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JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 70472
Location: Atlanta
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 Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:29 am Post subject: VC Star: Slaughter unchilled by draft |
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Ventura County Star: Tucked inside his mom's home in Chino Hills, Marcus Slaughter watched calmly as team by team skipped over his name in the June NBA draft.
Frankly, the self-assured 21-year-old couldn't care less.
He sees the multi-million dollar contracts signed by undrafted veterans Ben Wallace, Bruce Bowen and Raja Bell.
Why not him, he figures. Anything can happen, he says, with a little hard work.
"You get a little disappointed at first, ¿Oh, I didn't get drafted,' but it's an ego thing for a lot of people to say, ¿Oh, you got drafted,' " Slaughter said. "There's a lot of people who get drafted who don't play."
Whether the former San Diego State star, a small forward on the Los Angeles Lakers summer league team, makes it this year or in the future, he remains confident.
"I'm just going to have to work harder than a lot of people," said Slaughter, who is playing in the Summer Pro League at Long Beach State. "But once I make it, it's going to feel a lot better that I earned it."
His optimistic outlook is a break from other new professionals, who leave college early, assured of a first-round slot and multi-million dollar contracts. Slaughter left San Diego State with his pro prospects cloudy, predicted to be a second-round pick at best.
The first round passed uneventfully. The second round arrived and with the 37th pick, the Philadelphia 76ers, a possible predraft destination, selected swingman Bobby Jones. Slaughter's agent told other teams to not pick him, choosing to let him sign a free-agent contract instead.
The Los Angeles native found a natural fit with the Lakers, with whom he could play in front of his family and friends. Currently bunkered with the team for two weeks in a Long Beach hotel, Slaughter is otherwise living in Santa Monica.
"It was one of my first calls," said Slaughter of the Lakers, who were one of 12 teams to express interest. "I'm going to try to fit in here and do what they tell me to do."
Slaughter is hoping to show he can defend the shooting guard, small forward and power forward positions. He's playing along the perimeter, trying to prove he can at 6-foot-9. His shooting range, focused near the basket in college, needs to be extended in the NBA. And maybe most important, Slaughter hopes to show he can run the Lakers' triangle offense.
"I like the offense," Slaughter said. "I think a lot of skills that I did show when I was in college — having an IQ in basketball, the passing ability, all that can be shown in this offense."
"It's always difficult for players to come in and pick up this offense. ¿ most guys don't pick up this offense for a year or two, let alone just six practices," said Kurt Rambis, who coaches the Lakers summer league team.
Whether he makes it, though, can be defined by his ability to translate his game to the NBA level.
"He's done a good job understanding what we want him to do," Rambis said. "He's just trying to find his niche. He's a tweener, whether he's a three or a four, that's something he's going to have to work on."
Slaughter left San Diego State following his junior season, where he averaged 16.5 points and 11 rebounds per game and helped lead the Aztecs to the NCAA Tournament. He combined with guard Brandon Heath, who averaged 18.4 points and 3.4 rebounds, to create a powerful two-man combination. While Slaughter scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Heath struggled to 15 points on 6-for-17 shooting in San Diego State's 87-83 loss to Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Slaughter made his name in college on the boards. He led San Diego State in rebounds 23 times last season and will let teams see his passion for defense and dirty work.
"You better take charges," Slaughter said. "Coaches love that you get on the floor."
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Since he decided to play with the Lakers, instead one of the other 11 teams that called him; I'm hoping he'll be willing to play for our D-League team for a year, then next summer we can see if we have a roster spot for him. Maybe even sign him to a couple 10 day contracts this season, if we have an injury and the space.
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KB24@CL
Clublakers Moderator
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:35 am Post subject: |
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I hope we ship out some scrubs and keep him.
We are not exactly filled with athleticism and defense.
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kb the assassin
Joined: 04 Apr 2006
Posts: 890
Location: Cali4nia
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:48 am Post subject: |
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| KB8@CL wrote: |
I hope we ship out some scrubs and keep him.
We are not exactly filled with athleticism and defense. |
and also to be able to keep pinnock
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hZm
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Location: Tarzana, California
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missmyzte
ClubSpurs.com Administrator
Joined: 23 Feb 2004
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Location: So Cal
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: |
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After hearing his interview and watching him in summer league, I really like this guy. He's the kind of guy you can't help but like him. I wish there was a roster spot for him but he will have a hard time sticking around.
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mm708
Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 183
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| He's the type of player who will eventually find sucess in the NBA like Bowen or Bell. |
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magicmoment
Sasha's Biggest Fan
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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he's a good player..
i hope he finds finds a spot on the Lakers.. if not, any NBA team.
he's a cool guy too! he's a big Kid. 
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nicehair911
Still Waiting For Ron
Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 9998
Location: Wit so much drama in da LBC it's kinda hard bein Snoop D-O double G
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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Uh so now we have to let Pinnock, Fey, Green, and now Slaughter in. Looks like Mckie has to be waived for a 2nd rounder. Or possibly Mihm for an unprotected 1st rounder in next years draft.
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the sauce
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 751
Location: Bay Area
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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Having watched Slaughter in college, I would never have guessed he'd be available at #26, let alone go undrafted.
Bonus: The guy's name is great for nicknaming. |
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banks38
Joined: 05 Jul 2005
Posts: 389
Location: Pasadena, California
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I saw a few games he played at SDSU. I hope that there is some way we can keep him around, either the D-leauge or if he even makes a roster spot. You can never have to much athleticism at the power spots. |
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i am not vladamir
Joined: 02 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| KB8@CL wrote: |
I hope we ship out some scrubs and keep him.
We are not exactly filled with athleticism and defense. |
What do you mean? We have Cook!  
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Alleyhoops
Joined: 17 Sep 2004
Posts: 2825
Location: Culver City California
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| Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent court sense and IQ. Very athletic and strong. Gets to the right spots instinctively. Somewhat unorthodox shot but decent perimeter player. Very good defensively. Yes, looks like a pro. Not sure if it's the NBA this season, but he doesn't look far off.
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