Robert Upshaw debut and contract

[Denis998]

The Lakers...makes sense. I mean, what could go wrong for him personally in a place like Los Angeles?

Too bad Josh Hamilton isn't in LA to mentor him.  He could use a sponsor. /sarcasm.

Seriously, LA is about the last city a drug addict should be playing in.

That or Miami

[BringToughnessBack]

I'm really upset. I'm seriously upset that I'd rather post here than leave for work.

Even if it's not for #16 (in which I stand firm that we should have picked him then), we had #28, #33 and #45 and we passed on this dude when WE NEEDED a rim protector. And now the stinking Lakers has him. Teams looked to the past without looking to the future. He's still fundamentally flawed and needs improvement on strength, but you can already see the potential. With work, he could turn into an excellent player, but no, we won't pick him because of his past, isn't it?

Now I'm really late for work. Might as well call in sick just so I can rant some more.

TP for Yoki..I too, am upset at the missed opportunity. I will take it out on my early morning run. We are so desperate for a true big man with potential. Of all teams to get him.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

There is a scenario where Kobe puts together an age-defying season, Hibbert resurrects his career as a force inside, Young gets traded, Upshaw becomes Andre Drummond, Randle averages 15 and 10, Russell is able to average 10 and 8 on 40% from three, Clarkson becomes a legit two-way player, and the Lakers sneak into the eighth seed out West.

There is another scenario that plays out where Kobe goes all Kobe, Hibbert hides in his locker,  Upshaw and Young become buds, Randle struggles to score against length, Clarkson continues to give up at least as many points as he scores, and Russell struggles against athleticism all this year.

Basically, the Lakers are swinging for the fences that their young core will look really good next off-season, so that they can get a few more solid free agents. But I think they are more likely to strike out completely than get a homerun, or even a double.

The Celtics, on the hand, continue to hit doubles (imho). They have no high-risk players on their roster, but they do have a lot of guys who could play big minutes on a championship team.

This is not a prediction, but imagine if a bunch of doubles get to 50 wins this season, and then we have cap space to get two homeruns.

[amenhotep04]

Upshaw can play. I don't think anyone really can deny that. But the fact that every team passed on him in the draft, for me speaks volumes of how they project this kid. Still though, it would have been nice to select him at 45. But maybe with the focus of the Cs on 'team' and the locker room, Upshaw was viewed as poison.

I kept and keep thinking Roy Tarpley when I think of Upshaw. Probably not near the talent of Tarpley, but plenty of upside on the court.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'm really upset. I'm seriously upset that I'd rather post here than leave for work.

Even if it's not for #16, we had #28, #33 and #45 and we passed on this dude when WE NEEDED a rim protector. And now the stinking Lakers has him. Teams looked to the past without looking to the future. He's still fundamentally flawed and needs improvement on strength, but you can already see the potential. With work, he could turn into an excellent player, but no, we can't pick him because of his past, isn't it?

Now I'm really late for work. Might as well call in sick just so I can rant some more.

Every team passed on him in the draft including the Lakers.  They still have only given him a partial guarantee on 1st year money to get him to training camp.

My point is we could have not passed on him, still draft him in the 2nd round but we drafted another guard at #45, who may not even make the roster.

And why can't we offer the same deal to him when we needed a rim protector?

[kheldar52077]

I think teams sees him as another Larry Sanders. Good player waiting for that big contract to buy lifetime supply of weed.   

[footey]

I'm really upset. I'm seriously upset that I'd rather post here than leave for work.

Even if it's not for #16 (in which I stand firm that we should have picked him then), we had #28, #33 and #45 and we passed on this dude when WE NEEDED a rim protector. And now the stinking Lakers has him. Teams looked to the past without looking to the future. He's still fundamentally flawed and needs improvement on strength, but you can already see the potential. With work, he could turn into an excellent player, but no, we won't pick him because of his past, isn't it?

Now I'm really late for work. Might as well call in sick just so I can rant some more.

We couldn't take him at 45 because we needed another PG to bench during summer league.

[MBunge]

I'm really upset. I'm seriously upset that I'd rather post here than leave for work.

Even if it's not for #16 (in which I stand firm that we should have picked him then), we had #28, #33 and #45 and we passed on this dude when WE NEEDED a rim protector. And now the stinking Lakers has him. Teams looked to the past without looking to the future. He's still fundamentally flawed and needs improvement on strength, but you can already see the potential. With work, he could turn into an excellent player, but no, we won't pick him because of his past, isn't it?

Now I'm really late for work. Might as well call in sick just so I can rant some more.

Picking guys like Upshaw at #16 is how bad teams stay bad for years and years and years.

Mike

[The One]

He took the challenge last night of playing against KAT. He fouled a lot, but at least he was aggressive.

Watch his interview with draft express. I know these guys always say the right things, but the interview was very genuine. I know there are rumors that he was kicked out of both schools for drugs. I don't know if that is the case.

There is a very real scenario where Upshaw was just not a student-athlete, but rather an athlete.

From the interview that I saw, and the way he played last night, I would constantly remind him that he went undrafted, and that KAT, Okafor, and others all were drafted in the first round. I'd make him wear number 61 (60 draft picks) and tape notes of the stat line of Okafor, KAT, and Turner every time they have a good game.

With his past, I think stirring this kind of internal motivation might be the only way to keep him clean and get him to focus his talents.

Oh, and I would keep him away from Nick Young.

Sorry but the real probability was that he had a drug problem with more than marijuana plus other serious issues.  Do a search on him.  Several people including won, steve Tyler and many others reported this.  It had nothing to do with him being only an athlete in school.

Basketball Insider Steve Tyler on the line:

That's a handsome woman.

[knuckleballer]

He took the challenge last night of playing against KAT. He fouled a lot, but at least he was aggressive.

Watch his interview with draft express. I know these guys always say the right things, but the interview was very genuine. I know there are rumors that he was kicked out of both schools for drugs. I don't know if that is the case.

There is a very real scenario where Upshaw was just not a student-athlete, but rather an athlete.

From the interview that I saw, and the way he played last night, I would constantly remind him that he went undrafted, and that KAT, Okafor, and others all were drafted in the first round. I'd make him wear number 61 (60 draft picks) and tape notes of the stat line of Okafor, KAT, and Turner every time they have a good game.

With his past, I think stirring this kind of internal motivation might be the only way to keep him clean and get him to focus his talents.

Oh, and I would keep him away from Nick Young.

Sorry but the real probability was that he had a drug problem with more than marijuana plus other serious issues.  Do a search on him.  Several people including won, steve Tyler and many others reported this.  It had nothing to do with him being only an athlete in school.

Basketball Insider Steve Tyler on the line:

That's a handsome woman.

Honestly, he looks like a witch.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'm really upset. I'm seriously upset that I'd rather post here than leave for work.

Even if it's not for #16 (in which I stand firm that we should have picked him then), we had #28, #33 and #45 and we passed on this dude when WE NEEDED a rim protector. And now the stinking Lakers has him. Teams looked to the past without looking to the future. He's still fundamentally flawed and needs improvement on strength, but you can already see the potential. With work, he could turn into an excellent player, but no, we won't pick him because of his past, isn't it?

Now I'm really late for work. Might as well call in sick just so I can rant some more.

Picking guys like Upshaw at #16 is how bad teams stay bad for years and years and years.

Mike

I stand by my word that I think he still has the most upside of who's available at #16, so I don't thing it's a horrible decision to pick him there (because unlike everyone else, I'm optimistic that he'ok turn his life around).

But just foe the sake of argument, that you're right, we still didn't pick him at #33 and #45. Those are non guaranteed contracts, and Upshaw would fill a need and still has the most upside of who's available at that spot. Passing on him because of his past, in the 2nd round when he clearly has lots of potential is insane. Granted, everyone passed on him too, but not everyone has a need for a rim protector like us, but instead we took an undersized PF (who's looking decent so I'd give us that) and a PG who may not sniff the Parque.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm really upset. I'm seriously upset that I'd rather post here than leave for work.

Even if it's not for #16 (in which I stand firm that we should have picked him then), we had #28, #33 and #45 and we passed on this dude when WE NEEDED a rim protector. And now the stinking Lakers has him. Teams looked to the past without looking to the future. He's still fundamentally flawed and needs improvement on strength, but you can already see the potential. With work, he could turn into an excellent player, but no, we won't pick him because of his past, isn't it?

Now I'm really late for work. Might as well call in sick just so I can rant some more.

Picking guys like Upshaw at #16 is how bad teams stay bad for years and years and years.

Mike

Well-said. TP.

Let's think about some examples:
2012: #16 Houston Royce White
2011: #18 Washington Chris Singleton
2010: #15 Bucks Larry Sanders
2008: #14 Warriors Anthony Randolph
2008: #18 Washington Javale McGee
2007: #17 Nets Sean Williams
2006: #9 Warriors Patrick O'Bryant
2005: #6 Blazers Martell Webster
2005: #12 Sonics Robert Swift

I remember there being character questions with each of these players, and you could argue that the investment that these teams put into developing these players set the franchise back 1-2 years.

[Celtics4ever]

spilt milk anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O17yF1Of5YM

[Bosstown]

We should of taken him at 45 over Marcus Thorton who absolutely seems like he's just going to be a d-leaguer. I would of taken Upshaw at 45, gave him an extremely short leash and sign a good character vocal vet for the locker room to basically baby sit him. He does anything remotely wrong then cut him, it's a non guaranteed contract.

But no...Danny again wiffs and takes a combo guard we dont even need. Seriously why didnt we even think about Dakari Johnson? Does Danny just hate height?!?!?!

[blink]

I'm really upset. I'm seriously upset that I'd rather post here than leave for work.

Even if it's not for #16 (in which I stand firm that we should have picked him then), we had #28, #33 and #45 and we passed on this dude when WE NEEDED a rim protector. And now the stinking Lakers has him. Teams looked to the past without looking to the future. He's still fundamentally flawed and needs improvement on strength, but you can already see the potential. With work, he could turn into an excellent player, but no, we won't pick him because of his past, isn't it?

Now I'm really late for work. Might as well call in sick just so I can rant some more.

Picking guys like Upshaw at #16 is how bad teams stay bad for years and years and years.

Mike

I stand by my word that I think he still has the most upside of who's available at #16, so I don't thing it's a horrible decision to pick him there (because unlike everyone else, I'm optimistic that he'ok turn his life around).

But just foe the sake of argument, that you're right, we still didn't pick him at #33 and #45. Those are non guaranteed contracts, and Upshaw would fill a need and still has the most upside of who's available at that spot. Passing on him because of his past, in the 2nd round when he clearly has lots of potential is insane. Granted, everyone passed on him too, but not everyone has a need for a rim protector like us, but instead we took an undersized PF (who's looking decent so I'd give us that) and a PG who may not sniff the Parque.

I agree.  I would have liked to see DA take a flyer on Upshaw at 45.  I am sure marcus thornton is a good kid.  But we had so many guards.  Even if Upshaw didn't work out, there might have been a little trade value to a team that was interested in Upshaw but didn't want the risk. 

I know it is all hindsight, and we don't have the inside info on Upshaw, but I don't know if Marcus Thornton is even going to make the roster.  He hasn't shown much in summer league.