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