The Lakers’ 2011 second-round draft pick, Andrew Goudelock, will be receiving more than just increased playing time on Friday. Before Game 3 tomorrow night at STAPLES Center between the Lakers and the Spurs, Goudelock will receive the 2012-13 NBA Development League’s Most Valuable Player trophy.
On Thursday afternoon, the D-League announced that Goudelock was named as MVP for his performances with two D-League teams. The following is from the official press release from the D-League:
NEW YORK, April 25, 2013 – Los Angeles Lakers guard Andrew Goudelock was today named the 2013 NBA Development League’s Most Valuable Player, as voted by the NBA D-League’s 16 head coaches, for his efforts as a member of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Goudelock (6-3, 200, College of Charleston) played in 37 games, all starts, for the Vipers this season, averaging 21.4 points to go with 5.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 36.7 minutes, while leading the team in scoring 16 times. Selected to play in the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game, Goudelock was traded in January to Rio Grande Valley from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he played in 14 games. In all, Goudelock appeared in 52 regular season NBA D-League games, averaging 21.1 points, good for third-best in the NBA D-League, to go with 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 37.1 minutes.
Prior to earning a GATORADE Call-Up to the Lakers on April 14, Goudelock appeared in one postseason game for Rio Grande Valley, scoring 27 points in 47 minutes in the victory over the Maine Red Claws.
The Lakers originally cut Goudelock, aka the “Mini Mamba”, before the start of this season. Playing in the D-League, Goudelock excelled and gained crucial playing experience. After Kobe Bryant went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, he was re-signed on April 14 to help the Lakers add depth to their backcourt.
Game 2 on Wednesday, Goudelock hit one of two shots for two points to go along with an assist and a steal in six minutes. His playing time is expected to grow due to the ongoing injuries to the Lakers’ backcourt. With Steve Blake out indefinitely, and Steve Nash and Jodie Meeks listed as “doubtful”, Goudelock’s minutes will surely increase.
Let’s hope his confidence from winning and accepting the D-League MVP award before Game 3 will reflect and impact his performance. The Lakers will absolutely need it.
