Ranking 24 worst Lakers starters of the Kobe Bryant era
By Tyler Watts
14. Devean George
George was the Lakers’ first-round pick in 1999 and won three championships in his first three years in the NBA. The 6’9 forward was not part of the rotation in the first two, but he was a bench piece in year three. George averaged 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game during the playoffs.
He was a bench player for his entire career, except in the 2003-04 season. The Lakers knew what they had. George had been on the team for four years, but he got 48 starts and stuck through the playoffs.
It was arguably the best year of his career. The 6’9 forward averaged 7.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 23.8 minutes per game and still got 21.4 each night in the playoffs as the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals.
Devean George was plagued by poor shot selection throughout his NBA career. In his seven seasons with the Lakers, he made 39.2 percent of his field goals and just 34.0 percent from 3-point range. The 6’9 forward played for the Mavericks and Warriors after leaving LA. His size and defense allowed him to stay in the NBA for 11 years, but his production left plenty to be desired.