The #7 pick

[Retroram52]

Payton looks like Butwheat from SNL. He'd fit right in with Swaggy. YEa, I am not sold on Randle and Vonleh or Exum fall to us, they both would be better picks than Randle. Payton will be a definite second rounder or an undrafted invite.

 

[trojanfan12]

What do you guy's know about this kid Elfrid Payton? I'm hearing Lakers are interested in him.

Elfrid Payton 2014 Scouting Video - YouTube

Word is that he has been steadily moving up in the draft and some "experts" have him slated as high as #8. If the others that the Lakers seem to have the most interest in (Exum, Randle, etc.) don't make it to #7, I see no reason not to take him.

 

[Retroram52]

 

[lakersrule]

I am scared of Randle. Small PF, but not one who can really stretch the floor. Would be ok with it if he could shoot outside - but he can't. Just an undersized PF who has no outside shot. Ankle injury is also a minor concern. Don't really know how he fits in the NBA.

Out of those:

Exum
Vonleh
Smart
Randle

I really wonder about Randle as well. Kold mentioned Zach Randolph. It's close, but Randolph has much longer arms than Randle. That length makes a big difference down on the blocks.

 

[tomodach10]

I really wonder about Randle as well. Kold mentioned Zach Randolph. It's close, but Randolph has much longer arms than Randle. That length makes a big difference down on the blocks.

Randle is a stud. I would not pass him up.

 

[Louie26]

I am scared of Randle. Small PF, but not one who can really stretch the floor. Would be ok with it if he could shoot outside - but he can't. Just an undersized PF who has no outside shot. Ankle injury is also a minor concern. Don't really know how he fits in the NBA.

Out of those:

Exum
Vonleh
Smart
Randle

Yeah, that's the problem with Randle, other than his shorter arms, he isn't a stretch 4. But wasn't that more of a D'Antoni thing?

Sure it'd be great if we had a more athletic Ryan Kelly, but I think Randle is a work horse! If Exum is more of a SG and can handle the PG, he's probably the guy we need. But, not gonna complain if we got Randle.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Yeah, that's the problem with Randle, other than his shorter arms, he isn't a stretch 4. But wasn't that more of a D'Antoni thing?

Sure it'd be great if we had a more athletic Ryan Kelly, but I think Randle is a work horse! If Exum is more of a SG and can handle the PG, he's probably the guy we need. But, not gonna complain if we got Randle.

The guy certainly seems pro-ready. He played for a coach in John Calipari who runs NBA sets in college. Physically, he is extremely gifted, as he was measured for a 38-inch vertical leap during his Lakers workout (Indiana’s Noah Vonleh another freshman big man the Lakers previously worked out, was measured as having a 37.5-inch vertical) and his body looks more sculpted than it did in college (Randle told reporters he’s dropped 5-10 pounds while putting on muscle at the same time).

And there is a certain star quality to him, which was on full display as he was surrounded by approximately 30 media members after his Lakers workout and was equally adept in taking on a league issue flashing his big smile, showing confidence in his abilities (when asked to compare himself to the rest of the big men in the draft he said, “I feel like I’m the best one ... I don’t put myself second to anybody.”) or even spinning a yarn.

 

[Black Adam]

this off of Hoopshype...

foot injuries scare the hell out of teams, so Randle's chances of being a Top 5 pick have apparently taken a big blow. With a foot issue that reportedly hasn't heeled properly, there is speculation that Randle could slide on draft night. His range seems to have gone from 4-7 to 5-12. While he may lack the franchise-changing ability of the Top 3, he's a strong bet to be a productive NBA player. His combination of power and skill set him apart. He's received positive reviews from scouts about his willingness to be coached and learn, though there was some frustration from Coach Cal about his ability to manage his minutes late in the season. While his face-the-basket-skills are ahead of his back-to-the-basket game, he has the strength and footwork to develop into a quality inside/outside threat in the league. Randle seems to be one of the prospects whose success will be contingent upon landing in the right situation.

 

[Retroram52]

Didn't Ryan Kelly have feet issues? And certainly Pau Gasol has had his share. If Randle falls, we'll be there to catch him because the man, when healthy, is the reincarnation of Luke Skywalker!

 

[Louie26]

Didn't Ryan Kelly have feet issues? And certainly Pau Gasol has had his share. If Randle falls, we'll be there to catch him because the man, when healthy, is the reincarnation of Luke Skywalker!

I agree, retro. But regardless gents, I think we're in a good situation. I think we get Vonleh, Exum, or Randle.

I probably just hexed us now!

 

[Louie26]

Didn't Ryan Kelly have feet issues? And certainly Pau Gasol has had his share. If Randle falls, we'll be there to catch him because the man, when healthy, is the reincarnation of Luke Skywalker!

Yes sir, he did.

Ryan Kelly injury: Duke F undergoes foot surgery - SBNation.com

 

[wildturkey]

The guy certainly seems pro-ready. He played for a coach in John Calipari who runs NBA sets in college. Physically, he is extremely gifted, as he was measured for a 38-inch vertical leap during his Lakers workout (Indiana’s Noah Vonleh another freshman big man the Lakers previously worked out, was measured as having a 37.5-inch vertical) and his body looks more sculpted than it did in college (Randle told reporters he’s dropped 5-10 pounds while putting on muscle at the same time).

And there is a certain star quality to him, which was on full display as he was surrounded by approximately 30 media members after his Lakers workout and was equally adept in taking on a league issue flashing his big smile, showing confidence in his abilities (when asked to compare himself to the rest of the big men in the draft he said, “I feel like I’m the best one ... I don’t put myself second to anybody.”) or even spinning a yarn.

You straight up lifted that from Dave McMenamin. Better run before the plagiarism police get here

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

You straight up lifted that from Dave McMenamin. Better run before the plagiarism police get here

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah, that's the problem with Randle, other than his shorter arms, he isn't a stretch 4. But wasn't that more of a D'Antoni thing?

Sure it'd be great if we had a more athletic Ryan Kelly, but I think Randle is a work horse! If Exum is more of a SG and can handle the PG, he's probably the guy we need. But, not gonna complain if we got Randle.

The stretch 4 has become more of an NBA thing now than just a D'Antoni thing. It's important in D'Antoni's system, but a lot of teams are running their own version of his system, so many teams employ a stretch 4.

In fact, what we just saw the Spurs do to the Heat is essentially D'Antoni's system run to perfection by a team that also plays defense.

Why not keep Ryan Kelly and still draft Randle if available? Gives the Lakers a stretch 4 and a guy who can bang down low.

 

[trojanfight]

Not sold on randle. Size is more of a question than foot to me. 6-9? Seems another Brandon bass type player not bad but probably not top 10 worthy

 

[Hangman]

Embiid just broke his foot. Might fall to us at 7 now as he is a health risk.

 

[Kold]

They at the least have to consider it if Embiid drops, but big men and injuries scare me

 

[Retroram52]

Greg Oden comes to mind.

 

[trojanfan12]

They at the least have to consider it if Embiid drops, but big men and injuries scare me

Pass. 1st his back, now his foot? Those are only the 2 most debilitating injuries for a big. Even if he checks out ok now, how do we know we're not talking about injuries that will be a problem throughout his career?

Andrew Bynum checked out ok after his 1st knee injury. Turns out he has some condition in both knees where he'll never be close to the player he was pre-injury.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Embiid just broke his foot. Might fall to us at 7 now as he is a health risk.