys there, including Larry Nance. Because Nance showed so nicely in Summer and has continued to impress, Randle not going anywhere and Brandon Bass performing solidly night IN and night Out it becomes difficult to find the floor for the Lakers.  At least the purple and gold sent him to "the D" where Tarik posted :

 16.6 PTS, 11.4 TRB, 2.0 BLK, and most importantly 32.6 MPG.

So, when Byron chooses to allow Roy Hibbert to capture approximately 24 minutes a game and also look for ways to insert players like Sacre and MWP, young Tarik cannot get a sniff. (Hopefully THAT has changed)

But..

When he does.  He does well.  Sure, he has his deficiencies like anyone.  It would be nice to have him mentored by Sacre, MWP AND Bass in developing his game to have some of ALL of those guys:

Fundamental Defense, Toughness AND a nice face-up jumper.

ME:              "Hey Tarik... Be Better Than Faried."

Tarik Black:  What? 

 I said,          "BE BETTER than WALLACE!"

Black:          What did you say?

         "BE BETTER THAN RODMAN EVER WISHED!"

Tarik:      What are you trying to say?

Me:  Be the best "Tarik."  And you don't have to look ANY farther than looking at guys on your squad that have been there... done that (world champion Ron Artest)...

(that conversation happened in my head)

One thing is for certain.  Now that Tarik Black is making news in more of the "main stream" variety Coach Byron Scott, not to be confused with former ALL-Star and Hall-Of-Fame player, Byron Scott, will have to be held accountable.

Hey Byron, who did Coach Riley tell YOU to be like?  And in less than two seasons when you DID not fulfill YOUR HOF criteria did he punish YOU by sending YOU to the bench?

Just curious.

Dennis Rodman Byron?

Main Stream people_ thank you for finally "attempting" to get the story of Tarik Black.  But...like ANY story, there is MORE to COME...