Deng-Lakers

[NYCLaker]

Few questions about Deng.

Was his gameplay from SF to PF a huge difference?

Can he still guard wings effectively?

How many more years do you think he can play effective bball?

[QUIZ]

Yeah the switch to PF was huge for him but when other teams also played small it pretty much nullified the advantage of it.

Yeah he can still guard wings, he's not a lock down guy anymore but he'll pretty much defend anybody without complaint.

I don't know how long he can play. As a SF he's pretty much done, we saw a huge drop off in production in that regard, he's simply lost a couple of steps.

He's a 35yr old in a 31yr Olds body. He consistently looked older than Wade last season with that said though come playoff time he was a beast vs the Hornets.

[NYCLaker]

Thanks mate.

Many of us Laker fans are very hopeful on Deng, however, many rip Mozgov signing. Reading your analysis actually makes me worried.

Especially, with 2 4 year 0 team option contracts on +30 year old vets...

[deb]

I don't think he's done. He was better in the second half of the season. In part because he's now more of a pf than sf, but also because no Bosh and a faster style of play meant more looks and touches for Deng. He can still defend bigger wings, as a pf he rebounds suprisingly well, can hit a three pointer and runs on the break.He's still a great player and I'm sad to see him go... It's a wierd pickup for lal though, he can't carry a team, but the better his teamates the better he gets. He's most valuable to a contender imo...

[Mos_Heat]

He is a good veteran for a young team, but at the end of the contract he will be like Battier in his last years with the Heat.

[twix2500]

Deng is ten times better than Mosgov. But he is a role player a complimentary piece. He has to fit the role you put him in. Prior to the second half of the season we depended on him to stretch the court which is not his motto. If he is not in the corner you don't want him shooting.

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[HIF]

You will be more than happy with Deng. He has more heart than most of the rest of the NBA put together.

[dancing2thabeet]

Thanks mate.

Many of us Laker fans are very hopeful on Deng, however, many rip Mozgov signing. Reading your analysis actually makes me worried.

Especially, with 2 4 year 0 team option contracts on +30 year old vets...

Even if Deng doesn't play a single minute in your jersey he will do wonders for your youngblood development.

He's as professional and classy as they come in this league. And tough as nails.

[Shewasfly]

It took me awhile to appreciate what Deng brought to the table, but now, when faced with our current lineup of trash and more trash on the wing, I miss him already.

I think him even needing to play 4 to be effective is overstated. I think it worked for us because Dragic isn't a true PG but also isn't a great scoring threat, so we needed as much offense on the floor as we could get. He helped our bad spacing too. But I think he'll work just fine at 3 still.

[eddieheatfan]

pretty classy guy and can defend some but he is getting old for the game.he can no longer play long minutes,i believe

[eddieheatfan]

It took me awhile to appreciate what Deng brought to the table, but now, when faced with our current lineup of trash and more trash on the wing, I miss him already.

I think him even needing to play 4 to be effective is overstated. I think it worked for us because Dragic isn't a true PG but also isn't a great scoring threat, so we needed as much offense on the floor as we could get. He helped our bad spacing too. But I think he'll work just fine at 3 still.

why are you so hard on this new team? if anything learn to embrace it and have some hope.we could be a playoff team at best and at worst pat will have players to trade by next season.trust the process

[Shewasfly]

It took me awhile to appreciate what Deng brought to the table, but now, when faced with our current lineup of trash and more trash on the wing, I miss him already.

I think him even needing to play 4 to be effective is overstated. I think it worked for us because Dragic isn't a true PG but also isn't a great scoring threat, so we needed as much offense on the floor as we could get. He helped our bad spacing too. But I think he'll work just fine at 3 still.

why are you so hard on this new team? if anything learn to embrace it and have some hope.we could be a playoff team at best and at worst pat will have players to trade by next season.trust the process

I just think we're going to be bad thats all. Which may not be that bad of a thing if we're BAD enough. But maybe Bosh comes back and helps us to make the playoffs too. Either way, I'm looking forward to watching Winslow, J Rich, and TJ grow next year.

[batterybro42]

Great for the young guys they have over there. I constantly saw Bosh with Richardson, and give him credit for his progress as a rookie. He's just a class act I wish he could have been here for the rest of his career.

That being said Deng is no longer a starting SF in this league, but he can serve the role as a versatile stretch 4 type player. Can shoot 35% percent from 3 and get his own shot at times.

He's more valuable to what he means to the team personality wise than he does talent at this point in his career. I love Deng, and he was a true asset during his time here. Dependable, professional, and just an all around good guy Deng

[NYCLaker]

All good points, however, was that worth a 4 year deal for 72M. Also, I kind of worry about what happen with him during his span with the Cavs.

[justicewinslow]

He's younger than Lebron so he still has some good years left. Maybe limit his minutes and give him that Battier role.

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[Dr_Heat]

I miss Deng already

[gom]

Few questions about Deng.

I think Deng on the Lakers will be hugely successful and a great surprise to Lakers fans. Deng is a solid player on court, but he also adds first-class leadership to the locker room. He was a great signing for Los Angeles. To answer your questions now:

Was his gameplay from SF to PF a huge difference?

Offensively, yes, but he played great defense at both positions. His shooting as a stretch 4 was a big part of Miami's improved season after Bosh went down. Defensively, he was very good at the wing, but moving him to PF created a mismatch in speed that he really enjoyed. Here are his stats from last year showing his improvement at moving to PF. I used GmSC as a statistic, but honestly, it doesn't matter much what you use. Every part of his game seemed to improve and he also passed the eye test.



The two numbers in the outermost column are his GameSC before and after Bosh leaving the team. GmSC, in case you don't know, here is the definition from basketball-reference:

Game Score; the formula is PTS + 0.4 * FG - 0.7 * FGA - 0.4*(FTA - FT) + 0.7 * ORB + 0.3 * DRB + STL + 0.7 * AST + 0.7 * BLK - 0.4 * PF - TOV. Game Score was created by John Hollinger to give a rough measure of a player's productivity for a single game. The scale is similar to that of points scored, (40 is an outstanding performance, 10 is an average performance, etc.).

Can he still guard wings effectively?

No question. He's also as tough as nails. He was poked in the eye in Washington, basically blinding him. He missed one game and came back harder than ever. I love Deng. I really do.

How many more years do you think he can play effective bball?

He looks older than he is. He's just turned 30 (or maybe 31). He's smart enough to transition his game. Moving to PF and going bonkers from beyond the arc is an indication that he knows what he is doing.

[NYCLaker]

Yea, good points. However, I think our front office wants him to play SF moreso than smallball 4, which could be a huge problem for us...

[BadMofoPimp]

All good points, however, was that worth a 4 year deal for 72M. Also, I kind of worry about what happen with him during his span with the Cavs.

Do you really think Deng will be earning 18 mil at age 35?