2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - June 20


The top six players from the Kentucky Wildcats' national championship winning team will be among those taken in the 2012 NBA Draft. That includes the sharpshooting Doron Lamb. While he won't hear his name called early in the lottery like former teammates Anthony Davis or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, or even in the mid-first round like Terrence Jones or Marquis Teague; Lamb is confident he can be a solid contributor at the next level.

"We just had a lot of talent on our team my last year in college," Lamb stated at the NBA Draft Combine. "We had a great team and can't everybody get the same recognition as everybody else." That was certainly the case for Lamb. Despite finishing second on Kentucky in scoring, he was often overshadowed by Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, Jones, and Teague.

Lamb's biggest contribution to helping the Wildcats cut down the nets was his outside shooting. He connected on 46.6 percent of his triple tries this past season. So, is Lamb one of best shooters in this draft class loaded with talented two guards? "I think so," he bluntly stated. "I'm a great shooter. I make shots so I think so."

As he transitions to getting ready for the next level, Lamb is trying to prove that he can impact a game with more than his smooth jumper and long-range ability. "I think I'm more than just a shooter. I can play the one and two. I can guard the one and two, and make plays for my teammates."



Due to a lack of depth this past season, Lamb was the primary backup point guard to freshman Marquis Teague. The Queens native spent about six minutes a game running the show for John Calipari, but only averaged 1.5 assists per outing and was clearly more comfortable and effective playing off the ball.

Still, Lamb believes that brief experience will benefit him as he embarks on his professional career. "Coach Cal got my point guard skills ready for the NBA. I got much stronger; my mentality changed. My strengths changed and helped me get better."

One of the teams Lamb met with before speaking to the media at the NBA Draft Combine was the Chicago Bulls, which could be targeting a combo guard with their 29th overall pick, especially somebody capable of running the point with Derrick Rose's health situation uncertain.

"Looking for a backup one, a shooter," Lamb said of how he would be an asset on the Bulls' roster. "Somebody that can come in and play right away, come off screens like Rip Hamilton. I thought it was a great fit for me. I had a great meeting with them."



Another possible landing spot would be with the Minnesota Timberwolves who own the 18th pick and sorely need a shooting guard (though that's probably too high for him to be taken off the board.) Lamb gushed about the possibility of playing alongside a true playmaking point guard like Rucky Rubio. "He's a great player. I know he got hurt, but when he comes back, he's going to make a big impact on his team. Getting players involved so it'd be a great challenge for me to play with him."

Chicago and Minnesota are part of a long list of teams that Lamb has either met with or worked out for which also includes Memphis, Boston, Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, and Philadelphia. All of those franchises own picks in the mid-late first round.

Lamb figures to be taken closer to the late-20's and possibly even slip into the early second round. For the time being, that isn't something he is focusing on. "I'm not worrying about any of that right. I'm just paying attention to my workouts. Whatever happens on June 28th, happens."



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   MaliceAtThePalace 03-09-2012 01:38 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.201 (total posts: 1) 50     24 Stephen Jackson is a phenomenal teammate. Just ask Ron Artest back in '04. Sean Shearier 03-09-2012 12:27 am xxx.xxx.xxx.117 (total posts: 1) 22     133 great site lots of information. Please check out www.walloffamesports.com Mike again 12-25-2011 02:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2) 23     24 Lakers got Mavs first rounder this year for odom mike 12-25-2011 01:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2) 30     42 you still have the clippers owning the twolves pick Joe 12-23-2011 11:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1) 54     26 Walt, I dont think you understand what the Amnesty Clause does. The contract doesnt count against the payroll, but you still have to pay the player. You dont just get out of the contract for free. There was no point in using it on Rashard Lewis, because he can still at least play. Even if you are paying him a ton of money, he can still give you decent minutes. Plus, next year, he is a huge expiring that can be used as a trade chip. Pete 12-23-2011 01:45 am xxx.xxx.xxx.167 (total posts: 1) 24     33 Dude Wizards don't amnesty Lewis because if they did, they would be significantly below the salary cap floor imposed on teams, forcing them to spend a bunch of money on an extremely weak free agent class. Makes sense that they wouldn't amnesty him because of that. Walter 12-23-2011 12:11 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 142     24 Ugh, what page is that on? Editing at 3 am apparently isn't a good idea. Oh, and I'm always up this late during football season. My Russian gypsy neighbors are surprisingly quiet. Peter 12-22-2011 04:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.62 (total posts: 1) 23     24 Walter - Aren't you an English major? Or should I say, Engrish major? "However, if Davis plays with a chip on his shoulder, he provides the Knicks with a much-needed veteran experience in the backcourt, and unlike Mike Bibby, can still productive in the downside of his career." All kidding aside, you're doing a great job with this website. BTW, what are you doing up at 2:55 AM? Are the Russians keeping you up? Or are you trying to spy on the hot neighbor next door? Walter 12-22-2011 02:55 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 20     19 Sorry about that. It was my fault (editing error). I posted the wrong logo. It's fixed. Fitz 12-20-2011 08:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2) 21     20 Dude can you please correct that Davis for Bass trade. Bass plays for Orlando, not Dallas. It is the most annoying thing seeing that big of a mistake on an otherwise good website Fitz 12-19-2011 02:58 am xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2) 20     36 Bass plays for Orlando. Therefore Glen Davis is going to Orlando. Can you please correct this already Bro 12-16-2011 10:44 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.89 (total posts: 1) 28     20 The Pistons bought out Rip Hamilton's contract so they could still use their amnesty on Ben Gordon. I was hoping that the Pistons wouldnt resign Tayshaun Prince so we could land the first pick of the draft and get a stud to join our young core of Greg Monroe, Austin Daye and Brandon Knight. But, the Pistons are stupid so they will rely on bums like Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon to win us out of a good draft pick and stay mediocre. Also... 12-16-2011 11:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 26     20 The Pistons bought out Rip's contract, and didn't use their amnesty clause yet. God willing, Ben Gordon is next to go. What an idiot 12-16-2011 11:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 23     21 Way to keep on your trades, Paul and Dave! Brandon Bass has been with the Magic for awhile now, kinda shocking Walt would let someone so in-ept write for his site. rossfelhofer 12-16-2011 01:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.43 (total posts: 1) 18     21 the clippers are not done in free agency yet, they are going to have to sign another big man Pages: 1 2 3 45 6 7

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