Stephane Lasme

[Jevi]

Strengths: Extremely mobile and athletic player. Runs the court like a guard and shows rare lateral quickness for a player his size. Fluent shot blocker capable of dominating the lane. Shows pro timing and great explosive leaping ability. Long arms and mobility allow for him to be a solid help defender. Excellent out of position rebounder Plays the game with raw aggression and passion. Athletic ability allows him to be an excellent finisher around the basket. Is such an active and aggressive player that it is hard for opposing defenders not to foul him. Understands what his limitations are on the court and doesn't exceed them. High character guy who has shown nothing but class on and off the court.

Weaknesses: Body type suggests that he may have problems adding more weight to his body. Can play defense a little too aggressive leading to him picking up quick fouls. Free throw shooting remains an issue for him. Has shown little ability to create off the dribble. Needs to continue to expand his perimeter shooting as he shows some ability from 8-10 feet.

He can challenge Paul in practice, stay with small forwards then shift to power forward if need be. Von has shown more temper than any skill he was suppose to showcase. Has Mario West shown anything? I wanna see both guards get more time.

[Roy H.]

Good news for Lasme fans?

Two weeks into Boston's preseason, Lasme finds himself on the cusp of an NBA job with Celtics coach Doc Rivers indicating after Sunday’s 91-87 triumph over the Toronto Raptors that Lasme has, “a great shot of making our team.”

. . . “I like him a lot,” said Rivers. “He just does everything -- he has energy, he has a high basketball IQ, he’s athletic. He’s probably our most athletic player, him and [point guard Rajon] Rondo... He has a great shot of making our team. I think he’s terrific.”

.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4677146/choosing-family-over-hoops-lasme-finds-dream-job

[kozlodoev]

He can challenge Paul in practice, stay with small forwards then shift to power forward if need be.

There is absolutely nothing that suggests that Lasme is able to guard SFs at all. He's been matched at PF in every single of his appearances on the court during the preseason.

[vinnie]

He can challenge Paul in practice, stay with small forwards then shift to power forward if need be.

There is absolutely nothing that suggests that Lasme is able to guard SFs at all. He's been matched at PF in every single of his appearances on the court during the preseason.

You may be right, but if he makes the team, I guess it doesn't matter.

[clover]

He can challenge Paul in practice, stay with small forwards then shift to power forward if need be.

There is absolutely nothing that suggests that Lasme is able to guard SFs at all. He's been matched at PF in every single of his appearances on the court during the preseason.

Yes, there is something, or someone, who says he can--and that is Doc.  Clearly the 4 is his strength and it is reasonable and fair that he's been put into that slot so far.  But his athleticism and ability to finish at the basket are obvious.  He also clearly focuses on defense and Doc has said he has a high b-ball IQ.  

So longer term I'd say the question is whether he has the speed to keep up with the bigger 3s, which are the only ones, I'm sure, they'd consider him with.  Also, if he's out there with 3-pt shooters in the backcourt, such as DW and NR, then I'd say he could play more of an interior offensive game without needing to stretch the D so much.  That coupled with passing ability could cover some of his offensive weakness at the position.

In terms of tools, the only thing Posey had that I'm certain Lasme doesn't have is a long jumper.

[gar]

He did play some defense against 2's last night and shut them down completely (at least on one play on the perimeter). This is not something that Luke can do; but is a critical need. Plus he is an amazing shot blocker, super quick and very mobile.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm impressed by him. I hope he makes the team. From what I've seen of him, he is looking really good in that 15th spot.

He has a few youtube clips, too...rather interesting.

[kozlodoev]

Yes, there is something, or someone, who says he can--and that is Doc.

Really? So that's why he's been playing him at the 4-5 position for the last 3 games? 

[the_Bird]

If Lasme makes the team, they'll put him in Maine for a couple months to see whether he can expand his game to play the small forward.  *POTENTIALLY,* if Lasme's game is really Powe-esque, maybe he could play more the PF on offense and let Baby stick around the perimeter a bit more (with some combination of Nate/Delonte/Ray on the perimeter).  If he can defend the small forward, he might be able to find his way into the rotation.  He's got the size, and he seems to have the athleticism where MAYBE he could make the transition.

Rather take a chance on a hardworking, athletic kid making this transition than give a roster spot to a knucklehead shooting guard who can't hit a jump shot.

[vinnie]

Yes, there is something, or someone, who says he can--and that is Doc.

Really? So that's why he's been playing him at the 4-5 position for the last 3 games? 

You really seem to have it in for Mr. Lasme. Doc really seems to like the guy and Doc did say he thinks he could guard some 3's.

[rondohondo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzs0hplXa7A

 

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Lasme is our chance to replace the heart and soul of loen powe...watch lasme off the ball...always looking for the rebound..able to jump to get it, able to make the move to dunk it.......who will hate him the most   BBD...lasme has naturally everything bbd is still learning...and doing to try to keep his spot.....yes, bbd has learned a lot along the way, and who couldn't with this team around him....but imiagine if we had this lasme right off instead of bbd's baby antics...crying, overweight, no desire to jump...he is recently coming on...but man what a project.....Look at lasme in that light...he just shows what he knows..right off. rebounding position, go to the hole STRONG and dunk in yo face...wait till he does that to the lakers like leon did..."How do you like me now" style....yup, Lasme is my type of player...!  His shot will come along, he will adjust and improve..heck you -all gave bbd years to improve, give this guy the same and he will give you back what you want and need here...he is the blue collar type that gets it done....He is our Steel worker..! High rise..!

[Roy H.]

Lasme is our chance to replace the heart and soul of loen powe...watch lasme off the ball...always looking for the rebound..able to jump to get it, able to make the move to dunk it.......who will hate him the most   BBD...lasme has naturally everything bbd is still learning...and doing to try to keep his spot.....yes, bbd has learned a lot along the way, and who couldn't with this team around him....but imiagine if we had this lasme right off instead of bbd's baby antics...crying, overweight, no desire to jump...he is recently coming on...but man what a project.....Look at lasme in that light...he just shows what he knows..right off. rebounding position, go to the hole STRONG and dunk in yo face...wait till he does that to the lakers like leon did..."How do you like me now" style....yup, Lasme is my type of player...!  His shot will come along, he will adjust and improve..heck you -all gave bbd years to improve, give this guy the same and he will give you back what you want and need here...he is the blue collar type that gets it done....He is our Steel worker..! High rise..!

I'm skeptical that Lasme will develop a jumpshot.  He's never really had one at any level -- college, D-league, NBA, and as far as I know, internationally -- and he's going to be 28.  That's why, if the team sees him as a project, it might not make sense to keep him; not many 28 year old projects are successful.

I think the team will only keep Lasme if they think he is -- or is very close to being -- NBA ready, especially on the defensive end.  Otherwise, I think they'll cut him, with him most likely ending up as a member of the Red Claws.

[GreenFaith1819]

MeadowLark - I was just about to post something like that along those lines.....(TP4U).

Yep - the man (Lasme) reminds me of Powe as well - the same fearlessness.

If we checked out his youtube clips, there is one of him flushing it on Primo Brezec, too - the thing that caught my attention in that clip was that the man must have the wingspan of a 7 footer or more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd9WMWnOPYk

He has limitations in his game, but I think if Doc turned him lose in certain situations he could be very productive for us.

I like Wafer too, but my question is: Who would be more productive for us in that 15th slot?

It looks like DWest and Nate have Ray and Rondo locked up....Marquis seems to be flourishing in Pierce's relief spot...Lasme looks like he could guard 3's (and some 4's with that wingspan of his).

But the biggest thing here is his fearlessness...

[ssspence]

He can challenge Paul in practice, stay with small forwards then shift to power forward if need be.

There is absolutely nothing that suggests that Lasme is able to guard SFs at all. He's been matched at PF in every single of his appearances on the court during the preseason.

Doc has actually sighted his versility as a reason he likes him. He noted he can play the 3 and the 4. Agreed, that's not been his position in the preseason -- but that's to be expected. They want to see his level of play at a natural position while also seeing how Wafer plays at the same time -- which has been beyond dreadful.

Playing the 3 would likely require practicing against some of the world's best players while being an end of bench guy on a good team while he hones his skills, which..... is exactly what he'd be doing on the Cs. It's not as if Harangody's really going to be a 4 anyway.

When compared to the 2 potential alternatives, it's a not even close. At worst, they cut him when a better option develops.