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A winner. A fighter. A natural scorer. A defender. Sprained both ankles late in season. Could he have been overlooked?

Critics say his ceiling has already been reached. Some project him as the next Conley(!) thanks to his deceptive efficiency.

I really like what little scouting report I’ve seen.

Welcome!

Welcome to the D Fenders

Die hard UNC fan here who has watched Joel Berry play since his AAU days at E1T1.

Here is some background on him. He was not the best prospect on E1T1, but was the best player on a team that has him, D’Angelo Russell and Grayson Allen on it. His dad is a power lifter and he was able to bully his way to the basket on the high school level. 6’0” and about 180 lbs of pure muscle. He now stands at about 195 lbs.

He wins at every level. Simply put. He won back to back state championships in Florida, won an AAU championship, went to back to back national championships at UNC. The guy will put the team on his back and is a warrior. He gets a look in his face and he knows it’s kill time.

Competitiveness is never an issue for him. He brings it 100%, will mix it up with others. Loves to talk trash. Reportedly after Duval had a sick dunk on UNC, Berry went up to him and said “I don’t give a damn that you are a OAD, I am going to kick your ass.” Also, he got up in Gary Trent’s face. He loves to talk and backs it up. He is a guy that Lebron and Rondo are going to love and that will really push Lonzo in practice. He would have licked his chops to play Lonzo in college. He more than held his own against D’Aaron Fox twice and absolutely embarassed Dennis Smith Junior twice in college.

Strengths:

Strength
Competitiveness
Catch and shoot
Clutch
Mid Range game

Weaknesses:

Height
Physical gifts
Not a pure point guard

Some games he would try to do too much on offense this past year probably because he and Luke Maye were the only ones who could create their own offense. He took some questionable shots. He tries his hardest on defense, but isn’t the best run and jump athlete.

Overall I think the Lakers being a team that lacks shooters and having big guys like Lebron and Ball who can run the offense, Berry is a great fit for you all. He would ideally back up for 10-15 minutes mainly from the 2 guard spot, providing some extra ball handling. He is an excellent spot up shooter, which the Lakers need more of.

I think he can carve a career similar to Patty Mills.

For your viewing pleasure, this highlights a lot of what he can do:

https://youtu.be/yPT-IOlOdLA




In

Thanks for sharing. Is that you, Joel? Lol

Any defensive related expert assessment you wouldn’t mind sharing?

stan francisco wrote:Thanks for sharing. Is that you, Joel? Lol

Any defensive related expert assessment you wouldn’t mind sharing?

He is a pesky, physical defender. He loves to body up people. Can get a bit overzealous and bull in the china shoppish when going for steals. Gets him in trouble a lot.

More than anything he is a very average athlete. Just doesn’t have the lateral quicks nor the wingspan to cover a lot of ground defensively. Any PG above 6’3” with long strides will give him trouble to stay in front of. He will always be prone to get shot over.

skiz2 wrote:

stan francisco wrote:Thanks for sharing. Is that you, Joel? Lol

Any defensive related expert assessment you wouldn’t mind sharing?

He is a pesky, physical defender. He loves to body up people. Can get a bit overzealous and bull in the china shoppish when going for steals. Gets him in trouble a lot.

More than anything he is a very average athlete. Just doesn’t have the lateral quicks nor the wingspan to cover a lot of ground defensively. Any PG above 6’3” with long strides will give him trouble to stay in front of. He will always be prone to get shot over.

Thanks.

I'm still wondering why we gave him this contract.
I see his shooting capability.
At 6' how does he defend.
I will wait and see; but...

AGAVE wrote:I'm still wondering why we gave him this contract.
I see his shooting capability.
At 6' how does he defend.
I will wait and see; but...

https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2018/6/22/17492058/nba-rumors-la-lakers-sign-malik-newman-joel-berry-ii-jeffrey-carroll-undrafted-free-agency

Apparently Berry and Carroll were signed right after the draft together with Malik Newman who has now been cut.

skiz2 wrote:

stan francisco wrote:Thanks for sharing. Is that you, Joel? Lol

Any defensive related expert assessment you wouldn’t mind sharing?

He is a pesky, physical defender. He loves to body up people. Can get a bit overzealous and bull in the china shoppish when going for steals. Gets him in trouble a lot.

More than anything he is a very average athlete. Just doesn’t have the lateral quicks nor the wingspan to cover a lot of ground defensively. Any PG above 6’3” with long strides will give him trouble to stay in front of. He will always be prone to get shot over.

Where would you expect his projection over the next few years to be, let’s say between “better than Tyler Ennis” and “a poor man’s Conley”? Where on that scale would you guess he’ll be heading toward becoming in a year or two?

stan francisco wrote:

skiz2 wrote:

stan francisco wrote:Thanks for sharing. Is that you, Joel? Lol

Any defensive related expert assessment you wouldn’t mind sharing?

He is a pesky, physical defender. He loves to body up people. Can get a bit overzealous and bull in the china shoppish when going for steals. Gets him in trouble a lot.

More than anything he is a very average athlete. Just doesn’t have the lateral quicks nor the wingspan to cover a lot of ground defensively. Any PG above 6’3” with long strides will give him trouble to stay in front of. He will always be prone to get shot over.

Where would you expect his projection over the next few years to be, let’s say between “better than Tyler Ennis” and “a poor man’s Conley”? Where on that scale would you guess he’ll be heading toward becoming in a year or two?

Stylistically and impact wise, I see him as another Patty Mills.

skiz2 wrote:

stan francisco wrote:

skiz2 wrote:
He is a pesky, physical defender. He loves to body up people. Can get a bit overzealous and bull in the china shoppish when going for steals. Gets him in trouble a lot.

More than anything he is a very average athlete. Just doesn’t have the lateral quicks nor the wingspan to cover a lot of ground defensively. Any PG above 6’3” with long strides will give him trouble to stay in front of. He will always be prone to get shot over.

Where would you expect his projection over the next few years to be, let’s say between “better than Tyler Ennis” and “a poor man’s Conley”? Where on that scale would you guess he’ll be heading toward becoming in a year or two?

Stylistically and impact wise, I see him as another Patty Mills.

Interesting. That would be pretty good given he was signed from the undrafted pool. Many Lakers fans hope that you’re right. And he’s gone four years in college so he should be fairly ready. Thanks for sharing your take. Gonna keep all of the above in mind when I watch him play. Cheers.

stan francisco wrote:

skiz2 wrote:

stan francisco wrote:
Where would you expect his projection over the next few years to be, let’s say between “better than Tyler Ennis” and “a poor man’s Conley”? Where on that scale would you guess he’ll be heading toward becoming in a year or two?

Stylistically and impact wise, I see him as another Patty Mills.

Interesting. That would be pretty good given he was signed from the undrafted pool. Many Lakers fans hope that you’re right. And he’s gone four years in college so he should be fairly ready. Thanks for sharing your take. Gonna keep all of the above in mind when I watch him play. Cheers.

I dont think many Lakers fans are pinning any hope on Joel Berry II. Lakers are amassing tall, long flexible switchable defenders who can create on offense. Berry doesnt fit the lineup.

MelosSoreWrist wrote:

stan francisco wrote:

skiz2 wrote:
Stylistically and impact wise, I see him as another Patty Mills.

Interesting. That would be pretty good given he was signed from the undrafted pool. Many Lakers fans hope that you’re right. And he’s gone four years in college so he should be fairly ready. Thanks for sharing your take. Gonna keep all of the above in mind when I watch him play. Cheers.

I dont think many Lakers fans are pinning any hope on Joel Berry II. Lakers are amassing tall, long flexible switchable defenders who can create on offense. Berry doesnt fit the lineup.

On a team that lacks consistent shooters Berry is a perfect fit. Especially because the Lakers have several guys who can draw double teams and move the ball around. He is lethal catch and shoot player, with unlimited range.

Obviously, I am a bit biased, and could be wrong, but I would not be surprised if he surprised some people.