D'Angelo Russell endorsed by Jerry West

[Solidape]

First of all, I don't have proof but apparently Jerry West seemed to like the kid during draft time is what I have heard and seemed to be high on him.

Supposing the above is true, hope one of you verifies this, I have a question for Russell naysayers / haters..........

Does a Jerry West endorsement carry any weight, the logo has a good track record and knows his shit.

Is your word stronger than Jerry West?

[JerrySeinfeld]

And Larry Bird supposedly endorsed WCS but it really doesn't mean jack. You can't just nullify legitimate concerns based on what has been shown so far and say "oh, is you're opinion better than such and such."

I wanted us to take Okafor throughout the whole process and towards the end got caught up in the Russell hype, and now am thinking that maybe the pick was a mistake, but ultimately it's way too early to call anything. Russell was drafted for his longterm potential. If they wanted the immediate impact, they wouldn't have hesitated to go another direction.

[Solidape]

And Larry Bird supposedly endorsed WCS but it really doesn't mean jack. You can't just nullify legitimate concerns based on what has been shown so far and say "oh, is you're opinion better than such and such."

I wanted us to take Okafor throughout the whole process and towards the end got caught up in the Russell hype, and now am thinking that maybe the pick was a mistake, but ultimately it's way too early to call anything. Russell was drafted for his longterm potential. If they wanted the immediate impact, they wouldn't have hesitated to go another direction.

Not sure what Larrys track record is when it comes to drafting but Jerry West is famous for his thus carries more weight.

[Lakers Legend#32]

Blessed by God.

[GreatHILL]

you fakers fans always insecure, dumbass skinny jeans era fans.

[buddha]

Russell will be a solid starter at worst.

[Solidape]

you fakers fans always insecure, dumbass skinny jeans era fans.

Doesn't answer the question though

[outbreak]

Jerry west said adam morrison is one of the most sure thing players he's ever seen. All the old guys make comments to get media attention.

[Jameerthefear]

Jerry west said adam morrison is one of the most sure thing players he's ever seen. All the old guys make comments to get media attention.
Boom.

[chocolatethunder]

Jerry west said adam morrison is one of the most sure thing players he's ever seen. All the old guys make comments to get media attention.
Also loved Mike Dunleavy. No one is immune to draft mistakes.

[IllegalD]

Boom.

Hey look, its that Orlando Magic f*g who spends more time posting about the Lakers/Kobe than he does about his own pathetic franchise.

Stay losing, Orlando Magic fans. :roll: :applause:

[Cocaine80s]

And Larry Bird supposedly endorsed WCS but it really doesn't mean jack. You can't just nullify legitimate concerns based on what has been shown so far and say "oh, is you're opinion better than such and such."

I wanted us to take Okafor throughout the whole process and towards the end got caught up in the Russell hype, and now am thinking that maybe the pick was a mistake, but ultimately it's way too early to call anything. Russell was drafted for his longterm potential. If they wanted the immediate impact, they wouldn't have hesitated to go another direction.
I thought you were an okc fan?

[dubeta]

Hey look, its that Orlando Magic f*g who spends more time posting about the Lakers/Kobe than he does about his own pathetic franchise.

Stay losing, Orlando Magic fans. :roll: :applause:

rent free

Magic > Lakers

[Monta Ellis MVP]

Jerry West is a proven basketball genius.

[IllegalD]

rent free

Magic > Lakers

And right on cue another f*g who posts more about Kobe than he does about his supposed team. :applause:

[ZeN]

This is what he actually said:


D'Angelo Russell?

"I think he's terrific," West said.

He said it without hesitation.

"He passes the ball like, oh my gosh," West added.

Are we talking a Magic Johnson or a healthy Steve Nash here?

Jay Bilas, the former Rolling Hills High (now Peninsula High) star now a talking head breaking down the draft for ESPN, has gone so far as to say, "D'Angelo Russell is a savant passing the ball."

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/20150629/mike-waldner-jerry-west-endorses-la-lakers-top-draft-pick-dangelo-russell

[ClipperRevival]

No matter how great you were as a player, you look at certain things to evaluate a player and subconsciously ignore other aspects. West probably got caught up in Russell's court vision, smoothness, great looking shot and size and thought, "that's all he needs, he will be a good one."

But the guy is like 70. Sometimes the game can pass you by where you lose that connection to the game. What I look for is athleticism first and foremost. That's why I downgrade Russell's ceiling quite a bit. I'm not talking about Westbrook type explosion but if a guy has feet that heavy, you got serious issues in basketball. It's that simple for a PG. I am still shocked no one in the Laker organizatiom saw this obvious flaw.

If you have no suddenness or quickness as a PG, who are the quickest guys on the floor, you got issues on both ends. It just limits what you can be as a player. It's that simple. Yes, I would've taken Okafor if I was allowed to scout both guys.

[Cocaine80s]

No matter how great you were as a player, you look at certain things to evaluate a player and subconsciously ignore other aspects. West probably got caught up in Russell's court vision, smoothness, great looking shot and size and thought, "that's all he needs, he will be a good one."

But the guy is like 70. Sometimes the game can pass you by where you lose that connection to the game. What I look for is athleticism first and foremost. That's why I downgrade Russell's ceiling quite a bit. I'm not talking about Westbrook type explosion but if a guy has feet that heavy, you got serious issues in basketball. It's that simple for a PG. I am still shocked no one in the Laker organizatiom saw this obvious flaw.

If you have no suddenness or quickness as a PG, who are the quickest guys on the floor, you got issues on both ends. It just limits what you can be as a player. It's that simple. Yes, I would've taken Okafor if I was allowed to scout both guys.
So you wouldve taken Derrick Williams over Kyrie?

[ZeN]

No matter how great you were as a player, you look at certain things to evaluate a player and subconsciously ignore other aspects. West probably got caught up in Russell's court vision, smoothness, great looking shot and size and thought, "that's all he needs, he will be a good one."

But the guy is like 70. Sometimes the game can pass you by where you lose that connection to the game. What I look for is athleticism first and foremost. That's why I downgrade Russell's ceiling quite a bit. I'm not talking about Westbrook type explosion but if a guy has feet that heavy, you got serious issues in basketball. It's that simple for a PG. I am still shocked no one in the Laker organizatiom saw this obvious flaw.

If you have no suddenness or quickness as a PG, who are the quickest guys on the floor, you got issues on both ends. It just limits what you can be as a player. It's that simple. Yes, I would've taken Okafor if I was allowed to scout both guys.
You do realize hes partially responsible for putting together the Warriors that just won the NBA title? Same dude who helped get the Grizzlies to the playoffs for the first time. Plus the guy who discovered Kobe Bryant before anyone had a fair idea of who he was going to become?

[DaOldLion]

You do realize hes partially responsible for putting together the Warriors that just won the NBA title? Same dude who helped get the Grizzlies to the playoffs for the first time. Plus the guy who discovered Kobe Bryant before anyone had a fair idea of who he was going to become?

wasn't he also was the main factor in the griz getting Gasol in the Kwame/Gasol trade?

He has an eye for talent that's for sure

[ZeN]

wasn't he also was the main factor in the griz getting Gasol in the Kwame/Gasol trade?

He has an eye for talent that's for sure
Nope he was no longer the GM. Chris Wallace was the GM at that time.



Back in 2008, when Memphis traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie and the rights to an untested European player in Marc Gasol, Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace was ripped by seemingly everyone. It was said he got nothing for giving up an elite player such as Gasol (who instantly lifted the Lakers to three straight NBA Finals and two titles).

But in retrospect, Wallace did the kind of reboot with his franchise that so many other teams are hoping to emulate now. The other Gasol turned out to be a steal, and paired with Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and other solid role players the Grizzlies went to the Western Conference finals last season.

And it all started in part because of Derrick Rose.

Rose was still in college, but Wallace saw what he was doing at the University of Memphis and decided the reboot of the Grizzlies was in order, he told the Boston Globe.


http://nba.nbcsports.com/2013/09/16/grizzlies-gm-says-derrick-rose-helped-influence-pau-gasol-trade/

[ClipperRevival]

So you wouldve taken Derrick Williams over Kyrie?

Obviously not. Context is everything. You have to see the entire picture. A player's mentality ( does he love the game, does he want it), his skills and his athleticism. But for me, when I see two guys who are the same skill level, same size and same amount of drive, I go with the more athletic guy because you can't teach athleticism. The more naturally talented guy always has the higher potential ceiling.

In the case of Williams, everyone can see he lacks that drive. He seems to have a beta attitude on the court. On the flipside, Irving is one of the most naturally skilled players I have ever seen. I expect this guy to put on some legendary performances in the playoffs.

[ClipperRevival]

You do realize hes partially responsible for putting together the Warriors that just won the NBA title? Same dude who helped get the Grizzlies to the playoffs for the first time. Plus the guy who discovered Kobe Bryant before anyone had a fair idea of who he was going to become?

Yes sir. But I also realize that even the best ever are just human. We all have certain things we focus on to evaluate a player. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Just because you were the best ever on the court doesn't mean you are the best ever at evaluating talent. Mj is the perfext example. He probably has his own criteria of what to look for at evaluating talent which isn't exactly the best way to go about it.

[Cocaine80s]

Obviously not. Context is everything. You have to see the entire picture. A player's mentality ( does he love the game, does he want it), his skills and his athleticism. But for me, when I see two guys who are the same skill level, same size and same amount of drive, I go with the more athletic guy because you can't teach athleticism. The more naturally talented guy always has the higher potential ceiling.

In the case of Williams, everyone can see he lacks that drive. He seems to have a beta attitude on the court. On the flipside, Irving is one of the most naturally skilled players I have ever seen. I expect this guy to put on some legendary performances in the playoffs.

No one saw that before he was drafted. Dude went ham in the tournament and shat on Kyrie

[ClipperRevival]

No one saw that before he was drafted. Dude went ham in the tournament and shat on Kyrie

Yeah, but evaluating talent isn't just about on the court stuff, you interview the guys to see what they are all about. We weren't in those meetings so we don't know if we would've caught something from Williams which might've suggested he was mostly athleticism but lacking in drive or skills. Like I said, context. You have to see the entire picture.

[BigNBAfan]

West is also 77...

[SpecialQue]

I look forward to Russell improving and becoming a solid starter.

[FKAri]

Not sure about him being a savant but he sure looks autistic out there.