Did we already lose our PG of the future?

by robi s on Mar 18, 2010 1:23 AM PDT

I don't know how many of my fellow Laker fans follow other teams, but there has been a recent changing of the guard in the NBA, and it involves the Lakers.....in a convoluted way....

As an avid fantasy basketball enthusiast, I try to watch as many basketball games as I can in my free time. Sadly, I haven't had this free time in a while, but have had time to check up on some box scores. Recently I noticed a new name pop up on my radar: Toney Douglas

If the name doesn't sound familiar, think again. He is the player the Lakers drafted at #29 in the first round of the 2009 Draft. The very same player we promptly traded to the New York Knicks for a second-round draft pick in 2011 and $3 million. And it is this very same player that has been handed the keys to the Mecca of Sports or more fondly known as the Garden.

In the 3 games since he was made starter of the Knicks, Douglas has put up some impressive numbers. Sure it maybe due to the D'Antoni system, his numbers are impressive none-the-less for a rookie.

3/13 @. Jason Kidd/DAL Douglas has 21pts on an impressive (8-10 FG, 4-4 3PT) with 8 assists and held the walking Triple-Double Jason Kidd to a mere 15 pts/6Asts

3/15 @ Phi Douglas had 20 pts (7-13 FG, 2-6 3PT) with 7 assists while outplaying Philly's Jrue Holiday

After the Phi game, D'Antoni had this to say of Douglas "When Toney was on the court, we played a lot better. He hit a big 3-pointer for us and played with a lot of energy." This was after the Knicks managed two impressive road wins.

And finally, we get to the game that inspired me to write this article:

3/17 @ Bos Douglas had 11 pts (5-13 FG, 1-6 3PT) 3 Ast, 3steal, 7 rbs

Okay so he didn't have a great shooting night, but Fisher would kill to have a game like this these days. What I found even more impressive however was what he was able to hold Laker Killer (Fisher/Farmar/Brown Killer) to only 5 pts! The Killer I speak of his of course Boston Celtics guard, Rajon Rondo. Sure Rondo had 12 dimes to his credit, but having watched Rondo burn the Lakers backcourt time and again, I would love to see someone be able to keep Rondo to 5 points any day vs. the Lakers.

I haven't yet gotten to see Douglas play, but man, seeing some of these stat lines are certainly exciting (sad) to see since he very well could have been our future PG. I know its hard to get an idea of a players true abilities from box scores, but it's certainly refreshing to see opponent PG stats un-inflated by Erek Fisher's efense... yes I left the D out on purpose.... whatcha gonna do about it?!!?

Have any of you out there gotten to see Douglas play? Did the Lakers blow it by trading him away similar to how the Blazers blew it by trading Jermaine O'neal? Did we trade a future All-star?

Poll

Did the Lakers blow it by trading away Douglas?

Yes, he should have been guarding Curry yesterday

113 votes

No, he will be just another player in the NBA

98 votes

211 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Yeah, I was livid when we gave him away in the draft

He had all the markers for a triangle point guard — he shot decently, he didn’t turn the ball over, and he was a tenacious defender. Sure, it didn’t look like he was a real point guard, but that’s less of a problem in the triangle. I had him pegged as my first choice with the Lakers’ first rounder last year.

Now, yes, he won’t be an All-Star, and at best, he’ll be a solid starter, but that’s miles better than anything we had last year or this year. It’s not my money, so I can’t blame Buss for spending a hell of a lot of money on payroll, but it still smarts that we couldn’t keep him. If anything, it makes addressing the PG situation this summer even more difficult because we either have to 1) sign someone using part of the MLE 2) pray someone decent is available in the second round 3) trade for a good point guard 4) buy a first rounder to get Bledsoe. Would have been a lot cheaper just to pay to keep Douglas.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 18, 2010 1:53 AM PDT reply actions

This will piss you off some more: Tony Douglass was ACC's Defensive Player of the Year last season.

by E-ROC on Mar 18, 2010 5:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Actually, I knew that one

It’s one of the reasons I was so high on him.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 18, 2010 5:36 AM PDT up reply actions

The Lakers had a plan, and it included giving away draft picks with guaranteed money.

Tony Douglass should’ve been in a Lakers uniform, however. Its one thing to save money, its another to just give talent away. No doubt, Douglass has plenty of talent.

The Lakers could help themselves by taking a look at Mustafadden Shakur, Will Conroy, Cedric Jackson, DJ Strawberry, Curtis Jerrells, Greivis Vasquez, or Jerome Dyson in the off-season. One of those players would stick.

by E-ROC on Mar 18, 2010 5:34 AM PDT reply actions

Robi S,

I have never seen him play but after this post I will try and catch the next televised Knicks game. I will tell you one thing, if he is as good defensively as you say that is going to SUCK! big time. Especially since our biggest concern is playing good D at the PG position and that has been this team’s biggest problem.

"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 18, 2010 6:39 AM PDT reply actions

I was SO pissed when we traded him for cash.

He was the one player I was praying the Lakers got with their first pick last year, due to his defensive tenacity. I was thrilled when they drafted him, and then came the huge dissapointment when we traded him for cash. I think he could have taken over the starting role half way through this season. IMO, the Lakers would have half the loses they currently have if we had Douglas starting for us. We wouldnt have any problems with other team’s pgs destroying us.

He wont be an all-star, but he will be a good starter for any team for quite some time. Maybe we can somehow get him back?!?

"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman

by LakersFoEva on Mar 18, 2010 9:12 AM PDT reply actions

How does a draft trade work?

Would help if someone correctly explained how a draft trade works:

When two teams enter a trade on draft day the picking team (Lakers) will select on behalf of the receiving team (Knicks). The Knicks INSTRUCTED the Lakers to select Toney Douglas. The Lakers may/may not have had intentions on signing Douglas. I.e. not on the Lakers radar, this was the Knicks’ desire.

Secondly, yes system. Douglas would only be bringing the ball up 1/2 the time before passing around the perimeter in the triangle. Not one single PG in NBA history has put up all star numbers in the Triangle system.

Farmar will walk next season and will probably put up solid numbers for some other team as a potential starter. PG is thin (only Wall is for sure) in the draft and there will be a demand for his skill set.

by 81 Witness on Mar 18, 2010 10:31 AM PDT reply actions

Good point.

I wasnt watching the draft, so I didnt hear all the explanations with trades and such. I was on the interent somewhere, just watching the ticker at the bottom of the screen. I had seen that they had drafted him and traded him.

Not sure if he was on the Lakers radar. I guess we will never know. If they really wanted him, and were high on his potential, i doub they giv ehim away like that.

We just NEED to address the pg issue in this years draft, or in offseason moves.

by LakersFoEva on Mar 18, 2010 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions

The Lakers couldn't trade the pick outright because of Ted Stepien Rule

Which prohibits a team from trading draft picks in consecutive seasons, so basically, the Lakers had to draft Douglas, and then trade him (the player, not the pick) to New York for $3 million. For all practical purposes, it doesn’t matter one way or the other, as New York basically told the Lakers who they wanted to draft, but they had to nominally follow the letter of the rule.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Mar 18, 2010 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions

FSU

I saw toney Douglas in the tournament last year for FSU and he carried them agaisnt some good teams. The ACC was strong last year and he set records in that conference. as a Laker fan i was excited when they drafted him. He is a good triangle point guard. he has good size, can shoot and rebound. I was devastated when they traded him. but hopefully we will find someone else. He is young and will get better. Still think he has more upside than Shannon and Farmar and for sure Sasha

by Rafiq11 on Mar 18, 2010 12:23 PM PDT reply actions

Relax Fellas

A few games doesnt mean he’s been handed the keys to the garden, he shows promise but i think his cieling is becoming a OK back up PG. Dont worry though, Word is that Brandon Jennings wants to come play in LA when his contract is up with the bucks.

by Blog-a-bullshiter9 on Mar 19, 2010 11:47 AM PDT reply actions

hahha after he got in a twitter fight with a fake farmar i dont know if i want him lol

In Kobe we trust!

by robi s on Mar 19, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll take him..

"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 19, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Well who knows

Maybe LO doesn’t get re-signed if the trade didn’t happen

by Bacalao on Mar 19, 2010 12:49 PM PDT reply actions

Quick question

what does Bacalao mean? Is that a spanish food?

"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 19, 2010 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

its actually brazilian, its a way of preparing fish

In Kobe we trust!

by robi s on Mar 19, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

lol..freakin braniacs!

I swear I could ask any question here and people will know it. Are you Brazilian Robi S?

"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 19, 2010 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

haha yes, half

In Kobe we trust!

by robi s on Mar 20, 2010 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

knew it..

awesome! fucking Brazilian women are HOT.. just like Spaniard women.

"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 20, 2010 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions

well all cultures have HOT! women

but Brazilian and Spaniard’s are my type..

"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 20, 2010 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions

its brazillian but it is a very common food in Spain, Portugal and Puerto Rico, they taste good

The PuertoRican Kid

by Kobe:The Legend on Mar 20, 2010 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions

WTF? can someone tell me again why the Lakers traded this guy

He seems to have a lot of patience and he takes his time on offense unlike Farmar who seems to want to get his own all the time. And he can shoot to!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooh4sORQrA0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5pKslHoYaQ

"If you want to find the dumbest guy in the room just find the first guy to tell you how smart he is." - JG

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Mar 20, 2010 7:21 PM PDT reply actions

he seems mild-mannered too

meaning that he keeps his head cool and is focused all the time.

Wow. How did we lose that guy.

We better take one with this draft then.

by RudeMood19 on Mar 21, 2010 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions

haha yea, he was like perfect for us. It’s ashame Multimillionaire Buss wanted his 3 million instead of possibly getting a great PG.

I may be overestimating how rich i think Buss is, but I’m assuming owning the richest franchise in the NBA makes 3 million seem like chump change

In Kobe we trust!

by robi s on Mar 21, 2010 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Luxury tax implications complicate things

Buss has to pay over 110 million once you consider luxury taxes, and that’s not including Phil (12 million), the staff, etc.
Not saying that trading Douglas away was the best choice, but saving 3 million while avoiding the guaranteed contract of a first rounder + luxury tax double was the better choice than drafting an unproven rookie guard at the time.

by Laptorz on Mar 21, 2010 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions

haha yea, we definitely went with the safer choice and its alot easier to say in retrospect we shoulda taken a chance so I agree with you, but now that we are seeing what he can do as a starter, its hard to hold back the trade remorse lol

In Kobe we trust!

by robi s on Mar 21, 2010 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions