The Son Spot

Snidely FC · Post #1 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 1:28 pm

When Gerald Henderson is cold, which this yr is fifty percent of the time, we lose big. Look it up. This effect is particularly noticeable in light of no back up SG. We look forward to the return of Reggie Williams, but in the meantime, we have the decaying carcass of Matt Carroll and the obnoxious presence of Director of Basketball's son, Hig-son. Okay, so Cory Higgins is only 22, has good size and scored decently at Colorado (don't we all at college?). But this is such an opportune time for this team to use that spot to experiment, try out new players, shake the bushes, rattle some cages. Maybe we find some pleasant surprises like the White Brothers (Byron & DJ). Someone who can really contribute.

Rich Cho is putting together a Database. Presumably this involves scouts. I know I can look at boxscores and websites just like anyone, and like to peruse the D League scores for outliers. There are guys out there that would be interesting to have a look at. And with 10 day contract options . . . I'm just saying.

Example: Elijah Millsap. No, I had never heard of him either. But, he is Paul Millsap's younger brother. Relative of currrent NBA player, relative of former NBA player, what's the diff, right? Millsap plays for the LA D-Fenders in the D. He is 24, 6'6" averaging 23 pts 7 rbs on 48% 3 pt shooting. http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/elijah_millsap/ He's playing SG in D league but played SF in college. Can you say swingman? Why not give him a look? If he doesn't look good, it's on to the next one. Having Hig-son do nothing on the bench does nothing for this team. Let's use the Son Spot more Cho-wisely.

Battery · Post #2 » by **Battery** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:02 pm

Snidely FC wrote:When Gerald Henderson is cold, which this yr is fifty percent of the time, we lose big. Look it up. This effect is particularly noticeable in light of no back up SG. We look forward to the return of Reggie Williams, but in the meantime, we have the decaying carcass of Matt Carroll and the obnoxious presence of Director of Basketball's son, Hig-son. Okay, so Cory Higgins is only 22, has good size and scored decently at Colorado (don't we all at college?). But this is such an opportune time for this team to use that spot to experiment, try out new players, shake the bushes, rattle some cages. Maybe we find some pleasant surprises like the White Brothers (Byron & DJ). Someone who can really contribute.

As for the rest of your post, I think you are reading too much into the Gerald Henderson thing. We lose big because we're not playing any defense. Everyone on the team is accountable in that area.

Post #3 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:25 pm

Battery wrote::lol:

As for the rest of your post, I think you are reading too much into the Gerald Henderson thing. We lose big because we're not playing any defense. Everyone on the team is accountable in that area.

For a poster who continually cry's about players and their lack of consistency I'm shocked you are so willing to give Hendo a free pass.

Edit: Actually, no I'm not.

Post #4 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:28 pm

What s Chris Douglas-Roberts up to these days? He always had a pretty good ability to create his own offense. A guy like him might be handy in the 2nd unit backing up the SG/SF spots?

Snidely FC · Post #5 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:38 pm

^He signed to play with Virtus Bologna in Italy, I guess since they couldn't get Kobe

Post #6 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:41 pm

Snidely FC wrote:^He signed to play with Virtus Bologna in Italy, I guess since they couldn't get Kobe

Thanks Snidely.

Does he have an NBA "out" or is he locked in for the entire season?

e4Nf6 · Post #7 » by **e4Nf6** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:45 pm

I feel like CDR had his shot in the NBA and it didn't work out. We should find somebody at the end of some good teams bench and get him for a 2nd round pick like with Mullins.

Post #8 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:59 pm

e4Nf6 wrote:We should find somebody at the end of some good teams bench and get him for a 2nd round pick like with Mullins.

Luke Babbit?

Snidely FC · Post #9 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:00 pm

^ CDR signed for one yr no out

Battery wrote:As for the rest of your post, I think you are reading too much into the Gerald Henderson thing. We lose big because we're not playing any defense. Everyone on the team is accountable in that area.

Totally agree on the Defense, though I think Silas' rotations play a major role in that. Different thread.

So, lets forget my spurious attack on Hendo and play the Rebuilding Card. Rebuilding implies looking for new, young talent. If Hig-son is not ready to play even now when we need someone as a backup SG, then bring in someone who is. We've got a window of time to do this before Williams is available. I know I am spitting in the wind since Rod won't do it. But wouldn't it be fun to find more Byron Mullens types? That's the point of the thread. Looking for ideas on who is out there and available . . . maybe even someone intriguing enough for Rod to shaft his son?

Snidely FC · Post #10 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:05 pm

BigSlam wrote:
e4Nf6 wrote:We should find somebody at the end of some good teams bench and get him for a 2nd round pick like with Mullins.

Luke Babbit?

Saturday night playing for the Iowa Stampede vs. the Bakersfield Jam, Luke Babbit put up 35 pts 11 rbs 5/9 on 3pters in 38 minutes.

e4Nf6 · Post #11 » by **e4Nf6** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:30 pm

BigSlam wrote:Luke Babbit?

If it's for a 2nd round pick I'm down even though I'm not very optimistic about him as a prospect. He seems like one of those "men-among-boys" college players that doesn't translate well to the NBA.

Snidely FC · Post #12 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 4:05 pm

How about Elliott Williams, Portland? He seems buried behind Matthews & Crawford. Any opinion on him?

And, BTW, some interesting players assigned to D league, Tyler Honeycutt & Jordan Hamilton. Doesn't mean they're available but would love to inquire . . .

Post #13 » by **BigSlam** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 4:20 pm

Bassman · Post #14 » by **Bassman** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 4:39 pm

Completely agree with Snidely on the lack of purpose with Higgin's son on this team.

Millsap sounds very interesting, but there are others who I'm sure are worth looking at. I like Hendo...but still not sold on him being a starter-caliber player in this league. He brings a lot, and I'm pulling for him. But he was never a great shooter, and while he's improved, I do not see "deadly" on his future resume. Hendo stikes me as an ideal 6th man type who can play good D and hit some shots or score in stretches.

mrknowitall215 · Post #15 » by **mrknowitall215** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 4:56 pm

I'm all in for the CDR bid, if possible.

Kembastockton · Post #16 » by **Kembastockton** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 6:03 pm

Example: Elijah Millsap. No, I had never heard of him either. But, he is Paul Millsap's younger brother. Relative of currrent NBA player, relative of former NBA player, what's the diff, right? Millsap plays for the LA D-Fenders in the D. He is 24, 6'6" averaging 23 pts 7 rbs on 48% 3 pt shooting. http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/elijah_millsap/ He's playing SG in D league but played SF in college. Can you say swingman? Why not give him a look? If he doesn't look good, it's on to the next one. Having Hig-son do nothing on the bench does nothing for this team. Let's use the Son Spot more Cho-wisely.

I saw him play this fall, and yes he looks pretty good. I was under the impression however that because he wasn't with our dleague affiliate we could not just give him a look. I was under the impression that the lakers owned his rights.

LamarMatic7 · Post #17 » by **LamarMatic7** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 6:44 pm

The Maine Red Claws (god, I love these D-League team names) are our affiliates, right? Then let's tank properly and pick up Ricky Davis.

Snidely FC · Post #18 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 6:51 pm

DJQuick wrote:
Example: Elijah Millsap. No, I had never heard of him either. But, he is Paul Millsap's younger brother. Relative of currrent NBA player, relative of former NBA player, what's the diff, right? Millsap plays for the LA D-Fenders in the D. He is 24, 6'6" averaging 23 pts 7 rbs on 48% 3 pt shooting. http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/elijah_millsap/ He's playing SG in D league but played SF in college. Can you say swingman? Why not give him a look? If he doesn't look good, it's on to the next one. Having Hig-son do nothing on the bench does nothing for this team. Let's use the Son Spot more Cho-wisely.

I saw him play this fall, and yes he looks pretty good. I was under the impression however that because he wasn't with our dleague affiliate we could not just give him a look. I was under the impression that the lakers owned his rights.

No. He is a Free Agent not an assigned player. The D League Media Guide explains:

PLAYER MOVEMENT
There are two types of players in the D-League: those on assignment from NBA teams and free agents. While assigned players can only be
recalled by the NBA team which owns the players rights, free agents can be signed by any NBA team at any time of the year.
• A Gatorade Call-Up occurs when an NBA D-League player is signed (“called-up”) by an NBA team. Any NBA team may sign
(“call-up”) any NBA D-League player (other than assigned players) at any point during the NBA D-League season.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/losangeles/m ... aguide.pdf

Luke Babbit is an example of an Assigned player. He was assigned by Portland to their affiliate. We could not just offer him a Call Up but would have to trade for him.

captaincrunk · Post #19 » by **captaincrunk** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 6:54 pm

Snidely FC wrote:No. He is a Free Agent not an assigned player. The D League Media Guide explains:

PLAYER MOVEMENT
There are two types of players in the D-League: those on assignment from NBA teams and free agents. While assigned players can only be
recalled by the NBA team which owns the players rights, free agents can be signed by any NBA team at any time of the year.
• A Gatorade Call-Up occurs when an NBA D-League player is signed (“called-up”) by an NBA team. Any NBA team may sign
(“call-up”) any NBA D-League player (other than assigned players) at any point during the NBA D-League season.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/losangeles/m ... aguide.pdf

So we could give him a ten day contract if we wanted?

I'm always unsure on D-Leagers because, well, no one else saw the talent so why Snidely FC? But plenty of guys have been in the D-League so why not him?

Snidely FC · Post #20 » by **Snidely FC** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 7:04 pm

Agreed. Certainly way better basketball minds than mine have seen him play. And I was not saying he is THE man. But in many ways the NBA is just about opportunity. Look at what Terrel Harris and Ivan Johnson have done with theirs. And Byron Mullens for that matter. I'm just saying try them out. We're in a unique spot where we can get away with this now. If the first guy doesn't fit, try the next guy. If Higgins isn't good enough, then why just leave that spot blocked like an obstructed colon?

Of course, the alternative is to give Higgins rotation minutes, rather than garbage time. Maybe he really can help us, but so far it's hard to tell. Has anyone seen anything from Cory Higgins to make them think he's going to be productive? One interesting note is that ESPN lists Higgins as 3rd PG on the Bobcats depth chart. With DJA & Kemba, we don't need a 3rd string PG half as much as we need a starting SF & 2nd string SG. So, a swingman would be a better roster choice than a combo guard, imo.