Lakers win in OT and the DFenders match with a win vs OKC BLUE

Blue vs Blue?

The match between the Los Angeles DFenders and the Oklahoma City Blue seemed that way at times as Vander Blue, especially in the second quarter, drove by anyone trying to guard him and finished at the rim or with short pull-up jumpers.  His 9 first half points "seemed" like twice that as he was scoring with determination and ease.  He finished with 27 on 10-19 FGs.  NBA Scouts have been watching him closely as of late and despite what the NBA D-League "Prospect List" says, with BLUE being #8, he is arguably the top player in the league.  Jamaal Franklin, who got bumped to #2 on "that" list finished with a nice Trip Dub of  11, 12, and 10.  Regulation ended with the teams knotted at 97 and the DFenders were LUCKY to get the dub: 106-105.

(Vander) Blue, blew by the (OKC) Blue

My name is Blue, Blue By YOU: Vander Blue has been on a tear for the D-Fenders

"My name is Blue..Blue Bayou (by you)."

I'm not sure if this is the sort of hardwood smack that Vander Blue of the Los Angeles DFenders runs as he is Blowing By HIS Defenders, but lately Mr. Blue has been on a tear averaging 33 points per game in the last five games since Jabari Brown's departure to the Lakers   (prior to the DFenders gm 3/25/15)

Vander Blue patiently awaiting that NBA callup

Fans of the DFenders were excited to see them bring in one of last year's top prospects in "the D."  Vander was one of the best all-around guards.

Manny Harris came back.

Josiah Turner, gone but NOT forgotten Soldier..

Josiah Turner, of the Los Angeles DFenders, got released Monday, March 16, 2015.  Fans of the DFenders could probably see that was coming.

Josiah Turner has made a career out of jukes and kicks

Manny Harris, the D-League's top prospect for much of last season and Laker for consecutive 10-day contracts (last season) decided to not hang around much this year.  Jabari Brown, just fresh off signing another 10-day contract with the Big Squad, was a new addition going into this season for the DFenders, Vander Blue had been added as well, Jordan Clarkson was "playing down" a handful of times earlier this year and other guards, like Keith Appling were ALSO pulling minutes away from JT.

The first time I saw "JT" play was last season and I was impressed.

Gone Swimming, the Lakers Talent Pool...

Splash!

Unfortunately, as it relates to basketball, this term is steadfastly becoming almost solely identifiable with Golden State Warriors' Guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.  The Warriors also HAD SPLASH 2.0 in their system when they had Seth and Mychel on their D-League Squad last season (the Santa Cruz Warriors)


The Lakers have had their fare share of talented players on their D-League squad, the Los Angeles D-Fenders.   It appeared as though it was only a matter of time before a player from "the D" was called up which did not necessarily mean from the D-Fenders.  They did, however, go right to the #purpleandgold and sign Jabari Brown to a ten-day contract (March 10, 2015).  

Mr. Brown made his own Splash felt by game four with the DFenders (November 21, 2014) : 30 Points on 9-17 shooting, 5-7 three pt FGs, and 7-7 from the line in 28 minutes of play.  THIS was happening with Manny Harris on the floor (who scored 32 that night).  Manny Harris donned the Lakers Jersey last season after becoming the "top D-League Prospect" and averaging around 31 points.  Harris played out his consecutive ten-day contracts with the Lakers (last season) and when they opted NOT to sign him he then left very soon to play ball in Turkey.  Manny was not going to wait that long THIS time and decided to leave earlier this season.  Enter Mr. Opportunity.  The DFenders have a variety of capable players at ALL positions.  And, in spite of yet another injury-plagued season for the Lakers, they were ONLY able to get Brown by way of being eligible for the NBA's "hardship exception."