Jamie Rhodes – USA TODAY Sports
I was hoping that the Los Angeles Lakers would draft Seth Curry from Duke University. Curry, like his brother Stephen Curry and father Del Curry, also has the ability to score and shoot the three-pointer effectively.
The 6-foot-2 guard is an undersized shooting guard, but I still think he can be a productive pro. The Lakers could use some scoring at the guard position and Curry could also stretch the floor with his three-point shooting. Aging veterans Steve Nash and Steve Blake along with Jodie Meeks will be the only options in the depleted Lakers backcourt while Kobe Bryant rehabilitates his torn achilles tendon. After letting Ramon Sessions go to the Charlotte Bobcats last year and Andrew Goudelock becoming an unrestricted free agent this year, the backcourt needs some help.
The Lakers could also get Curry at a cheap price, since he went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft. Curry and Meeks could be a dynamic scoring tandem coming off the bench and provide a spark for the Lakers’ second unit.
Curry, in his senior season, averaged 17.5 points per game and shot 44 percent from beyond the arc. A smart GM should know to not overlook the Curry family. Older brother Stephen was passed over by prominent, big-time programs in college and ended up playing for Davidson. Stephen became a college sensation and dominated the NCAA Tournament in his senior year before becoming a lottery pick, selected seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors. Seth also didn’t get much respect after his high school playing days and ended up at Liberty University before transferring to Duke after his sophomore season.
Curry, 22, could be considered a long-term investment, even if he’s not able to contribute right away. He will be able to practice with one of the best point guards in the league, Nash, and develop his game even further. Duke players are typically smart players, possess a high basketball IQ and understand how the game of basketball should be played — courtesy of Mike Krzyzewski.
The Lakers could use a few of these players.
Eric N. Ellington covers the Los Angeles Lakers for Rant Sports. Follow him at @EricNEllington
