2013 Draft Profile: Brandon Triche

Mar 28, 2013; Washington, D.C., USA; Syracuse Orange guard Brandon Triche (20) shoots a layup in the first half against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the finals of the East regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Triche

Guard, 6’3.5″, 215 lbs. Senior, Syracuse University,  22 years old

2012-13 stats:

33.8 minutes, 13.6 points, 41.6 field goal percentage, 28.8 three point percentage, 74.4 free throw percentage, 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals.

Strengths:

During his four years at Syracuse, Brandon Triche showed that he had a high basketball IQ and a high motor, and he has nice height and frame to play the combo guard role, which the Lakers could use if injuries are going to be a theme again next season. Triche has a knack for getting to the basket, and he moves off the ball well. Triche has also shown that he moves off the ball well, and he can be a decent pick-and-roll ball handler. Triche plays defense fairly well, and he continued to improve during his time at Syracuse.

Brandon Triche is a strong guy, with a great work ethic. He showed great leadership during his four years at Syracuses, and he didn’t miss a single game in those four years, as well. Sounds like a guy the Lakers could use.

Weaknesses: 

Although Triche has good size, he isn’t very athletic; that might not bode well with all of the athleticism in the NBA today, especially at the point guard spot. While he continued to improve his defense in his four year career, Triche might go through some growing pains while trying adjust to a man-to-man defense — he played a 2-3 zone at Syracuse. Another thing is that Triche is such a team player, that at times, he becomes too unselfish and becomes less aggressive. Triche’s lack of a three point shot won’t help him, either.

Where he fits in with the Lakers: 

I really don’t know if the Brandon Triche would even make the Lakers squad. They already have a logjam when it comes to point guards with Chris Duhon, Andrew Goudelock, Darius Morris, Steve Blake, and Steve Nash. As far as playing back up shooting guard, we have Jodie Meeks who is a much better three point shooter, and if need be, Morris can play shooting guard as we saw in the playoffs. I just don’t see where he fits on the Lakers roster.

Our take:

Caleb Cottrell – I’ll pass. I would rather have a three point specialist, or someone who is great on defense, rather than someone who is okay at a lot of stuff, but not above average in anything. As I said above, I don’t know where he would get playing time, even with injuries. I don’t think he is better than Morris or Goudelock. He could be better than Duhon, but Triche would still need to pass over two players to even see a couple minutes of playing time.

Jacob Rude – The Lakers had a non-athletic, average shooter who could get to the rim last year by the name of Devin Ebanks and he didn’t play at all last year. Triche is a better Devin Ebanks, but not better than Jodie Meeks and he’s not big enough to get minutes at small forward. The Lakers have far more pressing holes than another combo guard.