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 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

Lakers make impact for DFenders

     Familiar faces to Lakers Fans were present Saturday night at Toyota Sports Center as the Los Angeles D-Fenders took on the Texas Legends.

The Legends had one of those "familiar faces" as Nick Van Exel donned the suit and tie along with his title as an assistant coach.

Other faces, as announced mid-afternoon Saturday, were Lakers Xavier Henry and Jordan Clarkson.

Henry took Player of the Game w 33 points Saturday Night

Their teammate, Jordan Hill, sat nearby and looked on as Henry walked away with "Player of the Game" honors: 33 points on 12-20 FG shooting, 3-6 3pt FG, 6-7 FT, 4 Rbnd 1 A, 1 Stl in 36 minutes.  Clarkson also played well.  In 37 minutes his line reads: 28 pts on 8-20 FG, 2-4 3pt FG, 10-10 FT, 5 Rbnd, and 5 Assists.  The normal tough guard tandem for the D-Fenders, Manny Harris and Vander Blue didn't necessarily get the same "looks" and touches as the focus was primarily on the young Lakers that joined them for the night.  The DFenders took the loss, 130-108, versus a very tough Legends team who shot the ball very well (54%) Saturday night.



The Lakers used the D-League a lot last season.  Whether it was having guys, like Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris, "play down" at the start of the season for minutes and reps., or bumping guys up like Manny Harris because of the team's injury woes, the DFenders played a vital role.

This season looks to be similar.

One thing is certainly true: if the Lakers had any questions whatsoever about Jordan Clarkson and the idea of increasing his minutes, especially with Wayne Ellington absent, those questions should have been answered.

Let's also hope that the repetitions helped Xavier's confidence as he has seemed a bit rusty since coming back to the Lakers.

It's ALWAYS nice to see the the Laker Girls and to walk away with some FREE TACOS!

#GoLakers

#GoDFenders