Friday, November 25, 2016

Ivica Zubac and the Los Angeles D-Fenders hold ON in double OT for the win as Jeanie Buss cheers them on

Ivica Zubac stays "in the game" by not fouling; pulled late due to Suns' Surge

zubac-hand-up
Ivica Zubac (33) Seems to have his hands UP on OFFENSE a lot
While the Lakers took on the Warriors in Oakland (11-23-16), the D-Fenders had a battle on their home court.  The game appeared to be in cruise control as the Lakers NBA D-League squad was up by 31 with 1:48 in the second quarter.  A Sun run, including several buckets by Elijah Millsap, made it 73-51 at halftime.  Millsap, brother of Paul, did everything he could against his former club.  He ended the contest with 35 pts, 4 REB, 5 Assists, 4 steals in 51 minutes.
Askia (not related to Devin) Booker also added 35 points and 10 assists.  Booker and Millsap were a combined 27-52 FG and 6-17 3 pt.  Those 17 Attempts were a big reason why the NAZ, Northern Arizona, Suns ended with 33 attempts from behind-the-arc.  The LA Coaches were surprised at this considering that NAZ is second-lowest in the league with 20 attempts per contest.
Coach Tyrone Ellis challenged his team in the first half,

"At what point will we man up and stop pointing fingers, stop complaining to the refs, and stop feeling sorry for ourselves."  Source: Brian Bergner

You could see the energy transfer and build with the Suns.  With each timeout they became louder, more focused and more determined.
 
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles D-Fenders let another team come back on them.  Maybe Jeanie made them nervous?

IN the fourth quarter, Zubac re-enters the game at the 5:54 mark and the team is up 106-97.  The SUNS made a surge at 4:12 with a layup making the score 102-108 LA.   Ivica Zubac is taken out of the game by Coach Karl at 2:49 after witnessing porous defense in the key and around-the-rim which allowed the Suns to get 8 straight points in the paint.  Zubac leaves the game with the score 110-108.

ivica-millsap-nwaba
Ivica (33) seems to take Center Stage; Meanwhile Millsapp (7) had 35 points and D-Fender newcomer David Nwaba (11) bringing energy each game had 19 points, 11 REB and 2 blocks
SIDE NOTES:
Travis Wear sat out due to concussion from previous game as was not available
David Foster who "DNP" in Zubac's debut played 5 minutes
Distribution of Wealth: 8 of the 9 D-Fenders that played, scored in double figures with the Team's Leading Scorer, Vander Blue, dropping in 26.
Zublock Nation? Roscoe Smith and David Nwaba each had two blocks to lead the team.  Zubac had 1.
laker-girl-crop-edit
D-Fenders WIN at home in Double OT.  Start Season 4-1
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Sunday, November 20, 2016

Diamond Stone Shines but Travis Wears Out Warriors


D-FENDERS back-on-track;  WIN at Home over Warriors

Josh Magette (9) goes by in a blur while former Lakers Asst Coach Paul Pressey's Son, Phil, Defends.  Ferrakohn Hill (17), Diamond Stone (1), Cam Jones (9) for Warriors and Travis Wear (background) for LADFenders also pictured

Josh Magette does what He Does. He captured yet another Double-Double with 19 Points and 17 Assists in the Los Angeles D-Fenders Win Over the visiting Santa Cruz Warriors, 134-109.  Dude is averaging a "dub-dub" at about 12 points and 10 assists per contest.

The Other Dubs, from Santa Cruz, received a nice little "drop-in" from the Los Angeles Clippers.
  




 Draft Selection Number 40, Diamond Stone (Maryland U) was in uni for the "Sea Dubs" Saturday Night for the D-League squad from NoCal.  Stone was drafted by the Pelicans at 40 in the 2016 NBA Draft but traded to the Clippers for pick number 39.  He has not played much for LAC (14 total minutes played).

One of the reasons this past draft will show as being "richer" than what most pundits rated it at will be players like Diamond Stone.  Stone was consistently projected TOP 20 in many (early) Mock Drafts last season.  This should also illustrate how inaccurate and invalid ANY early season Mock Drafts actually are.  Dear Chad Ford... 

The Skinny on Stone's Showing: 

He did pretty well.  He Did what he had to do.
 He did what he is supposed to do.  In Spite of a Losing Effort from Team Santa Cruz, Stone made the best of his reps and consistently dropped in the outside shot including 2-of-4 from three point range.  His outside shot and face-up game looked really good technically.  He also played big with a nice balance on the boards: 5 DREBs and 4 OREBS for 9 overall.  I want to see this number higher in D-League games however.  The 2 blocks were a nice addition to his Team-High 31 points. 

 This was the expectation for the Debut of the Lakers young Big, Ivica Zubac on Thursday (11/17/16).  I read, BTW, that 

he (Zubac) said the 

D-League was "less physical."  

Really Zubac?  The opposing team's GUARD at 6-o tall got as many boards (13) as Zoob had points.  Ivica had three rebounds.  Additionally, Zubac got Man-handled by Joshua Smith and other much smaller players on the visting Rio Grande Vipers.  Dude needs to "DEVELOP" the physical side of the NBA desperately.  

That Being Said, it will be guys like Stone and Zubac we will eventually be talking about as being perhaps the two "best bigs" of the 2016 draft and they were selected "40" and "32" respectively.  I  anticipate that when Zubac matures he may be the "very best Big" overall.  However,they BOTH need to sharpen parts of their game and they both need reps.  

Therein lies the beauty of "The D."

Mitch and CO Scouted Stone but opted to Draft Zubac.  Personally, I love Zublocka, but in comparison to the debut of these two "draft picks," the CLEAR edge is to the sharper Stone.  It will be fun to watch these two Develop and emerge.

 Oh yeah, Vander did what Vander Does as well: 28 Points, 10-15 FG, 2-3 3 Pt, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 STls.  Vander Blue was a PLUS THIRTY-ONE.  Magette led with a PLUS 32.

 Travis Wear, who played sparingly (20 mins) simply because of the eventual lead that LA achieved, dropped in 23 Points on 5-7 from Three Point Range.  Incidentally, Wear is the Starting Center.  Wear added 7 Boards.  Wear's PT was limited also in the previous game because of Ivica Zubac.  In addition to Blue, Magette and Wear, the D-Fenders have other NBA-Ready Talent in Justin Harper and Roscoe Smith. Harp had another solid effort with 19 pts, 8 Rebs.  Roscoe, 1 of SEVEN D-Fenders in "dubs" had 15 and 8.  All Five of these put these efforts and numbers up consistently.

Harper (#23) Is Looking Leaner, Stronger and Better than he did last year when he received a Call-UP from the Detroit Pistons.

 New Additions, David Foster (Jersey No. 50) who Did Not Play (DNP) last game because Zubac was assigned, David Nwaba (11), Julian Jacobs (5), and Troy Devries (7)ALL had decent contributions as well in the Victory.  

 Nwaba, particularly for me, is REALLY standing out.  His effort, hustle, energy athleticism and determination shine through so far on a consistent basis.  This can also be applied to Jacobs. Nwaba had 10 Points, 9 Boards and was second on the Team to Foster's FIVE BLOCKS.  I want to see THIS every game.  I don't like BIGS that do NOT take full advantage of their size.  Many (BIGS) make themselves smaller by not having their hands UP and crouching down ( see Roy Hibbert Every Laker Game in 2016).  When Foster's          Hands Are UP, Good Things happen = FIVE BLOCKS.






Phil Pressey (26) and Mykal Thompson (15) for NoCal BOTH have ties to SoCal.  Pressey is the Son of former Lakers Assistant, Paul.  Phil had 21 Points and 8 assists.  FAST. Mychel, son  of World Champion Laker and current Laker Broadcaster Mychal Thompson, had 7 points and 3 rebounds.

I feel like something is missing...


OH YEAH...





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Friday, November 18, 2016

Ivica Zubac Iced Early for the Los Angeles DFenders

Too Much Venom from the Rio Grande Vipers as Ivica Zubac debuts in El Segundo while Laker teammates show up for support.

Ivica fouled out and was on ice with 4:55 left in the game
    Ivica Zubac donned jersey number 33 for his DFender Debut Thursday night in front of the home crowd.  "33" no doubt inspired by whom he patterns his "hook shot" after, tha Cap'n, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  Much like his Laker debut, November 2nd against the Atlanta Hawks, Zoob hit his first two shots which were the first four points for the team.

We have your BAC, Zoob. Pick No 32 Wore Jersey 33
    Everything was going according to plan and Zubac did not disappoint in front of a crowd which included Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton, teammates D'Angelo Russel and Larry Nance Jr. and General Manager Mitch Kupchak who sat courstide.  The game looked like it was in cruise control at the 7:30 Time Out (1st Qtr) mark as Gold led 16-6.
    The Vipers started a slow comeback, Zubac leaves the game with two fouls at the 5:47 mark and the Vipers led at the end of the Quarter, 31-30.  The DFenders were close a couple of times and even hovered around a 3 or four point lead but the Vipers had too much firepower. 

 PAC-12 standout Gary Payton Jr went undrafted
 The Viper Room:

Isaiah Taylor (Texas U) 31 pts and Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga) 26 pts, combined for 57 points, 21-43 FG, 6-17 3pt. 

Gary Payton Jr., who also went undrafted, was ALL over the court wreaking havoc and added 12 pts and 13 boards. 10 more than the DFenders starting Center (Zubac).  Speaking of Rebounds?  The League-Leader, Chinanu Onuaku, grabbed 22 which will also add to his 15.7 Rebounds Per Game tally.  Hello D-Fense? What? Oh, no one home?  Yep, with the foul trouble of Zubac and a DNP for 7 foot 3 David Foster the Vipers seemed to have their way and "bull over" the home team after a flat first six minutes of the game.

Remember me El Segundo? I'm Joshua Smith former Bruin
 Speaking of Bull-ies..Remember Joshua, don't call me Josh, Smith?  Former McDonald's High School "All-American?"  Former Bruin?  Former Hoya? Yes, the 6-10, overweight, out-of-shape, lethargic "Joshua Smith."  The Vipers have him listed at "300 pounds"  but much like getting an "8" aka "snowman" in golf I believe that number is a bit "light."  Smith "bulled" Zubac over a handful of times, antagonizing and taunting the "draft pick."  He toyed with Zubac and even coaxed him to an offensive foul that led Zubac straight to the bench.

So, Zoob, while you are in "the D," use it for what it is intended.  To "Develop."  And you are going to need to develop a "thicker skin."  Your skill and game are far superior to many of the opposing Centers.  But, many of these guys went undrafted and will have a chip on the shoulder.  In the case of Joshua Smith they might have too many "chocolate chips" in their bellies.  The combination, "Draft Pick," will make for a Target on your back and these guys will look for EVERY opportunity to dunk on you, push you around and taunt you. We saw this in Lakers Summer.

In other words, work on your toughness.  Not to say you aren't "tough."  But this game in the U.S. is FAR different than in Europe.  When you are in New York, head over to Rucker Park.  In Los Angeles head over to Venice or Compton.  You have the skill, the turn-arounds, and the bank-shots.  So, learn the "smack" game.  How not to get smacked around and how to run it (verbal smack) on the court...

No matter what, ...





WE, FANS, GOT YOUR BACK ZOOB










Speaking of backs, Josh Magette, Vander Blue, Justin Harper and Roscoe Smith are all back for the DFenders this season.  Number 9 had another double-double (16 pts, 13 assists) in the loss vs. the Vipers Thursday Night.  He seems to be able to run the floor and find people no matter who is on his squad.  Having been an invitee this past summer for the Nets, the DFenders have several "cusp" players including all of the aformentioned and new addition Travis Wear.

Laker FAM









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Friday, February 19, 2016

NBA Callups: Are the Los Angeles Lakers using their own phone?

Jimmer Fredette will be signed to at least one 10-day Contract by his mother team, the New York Knicks, on Monday.

CONGRATS!


Callups happen a lot and the Lakers have certainly utilized their D-League squad, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, as a source for talent.

This season, however, the D-Fenders have been used as more of a "training program" for players like Ryan Kelly, Tarik Black and Anthony Brown to get some run and reps as compared to sitting on the bench with the Varsity brethren.

Jordan Clarkson, last season, spent ample time playing with the D-Fenders before he ultimately solidified himself as a Lakers starter, especially with the team's injury woes.

What about the other D-Fenders?  Unless a player has a contract with a team, like Anthony Brown does with the Lakers, they are all free agents.  So, just because a player is on the "D-Fenders" does not mean that player may ONLY play for the Lakers.

The Lakers called up Dwight Buycks last season from the Oklahoma City Blue (D-League team of OKC Thunder) AHEAD of their BLUE, Vander Blue.

Buycks went down with a foot injury and Vander was called up for the last two games of the season.  Vander ended up receiving an offer from the Lakers but somehow managed to show up in BULLS' gear during NBA SUMMER to then have NO DEAL.  He has been playing this season with the D-Fenders and is an aggressive player going to the rim or around the perimeter and generally fills up a stat sheet:
25.6 ppg (2nd), 5.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.0 spg
Robert Upshaw:  Upshaw hit the scene in Vegas with quite the buzz amongst the record-breaking fans that were ALREADY buzzing due to the shiny new toys of the Lakers: Russell, Nance, Randle (back healthy)...But, Upshaw was waived by the Lakers and has struggled to see the floor.  A lot of that has to do with the PT of Lakers like Black and Kelly when they have been assigned.  

Upshaw did not look healthy recently and apparently came off two weeks of some viral infection (this had NOT been confirmed by anyone but "reported" by many on the so-called "inside").  He is getting healthier and stronger but he was looking way to "rail thin" to be attempting to ball with the big boys in the NBA right NOW.

Josh Magette:  No, not the long lost "brother from another mother" to former Duke and LA Clippers Star, Corey Magette (rhymes with spaghetti).  Josh, not YOUR JET, but "Ma-JET" who played for the D-Fenders in 2013-2014 came back to the team this season after playing overseas 1 year.  

Magette HAD been leading the League in steals with 2.5 but stands one tenth behind the current leader who has played in 11 fewer games.

He puts in 10 points, 4.6 boards and leads the league in ASSISTS at 8.6.  Magette is a great floor general that sacrifices his body and self for the team.

How about a name more unfamiliar?

This is the Fourth Season as A D-Fender and 8th in the D, for Andre Ingram...

Known as a solid, lock-down defensive player, Dre became the NBA D-League's ALL-TIME leader in 3 point baskets made in the NBA D-league. 





    He will get you a couple-a boards and           assists, 8 or 10 points and a steal each           game.


this happened as well..


Ingram went against newest, ahem, NBA CAll-UP Jimmer Fredette in the NBA D-League 3 point contest... and WON!!!

Fredette will be with the NY Knicks next Monday and will presumably ride out the remainder of the season, because, "why not?"




IN many ways Ingram might "deserve" this opportunity more than most perhaps in the League.  He is a veteran.  He has respect.  Ask his teammates.

 IF these LAKERS REALLY want to go "Twenty and Seven" down-the-stretch, as Metta World Peace said in an interview Thursday,  they could use any ONE of these guys.

BUT, with Ingram you add veteran stability and leadership that will ONLY benefit the younger players.

He can personally mentor young Anthony Brown on being a defensive stopper.

And he ONLY helps your team.  Andre Ingram is the type of player that will never hurt you.  Mistakes do happen, but Ingram makes it up right away.  If you want DEFENSE?  Intensity? And, the guy who just beat out JIMMER FREDETTE in the three point contest then please call HQ in El Segundo,








muchas gracias !
Congratulations to Andre Ingram


Other notables: Ryan Gomes has been nothing but a solid pro and Justin Harper has been playing really good ball as well for LA.

 _chauncey

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Wednesday, November 18, 2015

The Los Angeles D-Fenders WIN while Lakers Anthony Brown debuts with 22

The Los Angeles Lakers recently sent their second round pick, Anthony Brown to the D-Fenders to get some game action and the "young gun" played well in debut v Bakersfield Jam.


Brown averaged 14.8 pts for the Stanford Cardinal in 2014-15.  His three-point accuracy bettered his Field Goal percentage (44% to 42%).  Projected as a late first round pick, the Lakers opted to select Larry Nance Jr. with the number 27 and                            lucked out with Brown sliding to 34 overall.

During Lakers SUMMER it seemed likely that Brown, Nance and undrafted rookie Robert Upshaw would be spending time on the D-Fenders.  That IS until Upshaw got waived by the Lakers and Nance's performance has outshined many other Lakers thus far.  Because of the glaring failures of the Lakers it would seem that Nance has a place on the Varsity.  His strengths FILL those holes.  His role could easily grow in prominence as other (veterans) on the team lack what he HAS.

UPshaw cleared waivers and was signed (fortunately) by the D-Fenders and has been playing well, all-around, team and fundamentally correct basketball.

Anthony Brown hadn't seen a minute of play on the NBA hardwood until a recent blowout loss in Phx where he is credited for " MINS 2."  Gee, thanks COACH.

Brown debuted for the D-Fenders Tuesday against the Bakersfield Jam, in Bako, and this is what transpired:



Donning jersey #14, A.Brown might have been missing #3 (Lakers) as there are many across his stat line;  the nicest one for me is the one before the seven in minutes played.





Arguably, there is a glaring NEED for Brown on the Lakers right now, like Nance.  The Lakers are currently ranked 21st in three point shooting percentage and we know where there are at "D-Fensively."  Brown could easily be used much like the "situAtional LEFTY" in Major League Baseball. If he is to be tested why not insert him into the game for 1-3 minutes at the end of a quarter with his primary responsiblity of guarding a player like Steph Curry.  Yes, I test HIM against the game's best.  It doesn't have to be literally Curry, but the opponent's TOP 1, 2, OR 3 position on the floor.  I need to SEE where HIS "D" is at..

He could also be used as a sharp-shooter in the same area of a quarter (bottom end for just a few minutes).  Eric Piatkowski started his career like this.

BUT, "down-town" NEEDS REPS and if he can keep getting them for the D-Fenders and have a chance to develop on the floor then let him "B."


My suggestion is to make a decision on Sacre OR Brown (waive/ assigned to D-Fenders) to allow Big Upshaw on the Lakers.  Brown can use the quality AND guaranteed playing time on the D-Fenders.  Upshaw is not getting BIG minutes, but , Seriously, quit yanking everyone's chain.  Put him on the squad and use him exactly how Owens does: 16-22 minutes.  He has all-around game.


 Josh Magette? .... who?


He did NOT have 12 assists like he did the previous game but he added another SEVEN with 9 points and 1 TurnOver.

Manny Being Manny:  Are we used to Manny Harris doing this?

11-23 FG, 1-2 3 pt, 8-8 FT, 5 bds, 4 As, 2 Stl in 44 mins

Check OUT ALL of the D-Fenders (Zach Andrews, Vander Blue, Justin Hawkins... HERE) GAME NEWS AND BOXSCORE OF THEIR 114-105 WIN OVER BAKERSFIELD
nice job all around
















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Sunday, November 15, 2015

Call-UPshaw UP? The Los Angeles D-Fenders have plenty of talent to choose from



Robert Upshaw landed on the Los Angeles Lakers Roster as an UnDrafted Rookie out of Washington where he was leading the Nation in Blocks with over 4 per game (19 games played).
At around 7-0' tall Upshaw has gotten himself lighter and he is making the best of it.

 IN the home opener against the Warriors (11/14/15), Upshaw looked good.  He is only on record with 2 blocks in THIS game; there were at least two others that should have gone in his favor.



     Regardless of those numbers and his others in the way of ReBounding and Scoring this kid is looking good.  His lateral movement, help and recovery defense is on point.  He did seem to taper off, energy-wise, in the second.  Perhaps THIS is what scouts are looking at?  Does he stay mentally focused?  Motivated?  Any Way you slice it, you cannot teach height and this kid has done nothing but take positive strides towards becoming and NBA player, so what gives? 
 There is ALWAYS MORE TO THE STORY 

Upshaw's Debut Highlights

      Upshaw has all-around game:  He has a nice touch, he can handle, pass and he is performing better with certain "anxious" tendencies that I had seen @ LAKERS SUMMER with better body control of his screen-setting, for example.  He leads with his defensive presence and his energy.  One question is, Can his Energy hold UP?  

 How many games does he play in "The D" before HE IS called UP? 

  The Lakers can easily move Anthony Brown to the D-Fenders and LET HIM GET REPS.  I mean, if YOU'RE NOT going to use him in situations for defensive or three-point shooting purposes by THIS point, send him down.  Then, the Lakers can retain all of the talent OR simply waive Sacre.  Sacre is SOLID.  He will land on another NBA team.

      UPshaw is hovering around 18 minutes of PT but that is mainly because this D-Fenders team is LoaDed with Talent that beGins with returning Lakers Manny Harris and Vander Blue.

 Zach Andrews starts in the middle on this team that has also seen Michael Frazier and Malcom Thomas as "DNP-CD" status

 The "DNP-CD" was also status hanging for former Laker Xavier Henry which brings me to this:

 Go Ahead and give me Xavier, Manny, Vander, and Josh Magette who dished out a game high 12 assists and is a player that many around campus are speaking very HIGHLY of.  






 Add Andrews, UpShaw, Thomas from the D-Fenders squad. And Orton, Elliot Williams and Darrington Hopson from the Warriors Organization.  
NOW, put those gents up against "BKN."  

"Brooklyn?" A friend said AFTER a disappointing loss by the Lakers to the Denver Nuggets.  "They have to beat Brooklyn, RIGHT!?"  Thankfully, the Lakers DID.  BUT, could they (Lakers) Beat their own D-League Squad?

 How about a  one-on-one match-up of Josh Magette vs. D'Angelo Russell?  

  Hibbert vs Upshaw?  How about Manny showing young D'Angelo how to GET to the free throw line... AND MAKE THEM?

 As of Friday (11/13/15), Russell is averaging 50% from the charity stripe on .4 of .8 attempts per game while Mudiay was 2.4 of 3.8.  

 Many good things were being said about Magette Saturday Night by AC Green.  Green ALSO commented that Coach Owens said that Magette should be called up to the NBA as well.

     Magette is solid.  He had the 12 assists with 4 turnovers but some of those were player errors on the other end.  I don't care about turnovers so much unless they lead to direct points by the opposition.

 He stays in motion, runs an offense superbly and is always looking for his teammates.

 hey, Marcelo Huertas has an NBA Contract...

 This young man (Magette) as well as Upshaw, Manny, Vander, et al. ALL deserve a shot.

 Jimmer was called up before he hit the hardwood for a regular season game in "The D." 

Oh yeah, add him to that "D-League squad" that was forming earlier.

 The 31st NBA Franchise IS...(?)

 Meanwhile, here are your D-League Teams




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Thursday, April 9, 2015

Buy some Books, Don't Chew the Edges: Dwight Buycks Laker Guard

It was a bit surprising when the Los Angeles Lakers decided to sign Dwight Buycks to an NBA 10-day contract.  BY now, Lakers fans are very familiar with Jabari Brown.  And, perhaps, many know that he started the season with the Los Angeles DFenders.  Jabari had been the most consistent player on the squad and the team's leading scorer.  Some might have said that Vander Blue was also worthy of that same "Gatorade Call Up" that Brown received.  SO, some would suggest that BLUE would be called up after BROWN, should that opportunity arise.

 Well, the Lakers liked a BLUE, However, it was the Guard for the Oklahoma City BLUE instead.  The LAKERS clearly liked what they saw in Dwight Buycks (BIKES), who had just finished displaying his talents in El Segundo in one of the final home games of the season for the purple and gold D-Fenders.

Buycks making the best of his NBA Call-Up


Buycks did well.  Very well.  He had to though.  Because of the hair. 

 I had to explain two very important rules of roundball:

 1) If you show up on the court and you are wearing "crazy" shoes, you better be able to play

 2)  If you show up with hair like THAT (faux hawk), you BETTER be able to play

 He can.

 Lakers fans are now seeing why Lakers Brass made this decision.  Blue, after all, had been on a tear in the D-League.  In fact, he made the Fort Wayne Mad Ants look silly trying to guard him in the last two home games for the D-Fenders.  
Buycks STILL got the call.

 And...

He, too, is making people look silly guarding him.
D-League Highlights of D Buycks : YIKES, D BIKES


Lakers be stockpiling them guards...



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