Next Man-UP! The Lakers Mantra being tested

The Lakers find themselves testing the limits of the "next man-up" mantra and attitude that begins with Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton and ends with the last men on the bench.  It has been some of the last men on the bench, literally, that have filled in nicely for the team.

Walton has demonstrated on more than one occasion that he would much rather keep one of the NBA's best five, the Lakers' Second Unit, in tact.  Thomas Robinson, Jose Calderon, Metta World Peace and Marcelo Huertas are all players that with a "healthy" starting backcourt would ordinarily not be seeing the floor much, if at all.

Much is being made of the loss of D'Angelo Russell.  When you factor in his 4.8 assists each time out, you can say that he has a part of at least 26 points per contest.  Nick Young is fourth on the list of Lakers Top Scorers and Russell is two.  Losing two of your top four scorers hurts ANY team.  Marcelo Huertas filled in nicely last game with 7 assists and five steals last game.  Huertas replaced the injured "back-up point guard" Jose Calderon.  Calderon had previously filled-in for D'Angelo and had been playing steady basketball.

When T-Rob, Thomas Robinson, got the start when Julius Randle missed a game due to a "hip-pointer" injury he grabbed 10 rebounds.

So, the "next-man UP" IS stepping UP for the Lakers.

They are just running out of available players to back-up those back-ups.  And, players like Jordan Clarkson and Luol Deng are not stepping up enough.  Clarkson has had moments but has been inconsistent, including a 3-13 performance against the Rockets.

Deng?   Luol is still doing the intangibles.  He is hustling and making plays on the ball that do not show up in the stat sheet.  However, at some point your highest paid player and "leader" needs to take the bull by the horns and ball.  Luol has not done that yet.

 He has complained about playing time yet when given added opportunity he seems to take "steps-back," while  those around him seem "step- UP."   Surrounded by his youthful and more energetic Lakers Teammates, Deng seems to fade away into an obscurity of sorts.  Almost forgotten about.

But, Luol Deng is STILL on this team and he is STILL a starter.  I don't think the Lakers have anymore "protected-picks" to lose for so at some point the Coaches have to look long and hard at Deng.  Thomas Robinson has already shown that when called upon he exceeds expectations, brings energy and hustle and also produces.  These are ALL things the Luol Deng is NOT doing.

Lou Williams has stepped up, hit big shots, played consistently and put his team on his back.

Jordan Clarkson has... well, Jordan Clarkson has worn a kilt.

He has to do more than that.

Way more than that.

Tarik Black's energy and defense in the middle has been missed but the Lakers have Nance Jr. back who knows he has to step-up in Black's absence.  Robinson can also help fill that void.

It is easy to look at a 39-point loss and say that you need to play better defense.  They also shot poorly (39% vs HOU 54 %).  This includes Clarkson and Deng combining at 4-18 from the field totaling nine points.

Next MAN-UP!

Step IN, Step-UP.. Defend the perimeter against the quick guards of Phoenix and contain the middle against the Suns'active Bigs.

D-Fend Home Court

The Mayo, not Mustard, is off the hot dog: OJ Mayo Banned from the NBA and the insanity of NBA Free Agency

    This OJ, Mayo, might be moving slower today than a "slow white Bronco" carrying an OJ of a different last name some 20 years ago.  Speaking of a slow white Bronco, we will get to Peyton Manning shortly. 

OJ Mayo is Banned from the NBA

       Mayo came to a school that seemingly will forever be known as a "football school." Yet, somehow, USC pulled 1 of the two biggest names and brightest stars the nation had to offer that year (2007-8) coming out of High School.  That reminds me, how did Ben Simmons arrive at LSU?  Shaquille O'Neal recently told "us" that he (Shaq) went to LSU because, "they paid the most.  Don't worry the statute of limitations has worn off." 




  The other, Kevin Love, arrived in Westwood and the 
USC UCLA rivalry had some of its greatest basketball talent AND moments.

Mayo arrived at USC under some controversy, and scrutiny grew as the season progressed.  Questions about his age, money and gifts continued.  We all learned AFTER Mayo left there was at least money and gifts involved and USC was sanctioned as a result.

Perhaps what happened July 1, 2016 was some sort of karma.  Mayo might well be serving and paying the penance for what he was a part of back in 2007 when he escaped college without incident to make millions in the NBA.  That is now over for the next two years due to Mayo's violation of the NBA's Anti-Drug Policy.

The penance?  Banned from the NBA for two years AND reinstatement is not a guarantee.

Laker Fans might remember Robert Upshaw last season?  The un-drafted Center out of Fresno State via Washington.  A seven footer with all sorts of UPside yet fell away to the downside by also violating the same NBA anti-drug policy while playing for the Los Angeles D-Fenders.  Being as how Upshaw was in the process of making it to the NBA he may not ever get a chance to get back in.  Mayo?  We shall see.  These are two examples of harsh-realities in what May-O May NOT be a microcosm of society, given the nature of the current dollars being tossed around in this NBA Free Agency Period. Especially, when combined with a current society that yields things like pill-popping housewives in places like Newport Beach, California and young kids everywhere becoming macchiato-addicted, attention-starved maniacs that later replace their macchiatos with methamphetamine (a substance listed in the NBA Anti-Drug policy).

Do you know of another job where you can make 25 times more money from one year to the next?  What is 25 times greater than $857,615.00?  22 Million.  THAT is what Hassan Whiteside will be making in year one of his four-year $97,900,000.00 Guaranteed Deal he just signed with the Heat.  Chew on that for a moment.

Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons) signed a comparable deal, albeit a larger total contract (130 M) where he will average 26 Million per season.  Drummond was previously making about 3 M per season so his jump was not as significant as Whiteside's.  Both have had their share of technical fouls, which is pretty usual, but Whiteside has had ejections with "kicking" and "fighting" on his NBA Record.

SO..

What happens when a guy that has been scrapping and clawing to get into and hang on in the NBA becomes one of the biggest Free Agent signings and has perhaps the most significant increases in "salary" in NBA History?

Jordan Clarkson went from the eight hundred thousand slot to about 13 Million per.  Kent Bazemore, who had a brief stint in LA, went from two million to 17.5 Million (average, per season).

We are seeing more significant "jumps" in salary due to the team salary cap increasing by an estimated 31% (from 72 Million to approximately 94 Million).

Did millions of dollars play a part in OJ Mayo's case?  Was his destiny already foreshadowed by his tarnished past of corruption with NCAA violations?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

This is where what is "between the ears" and upbringing will start to matter more and more as NBA franchises toss dollars around moreso than the USC boosters did that year to land Mayo in basketball and Reggie Bush in football.

Corruption is ever-present.  And, with increased dollars not only comes increased obligation and responsibility but also a greater propensity for corruption of any and all kinds to creep in.

Remember Ryan Leaf?  He was the second pick in the NFL Draft in 1998.  Peyton Manning was number one.

Ryan Leaf given multiple chances

 Leaf definitely had more chatter regarding his physical attributes at that time but he had questions about his "head" coming out of high school and college.  With Leaf adding twenty pounds before tryouts and Manning exceeding expectations on arm strength drills it made it easy for the Colts to draft Peyton with confidence.  Leaf goes to the San Diego Chargers and wrecks faster than the Amtrak Surfliner ride down the Pacific Coast.  Again, was this related to having millions or was the writing on the wall due to what is "between the ears?"  Something tells me we will begin to SEE the differences in Drummond vs. Whiteside much like we did in Manning vs. Leaf.

We are talking about being human as well.

Most people, when capturing an extra bonus or making a little extra during a regular pay period, might buy an extra nice pair of shoes or buy an extra cocktail at the bar.

Athletes?  Entertainers?  Drug problems, alcoholism and bankruptcies are, unfortunately, fairly prominent.

How many of "these guys" that are making these significant salary jumps will be singing "my Maserati drives 185" while actually driving 185 somewhere in Florida? Perhaps Biggie Smalls Hypnotize is more appropriate: "Escargot, my car go, 160, swiftly.." But, enough about Yasiel Puig...



These guys are ALL human.  And, as humans, we all make mistakes and failure of some kind IS imminent.  What is the price?

Mayo is now gone from the NBA where he had just earned 24 Million Dollars over the past 3 seasons and was up for a new contract in this crazy new world created by the CAP increase and owners' willingness to "make it rain" on the NBA's best and brightest.  Mayo may have cost himself an "easy" 70 Million Dollar Total Contract that folks like a Bazemore and a Dwight Howard just received (different total years of course).

Are we watching a bad Hollywood movie?  We already have.  Robert Downey Jr is an addict.  He has told us so and has claimed that he has been since the tender age of EIGHT.  He has had multiple relapses and convictions.  In June (1996) Downey was found with cocaine, heroin and a pistol in his car and was convicted on felony drug possession.  He served 1 year and three months.  Governor Jerry Brown pardoned Downey and thank GOD Jer had the foresight to NOT take "Iron Man" away from us because Downey is slated to make 200 Million Dollars on the next Avengers Film.  REPEAT: DOWNEY TO MAKE TWO HUNDRED MILLION on next AVENGERS film (look for human failure of an addict being given millions of dollars coming to a "real" theater near you..)

Perhaps the NBA should oversee the "Hollywood Anti-Drug Policy?" (ahem)

As crazy as this NBA Free Agency is, it pales in comparison to what the Hollywood "free agency" scene is.  Sports IS entertainment and the self-proclaimed "largest sports network in the world" is not only owned by Mickey Mouse Inc., it also starts with the letter "E" for Entertainment.

Based on the logic of this NBA free agency, combined with the life and times of a Robert Downey Jr., we should see more "cocaine" abuse from Mayo followed by a book deal and then a $250 million dollar (over 5 years) NBA deal in 2020.  So, things are looking up.

Someone, please.. STOP the insanity. What? Skip Bayless signed for HOW MUCH?  With FOX?

(I have to go..)

Iron Man, and drug addict, Robert Downey Jr to make around 200M on next Avengers film (source); mind blown?

THE GOOD: Part One of the Lakers WIN against the Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell_ obvi

Dude went off and apparently has ice in his veins:







IN his post-game press conference he said his dad texted before the game which is something that his dad does not ordinarily do (anymore).   

"..He usually texts me after the game(s).." Russell said in regards to his father.

"He asked me if I was hungry.  HE was like, EAT, and I was like, oh, ok now I know what you mean.."

D'Angelo ATE alright

{ 39 pts on 14/21 FG, 8/12 3pt., 6 Reb, 3 As, 1 Stl, 3 TO, +13}

A record-setting performance by the rookie_ via Mike Trudell, Lakers Reporter in THIS interview with Larry Nance Jr.

"The most a Lakers' rookie, I think,  has had since 1959 when Elgin Baylor did it a couple of times..." 

Larry Nance Jr. made some tremendous plays of his own, including a high flying blocked shot off the backboard that was negated on a call for "offensive interference:"



And THIS dunk off a sweet no-look pass from Marcelo Huertas who has not had a whole lot of run this season..



Huertas got 5 assists in 14 minutes and really helps the flow and pace, particularly as a set-up man for "Gelo" and Co.


 Jordan Clarkson played great ball including his own Mamba Moment to close the third quarter giving the Lakers a five point advantage:



There were moments of inspired play and stellar TEAM DEFENSE.  Swaggy 3 not ONLY showed up but so did Swaggy D:



And here is a contribution by Tarik Black who plays perfect defensive position on Brook Lopez, who had 23 points, and receives help defense by Larry Nance Jr:



Nance, literally, had Black's Back.  He also had Marcelo's.  In his post game interview he looked to correct a turnover stat that had been given to Marcelo:

"I felt bad that I think they gave him the turnover for, that's MY turnover...I always look out for my point guards.."

T E A M

Speaking of TEAM

It REALLY is not whether you win or lose it IS how you play the game and this team, for the most part, played pretty decent team ball on BOTH sides of it

THIS is WINNING

And, on the heels of watching the "Top 10 Chickisms.."

It is fitting that THIS game ended with "Gelo (not Jello) Jigglin" as D'AnGelo Russell hits two consecutive three pointers to ice and close the proverbial door on this one..

LIGHTS OUT!

LA has been missing this...

Lakers Brass Balls on display in NBA Summer League Action

Lakers( Brass') Balls landed  D'Angelo Russell with the number two overall selection 

There's a lot of hardware in Laker Land.

#16Rings

And, whether it be the hardware, Kobe Bryant, Laker Lore or the excitement around #2, who dons jersey number 1 in the purple and gold, there was quite a buzz Friday, July 10 as the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada kicked off.

In last year's opening day game that featured #1 v #2 (Wiggins v Parker) in Cox Pavilion which lists a capacity of 2500 versus having that and other top games in Thomas & Mack, which lists capacity at over 19,000.00

THIS did NOT go over well last season as hundreds of people were turned away or asked to leave Cox Pavilion in spite of having a ticket.  THAT did not happen this year.  The game featuring #1 v #2 (Towns/Russell) was the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers at 5:30 Pacific (the only time zone that matters).  SAC town and Toronto were playing before the Lakers and the arena was already packed around their half-time.  Attendance was reported at 12,500, a record attendance figure for the NBA Summer League.

 THIS wasn't the only change this Summer League.  There is a Changing of the Guard for the Lakers.  Last year's squad featured, ahem, Kendall Marshall.  This year's squad is being led by D'Angelo Russell and the man who was just that for the Lakers Summer Squad AND the lone bright spot during the regular season, Jordan Clarkson.

The crowd was anxious to see the Lakers top pick from THIS draft and last (Randle) and they both seemed pumped to perform.

Perhaps nerves and adrenaline got the better of them as the duo of Randle and Russell failed in comparison to Clarkson and Black, another returner from last year's Lakers.  

Russell threw up an air ball on an early shot attempt but as the game progressed he settled down somewhat.  He does run and see the floor exceptionally well.  Randle seemed tight, rusty, and maybe reluctant until late in the second half when he juked Adreian Payne and went baseline for a monster two-handed jam

1 board is just NOT acceptable from Randle and he knows that: 11 pts, 1 Board, 4 TOs

This game seemed to be ALL about the "eye candy" of the to top picks, yet became a game where LaVine and Clarkson were going toe-to-toe.

LaVine hit consecutive threes, from deep, in the first half and seemed un-guardable AT TIMES.  He was.  There were NUMEROUS times when the opposition's best player, a player who was draining treys (4-8) finishing with 24 points was actually NOT being defended by ANYONE.. at ALL.  Horrible. 

I like LaVine.  A lot.  In fact, I thought the "balls" part last year was to look past the BIGS and take a risk on the shiny, springy, tenacious combo guard from U-C-L-A.  Don't get me wrong, I like Randle.  In fact, I thought he should have gone 1-3 before he got his injury going into the draft.  Meanwhile, LaVine's combine numbers were insane and he was steadfastly climbing the draft board charts faster than his ridiculous vert.  One thing is definite: LaVine had a better rookie season LAST YEAR than Randle.  Randle did look BEAST and had moments but it was Tarik Black that was holding it down for the Lakers inside.  Black finished with 9 points and 13 Boards (5 OFF).

Some say that "Towns' dominated."  Really?  Honestly, Towns' play seemed lethargic.  He ended up with 12 but that was a very quiet 12 (4-10 FG, 4-5 FT) and 3 boards.  Towns had opportunities to capitalize in certain situations but fell flat.  Russell did as well.  I think everyone expected MORE from ONE and TWO.  Russell had 8 pts (3-8 FG, 1-3 3pt), 5 Boards, 6 Assists and 5 TurnOvers.  I do like the "complete" line that Russell can get night in and night out.  I LOVE his court awareness, vision and passing.  I HATE the turnovers.  With ALL of the excitement around the Lakers and Russell I think it is important to temper expectations on Russell.  A lot is riding on this young mans shoulders. 

 He (Russell)WILL have brilliant moments.  BUT, he will also have moments of failure.

The growing PAINS will be there for Russell and the rest of the YOUNG Lakers.  However, Mr. Consistency, the young Jordan Clarkson will be there.  He was there on Friday and although LaVine's line edged out JC , this second-round pick continues to validate his presence in the NBA and making the argument that HE could have very well been a top 15 pick last season.

Lakers Brass got Balls: The Lakers ONLY had pick #7 but sent $1.8M to the Wizards last season to acquire #46 and draft Jordan Clarkson.

"Other" Game NOTES: 

 Two players looking for spots that did well for the T-Wolves were Lorenzo Brown and Adreian Payne

Lorenzo finished with a sweet line: 6-9 FG, 1-2 3pt, 3 As, 3 Stl, 17 pts

Payne DID look awkward at times, mostly at stretch 4 launching threes in the Wolves offense and he did get schooled by Randle hear and there, but never gave up and had 10 points and 8 rebounds in helping Towns up front.

Another Brown or two and a Blue (where are YOU?)...

Anthony Brown started and also seemed a bit pumped.  Once that wore off he drained a nice trey going 1-4 from deep, 4-8 overall for 9 points.  His stroke looks niiice and his misses were right on the bucket_ good rotation.

Jabari (Brown) was NOT present due to an EYE injury.  Vander , "You're my Boy.." Blue was also NOT present.  Blue had a qualifying offer of $1.2M on the table from the Lakers but was in uniform "elsewhere" for the Bulls this Summer League.

Blue joined the squad from the D-Fenders last season after Dwight Buycks, another Gatorade Call-Up, got injured.  Buycks was invited to the Lakers Summer.   He showed PLENTY of SPEED but not much else in game one over 19 minutes of action.

The Lakers other draft pick, of their three, didn't get much time in game one but showed what he WILL bring: quickness, athleticism and defense.  

Robert UPshaw, Big Upshaw: Dude is BIG.

He had three blocks in 12 minutes and with each one he got nice ovations.  The buzz and excitement is THERE for the Big Fella, but he had mental lapses during the game and his positioning on setting screens is absolutely minor league material.  This is the BIG LEAGUES, and although he has the size, the question is does he have the head and the aptitude.

Upshaw shows great potential

Opening Game PICS

Julius Randle greeting #3 pick in 2014, Joel Embiid, Embiid could miss another season

Harden created some buzz in the arena

Hey Steve...How's Mr. Jerry West? _ Mitch Kupchak

Mitch, Byron, Jim Buss, Glen Cararro (DFenders management) and Rick Fox were in attendance watching the Lakers open 

#LakersSummer

Space JAM Sequence.. T-Minus...

Pictures:

Header_ Lakers.com

Jordan_ google it

Zach LaVine sequence from the second tier, behin-the-basket capture(s) : @Victoria's Art 247 Twitter

I took the other ones...

Gold Rush: Lakers Youth Movement

     One thing the Lakers have struggled with the last couple of years besides wins is "assets:"  A player with value that can bring other value in via trade.  A rookie with promise and talent.

These Three picks add to a very talented young Lakers Corps

Don't look now but with three picks in this year's draft the Lakers have stockpiled plenty of youth.  The Baby Lakers are a comin..



     Fortunate or unfortunate Jordan Clarkson emerged and was arguably their best player down the stretch landing him on the First Team All-Rookie Team with 11.9 pts and 3.5 Assists.  In paying roughly $3M for pick number 46 in the 2014 draft there was NO WAY the Lakers were NOT going to play Clarkson.  They just probably could not predict that he would be their starter at the end of the season.

As far as starters THIS season?

Who knows.  We DO know Kobe is back but this is a "player" that has logged 41 games the past two seasons combined.

It seems pretty clear that the plan is to focus on this re-build through the draft:

Julius Randle (7) and Jordan Clarkson (46) 2014 Draft: JC, obvi, created value with his stellar play and attitude.   Meanwhile, Randle's value resides, still, with his play at Kentucky and projected promise since he unfortunately went down in game one of the 2014-15 season and never returned.

 "It is heartbreaking, because I saw him all summer," coach Byron Scott said. "I saw the work that he was putting in. I saw the progression that he was making, the steps that he was taking to get better. And his first game, he goes down. I don't think anybody in that locker room is happy about the way we played, but we're even more saddened about the fact that we lost one of our young guys."

It WAS heart-breaking.  It was sad to see the highest Lakers' Lottery pick since James Worthy, J Dub 42, go down before his first NBA game ended.  

Perhaps Laker Fans should take a page from S.A.G and just SAY IT,

"Break a Leg!"

Maybe NOT, BUT We need something to reverse-this-curse.. riiight?

Riddled with injuries, Free-Agent deals gone wrong in a BIG DH12 kinda WAY, Nashty's "Neck," Kobe's, well.. Kobe...

(sigh)

A reflective moment for season's past.   #LakerLore reigns supreme, "Sir" Charles.  This is something you WILL never understand.  I realize it must be tough for you..to stay away from the Hometown Buffet..

to pray and pray ev-er-y day
that you could PLAY
for the Lakers back-in-the-day

hey,

Oh...

But, you didn't Chuckles.  You NEVER got a ring.  One of the "top ten players to NEVER win an NBA Championship."  

So, STOP.

STOP hating on the Lakers.

Lakers WIN Championships. 

 Barkley does NOT.

Tarik Black and Jabari Brown were both undrafted rookies in 2014 that landed on the D-Fenders before signing with the Lakers

Vander Blue is an undrafted rookie (2013) that found himself beginning the D-League season on the D-Fenders and ending the season with the Lakers, like Jabari, after Dwight Buycks got injured.  He currently has a qualifying offer in front of him at roughly $1.2M

Dwight Buycks (Bikes) is back for the Lakers Summer League squad, challenging for a spot amidst a very competitive corps of players of the same ilk.  A talented player like Brown, Black & Blue.  Yep.

Larry Nance Jr. although probably more known for his now-famous " tweet " to his pal Kobe is a nice player the Lakers CLEARLY like from Wyoming.  Oh yeah, it's Dr. Jerry Buss' alma mater. Go Cowboys!The Lakers jumped well ahead and "off-board" to draft Nance Jr.  This will be a pick that haters (Barkley), especially of Mitch or Jim, will scrutinize.  Other players with arguably more talent were available there but Lakers Brass be showin dem Balls and went with a high-flying player in "junior" who can defend well.  Some say that with this player the Lakers say bye to R Kelly.  I say "goodbye Wes Johnson."  Both will probably be going for different reasons.

Anthony Brown slipped a bit to the Lakers at 34 and no doubt they were stoked to get him there.  The Lakers get two very athletic, talented players that can shoot and defend multiple positions in Nance Jr. and Brown.

Robert Upshaw went undrafted.  Dude had some heart-thing that popped up going into the NBA Combine .  He has also had some issue with attitude and "other" alleged violations of team rules but has since committed to getting back on track.  If this IS the case and the Lakers sign this 7-footer he becomes another fly-swatting Big like Hibbert that can hold down the paint and start the break especially with his skill at controlling the blocks.


and,

DLoading...

"with the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select..D'Angelo Russell..."

A bit of a surprise perhaps but not shocking.  What's funny is hearing that the Lakers selected the guard over the big because "Today's NBA is changing."

Ummmm, yeah, so no other team needed a point guard in "yester-year's" game of round ball?  C'mon.  Grow up.

No.

I think it is a bit of a chance.  With Okafor you are getting a talented Big that will come in and have some dominating games.  How do his wheels hold up over 82 though?

The Lakers NEEDS were not limited.  They needed a Big and a Point and, well, everything else too.

So, why not go with the flashy-passer from THEe Ohio State University?

One thing is for sure.  The Lakers got younger.

THIS NBA Summer League Squad is DOPE:

Building through the draft and creating asset value

Baby Lakers

Baby Lake Show ?

Xavier Henry Drops in 33 for DFenders Home Opener

 Familiar faces to Lakers Fans were present Saturday night at Toyota Sports Center as the Los Angeles D-Fenders took on the Texas Legends.

The Legends had one of those "familiar faces" as Nick Van Exel donned the suit and tie along with his title as an assistant coach.

Other faces, as announced mid-afternoon Saturday, were Lakers Xavier Henry and Jordan Clarkson.

Henry took Player of the Game w 33 points Saturday Night

Their teammate, Jordan Hill, sat nearby and looked on as Henry walked away with "Player of the Game" honors: 33 points on 12-20 FG shooting, 3-6 3pt FG, 6-7 FT, 4 Rbnd 1 A, 1 Stl in 36 minutes.  Clarkson also played well.  In 37 minutes his line reads: 28 pts on 8-20 FG, 2-4 3pt FG, 10-10 FT, 5 Rbnd, and 5 Assists.  The normal tough guard tandem for the D-Fenders, Manny Harris and Vander Blue didn't necessarily get the same "looks" and touches as the focus was primarily on the young Lakers that joined them for the night.  The DFenders took the loss, 130-108, versus a very tough Legends team who shot the ball very well (54%) Saturday night.



The Lakers used the D-League a lot last season.  Whether it was having guys, like Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris, "play down" at the start of the season for minutes and reps., or bumping guys up like Manny Harris because of the team's injury woes, the DFenders played a vital role.

This season looks to be similar.

One thing is certainly true: if the Lakers had any questions whatsoever about Jordan Clarkson and the idea of increasing his minutes, especially with Wayne Ellington absent, those questions should have been answered.

Let's also hope that the repetitions helped Xavier's confidence as he has seemed a bit rusty since coming back to the Lakers.

It's ALWAYS nice to see the the Laker Girls and to walk away with some FREE TACOS!

#GoLakers

#GoDFenders

NBA Summer League: Opening Wrap-Up in Vegas

    The #NBASummerLeague kicked off in Las Vegas on Friday, July 11, 2014 and clearly there was quite a buzz surrounding Cox Pavilion as the day drew closer to 3:30pm.  The time designated for a matchup between #1 pick Andrew Wiggins and #2 Jabari Parker (Cavs v Bucks).

Jordan Clarkson looked good

Upon arrival to the venue(s) it was quickly learned that tickets were not available.  This was a surprise to many and quickly the exterior "tent" filled up with some disappointed fans that either wanted to see the Lakers finish up or see the #1 v #2 game.  Alternative measures went quickly into action.  I went quickly online and "Bob" went to the front door to inquire about the idea of getting in.  A fan was found to be leaving, that was not coming back to the Arena, and a "ticket" was secured!  

    There was one fan in particular that had just flown in from Baltimore, Maryland who, needless to say, was surprised that the event was sold out.  He also lucked out and made it in.

Did Wiggins/ Jabari meet expectations?

    So, we enter the arena as the Lakers were finishing up half 2.  It was FULL!  I ran into Thomas Scott, Byron Scott's son, who coaches the Los Angeles D-Fenders and asked him who he thought did well for the Lakers in the first half.  No words were spoken.  His look said it all.  There were already people standing around the upper areas behind the top row of either side of the stadium.  We ended up finding one of those spots and THOSE filled up too.  We made it through the tip off and several minutes into the game, when a "yellow-jaket," aka "security usher" escorted approximately 100-150 people or more out of the Pavilion.  Quickly, the mood changed as people were now fully aware that they would not be able to see Wiggins/Parker.  

There were definitely some fans that were pretty upset by either getting escorted from the game or not making it in AT ALL after paying for their ticket.  Can you say "Refund?"

Paul Allen was here!

I asked Warren LeGarie, who created the NBA Summer League, if he had ever run into an over-populated venue like that before.  He said it was similar when Jeremy Lin played (2010).  Mr. LeGarie introduced me to Paul Allen, owner of the Portland Trailblazers.  He asked me how I was enjoying myself.  I grinned ear-to-ear.  He said that it is their goal to create the ultimate FAN experience.  I think they achieved that goal!

We moseyed on over to Thomas & Mack for GSW v Cha.

At 5-7" Kiwi stands tall on Defense

Josh Davis, for Charlotte, really impressed with his overall activity on both ends of the floor.  In 29 minues he had 14 pts, on 6-8 FG, had 16 RBs, 1 St and 1 Blk.  Meanwhile, Lottery pick Noah Vonleh looked like a child amongst men as his footwork and hands were absolutely horrible.  The stat line validates: 32 min, 0 pts, 0-13 FG, 6RB, 3Blk, 5PF, 3 TO.

Kiwi Gardner may only have seen just over 3 minutes of play but he held the game's leading scorer to nil during that stretch.  Mr. Gardner displayed some of the best defense of any guard in the Summer League.

In other NEWS:

It was tough seeing these two former Lakers elsewhere

Shabazz was fun to watch but does he have consistent game?

How is Jeanie, Phil?

LaVine may end up being on VINE more than anyone w his spectacular dunks.  Dee Bost is guarding the young guard out of UCLA here

Photos and Story_ @CBigUpps