Lakers who are primed to disappoint this season: 2. Gabe Vincent
Gabe Vincent is the definition of someone who benefitted from a playoff run and increased his value as a result. The Miami Heat went on one of the most improbable NBA Finals runs in recent memory, making it all the way to the dance as an eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Vincent had some really great moments during that run as well. Despite not playing very well in the regular season, Vincent turned it on in the playoffs and had some key moments in key games for Miami. This increased his value, earning him a deal just under the full MLE with the Lakers.
But history was almost much different. Miami almost lost to the Chicago Bulls in the second play-in game. If the Heat had lost that game then Vincent would have never had the chance to play on a big stage and he would have probably signed for half of what he actually signed for.
While Vincent’s play in the playoffs was undoubtedly impressive, Lakers fans should not take that small sample size and equate it to his entire game. The fact of the matter is that throughout his career, Vincent has been an inefficient offensive player who has serviceable (at best) defense.
Vincent is not a consistent shooter and is not much of a playmaker at the point guard position. There were 37 point guards in the NBA that averaged 25 minutes per game last season (with at least 20 games played). Vincent ranked 37th in assists per game, 26th in three-point percentage and 34th in field goal percentage.
Statistically speaking, Vincent’s best comparison last season was Patrick Beverley. Vincent averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds per 36 minutes last season on .402/.334/.872 shooting. Beverley averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds per 36 minutes last season on .400/.335/.723 shooting. And Beverley is the better defender.
Vincent scored more points because he took more shots but in reality, the Lakers may just be getting another offensive version of Pat Bev. We all know how that went last season.