| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Iandrewd
Starting Rotation
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 383
|
 Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:18 am Post subject: DJ Stephens |
|
|
| What do people think of this guy being the Lakers' second round pick? His offensive game is poor but his defense is phenomenal. He's a 6'6" PF but his athleticism would easily allow him to guard everyone from shooting guards to centers (at least in today's NBA). The guy has a 7'2" wingspan, his 3/4 court sprint is one of the fastest on record and he's a very willing defensive players (ie, he won't demand to be a focal point on offense). Second round choices aren't, generally, going to fill many check boxes on the "what we want" card but this guy seems like he'll be one of the best defenders in this draft. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Chronicle
Retired Number
Joined: 21 Jul 2012
Posts: 31941
Location: Manhattan
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
I like solomon hill more than him. And he has a jumper.
_________________
Kobe |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lkjhf
Star Player
Joined: 01 Jun 2012
Posts: 1166
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
| i think it would be an awesome pick if he was still available for the lakers to pick, but he probably won't be |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lakerfanaticPT
Star Player
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 1580
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Christian Eyenga type.......not sure you go that route if someone like Solomon or MacCallum are still on the board. Long shot for any of them anyway  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike@LG
Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Iandrewd
Starting Rotation
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 383
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick. |
Shannon Brown was never considered one of the elite energy/defense guys in college basketball. The Lakers need an athletic wing to defend other teams' first options. This is a guy that can do that. The Shannon Brown comparison is so completely off as to be ridiculous. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike@LG
Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Iandrewd wrote: | | Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick. |
Shannon Brown was never considered one of the elite energy/defense guys in college basketball. The Lakers need an athletic wing to defend other teams' first options. This is a guy that can do that. The Shannon Brown comparison is so completely off as to be ridiculous. |
No, he's not an elite energy/defense guy, but he is an absolute elite level athlete that had few NBA level skills. He was drafted late in the 1st round as a project, and as you've seen throughout his career, couldn't maximize his offensive potential with that stellar athleticism.
That's why I likened DJ Stephens to Ruben Patterson. Patterson style of play. Brown's athletic ability.
He fits best on a team that'll rotate insanely on the perimeter on defense.
Miami.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Iandrewd
Starting Rotation
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 383
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Mike@LG wrote: | | Iandrewd wrote: | | Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick. |
Shannon Brown was never considered one of the elite energy/defense guys in college basketball. The Lakers need an athletic wing to defend other teams' first options. This is a guy that can do that. The Shannon Brown comparison is so completely off as to be ridiculous. |
No, he's not an elite energy/defense guy, but he is an absolute elite level athlete that had few NBA level skills. He was drafted late in the 1st round as a project, and as you've seen throughout his career, couldn't maximize his offensive potential with that stellar athleticism.
That's why I likened DJ Stephens to Ruben Patterson. Patterson style of play. Brown's athletic ability.
He fits best on a team that'll rotate insanely on the perimeter on defense.
Miami. |
So then why wouldn't we want a guy that that be a terrific perimeter defender? I mean, last I checked our ability to guard oposing wing players is basically non-existent. Having a guy with greater reach than Kawhi Leonard and more "measured" athletic ability (faster sprint and better vertical) would be hugely helpful to the team. I would rather grab a specialist later in the draft than end up with another in a long list of second round disappointments. If you looks at the history of second rounders that have succeeded, most have done so because they came into the league having been very good at one thing (commonly defense) and therefore earned the playing time to improve in other areas.
Plus any guy that can literally jump over an opposing player while playing defense (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHwoNNNSL1Y) is just fun to watch. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike@LG
Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Iandrewd wrote: | | Mike@LG wrote: | | Iandrewd wrote: | | Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick. |
Shannon Brown was never considered one of the elite energy/defense guys in college basketball. The Lakers need an athletic wing to defend other teams' first options. This is a guy that can do that. The Shannon Brown comparison is so completely off as to be ridiculous. |
No, he's not an elite energy/defense guy, but he is an absolute elite level athlete that had few NBA level skills. He was drafted late in the 1st round as a project, and as you've seen throughout his career, couldn't maximize his offensive potential with that stellar athleticism.
That's why I likened DJ Stephens to Ruben Patterson. Patterson style of play. Brown's athletic ability.
He fits best on a team that'll rotate insanely on the perimeter on defense.
Miami. |
So then why wouldn't we want a guy that that be a terrific perimeter defender? I mean, last I checked our ability to guard oposing wing players is basically non-existent. Having a guy with greater reach than Kawhi Leonard and more "measured" athletic ability (faster sprint and better vertical) would be hugely helpful to the team. I would rather grab a specialist later in the draft than end up with another in a long list of second round disappointments. If you looks at the history of second rounders that have succeeded, most have done so because they came into the league having been very good at one thing (commonly defense) and therefore earned the playing time to improve in other areas.
Plus any guy that can literally jump over an opposing player while playing defense (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHwoNNNSL1Y) is just fun to watch. |
Because there are guys that late in the draft that can do things on both ends of the floor.
You're enamored with his defense and athleticism, yet overlook where his place is on the Lakers on offense. Spacing was already an issue, it's worse if he's on the floor. This isn't the Miami Heat, full of shooters and an empty lane to attack.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Iandrewd
Starting Rotation
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 383
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick. |
Really don't get the Brown comparisons. I mean, both can jump really high...but Stephens is a guy that can can be likened to Kawhi Leonard on the defensive end while Brown was simply a try hard guy on defense.Aside from jumping really high they're not really similar players at all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike@LG
Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Iandrewd wrote: | | Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick. |
Really don't get the Brown comparisons. I mean, both can jump really high...but Stephens is a guy that can can be likened to Kawhi Leonard on the defensive end while Brown was simply a try hard guy on defense.Aside from jumping really high they're not really similar players at all. |
That's a joke right? Leonard actually uses fundamentals on top of wingspan and massive hands.
Stephens isn't the most disciplined defender out there, hence his best defense is going for the weakside block on team help, not man defense like Kawhi.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Iandrewd
Starting Rotation
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 383
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Mike@LG wrote: | | Iandrewd wrote: | | Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
If he goes undrafted, just pick him up through free agency. No need to waste a pick. |
Really don't get the Brown comparisons. I mean, both can jump really high...but Stephens is a guy that can can be likened to Kawhi Leonard on the defensive end while Brown was simply a try hard guy on defense.Aside from jumping really high they're not really similar players at all. |
That's a joke right? Leonard actually uses fundamentals on top of wingspan and massive hands.
Stephens isn't the most disciplined defender out there, hence his best defense is going for the weakside block on team help, not man defense like Kawhi. |
Nope, not a joke. Stephens is a terrific rebounder and has the agility, wingspan to defend as well Leonard if he works at it; hence the reason I used the term "likened to" and not "same defensive ability". Comparing a player in San Antonio's manufacturing line of solid defenders to a guy from college isn't very fair I know, but the potential is certainly there. I would rather have that potential than the potential of a sure-fire bench player. Let's remember that all players the lakers will have a shot at will have warts. I'd rather take the guy with the most upside at a significant position of need. Drafting a third point guard who isn't good enough to start doesn't really help much. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike@LG
Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 7:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
He has the physical tools, that I've never denied.
My issue is, he's been at the NCAA level for along time. Why do you think he's projected 2nd round or undrafted? Why weren't those skills harnessed at the NCAA level? Why not develop guard skills at Memphis?
Drafting a 3rd PG adds depth. SG/SF/PG is where the talent is most deep in the draft. Drafting out of position for a guy that doesn't have the talent doesn't make the league. Unless, you like the Mark Madsen picks of the world.
Drafting for talent? That got us Kobe and Fisher, when the Lakers already had Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. How'd that pan out?
You make it sound like I don't want athletic talent, yet I repeatedly put up names like Nedovic, Young, Goodwin, Kabongo, at the top of my list. They're a notch or two above Darius Morris and Goudelock athletically.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Iandrewd
Starting Rotation
Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 383
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'm not honed in on Stephens, there are other players I like as well. I just think that if you're drafting late in the second round you might as well swing for the fences. You're not going to get a terrific offensive player but if you have a chance at a guy that could become a great defender for a decade, go for it. I'd rather get a guy who's offensive game the coaches can work on but who has shown a willingness to go all-out and be content being a role player. Just feel like hoping for too much in the second round leads to picking players who are just disappointing at a bunch of things.
My main reason for setting aside offensive game is that it's been proven that NBA GM's overvalue scoring in college and undervalue rebounding and defense. So, I'd rather go with a player that takes advantage of that fact. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gimme_the_rock
Franchise Player
Joined: 13 Apr 2001
Posts: 11882
Location: Looking outta the window, watching the asphalt grow ...
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
|
I know you're being honest, Mike. But that's about as cold a statement any prospect can receive.
Well, except maybe ... Benoit Benjamin without the commitment to work ethic. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike@LG
Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Gimme_the_rock wrote: | | Mike@LG wrote: | Like a 6'5" Shannon Brown without handles or a jumpshot.
|
I know you're being honest, Mike. But that's about as cold a statement any prospect can receive.
Well, except maybe ... Benoit Benjamin without the commitment to work ethic. |
That is how raw of a basketball player he is. Everything is based on effort and hustle.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike@LG
Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2001
Posts: 65135
Location: Orange County, CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Iandrewd wrote: | I'm not honed in on Stephens, there are other players I like as well. I just think that if you're drafting late in the second round you might as well swing for the fences. You're not going to get a terrific offensive player but if you have a chance at a guy that could become a great defender for a decade, go for it. I'd rather get a guy who's offensive game the coaches can work on but who has shown a willingness to go all-out and be content being a role player. Just feel like hoping for too much in the second round leads to picking players who are just disappointing at a bunch of things.
My main reason for setting aside offensive game is that it's been proven that NBA GM's overvalue scoring in college and undervalue rebounding and defense. So, I'd rather go with a player that takes advantage of that fact. |
While defense and rebounding are undervalued, there are always guys that are great at both at the NCAA level, elite athletes, and don't make it. Every single year.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.
https://lakersdraft.substack.com/
I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
