Lakers free agent addition Troy Brown was a full participant in Saturday’s practice and is set to make his season debut on Sunday against Portland, according to Kyle Goon of The Southern California News Group.
The team has been vague regarding Brown’s back issue, but Brown revealed that it’s a pretty serious one — he’s been dealing with a herniated disc, the same injury that caused Brook Lopez and Ben Simmons to undergo surgery within the last year. Goon writes that the Lakers have been cautious not to overextend Brown, who had been limited to non-contact work for weeks until recently.
Head coach Darvin Ham lavished praise on what Brown might provide to the team.
“Just his size, his athleticism, his length, his ability to shoot,” Ham said, per Goon. “And he’s just a young player that’s got NBA games under his belt already that we’re super excited about. I think just his attention to detail, making sure he’s in the right space, right place within the offense, and defensively him really wanting to help, and I think he will.”
At 6’6″ and 215 pounds, Brown is one of the few true wings on the Lakers’ roster, and at 23 years old, he could have some untapped upside. Still, he only averaged 4.3 PPG and 3.1 RPG in 66 games (16 MPG) for the Bulls last season, so it would be pretty surprising if he had a major impact on his new team after dealing with a back injury.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Ham continues to publicly support Russell Westbrook despite his shooting struggles, Goon relays in the same article. Westbrook was 0-of-11 from the field against the Clippers, though he did compete hard on defense, which pleased Ham. “That’s what I asked of him and that’s what I preached this summer and everybody looked at me like I was crazy,” Ham said. “But Russ is still an elite athlete, and those are the things I’m talking about when I’m saying sacrifice. Not to take anything away, necessarily, but for him to diversify his game. And he’s been trying to do that.”
- Anthony Davis, who took a hard fall in the loss to the Clippers on Thursday, had been listed as probable for Sunday’s game, which typically means the player will wind up playing, and that is indeed the case. Ham confirmed the news to reporters (Twitter link via Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times).
- Refusing to improve the roster around LeBron James is squandering what’s left of the superstar’s prime and “that’s negligence” from the front office, argues Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Zillgitt says that the lack of shooting on the Lakers’ roster is particularly perplexing given how successful James has been when surrounded by shooters throughout his career. For what it’s worth, the Lakers currently trail the Blazers 55-48 at halftime and are 1-of-16 from three-point range.
6-of-33 in the end. Unless they trade for shooters it’s gonna be a long season for them. You can’t win like that
I don’t expect Doc Rivers and Ham to lead the teams to win Championships but I can’t believe this.
30 coaches ranking in the first week
30th best Doc Rivers
29th best Darvin Ham
Quote @PeterVecsey1
Doc Rivers has told friends the 76ers are losing because Daryl Morey is coaching him out of position… – 9:53 PM
So Morey now has the record for most 3-1 playoff losses?
Beverly is the only player apart from the two stars playing hard. Walker is chucking like he did in San Antonio. They need to bench or send home Russ and start Reaves. He plays hard and works well with Bron
Doesn’t matter how hard Beverly is playing when he’s 3-15 from the field over 3 games. The Lakers need better depth. Neither Lonnie Walker or Pat Beverly should be starting when you’re trying win basketball games. Westbrook should be starting, just not for the Lakers.
So he starts Brickbrook who goes 4-15 and Lillard and Hart go off for 50 on 60%/50% shooting (7-14 from three).
Brown had 4 pts on 2-7 with 4 rebs, I guess it could have been worse…
Blame the GM for Westbrook playing so much. You know he wants ham to start him just in case he gets hot for a couple of weeks and can pump up his trade value. At this moment in time they should just release Westbrook and move on but that $47 million hit would be tough.
I am waiting Ham to explain
Final 26 seconds?, Lakers up 1
Why did Ham assign Westbrook to make jump shot from 10 feet and missed?
League pass
Channel 1220
And with 18 seconds on the shoot clock… I couldnt believe it
Not only should he not have shot it, but how the heck did he MISS it?
No Lakers were in the paint when he missed it
IQ
IQ
Still a little early for a trade but lakers pressure is building after an 0-3 start.
Lots of media attention about Gordan Haywood liking the tweet about joking to the lakers.
Would love to see that.
Russ, Nunn and a first for Gordan Haywood, Kelly Oubre and Mason Plumblee
Run with, Beverly Oubre Bron AD Plumblee and off the bench Schroder Walker JTA Hayward Bryant/Jones.
Better defence with Bev and Oubre on the perimeter and AD down low. Oubre is a very solid third scoring option. Off the bench Schroder should return soon and with Hayward those two would offer huge impact.
Either that or go back to the pacers and take Heild and Turner. Who cares about the 2 first round picks.
Beverly Heild Bron AD Turner and off the bench Schroder Walker JTA Brown Jr Bryant/Jones.
Obviously then Heild is the third scoring option along with Turner whos a good contributor. But defensively Heild can be weak but Turner makes up for it down low. Then off the bench your needing Schroder to do a lot with less depth
Pelinka should try to trade Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma. What a clown
Amazing how much talent the Lakers have gotten rid of in recent years that would help them right now. Brook Lopez, Caruso, KCP, Jordan Clarkson, Hart, Ingram, Kuzma, Nance, Randle, Lonzo, Zubac, Gary Payton II, Bullock, McGee, Dwight, Melo, Harrell, Wes Matthews, Malik Monk.
AD needs to stop trying to shoot the 3. He had a nice little run during the bubble but he needs to stick with his strengths. Start Matt Ryan and work Russ with the 2nd unit.