Welcome to the Lakers-Ryan Kelly!

[moonpie]

48th overall the Lakers select Ryan Kelly from Duke.

Video highlights:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00K4T2XnF-8[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GfDEikMUh4[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETOao4l8rNc[/youtube]

Ryan Kelly is a 6-11/7-0, 230 lb stretch PF from what I can see. He has a high release point on his jumper with good form and shot over 40% from the 3 point arc his past two seasons at Duke when he got meaningful playing time. Last year he averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds for the Blue Devils. He looks slow footed at times but deceptively gets to the rim although NBA defenses will not allow him to do so. He seems to have good footwork when he operates in the mid post with some Dirk like fadeaway maneuvers, something to look out for if he can develop. You won't see many defensive highlights but he seems to be an underrated defender, registering over a steal per game and over two blocks per game per 40 minutes.

Projection: It's quite possible he makes the team to replace Jamison in the rotation. I can see MDA liking his ability to stretch the floor with some defense thrown in there. I don't think he has enough foot speed to put the ball on the floor at this level but Dirk kind of looks like that sometimes as well and yet still swishes it in.

Best case scenario: Hoboman's Dirk Nowitski/Ryan Anderson w/ less rebounding
Average: Channing Frye/Jorge Garbajosa
Worst: Nick Fazekas/Walter Hermann

Welcome to the Lakers Ryan!

[moonpie]

Dave Miller breakdown of Kelly

http://www.twcsportsnet.com/videos/2013 ... ryan-kelly

Some tweets:

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers 36m
.@RyanKelly34: "Stretch 4, there's an opportunity there for a guy that can shoot the ball like I can." Compares style to Ryan Anderson.

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers 39m
.@RyanKelly34 got to meet @kobebryant last summer in Las Vegas: "I look forward to learning from one of the greatest players of all time."

Ryan Kelly ‏@RyanKelly34 27m
Unbelievably excited to be a part of the @Lakers ! Can't wait to work hard and earn my spot! Very blessed

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers 21m
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak on @RyanKelly34: "He was the player we had rated the highest on the board that was available."

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers 20m
Kupchak praising Kelly's ability to shoot from the mid-range & believes he can become a consistent NBA three-point shooter.

[jellybean8]

LoLAKERS

[Father Time]

Please don't suck.

[dockingsched]

looks like a nice fit for Dwight and MDA.

[DEEP3CL]

Good pick

[denimourson]

Nice fit for the Lakers as that means Pau won't shoot 3s, and get down on the block

[TyCobb]

I ain't even mad. The players I wanted didn't even get drafted, Zeke Marshall and Brandon Paul, so hopefully we can give them a look now. Welcome to the Lakers Mr. Kelly!

[Minime83]

Nice fit for the Lakers as that means Pau won't shoot 3s, and get down on the block

Let's hope so.

[moonpie]

I ain't even mad. The players I wanted didn't even get drafted, Zeke Marshall and Brandon Paul, so hopefully we can give them a look now. Welcome to the Lakers Mr. Kelly!

Definitely a lot of sleepers available for the SL roster.

[TruSkool]

better than brian cook

[moonpie]

better than brian cook

Has Brian Cook ever trended on twitter

[LApwnd]

better than brian cook

based on what? He's looks even slower than Cook and Cook was 1st or 2nd teamer in his conference during the year of his draft.

[TruSkool]

better than brian cook

based on what? He's looks even slower than Cook and Cook was 1st or 2nd teamer in his conference during the year of his draft.

ryan kelly can back players down in the post better than cook, and duke players in general have better bball IQ, well coached, and fast learners, as compared to illinois. thats all you can ask for when you have a mid 2nd round pick.

[XtotheDeezy]

I hope this is the year we begin to go on a Spurs like run when drafting. Ryan Kelly...the next Dirk Nowitzki let's make it happen!

[moonpie]

Cook was drafted specifically for Phil and the triangle and all he could really do was shoot his frozen rope threes. Kelly has at least shown some diversity in his offensive game being able to put the ball on the floor and even operate with his back to the basket. Cook was a somewhat decent position defender on the low block and if Kelly can add some lower body strength he can be too, with the added bonus of having better timing instincts (see his 1.6 BPG average last year)

[hazy_01]

I hope we actually let him play this season. Every rookie we draft always end up in the gutter (Ebanks, Goudelock, etc).

[ArC_man]

I feel like this means either Pau, Dwight, Clark, or Hill is gone next season.

[WIZ]

Great pick! Now let's hope the Lakers get even younger in the coming weeks.

[Iamabeasttt]

seth curry went undrafted. possible pickup?

bonus: we'll get to see his mom at staples center