Lakers in the News 8/02/15: Clarkson and Brown overcoming odds to build careers in the NBA

lakersfreak

Clarkson and Brown overcoming odds to build careers in the NBA
by Steve Walentik - columbiatribune.com

It was easy enough to wonder last summer if Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown hadn’t made big mistakes.

The two standout guards left Missouri with college eligibility still remaining in April 2014 to chase their NBA dreams. Each spent months auditioning for teams around the league, hoping he would see his effort rewarded when the franchises all convened for the draft near the end of June at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

But when it came to draft night, Clarkson slipped to the middle of the second round and was the lucky one, because his roommate Brown didn’t hear his name called at all.

There have been countless stories such as those in an era in which players too often leave school early, seemingly pushed more by imagination than sound advice, and wind up trying to earn a place on an NBA roster against long odds with no assurance of a guaranteed contract.

A year later, Clarkson and Brown both seem to be two of the rare players who beat the odds. The two guards — who will be in St. Louis this week to take part in the Midwest Elite Backcourt Skills Academy, a three-day camp organized by former MU associate head coach Tim Fuller at Harris-Stowe State University — finished last season getting regular minutes in the backcourt of the rebuilding Los Angeles Lakers and have positioned themselves to stick with the team again in the year ahead.

It wasn’t always easy, as both players discussed in phone interviews earlier this week.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_basketball/clarkson-and-brown-overcoming-odds-to-build-careers-in-the/article_7d3af90c-0e93-5fc0-ae61-74e29a452729.html

lakersfreak · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 12:59 am Post subject:

5 reasons Kobe Bryant could play small forward
by Jamie Goodwin - gulfnews.com

Much has been made of a suggested position switch for NBA legend Kobe Bryant ahead of his 20th season in professional basketball.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard has spent more time on the injured list than on the court over the past two seasons. He will turn 37 before the start of next season.

Understandably, the Lakers have begun to plan for life without the man who has won five championships and an MVP in LA’s famous purple and gold. They spent the second pick of this summer’s NBA draft on guard D’Angelo Russell just a year after stealing Jordan Clarkson with the 46th pick in the previous draft.

Russell is a future star and Clarkson is coming off an impressive season in which he averaged 11.9 points and 3.5 assists on the way to a surprise spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Both need to play. Technically, the youngsters are both point guards, but either has the height and scoring instincts to man the shooting guard position.

This summer, the Lakers also added reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams, another shooting guard, to a roster that still includes Nick Young.

A logjam at the guard positions, indeed. So what for Kobe in what could be the final season of his decorated career?

http://gulfnews.com/sport/basketball/holding-court/5-reasons-kobe-bryant-could-play-small-forward-1.1559832

lakersfreak · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 1:01 am Post subject:

Zach Andrews Destroys Defender with Huge Dunk in The Basketball Tournament
by Thomas Duffy - bleacherreport.com

There is a $1 million prize up for grabs in The Basketball Tournament. Zach Andrews of Team 23 is playing like it.

The athletic forward—who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA Development League team, the D-Fenders—dunked all over Chris Porter of Ants Alumni, a squad comprised of guys who suited up for the 2013-14 D-League champion Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2537146-zach-andrews-destroys-defender-with-huge-dunk-in-the-basketball-tournament

lakersfreak · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 1:03 am Post subject:

Can Lou Williams Make an Impact Right Away?
by Mitchell Evans - lakeshowlife.com

The Lakers made multiple changes to their roster, including adding pieces Brandon Bass and Lou Williams. Both players offer different and unique production.

Lou Williams, the reigning 6th man of the year, can bring scoring off the bench or even in the starting lineup.

Now, going into 2015-2016, the Lakers, and Lou Williams, are in an awkward spot. Currently they have Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, and Lou Williams listed as a shooting guard. This is where the awkwardness comes in.

How can this trio of shooting guards work?

More importantly, if the Lakers want to run Russell and Clarkson on the floor at the same time, that makes another shooting guard out of the two.

So can Lou Williams find a way into this guard-heavy team?

http://lakeshowlife.com/2015/08/01/can-lou-williams-make-an-impact-right-away/

lakersfreak · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 1:06 am Post subject:

VIDEO: The Personality Of Kobe Bryant
by Ryan Ward - lakersnation.com

With Kobe Bryant dealing with a lot of criticism as of late for his enormous contract extension ($48.5 million) while partially being blamed for scaring off star free agents and possibly hurting the team’s ability to rebuild, Sam Limon of Pure Sweat Basketball put together an incredible compilation focusing on the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s controversial personality:

http://www.lakersnation.com/video-the-personality-of-kobe-bryant/2015/08/01/

kobe_luver · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 1:17 am Post subject:

lakersfreak.......Once again thanks for posting all the newest articles for us while Cha*n is away!

lakersfreak · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2015 6:02 am Post subject:

^ Thanks