Coby Karl To Play For Lakers In Summer League

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Former Boise State University basketball player Coby Karl says he will play for the Los Angeles Lakers' summer league team in Las Vegas.

Karl wasn't chosen in Thursday's NBA draft.

But he reached a deal with the Lakers to play in the summer league.

The Vegas Summer League runs from July 6th to 15th and includes 21 NBA teams and the Chinese national team.

Karl says he likes the Lakers and the team runs a system that fits his style.

live and die in LA wrote:I like this summer league signing. His skills fit into the triangle offense. Unfortunately he is a matador on defense and isnt very athletic. LA Defenders?

One of the best stories at this pre-draft camp any way you slice it, Coby Karl came in here determined to show that he is a lot more than that. If there was one name on the invite list that people would scrutinize due to his father’s obvious NBA connections and the fact that he already played here (poorly, besides the last day) last year—its Coby Karl. With all that off our chest, we can say with full confidence that Karl not only deserved his invite, but he was also one of the best players in attendance as his spot on this list would indicate. What makes this fact even more surprising is the fact that he is coming off (his second) throat cancer surgery just 2 months ago—meaning he probably isn’t even at 100%.

Karl surprisingly played the point guard position for most of his time on the floor, looking quite natural doing so. He has excellent ball-handling skills and the imagination and flair needed to make some highlight reel caliber passes. Karl clearly has spent some time watching footage of his father’s team, the Nuggets, showing no shame whatsoever in throwing an unexpected alleyoop lob or behind the back feed to complete a pick and roll play. A Denver scout told us after one particular game with a grin that Karl Sr. threatened to fine his son $500 for one careless turnover caused by his over-enthusiasm. Regardless of the turnover, Karl was responsible for some excellent assists, particularly in the first game where he had 6 compared to just one turnover.

In the drills, Karl looked a bit overmatched in the one on one portions, where his average quickness and first step really showed. In the actual games, though, this didn’t seem to be nearly as much of a problem, as he utilized screens beautifully and showed little hesitation making strong moves to the paint instantly right as the ball was swung to him. He drew a fantastic 7 fouls per game on average in just 20 minutes per game, some of which were converted together with the and-1.

As a shooter, Karl excels, thanks to a quick, but unorthodox release. He shows little hesitation getting his shot off, and already has NBA range as indicated by the 3-5 he shot from behind the arc at this camp.

Sakuraba wrote:

live and die in LA wrote:I like this summer league signing. His skills fit into the triangle offense. Unfortunately he is a matador on defense and isnt very athletic. LA Defenders?

Another Mitch Fruitcake special? Hasn't he been drafting these type of players for years?

live and die in LA wrote:

Sakuraba wrote:

live and die in LA wrote:I like this summer league signing. His skills fit into the triangle offense. Unfortunately he is a matador on defense and isnt very athletic. LA Defenders?

Another Mitch Fruitcake special? Hasn't he been drafting these type of players for years?

It's not like he will ever play significant minutes for the Lakers, he is just a really good story. Son of George Karl, he is a cancer survivor and he has a very high IQ in the game of basketball.

kbitboc wrote:is this George Karl's son?

2Quik4U wrote:Imagine him, Luke, Marc, Sun, and Theo all on the floor? That's a lotta good passing and nearly non-existant defense.

trodgers wrote:

2Quik4U wrote:Imagine him, Luke, Marc, Sun, and Theo all on the floor? That's a lotta good passing and nearly non-existant defense.

I think they'd all just stand at the arc and pass the ball for all 24 seconds trying to see who could make the prettiest pass.

trodgers wrote:

2Quik4U wrote:Imagine him, Luke, Marc, Sun, and Theo all on the floor? That's a lotta good passing and nearly non-existent defense.

I think they'd all just stand at the arc and pass the ball for all 24 seconds trying to see who could make the prettiest pass.