Marc Stein on Coby Karl

JSM · by **JSM** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:51 am

ESPN: My favorite Laker: Coby Karl

The reflex answer, if you had surveyed the stands after the Lakers' first game, would have been Javaris Crittenton, after several successful slices to the rim by the point guard from Georgia Tech in his 18-point debut.

But I'm going with the sentimental choice -- cancer survivor Coby Karl -- because it's not just a sentimental choice. Karl happens to look rather solid already, emerging as the glue guy for the Lakers' summer squad.

He's a late bloomer, but he's also blessed with hoops smarts and proven toughness after overcoming what he's faced already in life at 24. If you can also shoot with the range Karl is showing here, you're going to stand out in the summer league.

Another system player for Phil Jackson in the Luke Walton mode? Could be. Big guards who can pass and move have a future in Jackson's triange offense, which has never relied on traditional point guards.

Said one falling-in-love West exec: "He should have been a late first-round pick. He's going to play in this league for a long time."

The Kobe Era 2K5 · by **The Kobe Era 2K5** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:50 am

It's still Summer League... Smush also thrived in Summer League and later made team, so Karl will have to prove himself in pre-season too... It's too early to tell how good he is.

KB24 · by **KB24** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:52 am

Unless he proves he can defend on NBA level no thanks.

ladam24 · by **ladam24** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:59 am

^^ Hell, we started Smush, why not?

How tall is he anyway?

kray28 · by **kray28** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:33 am

If we replaced Sasha with Coby, what do you think would happen?

Really, this is a legitimate question. Coby is already showing me some great things, and making me forget who his dad is:

1. Very good shooting mechanics. Good spot up shot. Quick release
2. Good IQ picking up an offense he basically learned last week.
3. Decent anticipation and passing skills.
4. Good to decent handles
5. Some Luke like finishing ability
6. Willing to step up, take and make shots.
7. Good effort on defense.

Which one of the above do you see from Sasha?

JSM · by **JSM** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:04 am

I think he has a good shot at making the team because...

1) He draws non stop comparisons to Luke (meaning he's a Phil type player)
2) As pathetic as this is....Mitch has been watching this kid for 3 years
3) He seems to have finally developed a solid work ethic. George said his son has cut his body fat practically in half. And that the Nuggets coaching staff ran the triangle with him for a few days so he would have a clue of what he's doing out there with the Lakers.

Critical Beatdown · by **Critical Beatdown** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:35 pm

kray28 wrote:If we replaced Sasha with Coby, what do you think would happen?

Really, this is a legitimate question. Coby is already showing me some great things, and making me forget who his dad is:

1. Very good shooting mechanics. Good spot up shot. Quick release
2. Good IQ picking up an offense he basically learned last week.
3. Decent anticipation and passing skills.
4. Good to decent handles
5. Some Luke like finishing ability
6. Willing to step up, take and make shots.
7. Good effort on defense.

Which one of the above do you see from Sasha?

Other than #5, Sasha has all those qualities. He tries harder than anyone on the team on defense, he has very good shooting mechanics, handles the ball well and rarely turns it over, executes the Tri at a high level, and is always willing to step up and hit big shots.

I actually thought you were joking with this post until I saw #5.

Lakers8899 · by **Lakers8899** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:49 pm

Another reminder for the Luke signing mistake. Note to Mitch: you can find a role player just about anywhere, no need to waste 30 million on one.

Lakers8899 · by **Lakers8899** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:52 pm

KB8@CL wrote:Unless he proves he can defend on NBA level no thanks.

From what I've seen, I think he's actually a better defender than Luke(though that's not saying much obviously). I don't think Luke is capable of blocking a shot from his own man, summer league or not.

winstonemby · by **winstonemby** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:57 pm

JSM wrote:I think he has a good shot at making the team because...

1) He draws non stop comparisons to Luke (meaning he's a Phil type player)
2) As pathetic as this is....Mitch has been watching this kid for 3 years
3) He seems to have finally developed a solid work ethic. George said his son has cut his body fat practically in half. And that the Nuggets coaching staff ran the triangle with him for a few days so he would have a clue of what he's doing out there with the Lakers.

Satan · by **Satan** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:44 pm

I hadn't seen him play until yesterday and he looked decent but IMO he doesn't bring anything to this team that we don't already have. I have a gut feeling he ends up on our roster and spends the year in the D league.

kray28 · by **kray28** on Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:54 pm

Critical Beatdown wrote:and is always willing to step up and hit big shots.

Sorry I lost you at that point. We're talking about actual games here, not practice.

Mitch kupchak · by **Mitch kupchak** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:06 am

I saw this guy play he has a good game. He reminds me of Luke alot like Luke, BUT he is a way better shooter than walton and he also plays better defs.

revgen · by **revgen** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:20 am

Coby is shorter than Luke at 6-5, so he's a little quicker defensively. However, Luke is taller and his body is stronger. Coby could be a smaller SF with more speed and less strength than Luke.

KB24 · by **KB24** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:36 am

revgen wrote:Coby is shorter than Luke at 6-5, so he's a little quicker defensively. However, Luke is taller and his body is stronger. Coby could be a smaller SF with more speed and less strength than Luke.

The SF position is moving into a different direction....its all about size and athleticism...

its all about athleticism...Coby would get SMOKED...

Rudy Gay
Josh Smith
Kevin Durant
Jeff Green
Corey Brewer
Gerald Wallace
Corey Maggette
Carmelo Anthony
Paul Pierce
LeBron James
Shawn Marion
Tyrus Thomas
Loul Deng
Danny Granger
Trevor Ariza
Shard Lewis
Josh Howard
Andray Kirilenko
Ron Artest
Shane Battier
Caron Butler
Darius Miles
Tay Prince
Turkoglu
Peja
Radman

either they are 6-9 or 6-10 or they are freakish athletes...in most cares they are TALL AND ATHLETIC...

I promiss you Karl would get destroyed against any of these guys...they just out-run him

and with Luke and Vlad we don´t have any minutes anyway.

Shrek · by **Shrek** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:44 am

kray28 wrote:
Critical Beatdown wrote:and is always willing to step up and hit big shots.

Sorry I lost you at that point. We're talking about actual games here, not practice.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but he's been hitting big shots for four years now. Although it is yet to be seen on the NBA level, this kid is a battler that is not afraid to put his team on his back, and will never back down from a big shot. He's been the leader on his team for three years now, and if he doesn't make it with the Lakers, he will with someone else. I know, I live 100 miles from Boise, and he's all I've ever heard about from my coworkers regarding BSU basketball. As much as I used to hate BSU, it sure would be cool to cheer for a kid who played in Idaho to make it onto my beloved Lakers. Ronny played for the Idaho Stampede while he was doing rehab, but thats different. Plus, thats when I had to ask around, "Who are the Stampede???"

Anyway, don't sleep on Coby, he's clutch.

Shrek · by **Shrek** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:47 am

KB8@CL wrote:
revgen wrote:Coby is shorter than Luke at 6-5, so he's a little quicker defensively. However, Luke is taller and his body is stronger. Coby could be a smaller SF with more speed and less strength than Luke.

The SF position is moving into a different direction....its all about size and athleticism...

its all about athleticism...Coby would get SMOKED...

Rudy Gay
Josh Smith
Gerald Wallace
Corey Maggette
Carmelo Anthony
Paul Pierce
LeBron James
Shawn Marion
Tyrus Thomas
Loul Deng
Danny Granger
Trevor Ariza
Shard Lewis
Josh Howard
Andray Kirilenko
Ron Artest
Shane Battier
Caron Butler
Darius Miles
Tay Prince
Turkoglu
Peja
Radman

either they are 6-9 or 6-10 or they are freakish athletes...in most cares they are TALL AND ATHLETIC...

I promiss you Karl would get destroyed against any of these guys...they just out-run him

and with Luke and Vlad we don´t have any minutes anyway.

I think Coby would fit into Sasha's role, kind of a combo guard, between the 1 and 2. He's definitely smart enough to pick up the triangle, and a good enough passer to play the 1 in the tri. Probably not in any other system though.

KB24 · by **KB24** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:49 am

ya I wouldn´t mind him in the Sasha role....but still its just the SPL and I want to see him against NBA caliber talent before I judje...he will probably get a camp invitation and then play in the pre-season and we will see how he does...

alltho in perspective..Tierre Brown shot 60% in pre-season and had a 5/1 assist-to-ratio...so even pre-camp doesn´t say much about real competition.

Shrek · by **Shrek** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:57 am

I just hope he can continue to shoot in game situations, not just practice, cause he can be an assassin when he wants to be. Plus he can create his own shot. He won't be called on to start, so hopefully he can develop into Kobe's perfect backup, someone who can at least hold the dogs at bay with his scoring till the real Kobe is rested.

Are there anymore former white players/coaches sons coming up?? They are perfect for the triangle. Does Phil have a son? He'd probably name him "Messiah"
:man10:

Shrek · by **Shrek** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:59 am

Mike Dunleavy would be good. :man12:

wOlF · by **wOlF** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:45 am

he looks like someone who can REALLy contribute
he'll probably put up luke walton numbers with less assist if he's got the chance
definitely someone i'd rather have over sasha
and im' sure the coaching stuff really likes him also
this laker summer league team really shows the potential of karl (also farmar and j-critt)

harrise007 · by **harrise007** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:14 pm

I have watched the games he played in, he's not bad, good shooter not the best Athelete. The NBA has changed a lot. I mean I don't think Luke is worth 30 million either. But does anyone believe Rashard Lewis is worth 110mil? Or Micahel Redd getting 93 etc? I mean the money has gotten way out of hand!

Klewfish · by **Klewfish** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:43 pm

kray28 wrote:
Critical Beatdown wrote:and is always willing to step up and hit big shots.

Sorry I lost you at that point. We're talking about actual games here, not practice.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9LLtL9FOg1I

Klewfish · by **Klewfish** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:46 pm

Shrek wrote:
KB8@CL wrote:
revgen wrote:Coby is shorter than Luke at 6-5, so he's a little quicker defensively. However, Luke is taller and his body is stronger. Coby could be a smaller SF with more speed and less strength than Luke.

The SF position is moving into a different direction....its all about size and athleticism...

its all about athleticism...Coby would get SMOKED...

Rudy
Josh Smith
Gerald Wallace
Corey Maggette
Carmelo Anthony
Paul Pierce
LeBron James
Shawn Marion
Tyrus Thomas
Loul Deng
Danny Granger
Trevor Ariza
Shard Lewis
Josh Howard
Andray Kirilenko
Ron Artest
Shane Battier
Caron Butler
Darius Miles
Tay Prince
Turkoglu
Peja
Radman

either they are 6-9 or 6-10 or they are freakish athletes...in most cares they are TALL AND ATHLETIC...

I promiss you Karl would get destroyed against any of these guys...they just out-run him

and with Luke and Vlad we don´t have any minutes anyway.

I think Coby would fit into Sasha's role, kind of a combo guard, between the 1 and 2. He's definitely smart enough to pick up the triangle, and a good enough passer to play the 1 in the tri. Probably not in any other system though.

Those are for the most part starting SF's. Coby wouldn't be starting, or defending their starting players.

KB24 · by **KB24** on Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:52 pm

^^ those guys play 40 minutes a night...

it doesn´t matter when Coby comes in, he will not be able to defend.

also with Radman and Walton and Evans we have more than enaugh for the SF spot...

Marc Stein on Coby Karl

Marc Stein on Coby Karl

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