Larry Nance Jr. - No. 27 pick, 2015 NBA Draft aka Looney Draft

[john248]

I don't see the big deal about Looney. Even without the reports about his back, he was a late 1st round pick. Athletically, he's unimpressive and his scoring wasn't noteworthy. Offensively, he just looks like a potential floor spacers, and even though he was a roll man in college, I doubt he does that well at the NBA level considering his slow feet and lack of explosiveness. And he's nothing like Draymond Green on offense since Green was noted as a solid passer in college and did at least post up at the college level too. Looney's offense doesn't seem all that valuable to me since we've seen Frye, Novak, and Ryan Anderson's value dip because of their mostly stationary game.

This doesn't mean that I favor Nance in this comparison. They're similarly tiered players who both are at best role players in this league. It's obvious, aside from Looney's reported back issue, that the Lakers took Nance based on athleticism and role player attitude alone. Nance's defense at the college level may have been a factor, but given that he isn't super skilled like most players late in the 1st round and after, his athleticism is at least something to work with that usually isn't there at that spot in the draft.

[TyCobb]

Nance is more athletic and a better weak-side defender, but Looney is better in every other aspect. Better shooter, better rebounder, better passer, smarter decision maker, and better ball-handler. Looney was projected as a late lotto-pick until the night before the draft when the 'red-flag' reports came out. He was a top 8 player from the statistical analysis community. He's 19 years old and showed an advanced feel for the game, offensively and defensively, and was exceptional at rebounding. Looney shot 60% in conference play for 3 pointers and was top 5 in rebounding. He's a stat sheet stuffer who rarely makes the wrong decision (11.9 TO rate).

[Sofa King]

Most Laker fans will remember this draft as a Russell-Okafor class. Because of Ty, I'm remembering this draft as the Looney Draft.

[Sofa King]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgSUCOmphR4[/youtube]

[Marionettetc]

Does Looney have the keys to unlock the closet and emerge as the steal of the draft? Only time (and Miles) will tell

[TyCobb]

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‏@NickSwagyPYoung
Congrats to my lil cuz Kevon Looney #ProveThemWrong


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Can't believe they passed on him. How do you miss him in your own backyard? Any success he has will make me sick to my stomach. I plan on getting really sick.

[john248]

Yea, I still don't see it in Looney. Looks like a role player off the bench which is still very nice. But hey, cry about it.

[LApwnd]

Yea, I still don't see it in Looney. Looks like a role player off the bench which is still very nice. But hey, cry about it.

And what is Nance, a stud?

[Pointgod]

Lol I love the highlight reel of Looney scoring 11 points. Beast! Also doesn't he have degenerative back problems and hip problems? Dude is going to be a bench player, Jonathan Bender all over again. We shouldn't compare him to Nance because that pick was a reach.

[aaron_gray]

Yea, I still don't see it in Looney. Looks like a role player off the bench which is still very nice. But hey, cry about it.

And what is Nance, a stud?

two wrongs don't make a right

[john248]

Yea, I still don't see it in Looney. Looks like a role player off the bench which is still very nice. But hey, cry about it.

And what is Nance, a stud?

Is there a good reason why you just posted that? Clearly not since I said no such think about Nance. Nance looks like a role player too. Both these guys will be lucky to have long careers. Will you continue to cry about the pick some more?

[LApwnd]

Yea, I still don't see it in Looney. Looks like a role player off the bench which is still very nice. But hey, cry about it.

And what is Nance, a stud?

Is there a good reason why you just posted that? Clearly not since I said no such think about Nance. Nance looks like a role player too. Both these guys will be lucky to have long careers. Will you continue to cry about the pick some more?

people can't express their preference without you belitting them? and Looney does look like he does do something well, which is reb at very good clipp. I dont see Nance do anything well but dunk.

[john248]

And what is Nance, a stud?

Is there a good reason why you just posted that? Clearly not since I said no such think about Nance. Nance looks like a role player too. Both these guys will be lucky to have long careers. Will you continue to cry about the pick some more?

people can't express their preference without you belitting them? and Looney does look like he does do something well, which is reb at very good clipp. I dont see Nance do anything well but dunk.

Not when you make a pointless comment like "and what is Nance, a stud?" where it had nothing to do with anything. This is a poor way to express a preference. As such, you got the reply that was given.

Still though the reality is both were at the bottom third of the 1st who are likely to be role player types who may or may not be in the league or a while. I really do question those who think the 2 players are on such opposite tiers when the difference in talent isn't all that great. There's an obvious bias if you think Nance can only dunk though I suppose it doesn't mean as much if you feel Looney is a strict rebounder. It's obvious, at this point, that Nance projects as the better defender going forward while Looney may be a solid defender. Offensively, Looney has better range where Nance is more of a cutter and transition type.

I do think Looney has a better chance at developing though. It's not so much that I think Looney is better but more he will go to a good team that will limit his minutes and develop him in a better environment where his bad habits will be coached out.

[LApwnd]

Maybe to generous but i could see looney being a poor man ver. Of Draymond if given adequate pt, his mid-range is decent, solid reb and def has the sz to play both forward spots...if his degenerative hip issue does play a key part with his time in the league than obviously passing on him was right choice but as far as just development goes even at his age i still think he is and will be a better player than Nance.

[DEEP3CL]

I wasn't impressed with this guy at UCLA, still not impressed after seeing him in SL. Looking at his frame/ body structure...he's for sure to be injured quite a bit once he endures the physical nature of the NBA. He's not going to be some star, not even a "coaches selection" all star, he'll be maybe a 10-11 point guy on some nights...but when injuries hit he'll be out the league in 6-8 years.

Hip issues are no joke.......bank on that.

[Jakay]

If Nance is still on this team next year, he's going to have made a serious leap in at least one skill set. Energy is great in the SL, good things happen. That for 82 games against disciplined pros? Yeah, whole other ball of wax...

[DEEP3CL]

If Nance is still on this team next year, he's going to have made a serious leap in at least one skill set. Energy is great in the SL, good things happen. That for 82 games against disciplined pros? Yeah, whole other ball of wax...

I agree, hustle guys don't have long careers and there is no use in denying it. Rony Turiaf and others like him just don't have careers that can help teams long term. Nance will have to at least develop a decent mid range jumper to soften teams that will go zone in rare cases. He also has to become a definitive rebounder weather on the offensive or defensive glass...but he has to be strong in one of those areas. If he works at it there is no reason he can't become what Ibaka became. Ibaka was just as raw when he came in, in fact he had no offensive skill at all.

[Sofa King]

Turiaf playing over 10 years... if Nance or Looney sniffs that long, I'm sure they would be okay with it.