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."

Mychel Thompson "Rains" Supreme, DFenders Fall

       Mychel Thompson was on fire Sunday night in El Segundo, particularly in the third period of play when he went back-to-back threes in a matter of 30 seconds and scored an additional two-point bucket to score 8 points in about a minute-and-a-half of play.  Bingo Bango... BooYa!  Perhaps MT was inspired by the "alleged" comments of DFenders' Coach Phil Hubbard when he remarked that there were "no shooters" on the floor.  Meanwhile, MT WAS ON THE FLOOR.. it was the third period.. he scored 16 of his game-high 30 on 12-16 shooting from the floor, 5-8 from three, three steals, 4 boards, 4 assists, and, uh.. err... ONE-for-FIVE FTs ?! C'Mon MT! J/K The "FTs" were the only flaw in his game as the young Thompson was simply nails all over the floor and he was hitting deep balls with tremendous lift on his jumper.  Strong Game from the SoCal-er Gone NoCal, Indeed.

Everyone watched as MT drained Threes from Deep

DFenders AND Lakers BOTH take Losses Friday Night

   

Manny Harris had an off night shooting at 6-19 from the field for 14 Points

Manny Harris, Los Angeles DFenders, was well off of his averages, of (now) 25.9 on 48% shooting but Vander Blue (7-10 FG) and Josiah Turner (4-8) had nice, efficient games.

  One problem is that JT isn't getting the PT.  

Keith Appling seems to be gobbling up PT minutes from Turner even though the pace, flow and production appear better with JT.

Joe Alexander, #19, Destroyed the DFenders inside and out: 14-22 FG, 6-8 FT for 34 points, 9 Boards, 3 Blocks.  Was he auditioning in front of Jerry West?

The DFenders, much like the Lakers, are giving up too many easy buckets.  A lot of which are occurring at the rim or on second-chance points.  The team is lacking a key fundamental in rebounding and that is in blocking out the opponent.  If you spend enough time watching D-League games, you will see the reasons WHY players are "in THE D."  Joe Alexander, a former number 8 pick in the draft, is trying to get back to "THE LEAGUE."  He was scoring with such ease in stretches that one would have though the Coach (Hubbard) for the DFenders might have simply task his team to allow anyone BUT Alexander to score last night.  THAT is something we did NOT see. 

The Laker Girls keeping Spirits UP...for now

The Teams are struggling in the Lakers organization but the Laker Girls keep on giving their All.  And, in times like this, it could not be anymore valuable.

Phil Hubbard Can't seem to find continuity

With Bigs like Eloy Vargas and Travis Hyman playing 21 and 15 minutes per game, for the DFenders, and guards like Josiah Turner not getting minutes (19.9) this team may continue to struggle.  It seems as though Coach Phil Hubbard's substitution patterns are effecting the guys AND the flow of the game.  Travis is a solid 7-footer that CAN defend the rim.  He is susceptible to fouls but he can really anchor the interior D.  Newly added Eloy Vargas, another 7-footer, has terrific lateral movement and can also defend the bucket (see 5 blocks in his first game).  The DFenders have a GLARING issue, as do the Lakers, and it's called, "Defense.". Ironic?  Joe Alexander, in this game, and other players prior, are getting to the rim at will.  I hope we see a change for the better soon as it is difficult to watch a team called "the DFenders" who are NOT D-Fending well at all.  DO players start playing with more effort?  Do different players on the squad deserve more Playing Time?  It it would appear that change, of some kind, is imminent.

  In JUST 17 minutes of playing time, "JT" was 4-8 FG for 8 points and looked good defensively AND blowing by people.

One thing about Josiah: he can blow by people and get to the rim with EASE.  He has a shift and a hesitation that you do not find everyday, yet his skill set sits idly on the sideline for COACH Phil.

Jerry West has the Golden Touch, again, up North.  His "Midas" ways paying dividends to the GSW organization.

The Lakers have not been the same since the passing of Dr. Jerry Buss and they have also missed THIS Jerry since HIS departure.

The DFenders are still looking for win number 2 (1-8), meanwhile, the Lakers lost to the Celtics 113-96 and are now 5-15.