<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If the Lakers don't make a trade to climb in the draft, they must decide whether to fill a specific roster hole or take the best player still on the board. Outside of Utah sophomore Andrew Bogut, the draft's top post players are generally considered to be a year or two away, and the best point guards ? 5-foot-11 Chris Paul of Wake Forest and 6-3 Deron Williams of Illinois ? probably will be taken in the top four or five picks. The Lakers are intrigued by Fran Vazquez, a physical 6-10 power forward from Spain who doesn't shy away from contact and tries to dunk almost every time in the post, but he could be taken a few spots before No. 10. There are other possibilities, many players whom the Lakers will view at private workouts or at the Chicago pre-draft camp June 7-10. Tiago Splitter, a 6-11 power forward from Brazil, was not originally considered a strong prospect, but his stock has improved with recent workouts and he can move well for a big man. Pittsburgh's Chris Taft, a 6-10 sophomore, is a physical but inconsistent presence, more of a "potential" pick after failing to build upon a noteworthy freshman season. Martynas Andriuskevicius, a 7-3 center from Lithuania, has a good outside touch and defensive ability but needs to add weight and work on his post moves.</div> Source At this point I'll be more than satisfied to land Vazquez at the 10 spot. He's not going to be a superstar, but he brings a tough, defensive presence to the team. The Lakers already have their star trio, and drafting Vaz to play the 4 allows Odom to slide to the SF spot. Everyone likes comparisons, and I would compare Vaz to Darius Songalia. However, Vaz is two inches taller and has the frame to really bulk up.
Whatever they do, they shouldnt draft Tiago Splitter. The guy, despite all the positive critisism, sucks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">At this point I'll be more than satisfied to land Vazquez at the 10 spot. He's not going to be a superstar, but he brings a tough, defensive presence to the team. The Lakers already have their star trio, and drafting Vaz to play the 4 allows Odom to slide to the SF spot. Everyone likes comparisons, and I would compare Vaz to Darius Songalia. However, Vaz is two inches taller and has the frame to really bulk up.</div> Why would you compare Vazquez to Songaila? They are almost opposites because Vazquez excels defensively while Songaila is a pretty terrible defender, but is a good offensive player unlike Vazquez. I see Marcus Camby as a much better comparison because of their athletism, wingspan, energy and dunking.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Why would you compare Vazquez to Songaila? They are almost opposites because Vazquez excels defensively while Songaila is a pretty terrible defender, but is a good offensive player unlike Vazquez. I see Marcus Camby as a much better comparison because of their athletism, wingspan, energy and dunking.</div> There approach to the game is similar. Both don't mind contact, both are intense and both crash the boards. Where do you get the idea Songalia is a terrible defender from? He's actually a sound defender because he knows how to use his body and leverage. Songalia is tough to back down, he's just not very quick and a little undersized. Just like Vaz, Songalia prefers to score close to the basket, but both can hit the midrange shot as well. Songalia just didn't get enough playing time on the deep frontcourt the Kings have. He'll be a free agent this summer and likely won't return to Sac. If you look at his games when he got to play 30+, he put up solid numbers and averaged a double double. Franz is a better shot blocker because he's longer, but he also doesn't play against the explosive leapers the NBA has.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">There approach to the game is similar. Both don't mind contact, both are intense and both crash the boards. Where do you get the idea Songalia is a terrible defender from? He's actually a sound defender because he knows how to use his body and leverage. Songalia is tough to back down, he's just not very quick and a little undersized. Just like Vaz, Songalia prefers to score close to the basket, but both can hit the midrange shot as well. Songalia just didn't get enough playing time on the deep frontcourt the Kings have. He'll be a free agent this summer and likely won't return to Sac. If you look at his games when he got to play 30+, he put up solid numbers and averaged a double double. Franz is a better shot blocker because he's longer, but he also doesn't play against the explosive leapers the NBA has.</div> Oh, I see. It's just the games that I've seen him play, he hasn't been too good defensively. You probably see more of Darius than I do. I see the comparison though. I was just getting a bit scared thinking someone like Darius Songaila was a lottery pick so I was a little confused too.
I want to try to move up in the draft and get a PG. Imagine Deron or Felton alongside Kobe? That is exactly what we need.
Either international C would be good picks if they are still there but I hate Chris Taft. Taft is going to be a bust because of his lack of effort. Hopefully the Lakers don't get stuck with him because he seems to have a bad attitude and I don't think him and Kobe would get along.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KB23:</div><div class="quote_post">we need a pg plain and simple.</div> Yo homeboy we know you want them to get Felton cause you love him and UNC is your team; but Felton is not the pg fit for this team. He only effective when he has the ball in his hands and in with this trio of scores the point guards is to make open shots, get the ball to primary scorers, and defend the position(Jarrett Jack, Daniel Ewing)RON HARPER,BRIAN SHAW,HAW,and DERRICK FISHER are prime examples of this. GARY PAYTON is not, he had to have the ball in his hands. The point gaurd we draft somewhere in this draft needs to be able to take pressure off of Kobe at that spot. Plus phil likes big guards, and both Jack and Ewing are 6-3. Although I love Jack, Ewing is probably the esseintal choice being that he SHOULD be available in the second round and besides he and Jack are the best defensive points in this draft along with Pierre Pierce but he got "Heat", with him..YO SHAPECITY HOLD ME DOWN ON THIS ONE!!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MR BRYANT:</div><div class="quote_post">Yo homeboy we know you want them to get Felton cause you love him and UNC is your team; but Felton is not the pg fit for this team. He only effective when he has the ball in his hands and in with this trio of scores the point guards is to make open shots, get the ball to primary scorers, and defend the position(Jarrett Jack, Daniel Ewing)RON HARPER,BRIAN SHAW,HAW,and DERRICK FISHER are prime examples of this. GARY PAYTON is not, he had to have the ball in his hands. The point gaurd we draft somewhere in this draft needs to be able to take pressure off of Kobe at that spot. Plus phil likes big guards, and both Jack and Ewing are 6-3. Although I love Jack, Ewing is probably the esseintal choice being that he SHOULD be available in the second round and besides he and Jack are the best defensive points in this draft along with Pierre Pierce but he got "Heat", with him..YO SHAPECITY HOLD ME DOWN ON THIS ONE!!!!!</div>I don't see why Felton is a bad fit. He runs an offense effectively, creates for others, likes to run, and isn't selfish. That's exactly what they Lakers need. If were to drop to 10, I'd pick him up in a heartbeat. With Ewing...he's not a true point guard. He never played the point guard spot until his senior year. His court vision is suspect and he's not the greatest ballhandler in the world. Granted that he would be available come 2nd round, there would be better options who would also likely be available, such as Julius Hodge and Nate Robinson. With Pierce....he's a shooting guard. He's not a point guard. The only time he ever ran the point at Iowa was when Jeff Horner was on the bench. He's not meant to play point guard. He's got a scorers mentality, and that's not what the Lakers need at their point guard spot. Sure, he's a very solid defender and he's extremely quick, but he's selfish and isn't a good shooter either. He relies too much on his quickness and ability to get to the hoop to score, and in the NBA, unless your extremely strong, you're going to have to have a good jump shot, which he lacks. Trust me, I watched him play at Iowa for a good part of 3 seasons. He's not a point guard and he's not what the Lakers need.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At this point I'll be more than satisfied to land Vazquez at the 10 spot. He's not going to be a superstar, but he brings a tough, defensive presence to the team. The Lakers already have their star trio, and drafting Vaz to play the 4 allows Odom to slide to the SF spot. Everyone likes comparisons, and I would compare Vaz to Darius Songalia. However, Vaz is two inches taller and has the frame to really bulk up.</div> This would put Caron Butler in the 6th man role. Do you think he would be succesful in that role, as an energy guy/scorer coming off the bench?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">This would put Caron Butler in the 6th man role. Do you think he would be succesful in that role, as an energy guy/scorer coming off the bench?</div> The plan was probably to bring him off the bench anyway after Lamar comes back from his shoulder recovery.
if we do draft someone for the pf position this would slide Odom down to the sf which is way more better for us. and plus with Caron and JJ coming of the bench this would provide a spark for our defense and offense. but then we'd be stuck with Chucky Atkins at the point which is terrible... but im hoping the next season Sasha would be able to start for us. i remember the front office saying that theyre considering to start Sasha once he gains some muscles. i like it.
I the decision will ultimately depend on who coaches next season. If Phil Jackson is the coach the Lakers will play the Triangle Offense and draft the BAP, PF or PG to fit that system. Also if PJax returns, the Lakers will probably trade Caron Butler and some of the expiring contracts to get a big player. PJax wants to build the team around Kobe and Odom, so Butler is the odd man out. With Butler still having 'potential' and a cheap contract, he's the Lakers best tradeable asset. However, everything changes if Phil Jackson is not the coach, because the Lakers will likely try to bring back a 'Showtime' type team. This means Odom is likely gone, because he wasn't working well with Kobe and Caron, when Rudy T tried to have an uptempo style of offense on the court. The Lakers will try to use Odom to acquire size at either PF or C. As for the draft, if PJax is the coach, which looks more and more likely the Lakers would probably pass up on Raymond Felton. Phil Jackson prefers bigger guards and a player like Jarrett Jack would fit better in the Triangle and the defensive schemes than Raymond Felton. The Lakers want to draft players who can contribute now, and won't be much of a risk. Allowing Kobe and Lamar, both in their mid 20's to play alongside these rookies for two or three seasons, gives the Lakers the best chance to make a championship run in 3 years when Kobe and Lamar hit their prime at 29 or 30. Jarrett Jack gives the Lakers a capable point guard, who prides himself on defense and is unselfish with the basketball. My only concern with Jack was a low assist/turnover ratio, but with better players around him he should be fine. When Chris Bosh played alongside him at GTech, Jack had a much better assist/turnover ratio. I do like Raymond Felton, but I could see teams taking advantage of him in the NBA. He's undersized and would struggle to guard the stronger points in the league like Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups, or Mike Bibby. He just doesn't have the wingspan to overcompensate for his height, so he's going to need a lot of help defense in the NBA, which is something PJax doesn't like to rely on. PJax prefers each player guard their man straight up, which is why he likes longer, taller players because they can cover more of the court. If the Lakers do not get Phil Jackson, then Felton would be great to run an uptempo offense. He makes great decisions in transition, and knows how to feed his post players. Realistically he won't even be available when the Lakers select. I like Franz Vazquez because he's ready to contribute right away and he's a good defender. He's good enough offensively so that other teams have to put a man on him because he can shot from mid range and he can score in the post. Tiago Splitter has more height, and is more athletic, but he's still a few years away of being as good as Vazquez, and there's no guarantee he will reach his potential. His game reminds me a lot of Chris Mihm, and the last thing the Lakers need is another unreliable, inconsistent player in the frontcourt. There are fewer big men in this draft and free agency, compared to point guards, which is why I'd like vazquez to slip to the 10 spot. However, after him and Bogut, the talent level drops off in a hurry, unless the Lakers are willing to use an undersize PF. Jarrett Jack is a solid pick at #10, because he's low risk, high reward. In the second round I like Julius Hodge, Daniel Ewing, or Luther Head for point guards if the Lakers select Vazquez. If the Lakers select Jack, I like Pitsnogle, Lee, and Kleiza in the second round. Eddie Basden also wouldn't be too, bad for the Lakers because he's a great perimeter defender and could relieve Kobe of some minutes.
Once again we agree almost to a tee. After extreme scrutiny i love Franz at 10, but if he is gone I pull the shocker if i'm Kupcheick and draft Jack(altough if he pulls the trigger on Splitter i'd be cool with it). If he drafts Felton I think he would be succombing to pressure of fans and therefore has no true hope of being a successful GM. For second rounders the Lakeshow should build their bench, with role players chicago style. My preference is Jackie Manuel(although a bit high for him), i'm crazy about Dan Ewing his hunger and tenacity for success is a great trait. He played a high level of comp in college and highschool(Texas). I absolutle like Angelo Gilie and Ezram Lorbeck. I don't want to giv the impression that i have seen them upclose(i have seen Manuel at the PIT). But is did watch profiles on "Basketball International". I think that both these guys can give front court help. Lorbeck is a young enthusiastic "Mhemet Okur" with a chip on his shoulder when he plays. Giliei is a taller Brian Cook that aint no BITCH, and will go after a rebound,and has a back to thebasket game(small one).Stefano Mancenili is also a good choice if L A gets rid of George(cross ya fingas),Luke,and Cook. He is underratted heis a undercontrol Wally Szerbieck(to the tee). All three of these guys could very well be the 1st pick in the 2nd round. In all I think we sould draft roleplayer with an emphises on defense in the second round. but Franz is defenitly the pick in the 1st even if it means you gotta move up a slot or two to get him and trade away dead weight,cause remeber "SCOLA" IS COMMING NEXT YEAR... If you don't know SCOLA, you will find out aboutSCOLA......................i aint jokin
