Theo Ratliff was one of the several off-season acquisitions the Lakers conducted, and he was expected to offer relief for Gasol and Bynum. Ratliff had been on several NBA rosters, and the Lakers’ front-office knew they would receive valuable veteran leadership with Ratliff. However, to everyone’s disappointment, Ratliff had limited playing time due to knee tendinitis.
Ratliff played in only a mere ten games in the regular season, and Lakers fans have come accustomed of seeing him in street clothes with prime seating to all the games. Although Ratliff was once a dynamic defensive player in the NBA, his days of dominating the paint are long gone. He no longer has the same knack for blocking shots, and his athletic ability is nearly gone.
The Lakers should not expect to get much out of the old Theo Ratliff next season; he has passed his prime, and his biggest contribution could come by giving high-fives during time-outs. Ratliff has not proven to be a reliable player for the Lakers, and his injury problems are something the team must worry about.
Grade: F
Although the grade may seem harsh, Theo Ratliff has done nothing for the Lakers in the 2010-2011 season. Ratliff scored a total of two points in the season and played only 70 minutes; maybe the Lakers aren’t the right fit for the old veteran.
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