Theo Ratliff Picked up by the Lakers

[Who]

The Lakers have put together a very good off-season.  That's disappointing, to say the least.  Blake and Barnes will help them, and Theo can add something in short minutes.

David Ebanks too ... I think he's their best reserve wing player.

Very athletic + talented defender/rebounder with a solid handle and rudimentary offensive skills. Brings some much needed athleticism to their perimeter players.

David Ebanks? lol Who.  You must not watch a lot of college basketball.  I know of a Devin Ebanks and he is pretty good and maybe their best wing, even though I think Barnes is and will be their best wing by far.  Ebanks though is a solid younger player and draft pick, but we have to remember he is a rookie and we don't know how his game will translate to the pros yet and how much run Phil Jackson will give him.

I'm sorry I shouldn't have been a jerk over a name spelling TP I just thought it was kind of funny lol.

None the less the Lakers have had a [dang] good off-season with the Blake, Barnes, Ratliff signings and had two excellent draft picks IMO in Ebanks and Derrick Caracter.

Haha, jeez, I even looked up his name to double check it before writing it! And I still got his first name wrong!

I don't watch college basketball (saw him play one game last year though) but I was very impressed with what I saw from Ebanks during summer league.

Other notes -- (1) not a fan of Barnes, consider him a limited player, a below par defender and a streaky offensive player. Terrific rebounder though (2) their are serious concerns about Luke Walton's health and about what effect that will have on his performance (3) then there's Sasha Vujacic who hasn't played well in two years.

I think Ebanks' defensive ability + rebounding + athleticism + finishing/cutting/transition play offensively will offer the Lakers the most out of those players.

Edit: I think he is a Phil Jackson type of player.

Phil loves guys with Ebanks' type of athleticism, his quickness and length. Loves defensive minded players too, especially big perimeter players.

I think he'll impress Jackson very quickly ... similar to how Ariza impressed him when he first joined from Orlando.

[Mike-Dub]

The Lakers have put together a very good off-season.  That's disappointing, to say the least.  Blake and Barnes will help them, and Theo can add something in short minutes.

David Ebanks too ... I think he's their best reserve wing player.

Very athletic + talented defender/rebounder with a solid handle and rudimentary offensive skills. Brings some much needed athleticism to their perimeter players.

David Ebanks? lol Who.  You must not watch a lot of college basketball.  I know of a Devin Ebanks and he is pretty good and maybe their best wing, even though I think Barnes is and will be their best wing by far.  Ebanks though is a solid younger player and draft pick, but we have to remember he is a rookie and we don't know how his game will translate to the pros yet and how much run Phil Jackson will give him.

I'm sorry I shouldn't have been a jerk over a name spelling TP I just thought it was kind of funny lol.

None the less the Lakers have had a [dang] good off-season with the Blake, Barnes, Ratliff signings and had two excellent draft picks IMO in Ebanks and Derrick Caracter.

Haha, jeez, I even looked up his name to double check it before writing it! And I still got his first name wrong!

I don't watch college basketball (saw him play one game last year though) but I was very impressed with what I saw from Ebanks during summer league.

Other notes -- (1) not a fan of Barnes, consider him a limited player, a below par defender and a streaky offensive player. Terrific rebounder though (2) their are serious concerns about Luke Walton's health and about what effect that will have on his performance (3) then there's Sasha Vujacic who hasn't played well in two years.

I think Ebanks' defensive ability + rebounding + athleticism + finishing/cutting/transition play offensively will offer the Lakers the most out of those players.

Edit: I think he is a Phil Jackson type of player.

Phil loves guys with Ebanks' type of athleticism, his quickness and length. Loves defensive minded players too, especially big perimeter players.

I think he'll impress Jackson very quickly ... similar to how Ariza impressed him when he first joined from Orlando.

Lol Who TP for making me laugh.  Ebanks could become LA's top reserve wing and I agree with what you're saying about him.  Barnes was a starting player on an ECF team though so for now he is their top reserve wing, but definitely by the end of the season Ebanks could be their number one wing.

[jv2764]

UNREAL!  We have a thread on Theo Freaking Ratliff!  ****

[GreenEnvy]

Four years ago, Theo Ratliff couldn't stay healthy or play well when he was. No reason to believe he will be healthy or effective now.

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

[ACF]

"Picked up" is very well put. I've nothing to add.

[soap07]

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

For the vet min? Why? Blake is a solid back up point who can hit the 3.

[Mike-Dub]

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

For the vet min? Why? Blake is a solid back up point who can hit the 3.

Neither were signed for the vet min, but I think both were excellent signings for the Lakers.

[CoachCowens]

Four years ago, Theo Ratliff couldn't stay healthy or play well when he was. No reason to believe he will be healthy or effective now.

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

I'm with you on Blake. Just a lateral move in backup pg's.

[Mike-Dub]

Four years ago, Theo Ratliff couldn't stay healthy or play well when he was. No reason to believe he will be healthy or effective now.

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

I'm with you on Blake. Just a lateral move in backup pg's.

Blake is definitely better than any point guard they had last year and is there best point guard this year.

[CelticsWhat35]

If the Celtics signed Ratliff, there would be a thread about us just getting older.  But since it was the Lakers, somehow that is the piece to solidify their dynasty.

[Who]

Four years ago, Theo Ratliff couldn't stay healthy or play well when he was. No reason to believe he will be healthy or effective now.

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

I'm with you on Blake. Just a lateral move in backup pg's.

Blake is definitely better than any point guard they had last year and is there best point guard this year.

The one thing about Blake is that I think the Triangle offense limits him. It takes the ball out of his hands more often. The Triangle limits his choices and limits the value of his decision making. He won't provide as much quality as he did with the Blazers or the Nuggets.

Steve Blake will still be a good role player (yes, Lakers best PG) ... but not as effective offensively as a floor general as he was in either of those two previous stops.

[Mike-Dub]

Four years ago, Theo Ratliff couldn't stay healthy or play well when he was. No reason to believe he will be healthy or effective now.

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

I'm with you on Blake. Just a lateral move in backup pg's.

Blake is definitely better than any point guard they had last year and is there best point guard this year.

The one thing about Blake is that I think the Triangle offense limits him. It takes the ball out of his hands more often. The Triangle limits his choices and limits the value of his decision making. He won't provide as much quality as he did with the Blazers or the Nuggets.

Steve Blake will still be a good role player (yes, Lakers best PG) ... but not as effective offensively as a floor general as he was in either of those two previous stops.

Agree on all points.

[CoachCowens]

Four years ago, Theo Ratliff couldn't stay healthy or play well when he was. No reason to believe he will be healthy or effective now.

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

I'm with you on Blake. Just a lateral move in backup pg's.

Blake is definitely better than any point guard they had last year and is there best point guard this year.

The stats don't say that. He will give you a couple more assists per game than Fisher but I don't see where he has anything else over him, besides age.

[Mike-Dub]

Four years ago, Theo Ratliff couldn't stay healthy or play well when he was. No reason to believe he will be healthy or effective now.

Also, I'm not enamored with the Blake OR Barnes signings either.

I'm with you on Blake. Just a lateral move in backup pg's.

Blake is definitely better than any point guard they had last year and is there best point guard this year.

The stats don't say that. He will give you a couple more assists per game than Fisher but I don't see where he has anything else over him, besides age.

Blake is definitely better than Fisher. He can pass better, score better, shoot better, both aren't the greatest defenders, but all in all Blake is definitely better than Fisher. 

[Who]

Derek Fisher was a dead man walking for most of last season.

80% of rotation playing point guards are superior players to Fisher.