3. Tarik Black Is an Avenue Worth Traveling Down
This really isn’t news to the majority of Lakers fans who have been clamoring for Tarik Black to get minutes for most of the season as he’s been buried on the bench. However, he was finally given a meaningful role in the rotation on Thursday night with Brandon Bass out with a foot injury and, though he wasn’t overwhelming, he again showed that he’s a prospect worth developing.
Black finished the contest with six points and six rebound in 16 minutes of action, also adding a steal to his credit. He again showed the activity and energy that has made him a favorite among many fans and why so many fans have wanted to see Byron Scott and the Lakers give him the chances that he deserves.
There’s no reason to overhype this situation by saying that Black as All-Star potential or anything because, frankly, he doesn’t. However, he has the energy and the physical tools to be a nice wrinkle in a frontcourt rotation for the future. For that to be possible, though, Thursday night again proved something that’s been said a billion times: Black deserves and needs to be a part of the Lakers’ rotation so that he can properly develop.
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