New Age Lakers Tip Off, 2016-17 Roster and Progression of the Team

The Lakers concluded their eight-game preseason with a 2-6 win loss record, but Coach Luke Walton was pleased with the progression his young team has shown.

“I feel like we’re starting to play better. We’re starting to understand concepts and understand what to look for in plays. And we’re playing at a faster pace for longer periods of time, which I think we need to do. SonI think it was a successful preseason,” Walton said.

The Lakers dropped their season finale against Phoenix Suns, fell twice to the Golden State Warriors, lost to the Portland Trailblazers and split their two-game series against the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings.

Two days after their last preseason game, the team announced that they have waived Anthony Brown and Yi Jianlian per the request of Yi and his agent.

“Yi was productive in practices and games with us, and was a consummate professional both on and off the court. However, he felt that the minutes and opportunities he’d be afforded here were not in line with his goals and ambitions, and that he’d be better off in a different situation. We appreciate his efforts and wish him great success as he goes forward with his career,” said General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Metta World Peace and Thomas Robinson have made the Lakers’ opening night roster, surviving the final cut. The roster now stands at 15.

Position, Number, Player
F / C   28  Tarik Black
G  5  José Calderón
G  6  Jordan Clarkson
F  2  Luol  Deng
G  9  Marcelo Huertas
F  14  Brandon Ingram
C  20  Timofey Mozgov
F  7  Larry Nance Jr.
F  30  Julius Randle
G  1  D’Angelo Russell
G  23  Lou Williams
G / F  0 Nick Young
C  40  Ivica Zubac
F  37 Metta World Peace
F 15 Thomas Robinson

The Kobe Bryant-less Lakers Tip Off  at Staples Center on October 26 against the Houston Rockets.

HERE is the full Lakers 2016-17 Schedule.

The LA Lakers Roster for 2016-17

The franchise team without Kobe Bryant is now a reality for the LA Lakers. 

With Tarik Black, Brandon Ingram and Yi Jianlian signings on same week of this month, the Lakers are now having fifteen players, which is the maximum number allowed by the NBA. As such, the Lakers have effectively filled their roster for the 2016-17.

roster

Position, Number, Player
F / C  28 Tarik Black
F 3 Anthony Brown
G 5 José Calderón
G 6 Jordan Clarkson
F 2 Luol Deng
G 9 Marcelo Huertas
F 14 Brandon Ingram
F / C 11 Yi Jianlian
C 20 Timofey Mozgov
F 7 Larry Nance Jr.
F 30 Julius Randle
G 1 D’Angelo Russell
G 23 Lou Williams
G / F 0 Nick Young
C 40 Ivica Zubac

Now that Kobe Bryant has retired, what will the Lakers’ roster look like without him? Click the answer  here  and more.

The 2016-17 Los Angeles Lakers season is also the first season in the post-Kobe Bryant era without Bryant and first since the 1995-96 season.

The Kobe Bryant-less roster tips off at Staples Center on May 26 against the Houston Rockets. 

I have been very emotional watching Kobe Bryant’s remaining games up to the last one left in his career. I do not know but I think it’s even harder to see the Lakers playing this time with no Kobe Bryant already.

The league will not be the same without him, but I am still a die hard Laker fan.

Related Link: 

The Kobe Bryant-less Lakers 2016-17 Schedule and Tips Off


Source: Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA’s official website

NBA: Yi Jianlian joins Los Angeles Lakers

Yi Jianlian appeared in Rio Olympics as a member of Chinese team, has signed a contract with the Lakers, it was announced by the team on Monday.

Yi will be a great addition to the rebuilding LA Lakers. Yi has a very good range for his height and can handle the ball really well. With this attributes, Yi most likely will be playing a 2nd stringer for the team.

Yi was a number 6 overall pick last 2007 by the Milwaukee Bucks. He last played in Dallas last 2012 then the team dropped him to D-League and afterward he just played basketball in his hometown.

His NBA Career stats is composed of 7.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.5 SPG & 0.7 BPG.