D-Fenders Win THIRD in a row, set single game scoring record with 175 !

The DFenders set a single-game scoring record with 175 Points in win over the Reno BigHorns Saturday Night (12-20-14).  In the D-Fenders previous game, the starting guards (3) combined for 65.  In this record-breaking contest the three starting guards combined for 87! Manny Harris went for 39/10/13 on the trip dub, Vander Blue had another NICE game with 26 pts., and Keith Appling gets that "high efficiency" award from Blue with 22 points on 8-10 FG, 3-4 3FG, and 3-4 FT.  Jabari Brown came off the bench for 28 pts to make the 4 guards go for 115 of the team's 175 (66% of the pt total). #Ridic

I take Vander ALL DAY

Vander Blue is playing ball at a high level right now and the D-Fenders are winning games.  Coincidence?  Blue follows up last game's "high efficiency" of 22 points on 9-11 FG, 1-1 3pt, 3-3 FT, with: 26 points on 10-16 FG, 1-2 3pt, 5-6 FT, 4 Bds, led the team with 12 Assists and had only 3 Turnovers.  Blue needs to be productive for this team to succeed.  He has been of late but he, and the team, struggled through the first handful of games.  Blue was one of the best all-around guards last season in "the D," and this year is no different.  His current stats (13.9, 4.5, 3.8) may not tell the complete story as the season is still young, but it does speak to his all-around game.  The team is on a nice little win-streak (3) and Vander has scored 73 points during this stretch.  Currently not listed in the NBA D-League's "Top 30 prospects," Vander is sure to land on this list soon enough if he keeps up his level of play.  Meanwhile, Brady Heslip, #9 on the "Prospect Watch" list with a 28.3 ppg avg went 8-22 FG, 7-19 3 pt and 1-2 FT.  That stat line tells "his" story.  CLEARLY a specialist.  Teams need that.  But, if you are looking for all-around game I take Vander ALL day.  Of course, I have bias.. #GoDFenders

D-Fenders Starting Guard Trio go for 65 of Team's 122

The Starting Guard Trio for the Los Angeles D-Fenders combined for 65 in the team's victory 122-120 over the Sioux Falls SkyForce Thursday Night (12-18-14):  Manny Harris (20), Vander Blue (22) and Laker Jordan Clarkson (23)  .  Vander Blue had a ridiculous game on 9-11 FGs, 1-1 3FG, and 3-3 FTs for 22 points.

Some Pics from the game:

Jabari Brown came off the bench for another 20 

AC greeted a group of kids that received some gifts at halftime

Blake and the Laker Girls were on point

Jordan Clarkson went 23/7/7

Manny being Manny : 20pts, 13 BDS, 4As

Roscoe Smith is a double-double MACHINE, had 19/15

Former UCLA Forward, Alfred Aboya, debuted with 4 pts, 3 BDS in 6 mins

Ater Majok with 3 more blocks, looked good on D and around the rim on follow-ups.  Good to see the hustle from this kid.

Other notes: Aboya was acquired earlier in the day, Thursday 12-18-14.  The D-Fenders waived Jamario Moon.

Photos by: Victoria Bertolino

Twin Towers? The DFenders new Big Man Ater Majok activated

Welcome, Mr. Majok

Ater Majok is now officially a Los Angeles DFender. 

 The former second-round pick (#58 in 2011) of the Los Angeles Lakers should be good-to-go.

CLICK HERE for PRESS RELEASE.

Like Eloy Vargas, also newly acquired this season , Mr. Majok has had to wait for clearance regarding international visa issues.  He is ready to go now, but will he play 

tonight vs the Idaho Stampede (tip-off 6:30 pm in El Segundo)? 

The DFenders are desperate for a win.  While the Varsity squad is coming off a nice victory vs the San Antonio Spurs in Overtime (112-110), the JV squad lost to the Toros, San Antonio's D-League team, Thursday night (12-11-14) 121-106. OUCH!

The Stampede bring with them seven guys averaging double figures in points.  One of those players is leading scorer Kevin Murphy ( 23.7 ppg, 4.6 RPG, 4.4 APG ) who is a familiar face to the Lakers organization.  Murphy, one of "the D's" top prospects last season, was invited to the Lakers NBA Summer League squad.  He had some nice moments, but overall just didn't show enough to make an impact.  Let's hope THAT doesn't play a motivating factor in the game tonight that might end up being Ater Majok's  debut in a DFenders' uniform.

Speaking of motivation:

Is motivation lacking for this Talented NBA D-League roster?

Will the addition of Mr. Majok spark the DFenders?

He SHOULD spark something as he is another 7-footer (listed at 6-10) that is hungry for "the League" and is moving and hustling with extreme determination.

It seems this "team" is missing something.  Most of  "us" Laker Fans, even the most loyal and myopic, realize by now that the Lakers' Roster just does not measure up to the top half of the league.

This is NOT true for the DFenders who at 2-10 are losing games with large margin.  They are giving up way too many buckets in transition, suffer tremendously with a key fundamental in blocking out their opponents, and the opposition seems to glide to the rim with ease and most times score at will.

Where is the D-Fense?

Travis Hyman and Eloy Vargas are mobile bigs that can block shots.  Enter Ater Majok.  He is too.  At some point, now with THREE 7-footers, Coach Phil Hubbard will be forced to play ball with his "twin towers."

Eloy wants to stretch.  Let him stretch.  Use a high-low game with triangle offense application and allow Manny his space as well.  Employ a new defense? Where is the zone or zone-trap extended?

Something needs to happen for this team for not only tonight's game vs the Stampede, but going forward.  They are too talented with at least 4 "cusp (NBA) players" (Manny Harris, Vander Blue, Roscoe Smith, Eloy Vargas) and a couple others (Jabari Brown, Josiah Turner) not far behind. 

They have the speed. 

They have the talent.

They have "the Towers.."

Welcome,

   Mr. Majok...

Let's start D-Fending the RIM !! 

Someone NEEDS to and tonight's contest will be a nice test.  The Stampede, in spite of the 3-6 record bring the D's 4th highest point per game total at 116.4.  WHO will step up for the DFenders and put their "STAMP" on this game?  OR, will Idaho bring a true STAMPede?

We shall see...

DFenders AND Lakers BOTH take Losses Friday Night

   

Manny Harris had an off night shooting at 6-19 from the field for 14 Points

Manny Harris, Los Angeles DFenders, was well off of his averages, of (now) 25.9 on 48% shooting but Vander Blue (7-10 FG) and Josiah Turner (4-8) had nice, efficient games.

  One problem is that JT isn't getting the PT.  

Keith Appling seems to be gobbling up PT minutes from Turner even though the pace, flow and production appear better with JT.

Joe Alexander, #19, Destroyed the DFenders inside and out: 14-22 FG, 6-8 FT for 34 points, 9 Boards, 3 Blocks.  Was he auditioning in front of Jerry West?

The DFenders, much like the Lakers, are giving up too many easy buckets.  A lot of which are occurring at the rim or on second-chance points.  The team is lacking a key fundamental in rebounding and that is in blocking out the opponent.  If you spend enough time watching D-League games, you will see the reasons WHY players are "in THE D."  Joe Alexander, a former number 8 pick in the draft, is trying to get back to "THE LEAGUE."  He was scoring with such ease in stretches that one would have though the Coach (Hubbard) for the DFenders might have simply task his team to allow anyone BUT Alexander to score last night.  THAT is something we did NOT see. 

The Laker Girls keeping Spirits UP...for now

The Teams are struggling in the Lakers organization but the Laker Girls keep on giving their All.  And, in times like this, it could not be anymore valuable.

Phil Hubbard Can't seem to find continuity

With Bigs like Eloy Vargas and Travis Hyman playing 21 and 15 minutes per game, for the DFenders, and guards like Josiah Turner not getting minutes (19.9) this team may continue to struggle.  It seems as though Coach Phil Hubbard's substitution patterns are effecting the guys AND the flow of the game.  Travis is a solid 7-footer that CAN defend the rim.  He is susceptible to fouls but he can really anchor the interior D.  Newly added Eloy Vargas, another 7-footer, has terrific lateral movement and can also defend the bucket (see 5 blocks in his first game).  The DFenders have a GLARING issue, as do the Lakers, and it's called, "Defense.". Ironic?  Joe Alexander, in this game, and other players prior, are getting to the rim at will.  I hope we see a change for the better soon as it is difficult to watch a team called "the DFenders" who are NOT D-Fending well at all.  DO players start playing with more effort?  Do different players on the squad deserve more Playing Time?  It it would appear that change, of some kind, is imminent.

  In JUST 17 minutes of playing time, "JT" was 4-8 FG for 8 points and looked good defensively AND blowing by people.

One thing about Josiah: he can blow by people and get to the rim with EASE.  He has a shift and a hesitation that you do not find everyday, yet his skill set sits idly on the sideline for COACH Phil.

Jerry West has the Golden Touch, again, up North.  His "Midas" ways paying dividends to the GSW organization.

The Lakers have not been the same since the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss and they have also missed THIS Jerry since HIS departure.

The DFenders are still looking for win number 2 (1-8), meanwhile, the Lakers lost to the Celtics 113-96 and are now 5-15.