2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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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   John L. 07-07-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2) 24     21 You forgot the most likely - Pau Gasol. The Lakers know they need to make a move, and Gasol wants out. Don't be shocked when he's sent to an Eastern Conference team like Atlanta or Orlando. Dave 07-07-2011 09:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2) 21     21 I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it? nycsportzfan 07-07-2011 05:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx.134 (total posts: 1) 25     22 I think it would be wise for the knicks to look into trying to obtain Chris Kaman, and going way of hte Mavericks and builidng like that.. Give em Landry Fields and toney douglas, and then u got Melo, Amare, Kaman, Billups, Shumpert, re-sign Shawne Williams, Turiaf, harrelson, re-sign ant carter, sign Deshawn Stevenson, rautins, and re-sign bill walker..THen u have more money after the season as well.. Kaman Amare Melo Shumpert Billups Shawne Williams(re-signed Turiaf Deshawn Stevenson(sign) Harrelson Ant Carter(re-sign) Rautins Bill Walker(re-sign) jgardner12 07-02-2011 01:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 21     21 Ahh did not know that part of the rule, thanks for clearing that up for me. David Kay 07-01-2011 04:51 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.17 (total posts: 1) 20     21 @jgardner12 The rule in 2005 stated a team cannot re-sign the player they cut... which is why I would be hesitant to cut Johnson especially with Crawford a free agent, suddenly you have no shooting guard. @waltair I believe the fifth year has an option on it, so I should have stated three-years, $21 million guaranteed waltair 06-30-2011 02:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 21     21 LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT waltair 06-30-2011 02:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 25     20 outlaw has 4 year 28 mil on his contract jgardner12 06-30-2011 01:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 30     21 While I understand staying loyal to your star, the hawks should defiantly use it on Johnson. JJ is a wonderful player and they want him in ATL but seriously the dude isn't worth it. I mean the money he has left is close to the amount that Wade took to stay in Miami.. Again while I understand the predicament a JJ led team isn't going to win anything so might as well admit your mistake of signing him and sign him if possible to a more in line contract.. Walter 06-30-2011 01:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 22     22 @Dave - Now I do. The only Allen error was in the header, hence it was an editing mistake on my part. David spelled Allan correctly everywhere else. Dave 06-29-2011 04:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.25 (total posts: 1) 21     20 You do know it's spelled A-L-L-A-N, right? Mile High 06-25-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.153 (total posts: 1) 21     21 the reason the Nuggets dealt Felton was because he wants to be a starter, which he will never be in Denver. Ty Lawson is the Franchise guard, and keeping Felton impedes his progress. Therefore, they traded Felton, a rising star with high value, for Miller, who will accept coming off the bench, plus they picked up Hamilton who they were targeting. Captain Obvious 06-24-2011 10:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.25 (total posts: 1) 23     22 You said: "After Thursday evening, it will mark three years in a row that a point guard went first overall..." WTF happened to Blake Griffin??? LOL. waltair 06-21-2011 09:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 23     23 waltare you need a cheif editor this is bad Walter 06-21-2011 01:43 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 20     19 Thanks, Fitz. Fixed. Austin 06-19-2011 01:18 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.49 (total posts: 1) 19     21 If Leonard can prove he is capable of knocking down shots, the raptors might reach for him at five, he can provide the rebounding that their bigs, not pointing fingers but a seven foot i-tie, don't. It's a reach for sure, but it might be a good fit. He will also improve their abominable defense. Pages: 1 2 3 4 56 7

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