The Lakers select Joe Crawford
Not Joey Crawford the ref (although that could be hella advantageous), but a guard out of the University of Kentucky, who sported 17.9/3.6/2.1 numbers during his senior season. I'm not much on lying to our loyal readers, meaning I won't pretend to know a ton about Crawford. If anyone can put me in touch with Ashley Judd, that would be a huge help. But in the meantime, as I try to learn more of the lad's game, I can provide y'all with a few scouting/pundit takes.
DraftExpress.com
NBA.com
ESPN's Chad Ford
The official statement from the Lakers is below.
AK
LAKERS SELECT KENTUCKY GUARD JOE CRAWFORD WITH 58TH PICK IN 2008 NBA DRAFT EL SEGUNDO – The Lakers selected 6’5” guard Joe Crawford with the 58th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, it was announced today. Crawford, a 22- year-old native of Detroit, Michigan, played four seasons at the University of Kentucky, averaging 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 127 games (76 starts). As a senior, Crawford ranked fourth in the SEC in scoring with a team-high 17.9 points per game, scoring 20-plus points 13 times while topping 30 points on three occasions. Earning Second Team All-SEC honors from league coaches as a senior, Crawford finished his collegiate career as Kentucky’s 19th all-time leading scorer with 1,438 points while ranking seventh all-time in three-point field goals made (186).
Looking at this guy, he would seem to be Sasha's replacement, a 4 year guy who can shoot the 3? Interesting... and he's super cheap being a late 2nd round pick...
it's like Bynum just won a large hand at poker, just wrap your hands around all those chips (Sasha's money) and slide them over to Bynum...
Posted by: TaosHum | June 26, 2008 at 09:24 PM
AK, for a So Cal sports writer, you use hella quite a bit.
;)
Posted by: Alena | June 26, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Is he really going to be on the team..or will he be involved for a trade with another team? I think he'll be good..but we wont know for awhile....I'd like to see Kupchaks response to why Davon Jefferson wasn't drafted....
Posted by: Drew | June 26, 2008 at 09:29 PM
He's from Detroit, that makes him tough.
Ok, I want to know who had him picked. Was he on any one's board?
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | June 26, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Doubtful that this guy even makes the team. With Sun yue coming I doubt if they give a roster spot to a late 2nd round pick. If Sasha leaves, I think they would go after a vet with the vetern exception or mid-level money.
Besides Sasha wants to be here. He said he wanted to. But then he probably got a call from his agent to tell him to shut up, that he was ruining his barganing position.
Who knows, Sasha could end up starting. Phil liked him a the 2 in crunch time with Kobe moving down to the 3. If Lamar cant adapt to the 3 and moves to the bench, we may see Sasha starting. I like that better then Vlade starting and Kobes best position really is the 3.
MH
Posted by: michael h | June 26, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Well he is either going to Europe or D league for a couple of years.
Any undrafted players the Lakers may invite to camp?
George Kenny 7'8" center as project?
Any FA's
PROSPECTS
Player
Pos
Ht
Wt
School
Marcel Jones SF 6-8 220 Oregon State
Anthony Mason Jr. SF 6-7 190 St. John's
Geoff McDermott SF 6-7 240 Providence
Raymar Morgan SF 6-7 210 Michigan State
Chandler Parsons SF 6-8 190 Florida
Matthew Pilgrim SF 6-7 225 Hampton
Quincy Pondexter SF 6-7 210 Washington
Herb Pope SF 6-8 233 New Mexico State
Brian Randle SF 6-7 210 Illinois
Stanley Robinson SF 6-8 220 UConn
Kevin Rogers SF 6-8 235 Baylor
Kyle Singler SF 6-8 220 Duke
Chris Wright SF 6-6 202 Dayton
Sam Young SF 6-6 215 Pittsburgh
Zhou Peng SF 6-9 205 China
Blake Griffin PF 6-9 230 Oklahoma
Jordan Hill PF 6-9 230 Arizona
Connor Atchley PF 6-10 230 Texas
Korvotney Barber PF 6-7 230 Auburn
DeJuan Blair PF 6-7 265 Pittsburgh
Craig Brackens PF 6-9 230 Iowa State
Jon Brockman PF 6-7 250 Washington
Wayne Chism PF 6-9 240 Tennessee
Taj Gibson PF 6-9 210 USC
Kentrell Gransberry PF 6-9 270 South Florida
Tyler Hansbrough PF 6-8 245 UNC
Josh Heytvelt PF 6-10 238 Gonzaga
Chris Johnson PF 6-11 205 LSU
Joseph Jones PF 6-9 250 Texas A&M
Nayal Koshwal PF 6-9 230 DePaul
Dallas Lauderdale PF 6-8 230 Ohio State
Gani Lawal PF 6-9 230 Georgia Tech
Longar Longar PF 6-11 228 Oklahoma
Vernon Macklin PF 6-9 227 Georgetown
Lorenzo Mata-Real PF 6-10 240 UCLA
James Mays PF 6-8 235 Clemson
Albert Moncasi PF 6-11 225 Spain
Tim Ohlbrecht PF 6-11 230 Germany
Patrick Patterson PF 6-8 228 Kentucky
Jeff Pendergraph PF 6-10 230 Arizona State
Charles Rhodes PF 6-8 240 Mississippi State
Jeremis Smith PF 6-6 232 Georgia Tech
Alex Stepheson PF 6-9 230 North Carolina
Ibrahima Thomas PF 6-11 238 Oklahoma State
Ekpe Udoh PF 6-10 230 Michigan
Mike Washington PF 6-10 230 Arkansas
Artem Zabelin PF 7-1 210 Russia
Hasheem Thabeet C 7-3 265 UConn
Andrew Ogilvy C 6-10 250 Vanderbilt
Solomon Alabi C 7-0 224 Florida State
Cole Aldrich C 6-10 250 Kansas
Aron Baynes C 6-10 270 Washington State
Chris Daniels C 7-0 260 Texas A&M CC
Mamadou Diene C 7-0 242 Baylor
Kenny George C 7-8 360 NC Asheville
Vladimir Golubovic C 7-1 250 Serbia
Beas Hamga C 7-0 225 UNLV
Randall Hanke C 6-11 240 Providence
Steven Hill C 7-0 250 Arkansas
Anatoly Kashirov C 7-1 240 Russia
Vyacheslav Kravtsov C 6-11 230 Ukraine
Anthony McClain C 6-11 220 Cincinnati
Hamady N'diaye C 7-0 235 Rutgers
Luke Nevill C 7-1 265 Utah
Dexter Pittman C 6-10 300 Texas
Shaun Pruitt C 6-10 255 Illinois
Miroslav Raduljica C 7-0 235 Serbia
Predrag Samardziski C 7-0 245 Macedonia
Deon Thompson PF 6-8 245 UNC
Dionte Christmas SG 6-5 190 Temple
Patrick Christopher SG 6-5 200 California
Geary Claxton SG 6-5 220 Penn State
Lewis Clinch SG 6-3 185 Georgia Tech
Tony Crocker SG 6-6 193 Oklahoma
Jerome Dyson SG 6-3 185 Connecticut
Courtney Fells SG 6-5 194 NC State
Austin Freeman SG 6-4 195 Georgetown
Marcus Ginyard SG 6-5 210 North Carolina
Alex Harris SG 6-6 185 UCSB
Terrel Harris SG 6-4 190 Oklahoma State
Markel Humphrey SG 6-6 215 Marshall
Marcelus Kemp SG 6-5 210 Nevada
Brian Laing SG 6-5 215 Seton Hall
David Lighty SG 6-6 220 Ohio State
Jawann McClellan SG 6-5 202 Arizona
Rob McKiver SG 6-2 195 Houston
Anthony Morrow SG 6-5 205 Georgia Tech
JP Prince SG 6-6 205 Tennessee
Kyle Spain SG 6-5 209 San Diego State
Uros Tripkovic SG 6-5 180 Serbia
Terrence Williams SG 6-6 220 Louisville
Tyler Smith SF 6-7 220 Tennessee
DaJuan Summers SF 6-8 225 Georgetown
Austin Daye SF 6-10 210 Gonzaga
Earl Clark SF 6-9 220 Louisville
Nemanja Aleksandrov SF 6-11 220 Serbia
Derrick Brown SF 6-7 210 Xavier
Omri Casspi SF 6-8 220 Israel
Victor Claver SF 6-10 236 Spain
Dan Coleman SF 6-9 225 Minnesota
Charlie Coley SF 6-7 220 Charlotte
Brandon Costner SF 6-8 220 NC State
Marcus Dove SF 6-8 220 Oklahoma State
Dion Dowell SF 6-6 195 Houston
Micah Downs SF 6-8 180 Gonzaga
Gavin Grant SF 6-7 212 NC State
Paul Harris SF 6-4 220 Syracuse
Lawrence Hill SF 6-8 220 Stanford
Jamelle Horne SF 6-7 205 Arizona
Damion James SF 6-8 227 Texas
Gary Forbes
SG 6-7 220 Massachusetts
David Padgett
C 6-11 250 Louisville
Chris Lofton
SG 6-2 200 Tennessee
Aleks Maric
C 6-11 270 Nebraska
C.J. Giles
PF 6-10 240 Oregon State
Josh Duncan
F 6-9 238 Xavier
Richard Roby
SG 6-6 200 Colorado
DeMarcus Nelson
SG 6-4 200 Duke
Bryce Taylor
SG 6-4 210 Oregon
Will Daniels
SF 6-8 225 Rhode Island
Shawn James
PF 6-10 225 Duquesne
Jamont Gordon
SG 6-4 230 Mississippi State
Othello Hunter
PF 6-8 225 Ohio State
Tyrone Brazelton
G 6-0 180 Western Kentucky
Davon Jefferson
SF 6-8 215 USC
Darren Collison PG 6-1 170 UCLA
AJ Price PG 6-2 180 UConn
Curtis Jerrells PG 6-1 195 Baylor
Eric Maynor PG 6-3 180 Virginia Commonwealth
Johnny Flynn PG 5-11 170 Syracuse
Wink Adams PG 6-0 190 UNLV
Patrick Beverly PG 6-2 175 Arkansas
Rodrigue Beaubois PG 6-3 170 France
Matt Bouldin PG 6-5 214 Gonzaga
Stanley Burrell PG 6-2 200 Xavier
Jamar Butler PG 6-1 195 Ohio State
Nick Calathes PG 6-5 175 Florida
Sherron Collins PG 5-11 180 Kansas
Stephen Curry PG 6-1 180 Davidson
LaceDarius Dunn PG 6-4 190 Baylor
Corey Fisher PG 6-2 180 Villanova
AJ Graves PG 6-1 165 Butler
Daniel Hackett PG 6-5 195 USC
Manny Harris PG 6-5 170 Michigan
Eugene Harvey PG 6-1 165 Seton Hall
Dominic James PG 5-11 180 Marquette
Derrick Jasper PG 6-6 213 Kentucky
Stefon Hannah PG 6-1 175 Missouri
Willie Kemp PG 6-2 170 Memphis
Derrick Low PG 6-1 186 Washington State
Chris Lowe PG 6-0 170 UMass
Kalin Lucas PG 5-11 165 Michigan State
Rudy Mbemba PG 5-11 177 Sweden
Nenad Mijatovic PG 6-3 180 Serbia
E'twaun Moore PG 6-3 170 Purdue
Drew Neitzel PG 6-0 180 Michigan State
Anton Ponkrashov PG 6-7 200 Russia
Tyrese Rice PG 6-0 190 Boston College
Brian Roberts PG 6-2 180 Dayton
Russell Robinson PG 6-1 180 Kansas
Alexey Shved PG 6-6 170 Russia
Nolan Smith PG 6-3 180 Duke
Jeff Teague PG 6-1 180 Wake Forest
Milos Teodosic PG 6-5 190 Serbia
Grievis Vasquez PG 6-6 190 Maryland
Jonathan Wallace PG 6-1 188 Georgetown
Chris Wright PG 6-1 190 Georgetown
James Harden SG 6-5 220 Arizona State
Gerald Henderson SG 6-5 215 Duke
James Anderson SG 6-5 190 Oklahoma State
Jaycee Carroll SG 6-2 175 Utah State
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 26, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Joe Crawford is a decent shooter at 76% on F/T and 46% on FG and 36% on 3 pt. With his height of 6.5 SF, he's actualy an SG based on NBA standards & his primary role of making under PJ will be nil, lucky to be Summer PRO League and reach the D' League status. If this kid got bored with his freshman year at another school before going with Wildcats, with PJ it will be a battle of attrition on the bench. Does PJ ever watch draft day? According to him, rookies are all interns they don't deserve that much attention. Being a HOF and 9 ring Coach, he has bragging rights on his broad shoulders but once upon a time, he was a mere rookie like these kids.
One good sign is that Mitch has sent signals to the Forwards that they are getting crowded on 3 position that would be Odom, Ariza, Vlad, Luke and now Joe Crawford. Will Joe Crawford follow the footsteps of JR Pinnock*? [
*Where is JR now? J.R. Pinnock averages just less than 15 points and 4 fouls a game (not a typo) for Kolossus in Greece, alongside Curtis Stinson, also known as "50 Cent".
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 26, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Jon K.
"And God, please bless the Clippers and their draft making decisions."
I know the Lord can work miracles, but....aaah...I'm not sure even He could help the clip front office.
Posted by: Eric M. | June 26, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Huh. Well, he's living the dream right now... right? Hope they give him lots of free t-shirts and stuff.
Posted by: dave m | June 26, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Sounds like another Von Wafer.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: Laker Phil | June 26, 2008 at 09:59 PM
JustLakerFan,
You are wonderful scout. Can you imagine how many scouts does Mitch have in this blog alone? Internet age has changed the info gathering system, they used to rely on Coaches feedbacks, now it's race in getting the best players from the remaining pool.
As you said, what is the upside of these undrafted players if the Coach is reluctant to utilize them. What is surprising is that Russell Westbrook surpassed Darren Collison by more than 60 players talents? I don't know whether that is really accurate in the long run.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 26, 2008 at 09:59 PM
One good sign is that Mitch has sent signals to the Forwards that they are getting crowded on 3 position that would be Odom, Ariza, Vlad, Luke and now Joe Crawford. Will Joe Crawford follow the footsteps of JR Pinnock*? [
*Where is JR now? J.R. Pinnock averages just less than 15 points and 4 fouls a game (not a typo) for Kolossus in Greece, alongside Curtis Stinson, also known as "50 Cent".
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 26, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Edwin,
Joe Crawford is a shooting guard not SF but I think SF's already have been sent message.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 26, 2008 at 10:00 PM
oj mayo traded for kevin love and mike miller --- memphis is a jokester franchise
Posted by: 10milliondollarzen | June 26, 2008 at 10:01 PM
AK,
Joe Crawford was listed as guard in the draft pick but played Forward with the Kentucky Wildcats.
http://tinyurl.com/66ovoy
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 26, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Was there a draft tonight? Between our draft spot and PJ's attitude about rookies - we should have just traded the pick to someone for a happy meal. I really hope Sasha is back - he really grew on me this year, despite the ankles he broke guarding Ray Allen in game 4. The dude can grip it and rip it, and is a high energy guy. And can we please stop waxing nostalgic about Kwame Brown, I mean seriously, do some people actually miss him? He is about as effective on the court as a Fat Head Wall Sticker. Let's get Rony back, bring in a tough power foward with the MLE, and go win us an NBA title next year.
Posted by: Lincoln Laker | June 26, 2008 at 10:10 PM
>>>"And God, please bless the Clippers and their draft
>>>making decisions."
>>>I know the Lord can work miracles, but....aaah...I'm not
>>>sure even He could help the clip front office.
Eric Gordon seems like a bit of a reach to me, but getting
DeAndre Jordan in the second round is an EXcellent gamble.
He could turn out to be a beast in the league.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 26, 2008 at 10:17 PM
"Hymie, don't miss the bunny shots." -- Kobe
"Hymie, put him in the popcorn machine." -- Chick
"Hymie, heave one up from halfcourt."
Posted by: Marty | June 26, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Maybe we can trade him to get Brian Grant back?
Posted by: Benjamin | June 26, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Edwin,
"AK, Joe Crawford was listed as guard in the draft pick but played Forward with the Kentucky Wildcats. http://tinyurl.com/66ovoy."
Maybe he played forward in college, but at 6'5", he's way too short to play that at the NBA level. He's been listed as a guard everywhere else and that's how they talked about him on ESPN. For the pro purposes, he's a guard, I'm guessing.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | June 26, 2008 at 10:23 PM
ANOTHER point guard? OK, I guess Mitch has something up his sleeve.
Posted by: ajax | June 26, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Okay, Minnesota has now officially joined the list of teams
that Memphis has given a GIFT trade to.
Memphis sends Mike Miller, Kevin Love, Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins to Minnesota.
Minnesota sends O.J. Mayo, `Toine, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner to Memphis.
Sure, Cardinal is useless and Collins is mostly useless,
but Kevin Love has some potential and Mike Miller's one
of the best shooters in the league.
What were they thinking? Do they think OJ Mayo is gonna
be the next Jordan or something? Get a clue.
I guess it gives them a cheap young threesome of Conley,
Mayo, and Gay, with Critter able to back up all three positions,
and they could trade off Kyle Lowry. They must think
very highly of Marc Gasol, cuz he'll be about all they've
got in the post for the next year. It's not like Milicic is
suddenly going to become worthy of his pick.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 26, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Edwin Gueco,
>>>What is surprising is that Russell Westbrook surpassed
>>>Darren Collison by more than 60 players talents?
Uhh. How do you figure?
Collison pulled his name out of the draft, or he likely would
have gone in the first round as well. Possibly even before
Westbrook because he's more of a true point guard.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 26, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Probably the bigger news for Lakers fans than anything in the draft is the
news that Ron Artest has changed his mind and he's planning on opting
out of his contract.
I wonder if either of the teams with cap space have contacted his agent
or if it's that someone told him he sounds like a money grubber saying he'd
never play for less money to be on a contender. He is good friends with
Lamar and Kobe, and I definitely think PJ could rein him in. I doubt the Lakers
can get him, but on the court he's exACTly the sort of player they
were missing against the Knicks.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Edwin
Your a pretty good scout yourself. But Mitch, Ronnie Lester and rest of scouting team get paid big bucks to sort all that out. Not an enviable task.
Also Joe Crawford is listed as 6'4" depending on site you visit. He is undersized for F in NBA. See write up fron Fox Sports below;
58. Lakers Joe Crawford SG 6-4 205 Kentucky
The former Kentucky guard is an experienced, hard-nosed performer with an attacker's mentality. He's not a point guard, but could make a roster with his heart and determination.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 26, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Hey everybody. Nice to see no trolls.
Joe Crawford. Eh wont stick on the team. Was OK on an underacheiving Kentucky team that had better players. Would have rather seen the Lakers draft Davon Jefferson at this point, another Trevor Ariza type player, minus the defense. But it was a pretty weak draft class in the second round this year.
By the way, the Grizz really do suck because they got rid of two guys, Love and Miller, who at least for the next 3 years will be more valuable as a combo than OJ Mayo. The Grizz could have had Conley, Miller, Gay, Love as their perimter, but instead they just got Mayo. I have no idea why they did that.
Meanwhile, Minnesota suddenly looks interesting, although I dont see Al Jefferson and Kevin Love stopping anybody in the paint anytime soon.
Draft of the Night goes to the Miami Heat. They basically filled out a roster.
PG Chalmers
SG Wade
SF Beasley
PF Marion
C Haslem
In the East thats a team that can match up against the Cleveland, Orlando and Washingtons of the world. I am calling Miami as a 5th seed and getting to the second round based on Dwayne wade and "special" foul calls.
Posted by: The Lake Show | June 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
LTLF:
"DeAndre Jordan in the second round is an EXcellent gamble.
He could turn out to be a beast in the league."
Not all guys names Jordan are NBA-level beasts. Based on what I watched of his college game and what the scouts are saying, he will have to discover that he cares if he wants to make an impact.
JALF:
WTF with that list? Collison and a bunch of those other players elected to go back to school. You're not a free agent if you declare for the draft and withdraw without retaining an agent.
General draft thoughts:
Another great draft for the Trail Blazers (getting rid of Jack was addition by subtraction and Bayless can play) and the Bucks just got better in a hurry, though obtaining both Alexander and Jefferson seems redundant.
I think Westbrook was a perfect choice for Seattle but they could've traded down and still got him. It's going to be an athletic team in Oklahoma. Hopefully Earl Watson will shelve his ego and teach his fellow Bruin some tricks of the pro game.
I think this year's second-round monster is Chris Douglas Roberts. Watch. That guy's gonna make a lot of money in the league. Quirky game, but effective.
Of course I hate Kevin McHale but I love Kevin Love. If McHale works with him one on one, showing him how to make and defend serious post moves, I'm ready to say he could even become an all-star in the NBA. At least pencil him in for a 12-year career now. great fit. Sigh.
And thanks to Chris Wallace for taking Mayo and swag for Love, Mike Miller and swag. Now he helped the ex-Celtics club just as he helped us last year with the Pau trade and nobody can bitch.
Posted by: Jesterguru | June 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM
OK, so he can play SG too. I really like the fact that he spent all 4 years in college.
Posted by: ajax | June 26, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Edwin Gueco,
>>>What is surprising is that Russell Westbrook surpassed
>>>Darren Collison by more than 60 players talents?
Uhh. How do you figure?
Collison pulled his name out of the draft, or he likely would
have gone in the first round as well. Possibly even before
Westbrook because he's more of a true point guard.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 26, 2008 at 10:27 PM
LTLF
You are right about that. Since you mentioned it I remember now that he did pull his name out of the draft. Good catch. I just saw his name on the prospect list and my eyes got big but forgot he pulled out.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM
One name I like from the FA list is Derrick Low from WSU. That guy can bomb and he's a very fundamentally sound player. Pretty athletic too (for a white guy). ;-)
Posted by: Jesterguru | June 26, 2008 at 10:51 PM
So did Tyler Hansbrough from NC.
Was Joe Crawford on anyone's mock draft list?
Posted by: Fish Guy | June 26, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Guys, for a late 2nd round pick, you picked up a unique man, a precise scorer. I am a Kentuckian, and definitely biased, yet I watched him tear up the NBA draft camp. He will be a scoring option off the bench that will be underrated for years. He can shoot the trey and drive the ball and pass. Had he played for Tubby this year, he wouldn't have ever gone pro. Billy G lit that fire under his ###. Good luck Joe and your Lakers.
Posted by: andrew wachs | June 26, 2008 at 10:55 PM
LTLF,
He is on the list of undrafted players of JustLF, so I'd surmissed he's still available for joining any NBA team.
Michael H,
Joe C was chosen by Mitch based on his excellent player skills. He is one of the best players of Kentucky Wildcats based on these statistics below. If given a chance to flourish with the Lakers, you never know he might be the next Byron Scott.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/teams/stats?teamId=96
or
http://tinyurl.com/6e9rdn
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 26, 2008 at 10:58 PM
The Lake Show (quote) "By the way, the Grizz really do suck because they got rid of two guys, Love and Miller, who at least for the next 3 years will be more valuable as a combo than OJ Mayo. The Grizz could have had Conley, Miller, Gay, Love as their perimter, but instead they just got Mayo. I have no idea why they did that."
Uhh, did you really write gay love?
Posted by: JY | June 26, 2008 at 11:02 PM
From the LA Times. Speaking about Sun Yue
"We're very optimistic that we can get him on the roster next year," Kupchak said. "I'll contact his agent this week and have some initial discussions." The Lakers now move forward to free agency, which begins Monday at 9 p.m.
They are particularly interested in re-signing Sasha Vujacic, a restricted free agent.
"I intend to contact him at 9:01 on Monday night," Kupchak said.
The Lakers are also interested in re-signing Turiaf, a restricted free agent.
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | June 26, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Did we give this guy a workout?
Crawford i mean, how did they know he was any good?
Posted by: tomK | June 26, 2008 at 11:14 PM
JALF:
WTF with that list? Collison and a bunch of those other players elected to go back to school. You're not a free agent if you declare for the draft and withdraw without retaining an agent.
I got that list from Fox Sports so I guess they did not keep it current. I agree with you and LTLF that I saw the list (thought it was current) and my eyes got big when I saw Collisons name on it. Guess in my excitement I forgot what had transpired before with Collison opting out of the draft. Mea Culpa.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | June 26, 2008 at 11:14 PM
One more interesting point with Joe Crawford, he played with Rajon Rondo when Joe was a sophomore. His scoring PPG is not too far from Rondo and beats him on FT% and 3 pt%.
http://tinyurl.com/5atgs4
Please PJ, consider playing this guy. In a year's time he will be much better than your favorite scrub.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 26, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Well, at least the Memphis trade with the T-Wolves is good for the second round pick we get from them in 2010. Hopefully the 2010 1st rounder we give them is pick #30 and we get a low 30's pick back from them.
Shout out to Joe Crawford -- Just be better than Sasha baby...
Posted by: SG | June 26, 2008 at 11:21 PM
LTLF,
Howdy.
"Memphis sends Mike Miller, Kevin Love, Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins to Minnesota.
Minnesota sends O.J. Mayo, `Toine, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner to Memphis."
Memphis sends Miller Draft Beer, Some Chunky Love, a Priest and a Player.
Minnesota sends Orange Juice - Mayonnaise, Some Chunky Walker, 6' 7" Fido Dido and a Player.
WOW!
Posted by: Charles | June 26, 2008 at 11:24 PM
@The Lake Show:
Really? I thought that was a horrible move for Minn. Basically a salary dump.
i agree they will be better in the short run but Mayo will sell tix and has better upside.
I like Love, but i think he'll be better on a good team.
Memphis will have athletic and exciting team.
Posted by: Ice | June 26, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Sun Yue:
Here is a little footage on dude in case we all 4got what he encompasses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1rua3zTM00&NR=1
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | June 27, 2008 at 05:44 AM
Eric M.,
Of course God CAN, whether he will or not is an entirely different matter.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 07:46 AM
OK, Hymie, see the X on the diagram? When we are on offense, that's where I want you to stand.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | June 27, 2008 at 08:03 AM
All I have to say is I hope he does well enough in camp to keep him on the roster. And everytime we know Joey Crawford (the ref) will be on a Laker game is put the guy in. There has to be some gimme's and freebies for a kid with the same name.......
GO LAKERS!
PS - one of the summaries said the kid has high bball IQ. I think Lakers treasure bball smarts more than any other team. And it helps he decided to stay in school - at least we know he makes sound life decisions.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl | June 27, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Okay. I'm officially starting to get excited about Sun Yue.
Dit da wan for everybody!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | June 27, 2008 at 09:13 AM
And it helps he decided to stay in school - at least we know he makes sound life decisions.
Posted by: PsychedLakerGirl
I totally agree with you. Perhaps, 15 years from now this kid will reap up the benefits he got in finishing 4 years College while his ambitious contemporaries stayed only one year or no college degree at all. Many appeased David Stearn's rule of one year in college as if he is the inspiration for educational pursuits - "Read to Achieve" For player who went to college as cameo appearance towards education, there should be a motto: "Finish College to Gain Respect". It would lead to false security having lots of money but lack of mental discipline to manage it because they don't want to miss the opportunity of being drafted in 1st round. In the long run, once they reached mid forties to retirement, I don't know which one would be better. I find it amusing on some players earning 10 million or more still compalaining because it is not enough to feed their satiety in life and yet as a professional they could not even raise their free throw percentage to 75%.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | June 27, 2008 at 09:37 AM
4 year guy who can shoot the 3, I assume he's a decent defender, doesn't appear to be a PG type so... this is Sasha's slot. Wonder if the Lakers are thinking they are going to offer "this much" to Sasha and if they lose him, they have this guy and they can probably pick up a vet on the cheap and have Ariza pick up some of Sasha's other minutes.
Hadn't really thought about the rotation next year if Sasha wasn't here. Does this open up playing time for Luke Walton? LOL! Think about it, Walton's bad contract keeps him here, Sasha is due for a major pay increase which may lead to him leaving if some team makes an outrageous offer... (see: the Hornets) funny how things work out...
Posted by: Kwammas Brownus the III | June 27, 2008 at 09:41 AM
JY,
>>>Uhh, did you really write gay love?
AHHHHHH! That explains the trade. Memphis didn't want
to be known as the Gay Love team. In Golden State that
might boost ticket sales by 20%, but in Memphis it might
get them run out of town on a rail.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | June 27, 2008 at 09:47 AM
joe crawford likely will never start for an elite nba team like the lakers; however, he could possibly evolve into a solid "6th man" type of player, providing both scoring and defense off the bench.....he is a slasher/attacker on offense, yet has ability to also shoot outside.......his senior year he also emerged as good defender, so also has ability to defend on perimeter......went through rather "awkward" adjustment during his senior-year-coaching-change (from Tubby to Billy G), and really struggled early-on this past season.....but once he accepted new coach's demand that he play good defense, he really flourished........could be a steal as 2nd round pick, and may be just beginning to realize his full potential, now that he has accepted importance of also playing defense........
his high school team-mate also selected in 2nd round at pick #48, former Oregon/Pac 10 player Malik Hairston (picked by Suns but already dealt to Spurs, i believe; must have been fairly decent high school team back in "Motown"?)
Posted by: hoopsRup | June 27, 2008 at 09:54 AM
"Think about it, Walton's bad contract keeps him here"
Don't give up hope.
If an aging, overpaid center that makes $60 million over a 3 year period can be traded for an allstar in his prime. Then somewhere, someplace, someone, can be fooled into taking a sharp shooting, high BB IQ, great defending, high flying, clutch late game player and performer.(wink, wink)
The NBA, "Where no talented, non-gifted athletes can get amazing contracts"
Posted by: Fairweather Fatty | June 27, 2008 at 09:54 AM