Lakers Draft Evaluations: Comparing Then & Now

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Javaris Crittenton

NBA Comparison: Steve Francis

Strengths:

“Tremendous combination of size, athleticism, and playmaking ability… Quick first step… Excellent vision and passing skills… Very quick, an elite level athlete… Very unselfish player… Has a great attitude, confident but not cocky…”

Weaknesses:

“Can be too unselfish at times trying to get everyone involved when he is the top scoring option…. Can be too aggressive defensively and get caught reaching, picking up unnecessary fouls… he can continue to improve (as a point guard) upon dictating tempo and learning the nuances of the position…”

How accurate was his evaluation?

Wow, the Lakers last first round pick before Randle was all the way in 2007 with Crittenton. (They traded Toney Douglas on draft night in 2009.)  Crittenton only lasted 22 games as a Laker before being packaged in the blockbuster trade to land Pau Gasol. In his 22 games, Crittenton had a PER of 11 and had a very WS/48 minutes at .013. But off-the-court issues defined Crittenton, as he was involved with a locker confrontation with Gilbert Arenas back when he was on the Wizards, and was charged of murder in 2011. Crittenton can be officially proclaimed as a bust.

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