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Six Wildcats drafted.
I wanted to stop there but for the sake of entertainment (and because now you have to listen to me) a complete and thorough foray into each draftee and where I think they fit into their respective team’s rotation is to follow.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]For thoseof you living in a hole, here’s a recap.
#1 Anthony Davis / #46 Darius Miller –New Orleans Hornets
#2 MKG – Charlotte Bobcats
#18 Terrence Jones – Houston Rockets
#29 Marquis Teague – Chicago Bulls
#42 Doron Lamb – Milwaukee Bucks
This week, we take a look at Milwaukee’s 42[SUP]nd[/SUP] pick, Doron Lamb.
When Doron Lamb decided to stay one more year as a Wildcat, Big Blue Nation breathed a collective sigh of relief. How could you not? Lamb is a smooth 6’4” combo guard with good athleticism and quickness who has the ability to set the nets on fire from range and make it look easy. He is a cool headed consistent shooter who isn’t afraid to drive the ball into the tree’s either. Like most of UK’s roster as of late, Lamb’s game is built for the NBA and so his college stats, while solid, were not eyepopping. That’s just fine with me and I seriously doubt that Doron is losing any sleep over it either. Lamb is a winner.
The Bucks are an organization that has been in somewhat of a rebuilding phase but they are loaded with young talent and scoring ability. As a team, the Bucks finished the 2011-12 regular season ranked 5[SUP]th[/SUP] overall in scoring and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] in assists per game. Brandon Jennings runs the point at Milwaukee and his ability to distribute the ball on the break or drive to the basket will give Lamb plenty of open looks during his time on the floor as a rookie. They play at a fast and exciting pace and love to spread the floor so Doron should fit right in. He will provide valuable minutes off of the bench behind Monta Ellis at the 2 and may have the opportunity to run the point in a pinch, as well. It won’t be easy though. As exciting as the back court is for Milwaukee, the front court is far less glamorous. OK, so maybe “far less glamorous” is a stretch but “aging” is not. Mike Dunleavy, Drew Gooden and Samuel Dlaembert will start at the 3, 4 and 5 and are all over the age of 30. No, they aren’t KG and Paul Pierce old but then again KG and Paul Pierce are superstars, the previously mentioned bigs for Milwaukee are not. The front court of Milwaukeeis in need of some young talent. To fit that bill, the Bucks picked up John Henson in the draft this year. Henson will eventually have a large load to carry but if his offensive game develops to it’s full potential, and judging by his performance in summer league play it is doing that and more, Henson could turn out to be spectacular. I know, I know…how dare I write such blasphemous assumptions about a Tar Heel? If it makes you feel better, and I would have to say it certainly makes me feel better, Lamb’s shooting was also impressive in his summer games with the exception of his three point shot, which seemed to have all but disappeared. Doron went 0-7 from behind the line but fret not, BBN. Doron will find his NBA range. Until then his 14 points per game on almost 46 percent from the field and responsible ball handling, (Lamb coughed it uponly 5 times all summer,) will suffice.
This year, the Bucks’ game will continue to be a work in progress and the team will bank on solid minutes from its bench players, specifically its guards as the depth at both positions is, well not deep at all. Add to that the fact that one of Milwaukee’s biggest flaws last season was three-point shooting and you quickly realize that Lamb may have more pressure to perform than what lies on the surface. Lamb however, has proven that he is up to the challenge. During the 2012 NCAA Tournament run, Doron averaged almost 17 PPG and capped off his college career by leading all scorers with 22 points in the 2012 NCAA Championship game.
What pressure?
The kid has been under pressure since he played in his first AAU game. He was solid in his two years at UK. He was solid this summer. He’s dealt with rabid fans and trash talking and has kept a cool head the whole time. Coach Cal said on more than one occasion that Lamb, with his motor running, was as good as any guard in the college game. I’ve never been one to doubt the words of our prophetic Coach. So it comes down to Doron. How bad does he want it? Will the pressure crush him or will it push him to work harder than he ever has before? Id put my money one the later because well…
Doron Lamb is a winner.
Next week: The motor that drove the Big Blue Bus to New Orleans, MKG.
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