Lakers drafting MEN...

[dmills]

I love the fact that with JC coming in last season already 22 yrs old and with Larry Nance jr and Anthony Brown 22/23 respectively, I love the fact that we are looking at guys who are physically ready to contribute RIGHT NOW instead of waiting for them to develop like with most 18 and 19 year olds. Very good moves by the FO and Scouts imo.
_________________
A key that has the ability to unlock many locks is a master key. But a lock that can be opened with any key is useless.

[RusselDoeee01]

Well ya.. The women go to the LA Sparks

[Dondre]

The front office has been doing a great job drafting players. I look forward to seeing what Anthony Brown can do out on the court. He looks like a young smaller Robert Horry.

[Yong]

I think too many people are enamored with the youth factor. Not realizing that it is better to have 7 quality years than the theoretical 10 years of development.

[Tanlentueux]

[non-player zealot]

It's raining men.
_________________
GOAT MAGIC REEL
SEDALE TRIBUTE
EDDIE DONX!

[ringfinger]

Russell is 19 I thought.

[Potato-Mania]

We draft BALLERS that are MEN!

[mirak]

They're drafting what they consider BPA. If that happens to be a 22-year old, so be it. But I doubt they'd pass on a potential stud 19-year old just because he's not "NBA ready". That's not their philosophy. We pass on Sean May if Andrew Bynum is available, etc.

[LuciusAllen]

[The Logo]

They learned their lesson after Bynum, Crittenton, Howard, Ebanks, and Caracter

[silkwilkes]

They take BPA in the lottery and selectively choose after that... so it's no surprise that they draft older guys outside the lottery. They're looking for probability to contribute to the team outside the lottery, not star potential.

[kobe_4_mvp]

[silkwilkes]

it's also horrible how they got Pau Gasol for Critt... horrible draft.

[dmills]

[Don Draper]

[Gimme_the_rock]

[Theseus]

[Lakers great32]

Um still don't know!!!!

[lakurluv]

I like the fact that we drafted a couple of 4 year guys as well, turned out really good with Clarkson last year. I think the fact that these players are already in their 20's gives them a mental edge over some of the other prospects in the fact that they are proven and ready to play.

I have a good feeling about Nance Jr. and Brown, even though I feel Nance Jr. probably could have gone way later, but I'm sure there's something to be said for him having that name. Never the less, I feel that he is a competent player and that the "3" might be the spot for him on this team... Wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be better than Wes Johnson at the position, I think hope he surprises all of us Lakers Fans.

Brown seems to have a nice mid-range and 3-point shot. He's a little thin at 6'7 but that will change over time, seems to be a baller though, so let's see what it gets us.

Overall I'd say the Lakers drafted at a "B-" simply because the players are unproven at this level and they totally avoided the obvious need, so until mid-way through the season or at least the 1st quarter, an adequate grade is unsure. But drafting these players with a few extra years in college probably can't be all that bad!

[angrypuppy]

It's a valid observation, one that I've noticed as well. With older players you get less projected upside, but you do get more maturity (very important on a non-playoff contender) and you probably get players who other scouts have greatly discounted, which is why you get someone like Clarkson in the middle of the second round. I think it's a solid approach when you draft in the latter part of the first round or second round, as teams tend to err on the improbable upside of someone like a Christian Wood, who to me has tantalizing upside but screams bust.

[ShowtimeDynasty_24/7]

Weren't 19 year old Randle and Russell our first round picks though?

[Tark the Shark]

The point is that with a high pick, the Lakers are drafting for high ceiling potential. With later picks, they're going for maturity with hopes that a player can be an earlier contributor.

[najim]