LOS ANGELES– Lakers coach Frank Vogel says the group will not look for a replacement gamer for Dwight Howard for the Orlando restart. And, according to Vogel, the group will not ask the replacement gamer that it did add, JR Smith, to play like the player he replaced, Avery Bradley.
Speaking on a video conference call with press reporters Wednesday at the start of the Lakers “pre” training camp made up of individual exercises before the team flies to Florida next week, Vogel reiterated L.A.s dedication to the backup.
” Weve been in interaction with Dwight the entire method with helpful phone calls and text messages,” Vogel said. “We dont understand what the level of participation is going to be.
Howard is presently with his household in Georgia, where he is pleasing the NBAs house quarantine and screening protocol required of all players who will take part in Orlando, a league source informed ESPN.
2 RelatedHowards 6-year-old kid, David, remains in his care. Davids mother, Melissa Rios, died of an epileptic seizure on March 27 at her home in Calabasas, California.
Not only is Howard handling his responsibilities as a dad with preparation for the ending to the season, however as a Black guy he has also been deeply affected by the social discontent facing this country, according to Howards representative, Charles Briscoe.
” Basketball, or home entertainment duration, isnt needed at this minute, and will just be a diversion,” Howard stated in a declaration released to CNN through Briscoe last month.
Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general supervisor Rob Pelinka informed reporters today that the group is dealing with Howard, Briscoe, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association in order to discover a convenient course for the previous three-time Defensive Player of the Year to eventually report to the team.
All 22 teams participating in the reboot were needed to submit to the league their 36-person traveling celebration list– including their roster of approximately 17 gamers– by Wednesday. Vogel stated “we dont have any intention” of keeping Howard off the Lakers list.
” He has an extenuating circumstance that hes dealing with the league on in regards to what that is ultimately going to appear like,” Vogel stated. “But were confident and positive that hell be able to join us in Orlando.”
The NBA has already examined gamer scenarios on a case-by-case basis, as gamers have actually tested positive for COVID-19 before going back to their groups. Sacramento Kings forward Jabari Parker, for example, will remain in Chicago prior to joining his colleagues in Orlando as he recuperates from the coronavirus, rather than trek to the West Coast beforehand.
When it comes to Smith, he formally signed an agreement with the Lakers on Wednesday, giving L.A. another alternative at guard after Bradley opted out of playing in Orlando last week because of family issues. The 34-year-old, who hasnt played in the league given that November of 2018, will use No. 21 for the Lakers.
” In terms of what he gives the table, just the experience factor,” Vogel said of Smith, who coupled with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers to win a champion in 2016. “I suggest, this person is a big-time player. Hes proven it over the course of his career. We understand he can help us.
” We nearly added him earlier in the year when we added Dion Waiters and now we have the high-end of having both. Were not going to ask him to come in and be Avery Bradley. Hes going to can be found in and be JR Smith. Hes going to just fill that position, more than fill that function.”
The Lakers social media accounts posted images of three players working out at their El Segundo, California, center Wednesday: James, Anthony Davis and Alex Caruso.
Back to Business #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/zFTpejZqDh— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 1, 2020
Caruso, who averaged 17.8 minutes before the season was suspended to Bradleys 24.2, said he intends to get some of the slack developed by Bradleys absence.
” Im uncertain if Im going to be the sole supplier of whatever that Avery did,” he said on a video teleconference with press reporters. “Thats a lot to ask for just due to the fact that of how great he is at what he does. However Im absolutely going to be prepared to fill part of that space and that requirement.”
” Weve been in interaction with Dwight the whole method with supportive phone calls and text messages,” Vogel said.” In terms of what he brings to the table, just the experience aspect,” Vogel said of Smith, who paired with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers to win a championship in 2016. “I suggest, this person is a big-time player. Were not going to ask him to come in and be Avery Bradley.” Im not sure if Im going to be the sole supplier of whatever that Avery did,” he said on a video conference call with press reporters.
