Lakers Draft Evaluations: Comparing Then & Now

Apr 13, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) takes a shot over Sacramento Kings forward Carl Landry (24) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Hill

NBA Comparison: Chris Bosh

Strengths:

“Has the ideal size and length for a PF… He has worked on his body, adding some bulk and definition to an already wiry frame… He is comfortable operating from the high post, either shooting a nice looking midrange shot, or utilizing his quickness and putting the ball on the floor to get to the hoop… He has become a rebounding force on both ends of the floor, he attacks the O glass relentlessly and is able to use his body to control the paint of the defensive end… With his developing frame and ability to knock down midrange shots, he has the potential to become a very good weapon in screen & roll situations…”

Weaknesses:

“When operating in traffic or while facing double teams, he struggles, putting his head down and turning the ball over frequently… A part of the problem could be his hands, often times he doesn’t catch the ball clean, which allows the defense to converge on him… On the block he favors his right hand on finishes (even when turning his right shoulder.)… While he has made strides with his maturity, there are still periods of lackadaisical play he goes through…”

How accurate was his evaluation?

Hill may be the only player on this list who has vastly improved during his time as a Laker. Hill was originally drafted eighth overall to the Knicks and did not meet initial expectations, but ever since he became a Laker, his stats went up. Last season he averaged a career-high 12 points. His WS/48 and PERs as a Laker were the best in his NBA career, finishing with WS/48 of .147, .141, and .055, and PERs of 18.5, 19.3, and 16.2. Hill is probably the most NBA “qualified” compared to his other Laker teammates at this point, and is the Lakers biggest trade asset as well. He is still on the books for one more year, making $9 million next season.

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