Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) reacts after a call during an NBA Summer League game against Minnesota at Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota won the game 81-68. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Many expected the Lakers to grab Robert Upshaw with one of their two later picks, but instead the Lakers were lucky enough to draft two solid players at the 27th and 34th spots, and still end up with the seven footer by signing him as an un-drafted free agent.
Because of second year player Tarik Black, we did not get to see as much of Upshaw as we hoped to in the Las Vegas Summer League, but we got an idea of what his game is about, and the type of player he can become.
A great early comparison for Upshaw’s game would be his new teammate Roy Hibbert. Like Upshaw, Hibbert came into the league with great size and potential, but had a very raw skill set that would take years to develop. Hibbert looked a bit uncomfortable and slow during his first few seasons, much like Upshaw in the summer league. Big men must stay patient and continue to work on their games, and those who do, usually grow to become dominant forces in the paint.
From Blake Griffin, to Marc Gasol, and even Roy Hibbert, most big men need to improve in so many areas to make it to the elite category, and like those guys, Upshaw will have his work cut out for him.
Although Hibbert is not one of the best at his position right now, just two years ago he was arguably the best center in basketball, back when the Pacers were running the tables in the regular season in 2014.
Upshaw can learn a lot from Hibbert, hopefully enough to become the NBA’s next great rim protector. Here’s three things Upshaw can learn from Hibbert:
Next: Don't Foul
Feb 11, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) defends New Orleans Pelicans center Jeff Withey (5) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Defend Without Fouling
Part of being a great rim protector is knowing how to go straight up and making the offensive player initiate the contact. Having a big man who can’t play without fouling can be a huge liability to a team defensively.
Despite being one of the most active rim protectors in the NBA, Hibbert holds a career average of 3.2 fouls per game, and posted a career-low 2.8 fouls per game last season. What made the 2014 Indiana Pacers team so great was the fact that Hibbert was able to completely control the paint, which included protecting the rim without racking up the fouls.
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If the Lakers plan on building their future around the young core of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle, they are going to need a guy who can make up for the mediocre defense of those three players. Good thing for the Lakers, Upshaw led the NCAA in blocks per 40 minutes at 6.8 (DraftExpress).
In the summer league, Upshaw tied with Randle and Black at .8 blocks per game to lead the team, however, Upshaw played far less minutes. In eleven minutes of play per game, Upshaw committed an average of three fouls per game, which won’t look good on a per 40 scale.
Part of defending the rim without fouling is knowing how to use your body. At 7’2″ with a 7’4″ wingspan, Hibbert excels at putting his arms straight up, at times not even jumping off the ground. At that size Hibbert does not need to jump through the air to alter a shot, which would increase his chances of fouling the shooter.
Upshaw still has plenty of room to grow, but if there is one area that Upshaw must perfect to excel as a big man in the NBA, it is rim protection, and he will have the opportunity this year to witness one of the best in the game.
Next: Be good from the charity stripe
Jan 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) holds the ball against the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 110 to 98. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Wanna play late in games? Make free throws.
The 2015 playoffs revealed the one true weakness of NBA big men these days: the “easiest” shot in the game. Some of the league’s most dominant defensive big men: Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, and Andrew Bogut, had to sit the bench simply because they could not make their free throws.
With DeAndre Jordan on the floor, the Clippers are truly an elite team, but when he is on the bench at the end of games, their defense suffers, making them a complete different team.
One area that Hibbert has excelled in throughout his career is his free throw shooting, posting a career average of 74.8%, including a career high 82.4% last season. In his lone season at the University of Washington, Upshaw shot 43.4% from the free throw line.
In Hibbert’s senior season, he shot 64.6%, showing that he has clearly spent time in the gym over the course of his career improving his percentage.
When it comes to free throws, it is simply a matter of work ethic. I hate to bring up Blake Griffin again, but the guy puts in a ton of work improving his game, including his free throws. In his second season, he shot 52.1% from the line, and this past season was up to 72.8%.
Given Upshaw’s questionable character and motor on the court, I am a bit skeptical right now that he will put in the required work, and if he doesn’t he will suffer more than anybody.
Next: It's All About Effort
Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) is blocked out by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
A High Motor Is Essential
The one thing that Upshaw can learn from Hibbert’s flaws is the importance of having a motor as a big man. One of Hibbert’s most obvious problems on the court is that he tends to take plays off and remove himself out of the game. Look no further than the 2014 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, when Hibbert recorded zero points and zero rebounds in 18 minutes of play in Game 1 of the series. Given Hibbert’s size and touch down low, there is absolutely no excuse for him to have that little impact on a game.
Defense is all about effort, and while Hibbert is one of the most talented shot blockers in the league, he’d be even better if he had the energy of say, DeAndre Jordan. Sure Jordan is an athletic freak, but it’s his non-stop motor that makes him the player he is on the glass and as a rim protector. Guards can get away with taking a few plays off, but big men who don’t give it their all tend to take the most heat.
Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and even our beloved Pau Gasol, and almost any big man you can think of has been criticized for their lack of intensity and effort on both ends of the floor.
This can be a win-win situation for Upshaw’s learning experience from Roy Hibbert. If Hibbert continues to take plays off, Upshaw will learn the consequences of not going 100% in this league, and if Hibbert does up his energy, Upshaw can learn the dominant presence of a physically gifted big man who has no off-button.
Upshaw is listed at seven feet tall, with nearly a 7’6″ wingspan, an absolute freak. It’d truly be a shame if this gift of a body was put to waste due to his streaky history of character issues and taking plays off.
Upshaw’s potential is through the roof. If he can learn to protect the paint without piling up fouls, hit his free throws, and give 110% at all times, we are looking at a scary big man in the future.