Lazar's NBA PT

[HoopsMalone]

http://blogs.twincities.com/timberwolves/2010/09/is-beasley-emerging-at-small-f.html

Not that any of us thought Lazar would start this year right away or even be that big of a factor in the rotation.  However, the Beasley trade might hurt Lazar's chances.  Miami used Beasley at PF, so the trade did not appear to take away Lazar's chances right away.  Now, it looks like Beasley will play a lot of SF.

Making the NBA is such an accomplishment, but hopefully Lazar can earn his time on a young team with a lot of nice pieces.

[MerrittsMustache]

I was thrilled to see Lazar get drafted (in the 1st Round!) by Washington. I thought he could have found a nice niche there and they could have made some noise in a couple years. The trade to Minnesota really disappointed me. They have an absolutely clueless GM and are a terribly run franchise. Also, not only did they draft Lazar but they also drafted SF Wes Johnson and traded for SF Martell Webster and SF Michael Beasley to go along with SF Corey Brewer. Anyone notice a theme here?

Don't get me wrong, I wish Lazar nothing but the best and I hope he has a long, distinguished NBA career. I just wish he ended up in a different organization. Maybe he'll be a thrown-in when the T-wolves are forced to trade Ricky Rubio 

[mu-rara]

I was thrilled to see Lazar get drafted (in the 1st Round!) by Washington. I thought he could have found a nice niche there and they could have made some noise in a couple years. The trade to Minnesota really disappointed me. They have an absolutely clueless GM and are a terribly run franchise. Also, not only did they draft Lazar but they also drafted SF Wes Johnson and traded for SF Martell Webster and SF Michael Beasley to go along with SF Corey Brewer. Anyone notice a theme here?

Don't get me wrong, I wish Lazar nothing but the best and I hope he has a long, distinguished NBA career. I just wish he ended up in a different organization. Maybe he'll be a thrown-in when the T-wolves are forced to trade Ricky Rubio 

This is why I kinda wanted him to go undrafted.  Don't get me wrong.....Lazar deserved to be drafted and there are bennys, but going undrafted is why Wes got a big payday.

[hdog1017]

Lazar could see a good chunk of minutes in garbage time, as the T-Wolves won't be good at basketball again this year. 

[dwaderoy2004]

This is why I kinda wanted him to go undrafted.  Don't get me wrong.....Lazar deserved to be drafted and there are bennys, but going undrafted is why Wes got a big payday.

you only want to go undrafted if you get picked in the second round.  first round pick = guaranteed money, and you take that any day of the week.

[HoopsMalone]

you only want to go undrafted if you get picked in the second round.  first round pick = guaranteed money, and you take that any day of the week.

+1

Wes is definitely the exception the rule.  Jerel is more of the rule.

[wojosdojo]

This is why I kinda wanted him to go undrafted.  Don't get me wrong.....Lazar deserved to be drafted and there are bennys, but going undrafted is why Wes got a big payday.

Wes' situation is rarer than rare. I would not want to put Zar through all that when he can be making over a million dollars more than he made last year.

[TheRock]

This is why I kinda wanted him to go undrafted.  Don't get me wrong.....Lazar deserved to be drafted and there are bennys, but going undrafted is why Wes got a big payday.

First everyone begs that MU players get drafted because they deserve too, now you say that you kinda wanted him to go undrafted.  The only possible reason for this change of heart is because of what happened with Wes.  You hear of any other undrafted players getting $32 million dollar deals after their first years?  I didn't think so.

Always take the guaranteed first round money and the title of being a first round draft pick rather than risk you're entire NBA chances on going undrafted.  Just ask Jerel and DJ.

[Pakuni]

This is why I kinda wanted him to go undrafted.  Don't get me wrong.....Lazar deserved to be drafted and there are bennys, but going undrafted is why Wes got a big payday.

Lazar has about 2.7 million guaranteed reasons to be happy he went in the first round.

As for the rest, if - and it's a big IF- Lazar shows he can adequately defend the postion, his long-term future may be as a two, not a three.

[mu-rara]

Lazar has about 2.7 million guaranteed reasons to be happy he went in the first round.

I understand that, and you guys that replied are all correct.  This is why I said "kinda".  What would be sad is if Lazar gets stuck in the Wolves morass, and has a short career because he doesn't get established as a player. 

[TheRock]

I understand that, and you guys that replied are all correct.  This is why I said "kinda".  What would be sad is if Lazar gets stuck in the Wolves morass, and has a short career because he doesn't get established as a player. 

That would be a little sad, but that's why he signed a $2.7 million contract....if he never establishes himself, he'll have quite a head start on the rest of his life.

[MerrittsMustache]

That would be a little sad, but that's why he signed a $2.7 million contract....if he never establishes himself, he'll have quite a head start on the rest of his life.

And he'd be able to buy a pretty nice place in Greece.

[mu-rara]

That would be a little sad, but that's why he signed a $2.7 million contract....if he never establishes himself, he'll have quite a head start on the rest of his life.

No doubt my man, but I am hoping for a 10 year, $50 million dollar life for Zar.  He deserves it.

[OnWisconsin]

Lazar has about 2.7 million guaranteed reasons to be happy he went in the first round.

As for the rest, if - and it's a big IF- Lazar shows he can adequately defend the postion, his long-term future may be as a two, not a three.

Lazar could very well be a solid NBA player, I don't doubt that. But with all do respect he will not be able to play the 2 in the NBA, probably not ever. He's not quick enough to guard NBA two's and probably won't ever be able to. His offensive game doesn't fit a 2 either. He is a good shooter, but he would have a hard time at that position, and would not be able to drive past nba guards. He is similar to Marcus Landry (i know lazar is better), not big enough to play the 4 in the league, both strong, both good outside shooters, but neither are anywhere close to having the needed skill set to play the two in the league.