Can the Lakers Legitimately Compete Next Year?

The Lakers have been awful the past two years. They will likely receive a top pick after receiving a top ten pick last year. Although they have been very disappointing, they can use the talent they have and talent from the draft to build a playoff team next year.

Current Roster

Tarik Black- C/F
Vander Blue- G
Carlos Boozer-F
Jabari Brown- G
Kobe Bryant- G
Jordan Clarkson- G
Ed Davis- F
Wayne Ellington-G
Jordan Hill- F
Wesley Johnson- F
Ryan Kelly- F
Jeremy Lin- G
Ronnie Price- G
Julius Randle- F
Robert Sacre- C
Nick Young- F/G

Hopeful Rotation

PG- Jordan Clarkson
SG- Kobe Bryant
SF- Justise Winslow (In upcoming draft)
PF- Julius Randle
C- Al Jefferson (Free Agent)
6th Man- Nick Young
7th Man- Jordan Hill
8th Man- Wesley Johnson
9th Man: Ronnie Price
10th Man: Carlos Boozer
Bench: Jeremy Lin
Bench: Robert Sacre
Reserve: Tarik Black
Reseve: Wayne Ellington
Reserve: Vander Blue

To me, a backcourt featuring the rookie surprise Clarkson, the legend Kobe, and the incoming rookie Winslow is a top ten wing combination. Then add Julius Randle, who got hurt in the first game, and former All-Star Al Jefferson, and this team can compete for a spot in the West playoffs. Kobe is old, so he will need breaks, which is where Swaggy P will come in. Nick Young had an off year, but he is still the most dynamic scorer on the roster. Jordan Hill, Wesley Johnson, and Ronnie Price are reliable bench options as well. If the Lakers can snag Winslow and pick up Jefferson, this roster will be possible, and it will be good enough to push the Lakers into the playoffs.

Draft Declaration Report: April 7, 2015

So far, we have had thirteen players declare for the 2015 NBA Draft. Interesting enough, we have three pairs of players that played together in college in the draft from Louisville, LSU, and Arizona. Here is who we have and where they should be picked in the upcoming draft.

First Round:

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona F
Kelly Oubre, Kansas G/F
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville F
Terry Rozier, Louisville G
Myles Turner, Texas F
Cameron Payne, Murray State G
Kevon Looney, UCLA F

Second Round
Tyley Harvey, Eastern Washington G
Rashad Vaughn, UNLV G
R.J. Hunter, Georgia State G
Brandon Ashley, Arizona F
Jarell Martin, LSU F

Undrafted
Jordan Mickey, LSU F

Defense Wins Championships, Proven by Duke's Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones

First of all, congratulations to the Duke Blue Devils and Coach K on winning the 2015 NCAA National Championship over the Wisconsin Badgers. Their class of freshman was the topic of many conversations over the course of the season, and they showed up in the title game. Point guard Tyus Jones had 23 points and 5 rebounds on his way to winning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Grayson Allen had a breakout game, scoring 16 clutch points down the stretch. Justise Winslow added 11 and Jahlil Okafor had 10, but they were limited due to fouls. Although the freshmen combined for 60 of Duke's 68 point, they are not the reason the game was won. The reason lies in two of the most unheralded Duke players, Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones.

When you eliminate freshmen, four Duke players played last night. Senior leader Quinn Cook scored six, but he seemed not to do as much for Duke as he had in previous games. Marshall Plumlee got on the floor for nine minutes, but he didn't do anything. The two other players, sophomore guard Matt Jones and junior forward Amile Jefferson, are overlooked in the summary of the team's success. Yes, they did only score two points (a Jefferson reverse layup), but they contributed on the defensive end. When Okafor got into foul trouble, Jefferson stepped in and locked down Frank Kaminsky down the stretch, allowing him only 3 points in clutch time. Keep in mind Kaminsky won the National Player of the Year earlier that day. Okafor couldn't stop him, but Jefferson came in and made a large, but overlooked contribution with three blocks and a steal. Matt Jones was assigned to Josh Gasser, a sniper who made large contributions in the tournament. Gasser didn't score the whole game. He helped on the other perimeter shooters as well, limiting them to only 33% shooting from three. What did these two earn for stopping Wisconsin? A piece of the net, because they don't need individual awards. Defense is about team, and it is obvious Jefferson and Jones give all they have to Duke.