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...

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."

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