Lakers Draft Evaluations: Comparing Then & Now

February 20, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Sacre (50) moves the ball against the defense of Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee (1) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Sacre

NBA Comparison: Michael Doleac

Strengths:

“Very much an old-school center with a handful of back-to-the-basket post moves… He might be the best FT shooter of any true post player alive… Smart defender and solid shot blocker, relying more on size and positioning than explosiveness when getting blocks… Has good lateral quickness on D for a big man which shows in his ability to defend against screens…”

Weaknesses:

“He often plays small, not using his size and strength advantage to bully opponents…. Lacks length… Not a great rebounder for his size, only averaging around 7 boards a game during his senior year… Doesn’t use his body to establish deep post position nearly enough… Can be inconsistent and disappear for stretches of the game if he’s not receiving touches in the post…”

How accurate was his evaluation?

Like Kelly, Sacre has proven his weaknesses are more prevalent than his strengths. Last season, Sacre averaged with 11.4% total rebounds per game, a number that is far below the top rebounders in the NBA. Sacre’s prediction of being the “best free throw shooter of any true post player” is the most baffling. Sacre finished last season averaging 67.1% from the free throw line, placing him between Jeff Withey and JaVale McGee when looking at NBA center’s free throw averages. At least Sacre didn’t have high expectations to begin with, as he was the last overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Next: The Swaggy Trojan