Lakers: NBA Draft

Los Angeles Lakers: 2009 NBA Draft

Jason Brubaker — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:26:55 -0400

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

- We’ll update our Team Capsules with more specific info once the lottery is complete.

Los Angeles Lakers

2007-08 Record: 65-17

Draft Picks: 29, 42, 59

Key Free Agents: Trevor Ariza, Shannon Brown (restricted), Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom

How they got here:

The Lakers certainly have some important pieces who could be gone next year, but when it’s all said and done, they’ll still likely be the class of the Western Conference. Kobe (who isn’t going anywhere), Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are a good place for any team to start, and even if Odom leaves for greener pastures, the Lakers have the depth of talent to absorb a loss. Brown has played well since coming over from Charlotte, so the Lakers will likely try to keep him, as Derek Fisher isn’t getting any younger. Ariza has also been a key piece this season, and his versatility is a great fit for their system. Look for the Lakers to push hard to keep him around.

Who they’ll take:

With no major holes to fill, the Lakers can afford to draft a young player and let him develop. With Bynum’s injury history, they could look for a younger player to provide some post depth, with USC’s Taj Gibson or Arizona State’s Jeff Pendergraph possible targets, as guys who could fill the energy-guy role left vacant by Ronny Turiaf. They could also look for a versatile forward, such as Georgetown’s DaJuan Summers or Villanova’s Dante Cunningham, to fill Odom’s role if he doesn’t return. If they were to lose Ariza, they could also target a bigger wing player, like Louisville’s Terrence Williams or Texas’ Damion James.

Draft History:

2008: Joe Crawford (58)

2007: Javaris Crittenton (19), Sun Yue(40), Marc Gasol (48)

2006: Jordan Farmar (26), Cheick Samb (51)

2005: Andrew Bynum (10), Robby Turiaf (37), Von Wafer (39)

2004: Sasha Vujacic (27), Marcus Douthit (56)

2003: Brian Cook (24), Luke Walton (32)

2002: Chris Jeffries (27)

2001: No picks

2000: Mark Madsen (29)

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

Top Prospects

Stephen Curry - PG/SG - Davidson

Tyreke Evans - PG/SG - Memphis

Blake Griffin - PF - Oklahoma

James Harden - SG - Arizona State

Jordan Hill - PF - Arizona

Ty Lawson - PG - UNC

BJ Mullens - C - Ohio State

Ricky Rubio - PG - DKV Joventut

Brandon Jennings - PG - Arizona

Hasheem Thabeet - C - UCONN

NBA: Western Conference Breakout Players

Hoopsworld — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:41:13 -0400

By: Mike Moreau

The Western Conference All-Breakout Team has a different look with players who all have already played vital roles, rookies ready to step up, and players who had potential breakout seasons derailed by injuries or circumstances. (Check out the East picks here.)

Andrew Bynum: 13.1 Points, 10.2 Rebounds, 28 Minutes

By the time the Lakers were in the playoffs, many fans outside of L.A. had forgotten just what a monster year Bynum was putting together before his January injury ended his season. He had been on a steady improvement curve: from 11.4 points on 59% shooting in November to 13.9 points on 66% shooting in December to January's 17.3 points on 70% shooting.

Bynum was beginning to dominate, as illustrated by three games over a 20-day period in which he had 24 points and 11 rebounds against the Sixers, 28 and 12 against Phoenix, and 25 and 17 against Milwaukee – on 31 of 37 shooting. That's 83% from the field. His field goal percentage of 63.6 for the year may just be the tip of the iceberg.

Whether catching lobs, dunking offensive rebounds, or scoring all over the place in the low post, there is no telling how different the NBA Finals would have been if Kendrick Perkins and P.J Brown would have had to deal with Bynum.

If he's healthy, he's an All-Star. Superman better hold onto his cape when the Lakers come to Orlando on December 20th.

Randy Foye: 13.1 Points, 4.2 Assists, 32 Minutes

After making the All-Rookie Team in 06-07, Foye's second season was derailed with a pre-season knee injury keeping him out of the line-up until late January. His 15 points per game on 52% shooting in the last month of his rookie year were probably a good indication of what was to come.

Foye shot 41% from three as a rookie, and shot 43% last year in his 39 games. His assortment of pull-up jumpers and runners give him a variety of ways to score. He got things going toward the end of last season, averaging 18.4 points per game in April on 45% shooting.

Although he has been more of a scorer than a facilitator, the additions of Mike Miller and Kevin Love give Foye more weapons around him, which could lead to more assists, more efficiency and more wins for the T'wolves.

John Salmons: 12.5 Points, 4.3 Rebounds, 31 Minutes

Salmons blew out of the gates last year, averaging 20.7 points per game in the first 7 games of the season. Call this the "Pre-Ron-Ron" phase. In Ron Artest's first game back, Salmons got four shots and the breakout season skidded to a halt.

Then Kevin Martin went down with an injury in December, missing 17 games, and Salmons was back on a tear – averaging 19.5 points per game during that stretch. Call this the "Without Kevin" phase.

Once Martin returned and got his legs back, Salmons went back to single-digit shot attempts and playing time in the 20's, although he did finish the season averaging 19.6 points on 50% shooting in the last five games of the year.

Salmons is a slashing, attacking scorer, who statistically still had the best season of his career last year. With Artest now gone to Houston, Salmons and Martin could make up one of the most explosive scoring tandems in the NBA next season.

Last year's January 14th 122-120 win over Dallas could be a preview of things to come. In a game that Artest did not play, Salmons and Martin combined for 61 points with Salmons hitting the game winning runner at the buzzer. Expect more of the same this season.

Jeff Green: 10.5 Points, 4.7 Rebounds, 28 Minutes

With all of the attention given to Kevin Durant, Green was the forgotten man on a dreadful team but laid the groundwork for what could be his breakout season.

His scoring average climbed and production rose from 11 points in February to 12.8 in March to 15.9 in April. His 35 points against Denver and 27 points against Golden State the last month of the season showed that he can score against teams that don't defend, but better production and efficiency will come in his second season.

Wildly athletic and versatile, he must finish plays more consistently. He has already shown signs he is ready for a big year, as he averaged 22.8 per game in the Orlando Summer League, made the First Team, and had a presence and demeanor fans in Oklahoma City should love.

Al Thornton: 12.7 Points, 4.5 Rebounds, 27 Minutes

He was a bright spot on a bad team, and showed glimpses throughout the year of the potential scoring explosions to come.

Thornton had games of 25 points against San Antonio, 33 against Atlanta, and 39 against Memphis, and averaged 26.0 points over a four-game stretch in March on 51% shooting and 26-29 from the line.

Thornton can score off a one- and two-dribble attack, can face up, post up and aggressively finish in the lane and around the basket.

With Corey Maggette gone, all of the small forward minutes belong to Thornton. If the chemistry is there with Baron Davis, Thornton could be prepared to wreak havoc on the league this season.

NBA Draft: Answer Man #3

Adam Stanco — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:43:37 -0400

Adam Stanco answers your questions.. and the one’s you should be asking. If you have a question, send it to BasketballWriter@cs.com

Any chance that Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton drop to the Lakers at 19? And if not, do you think it’s worth trading up or will Jordan Farmar become a reliable NBA starter?

(Submitted by: Azzie Mackenzie of Sherman Oaks, CA)

Since Law is more NBA-ready right now, he could play sooner on most of the lottery teams. However, Crittenton probably has a higher ceiling, meaning deeper teams are more into the former Georgia Tech star. After all, they can be patient with his development. Unfortunately, both will probably be gone by the time that the Lakers select.

As for your second question, Farmar could certainly be a “reliable NBA starter,” but a disgruntled Kobe Bryant probably wants his teammates to be a little more than “reliable.” Those who have followed my pieces all year know that I expect huge things from Crittenton. Just imagine if Rod Strickland was bigger and had a more consistent jump shot… that is who Crittenton could be.

The Lakers should trade up, but who would they trade with?

If the Hawks select Brandan Wright or Al Horford with their first pick, they might be looking at Crittenton at No. 11. The Sixers have their point guard in Andre Miller, yet since they have other two picks later in the 1st round, it’s unlikely that Philly would be interested in moving out of the lottery.

The Clippers will undoubtedly snatch Crittenton if he’s still available at No. 14, meaning the Lakers best bet would be to obtain the Hornets’ draft pick (No. 13). New Orleans has no need for a point guard and would probably swap with L.A. for a relatively low price.

The Pistons are old, the Bulls are young and the Cavs, well, we see LeBron needs help. Assuming Oden goes to Portland and Durant to Seattle, what do you foresee as the future for an already depleted Eastern Conference? What draftee could have a realistic chance to make an immediate impact in the East?

(Submitted by: L.S. of Storrs, CT)

Obviously a lot depends on who goes where, but there are two teams who could really make a jump up the standings depending on their draft pick.

Milwaukee is awfully close to being a contender in the East. Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, and Michael Redd are a solid core, but all three struggled with injury issues last season.

The Bucks – who have the No. 6 pick – are apparently in love with Al Horford, but assuming he’s gone by the time they select, they’ll probably have a chance to nab Brandan Wright, Yi Jianlian, or Corey Brewer.

Wright should make an impact in the league, but it won’t be for a few years. Jianlin could be solid in year one and Brewer would instantly stand out in the East. But if Horford somehow slips to the Bucks, he could contend for Rookie of the Year honors.

However, the greatest impact rookie of all might just be Acie Law. If the Hawks decide to go with a big man with their first pick and choose Law at No. 11, the polished lead guard would team with Joe Johnson and have Atlanta on the right track much quicker than you’d expect.

Adam Stanco answers your questions.. and the one’s you should be asking. If you have a question, send it to BasketballWriter@cs.com

All-Time NBA Studs & Duds: Part One

Jeff Fox — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:14:40 -0400
It’s true that the NBA draft is a crapshoot. When looking through the history of the NBA draft it is also very apparent that some NBA teams are better dice throwers than others. It is also true that hindsight is 20/20 but some of these picks leave the onlooker scratching their heads. The fact that some of the game’s greatest players of all-time, including Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, were passed over by teams in the draft is bewildering. It’s time to play Monday morning quarterback and break down each NBA team’s draft day touchdowns and draft day blunders of all-time.

Atlanta Hawks

Stud:

1970-#3 overall – Pete Maravich

Dud:

1985-#5- Jon Koncak

Could have had: Karl Malone, Chris Mullin

Boston Celtics

Stud:

1978-#6- Larry Bird

Dud:

1948-#3- George Hauptfuhrer

Could have had: Dolph Schayes

Charlotte Bobcats

Stud:

2004-#2- Emeka Okafor

Dud:

2006-#3- Adam Morrison

Could have had: Brandon Roy

Chicago Bulls

Stud:

1984-#3- Michael Jordan

Dud:

2002-#2- Jay Williams

Could have had: Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer

Cleveland Cavaliers

Stud:

2003-#1- LeBron James

Dud:

1996-#13- Vitaly Potapenko

Could have had: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Jermaine O’Neal

Dallas Mavericks

Stud:

2003-#29- Josh Howard

Dud:

1984-#4- Sam Perkins

Could have had: Charles Barkley, John Stockton

Denver Nuggets

Stud:

1991-#4- Dikembe Mutombo

Dud:

2002-#5- Nikoloz Tskitishvili

Could have had: Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer

Detroit Pistons

Stud:

1985-#18- Joe Dumars

Dud:

1959-#2- Bailey Howell

Could have had: Wilt Chamberlain

Golden State

Stud:

1959-#3- Wilt Chamberlain

Dud:

1965-#1- Fred Hetzel

Could have had: Bill Bradley, Rick Barry, Billy Cunnigham, Gail Goodrich

Houston Rockets

Stud:

1970- 2^nd round - #18 overall - Calvin Murphy

Dud:

1976-#1- John Lucas

Could have had: Robert Parish, Alex English

Indiana Pacers

Stud:

1987-#11- Reggie Miller

Dud:

1978-#3- Rick Robey

Could have had: Larry Bird

Los Angeles Clippers

Stud:

1972-#2- Bob McAdoo

Dud:

1985-#3- Benoit Benjamin

Could have had: Chris Mullin, Karl Malone

Los Angeles Lakers

Stud:

1979-#1- Magic Johnson

Dud:

1986-#23- Ken Barlow

Could have had: Arvydas Sabonis, Dennis Rodman, Mark Price

Memphis Grizzlies

Stud:

2002- 2^nd round - #45 overall - Matt Barnes

Dud:

1996-#3- Shareef Abdul-Rahim

Could have had: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jermaine O’Neal

Miami Heat

Stud:

2003-#5- Dwyane Wade

Dud:

1992-#11- Harold Minor

Could have had: Latrell Sprewell

Check back tomorrow for Part Two of All-Time NBA Draft Studs & Duds

Los Angeles Laker: NBA Draft Team Needs

Jason Brubaker — Sun, 27 May 2007 02:59:37 -0400

NBA Draft Los Angeles Lakers

2006-07 Record: 42-40

2007 Picks: 19^th, 40^th, 48^th

Team needs: Outside shooting, backcourt depth

Who to pick: A young wing such as Daequan Cook would be a good fit to come off the bench behind Kobe Bryant. A big guard like Javaris Crittenton could be a good fit also. The Lakers could look to swingmen like D.J. Strawberry or Jared Dudley in the second round.

Draft History

2006: Jordan Farmar (26), Cheik Samb (51)

2005: Andrew Bynum (10), Ronny Turiaf (37), Von Wafer (39)

2004: Sasha Vujacic (27), Marcus Douthit (56)

2003: Brian Cook (24), Luke Walton (32)

2002: Kareem Rush (20)

2001: None

2000: Mark Madsen (29), Corey Hightower (54)

1999: Devean George (23), John Celestand (30)

Links: NBA Draft | NBA Teams | Mock Draft | Draft History