Last Thursday, the Lakers dropped their final summer league game, losing to the San Antonio Spurs, 80-71. Though the Lakers finished the summer league with a winless record, there was still reason to be hopeful and excited for the upcoming season. The Lakers’ second round picks – Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter – met and perhaps, exceeded expectations during the summer league but a couple other players on the roster undoubtedly put the Lakers coaching staff in a tough position to determine who will fill out the remaining roster spots for the regular season.
As of this writing, the Lakers have filled their roster with nine players. Their biggest free-agent signings came in the form of 11-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson and five-team champion guard Derek Fisher. But if the Lakers are to have a chance at a “3-peat,” their bench will play just as much a pivotal role as their star players. Whoever the Lakers decide to sign from their summer league roster or even from the pool of free agents still available, this team will have to come together and unite as one – just as they did in the playoffs en route to their second consecutive championship.
Here is a breakdown/analysis of some of the players on the Lakers summer league roster and other players that could possibly be signed:
Devin Ebanks – 6’9”, 210-pound forward, West Virginia
The long, athletic forward was drafted for his defensive prowess rather than his offensive game, but in the summer league, Ebanks showed that he can knock down the outside shot too. Though inconsistent at times, Ebanks still proved to many people – including myself – that he is more than capable of producing on the offensive end, averaging 15 points and shooting almost 46% from the three-point line in five games.
Ebanks donned #3 for the summer league and drew many comparisons to another former Laker who wore the exact same jersey: Trevor Ariza. Like the former Laker who was long and athletic, Ebanks bears those same characteristics as well. And at this stage in both their careers, both were more known for their defensive abilities than their offensive skills. But hey, we all saw how Ariza developed a more consistent outside shot throughout the years.
To think that Ebanks can’t do the same isn’t a far-fetched idea. Ebanks showed promise throughout the summer league and I’d be very much surprised if he didn’t make the opening day roster.
Derrick Caracter – 6’9”, 275-pound forward/center, UTEP
During the summer league, Caracter showed off an array of offensive skills – he outmuscled smaller opponents and at times, used his quickness to get around bigger defenders. Though he looked more comfortable playing with his back to the basket, he also showed that he could step out and knock down the jump shot as well. Caracter averaged about 15 points and nine rebounds during the summer league, and his offensive potential is certainly there.
But if there is anything to point out about Caracter’s play, it was the five turnovers and seven fouls per contest that jumped out at me. He definitely has the talent to succeed at the next level, but it’s how hard he wants to work on the defensive end. Though I only watched a couple summer league games, I feel he could improve defensively – if he does, he could be a very solid player in this league.
Because the Lakers did not re-sign Josh Powell or D.J. Mbenga, the Lakers have a shortage of big bodies off the bench. I think Caracter is almost a certain lock to make the squad and like Ebanks, I’d be very much surprised if he did not make the opening day roster.
Next: D.J. Strawberry and Gerald Green…
D.J. Strawberry – 6’5”, 200-pound guard, Maryland
Strawberry was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns back in the 2007 NBA Draft. He played sparingly with the Suns his rookie year and since then, he has played overseas and in the NBA Developmental League. At Maryland, Strawberry was known for his defensive prowess and much like Ebanks, he is very raw offensively.
However, with more practice, he could become a solid jump shooter. Because he is a big guard, his length and athleticism allow him to get to certain spots on the floor. On the defensive end, his length and quickness make him a very good on-ball defender. With Derek Fisher slowing down and Steve Blake not recognized for his defensive abilities, Strawberry could be that player assigned to shut down guards like Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams and Tony Parker.
Offensively, he probably won’t be asked to do much, but if you’re passing the ball to Kobe Bryan, who does? Phil Jackson loves big guards and Strawberry is exactly that; combine that with his length, athleticism and defensive prowess, and I feel he has a very good shot at making the opening day roster.
Gerald Green – 6’8”, 200-pound guard/forward, Gulf Shores Academy High School
Coming out of high school, Green was known for his out-of-this world athleticism and that translated to a 2007 Slam Dunk title. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2005, but ever since, he has jumped around the league and served short stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
With as much potential as Green has, one has to wonder why he can’t find a permanent home on an NBA roster. While playing in the NBA, Green has shown flashes of brilliance and even in the summer league, there were plays that made me shake my head. He undoubtedly has all the potential to succeed in the NBA, but it’s a matter of harnessing his skills and putting it all together.
I like Green’s potential and I still feel he has a small outside shot to make the Laker roster next year. If he doesn’t make the team but continues to develop, I think he will find a spot on an NBA roster in the near future.
Next: Courtney Sims and Jeremy Lin…
Courtney Sims – 6’11”, 245-pound forward/center, Michigan
Sims played four years of college ball and went undrafted, but he has served very short stints with the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks. During the summer league, Sims proved to be a very solid player overall. He still has plenty of room to develop both offensively and defensively, but the talent is definitely there – he recorded a triple-double in the NBA’s Developmental League with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocked shots two years ago.
Again, with the Lakers short of big bodies off the bench, Sims could make the team. In case Bynum goes down with another injury, the Lakers might play it safe and add Sims to the roster as an insurance policy.
Jeremy Lin, 6’3”, 200-pound guard, Harvard
During his senior year in high school, Lin led his Palo Alto team to a CIF Division II State title and was the runaway choice for Player of the Year by nearly every California publication – but despite his stellar play, he didn’t receive a single Division I scholarship offer. During his senior year in college, Lin was a finalist for the John R. Wooden award (best DI player in the country) and the Bob Cousy award (best DI point guard in the country) – but despite a solid four years at Harvard, he did not get drafted by any team.
However, Lin was given a chance to play for the Dallas Mavericks summer league team to showcase his talents and prove the all the doubters wrong. In one summer league game, he forced No. 1 overall pick John Wall into a 4-19 shooting night. I would think that’s enough evidence for NBA executives to think that he belongs. His length and athleticism could sure come in handy for the Lakers defending the likes of bigger, quicker guards.
On the offensive end, his ability to get to the basket allows him to create plays for himself and for others. The Lakers have shown interest and hey, he’d be a good marketing ploy for the Asian American population in Los Angeles so why not give him a chance? Lin is a well-rounded player and very fundamentally sound, and though the Lakers might be overcrowded at the guard position, I think Mitch Kupchak should take a hard, long look at what Lin can bring to the table.