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

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...

Welcome Mr. Vargas: Eloy Vargas to debut for the DFenders ?

Mr. Vargas is originally from the Dominican

THE Lakers, seemingly, like Eloy Vargas.  In fact, they tried to sign him recently but due to "International Rules" they weren't able to.  Enter the DFenders.  Vargas had just signed a contract with Puerto Rico but the organization (Lakers) still wanted him so they requested that he participate in this year's NBA D-League Draft.  The DFenders took him with their First Pick at No. 17 overall.  Word is that the Iowa Stampede wanted to select him at number seven but Eloy felt obligated to the Lakers organization for bringing him back to the U.S and politely let Iowa know that.

 THE "6'11" Forward/Center from Kentucky SHOULD be making his debut tonight in EL SEGUNDO as the DFenders take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at 7pm.

Mr. Vargas had to sit out one more game, again related to rules, regulations and his Visa.  It was thought that Mr. Vargas would be available to play last game.

Vargas did not get many minutes at the University of Kentucky but since has shown nice agility for his size, especially his ability to recover on defense and use his length in rebounding and blocking shots.

The DFenders need some help on the front line.  Roscoe Smith, who at 6-8 is averaging a nice double-double of 17.5 POINTS and 16.5 BOARDS cannot do it alone up front.  Smith, who was the Lakers NBA Summer League Squad, is looking good thus far and making a statement about his NBA readiness.

Travis Hyman, the seven-foot Center, is entering his third campaign with the DFenders.   His minutes (15.0) per game are down slightly from last year's average of 18.9 yet he is still pulling down 6 Boards per contest.  It has ONLY been two games and he has gotten into foul trouble so we shall see how Hyman progresses throughout the season.  He added weight this off season, 10-15 pounds, and also worked heavily on his shot.  Last year, Hyman didn't get that involved in a "D'Antoni-schemed" offense that relied more on players like Brandon Costner and James Southerland.  Costner, a 6-10 Forward, averaged 14.5 points 6 Rebounds last season while Southerland, who joined the Pelicans at the end of last season averaged 14.7 Points and 6.5 Boards.  Those players are gone.

With guards like Manny Harris, newly acquired Vander Blue and Josiah Turner it will be nice to have another Big that can board and move.

So,

La bienvenida a

 Los Angeles

Señor Vargas

Welcome!