{"id":15959,"date":"2018-07-25T23:28:51","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T04:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=15959"},"modified":"2018-07-27T20:24:49","modified_gmt":"2018-07-28T01:24:49","slug":"the-myboysay-nations-projected-los-angeles-lakers-starting-five-6th-man-1st-5-off-bench-after-6th-ma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=15959","title":{"rendered":"THE MYBOYSAY NATION’S “PROJECTED” LOS ANGELES LAKERS STARTING FIVE, 6TH MAN, AND THE REMAINING 1ST MAN UP ROTATION"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"THE MYBOYSAY NATION “SUGGESTED” LOS ANGELES LAKERS STARTING LINE UP FOR THE 2018-2019 SEASON. THIS LINE-UP WILL GET IT DONE, MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, AND GET A 7 GAME SERIES WITH THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS. COULD GET IT DONE!!!!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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STARTING AT POWER FORWARD:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Michael Beasley is an expert at the most fundamental part of the game: introducing the ball to the basket.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Signed by the Lakers on Monday, the combo forward is one of the most flammable scorers in the league, putting up the league\u2019s 11th-most points per minute last season (0.25).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 29-year-old can fill the bucket efficiently and in volume. He is coming off his third straight year of hitting more than half of his shots from the field, as he made 50.7 percent of his attempts \u2014 fourth among small forwards.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beasley is at his best attacking the paint, using his powerful 6-foot-9, 235-pound frame to trample smaller defenders and his unique body control to finish at odd angles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Playing for New York last year, he shot a sturdy 64.7 percent in the restricted area and a robust 49.0 percent in the non-restricted area of the paint.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For most players, that latter zone is a spot of inefficiency: not close enough to the basket to score regularly and not far enough to be worth three points. But for Beasley, it is an area where he thrives.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Only Khris Middleton (51.0 percent), E\u2019Twaun Moore (50.9) and Robin Lopez (49.1) shot better from there.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Beasley has an armory of scoring moves in region, including fadeaways, hook shots, floaters and just about everything in between.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Kansas State product is a master of hitting off-balance attempts, and doesn\u2019t really get why others can\u2019t find the same success.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why that spot\u2019s such a hard shot, to be completely honest,\u201d Beasley laughed. \u201cMaybe I\u2019m just weird.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Beasley does most of his work around the paint, both with and without the ball.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He is an excellent cutter, who ranked in the NBA\u2019s 87th percentile on such shots by scoring 1.46 points per possession and shooting 72.3 percent (34-of-47) off cuts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The former second-overall pick is also a weapon on post-ups (70th percentile; 0.94 ppp; 70-of-140) and in isolation (65th percentile; 0.92 ppp; 80-of-175).<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>And while the ambidextrous finisher is at his best inside the arc, he has proven capable of splashing from beyond it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last season, he hit a sizzling 39.5 percent of his 3-point attempts for the Knicks. The only caveat was that he only averaged about one attempt per game (34-of-86 total).<\/strong><\/p>\n

But when Beasley did let the treys fly, they often fell through.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He was much better shooting 3\u2019s from above the break (45.0 percent) than the corners (28.0), and was particularly effective in pick-and-pop situations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A skilled roller, defenses would often prioritize protecting the paint from Beasley, who would instead slip out to sink a triple.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>And while Beasley is not concerned with his own playing time,<\/a> his game did improve when his minutes increased with New York.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 30 starts (out of 74 games), his averages ballooned to 16.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 46.7 percent 3-point shooting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He also scored 30-plus points in four games last season, including three in the starting lineup.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Beasley\u2019s ability to find the bottom of the net has never been in question, and he\u2019s subtly added to his game over recent years.<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

He\u2019s been a much more aggressive rebounder (9.0 boards per 36 minutes last season) and has steadily improved his assists numbers (2.7 per 36) to the point where they may not be outstanding but are an improvement from where he started a decade ago.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, the key to Beasley\u2019s role will be how effective he can be on the defensive side of the ball. He has the physical tools to be an ideal defender at the forward spots, but his reputation is less than sterling. And the Lakers have prioritized this half of the game after leaping to 12th in the NBA in defensive efficiency last year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yet while he has also pinballed between five NBA teams and the Chinese League over the last six seasons, Beasley\u2019s competitiveness is doubtless.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a man still upset about losing the 2014 NBA Finals, back when he was on a team with LeBron James, whom he considers like an \u201colder brother.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

He\u2019s also a man who once dubbed himself \u201ca walking bucket\u201d<\/a> and put up the scoring numbers to back it up. Now he\u2019s teammates with James once again, and committed to helping the team regardless of his own minutes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How much the Lakers use Beasley is, obviously, up to coach Luke Walton. But he has the skill set and team-centric mentality to make an immediate impact when he does hit the floor.<\/strong><\/p>\n

STARTING AT SHOOTING GUARD: 3X NBA WORLD CHAMPION<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"LEBRON JAMES,\u00a0<\/strong>For his postseason career, has appeared in 199 playoff contests (all starts) with averages of 28.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 42.1 minutes per game\u2026three-time NBA Finals MVP and champion (2012, 2013, 2016)\u2026ranks among the NBA postseason all-time leaders in triple-doubles (16, 2nd), free throws made (1,355, 2nd), assists (1,348, 3rd), scoring average (28.0, 5th, min. 5 games), points (5,572, 4th), field goals made (1,965, 6th), steals (354, 4th), three-pointers made (287, 5th) and rebounds (1,758, 9th)\u2026is the only player to rank in the Top 10 in points, rebounds and assists in NBA playoff history\u2026is Cleveland\u2019s postseason leader in points, scoring average, field goals made, three-point field goals made, free throws made, assists, steals, blocks and minutes\u2026has scored in double figures in 197 postseason games, including an NBA playoff-record 176 contests with at least 20 points, 84 of 30-or-more points and 17 of 40-or-more points (five in Finals competition)\u2026the only players with more 30-point playoff games are Michael Jordan (109) and Kobe Bryant (88)\u2026has amassed 87 double-doubles and 16 triple-doubles\u2026holds 63 career playoff games of at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists, the most in NBA history (Michael Jordan is second with 51 such games)\u2026has been his team\u2019s outright leader in points, rebounds and assists in 38 postseason games, the most all-time and 25 more than the player with the next-most, Larry Bird with 13\u2026played in six straight NBA Finals (2011-2016), the only player to do so since the 1960s Boston Celtics (Bill Russell, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders, Tom Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey and Bob Cousy)\u2026is the 2nd player to play in at least three NBA Finals with two different teams, joining Dennis Rodman (Pistons and Bulls)\u2026his seven triple-doubles in the NBA Finals only trails Magic Johnson (8) for the most all-time\u2026has three triple-doubles with 30-plus points in NBA Finals competition, matching the total for all other players in the shot-clock era (Jerry West, James Worthy, and Charles Barkley had one each)\u2026has eight career games with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in The Finals, the most all-time\u2026has the most 20-point triple-doubles in NBA postseason history (14)\u2026scored at least 20 points in 25 consecutive playoff games from May 20, 2015-June 2, 2016, the longest of his playoff career (prev. 24 straight from May 12, 2008-April 25, 2010)\u2026his teams have won at least one road game in 26 consecutive series, the longest in NBA history\u2026started all 21 games during Cleveland\u2019s championship run in the 2016 Playoffs\u2026averaged a team-high 26.3 points on .525 shooting, 9.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 2.33 steals and 1.29 blocks in 39.1 minutes\u2026had a 2016 Playoff-high +209 plus\/minus and posted a team-best 13 double-doubles\u2026recorded 552 total points, the 6th postseason he has tallied 500 or more points, second to Michael Jordan (8 postseasons)\u2026shot at least .500 from the field or better 15 times and swiped at least two steals in 18 of the 21 playoff games\u2026in the First Round against Detroit, posted three double-doubles and averaging 22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, a team-high 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 41.2 minutes\u2026against the Hawks in the Second Round, averaged 24.3 points on .507 shooting, including .421 (8-19) from deep, 8.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 3.0 steals in 36.5 minutes per game\u2026in the ECF against the Raptors, averaged 26.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block in 36.5 minutes; his .622 (61-98) shooting percentage was just shy of breaking his highest field goal percentage in a playoff series (.627 in 2013 First Round)\u2026on May 17 against Toronto, shot 11-13 (.846) from the field for 24 points in 28 minutes; in the first half, shot a perfect 7-7 from the floor, marking the first time in his postseason career he shot perfect from the field in any half\u2026his .846 mark for the game was his highest field-goal percentage in a playoff game and the 3rd-highest for any Cavaliers player in a playoff game in which he took at least 10 shots from the field (Larry Nance 11-12 vs. Chicago in 1993; and Drew Gooden 11-12 vs. Washington in 2006)\u2026won his 3rd Finals MVP after averaging 29.7 points (208), 11.3 rebounds (79), 8.9 assists (62), 2.57 steals (18) and 2.29 blocks (16) against Golden State…is the first player in NBA history to lead all players in all five categories for an entire playoff series\u2026no other player in NBA history has also ever produced 208 points, 79 rebounds and 62 assists in one NBA Finals series\u2026became the 5th player to win three Finals MVPs; the others are Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan and Magic Johnson\u2026joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA history to win Finals MVP with multiple teams and the 4th player to win 3 Finals MVPs and 4 regular season MVPs (Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)\u2026his 29.7 points-per-game average in the Finals was the highest by a player on the winning team in any seven-game Finals series in NBA history\u2026connected on two three-pointers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Golden State on June 2 to become the all-time Finals leader in threes (57), one more than Robert Horry and Ray Allen; currently has 68 triples for his NBA Finals career\u2026in Game 5 of the Finals, had 41 points on 16-30 (.533) shooting, including 4-8 (.500) from deep, a game-high 16 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocks in 43 minutes; joined Shaquille O’Neal (2001), Magic Johnson (1980) and Cliff Hagan (1961) as the only players in NBA history to score at least 40 points, grab 15 rebounds and dish out at least five assists in a Finals game\u2026in Game 6 of the Finals on June 16, tallied 41 points on 16-27 (.593) shooting, eight rebounds, 11 assists, four steals and three blocks in 43 minutes; it was his second straight 40-point contest, becoming just the 5th player with at least 40 points in consecutive NBA Finals games (Games 5-6), joining Jerry West (1965 and 1969 Lakers), Rick Barry (1967 Warriors), Michael Jordan (1993 Bulls, doing so in four straight games), and Shaquille O’Neal (2000 Lakers)\u2026after tallying 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 7, became the 3rd player to have a triple-double in Game 7 of the NBA Finals (James Worthy 1988, Jerry West 1969)\u2026played in all 20 games during the Cavs\u2019 NBA Finals run in the 2015 Playoffs, recording an NBA-high 14 double-doubles (three triple-doubles) and averaging 30.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks in 42.2 minutes per game\u2026first player since Oscar Robertson to produce 30.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists in a single postseason\u2026in the First Round series against Boston, averaged 27.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks in 43.0 minutes\u2026in the six games against Chicago in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, averaged 26.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists to go along with five double-doubles; became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1991 to finish a series with averages of 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists\u2026drained a 21-foot baseline jumper as time expired to give the Cavs an 86-84 victory in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Chicago on May 10\u2026in Game 5 of the Semifinals against Chicago, registered 38 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals, three blocks and zero turnovers in 41 minutes, becoming just the third player in NBA postseason history to record at least 35 points, 10 boards, five assists, three steals and three blocks in a playoff game, joining Dwayne Wade (at Dallas 6\/20\/2006) and Elvin Hayes (vs. Buffalo 4\/20\/1975); since the league began recording turnovers in 1977-78, he is the only NBA player in playoff history to record that stat line while also having zero turnovers\u2026in the Eastern Conference Finals against Atlanta, averaged a near triple-double with 30.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 38.3 minutes per game; no other player in league history has ever averaged at least 30.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists in a playoff series\u2026in the Game 3 win over Atlanta in the Eastern Conference Finals on May 24, collected a triple-double with game-highs of 37 points, 18 rebounds (playoff career-high eight offensive) and 13 assists, to go along with three steals in 47 minutes; became the first player in NBA postseason history to put together a stat line of at least 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists\u2026in six games during the NBA Finals versus Golden State, recorded five double-doubles and two triple-doubles, while averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 45.7 minutes\u2026became the first player in Finals history to lead the series in points, rebounds and assists\u2026became the first player to produce two triple-doubles with 30 or more points in one Finals series\u2026in Game 1 against the Warriors, tallied a 2015 Playoff-high 44 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 46 minutes\u2026during Game 2\u2019s win at Golden State on Jan. 7, registered a triple-double with game highs in points (39), rebounds (16) and assists (11), becoming the first player in NBA playoff history to reach those totals\u2026in Game 5 against the Warriors, notched another triple-double with 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists; only three other players scored 40 points in a playoff triple-double: Oscar Robertson (twice in 1963), Jerry West (1969), and Charles Barkley (1993)\u2026became just the sixth player in NBA history to score 5,000 career playoff points after posting 32 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 47 minutes in Game 6 of the Finals on June 16\u2026in the 2014 Playoffs, led Miami to its fourth straight NBA Finals appearance\u2026played in 20 games (all starts) with averages of 27.4 points on .565 shooting, including .407 (35-86) from beyond the arc, 7.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 38.2 minutes per game\u2026also shot a postseason career-high .806 (129-160) from the foul line\u2026scored 22 points or more in all but one game, including seven 30-plus point performances\u2026matched his postseason career high with 49 points on 16-24 (.667) shooting, six rebounds and three steals in 43 minutes at Brooklyn on May 12\u2026recorded four double-doubles\u2026ranked second in the playoffs in points per game\u2026became the first player in NBA postseason history to average at least 27.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting .500 from the field and .400 from the three-point line\u2026averaged 30.0 points on .557 shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.3 steals in 39.3 minutes in the opening round sweep over Charlotte\u2026also averaged 30.0 points on .570 shooting, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 40.4 minutes in the semifinals 4-1 series against Brooklyn\u2026in the Eastern Conference Finals versus Indiana, averaged 22.8 points on .559 shooting, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.8 minutes per game\u2026In the NBA Finals against San Antonio, notched two double-doubles and averaged 28.2 points on .571 shooting, including .519 (14-27) from the three-point line, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 37.8 minutes per game\u2026tallied 35 points and 10 rebounds in 38 minutes in Game 2\u2019s win over the Spurs\u2026in the 2013 Playoffs, started all 23 games for the NBA Champion Heat and averaged 25.9 points (.491 FG%, .777 FT%), 8.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.78 steals and 41.8 minutes\u2026was named MVP Finals MVP for the second straight year\u2026led the Heat in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists, steals, dunks and minutes and tied for the lead in three-point field goals attempted\u2026topped Miami in scoring 18 times, in minutes 22 times, in assists in 17 occasions, in rebounds 13 times and in steals 12 times (all team highs)\u2026also topped the squad in blocks five times\u2026scored in double figures in all 23 games, including 18 games with at least 20 points and eight games with 30-or-more points\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds seven times and handed out double-figure assists three times\u2026recorded seven double-doubles and three triple-doubles\u2026averaged 24.5 points (.627 FG%, .700 FT%), 7.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.00 steals and 36.8 minutes in the Opening Round vs. Milwaukee\u2026led Miami in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, field goal percentage, free throws made and attempted, assists and minutes vs. the Bucks\u2026averaged 23.6 points (.438 FG%, .808 FT%), 7.8 assists, 7.0 rebounds, 2.20 steals and 41.6 minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Chicago\u2026led the Heat in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, assists, steals and minutes vs. Chicago\u2026averaged 29.0 points (.510 FG%, .778 FT%), 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.43 steals, 1.43 blocks and 43.4 minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Indiana\u2026led Miami in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, three-point field goals made and attempted, free throw made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists, blocks and minutes and tied for the team lead in steals vs. Indiana\u2026recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and hit a game-winning lay-up at the buzzer in overtime in Game 1 on May 22\u2026averaged 25.3 points (.447 FG%, .795 FT%), 10.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.29 steals and 43.0 minutes in the NBA Finals vs. San Antonio\u2026led Miami in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, three-point field goal attempts, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists, steals and minutes vs. the Spurs\u2026posted a pair of triple-doubles in the Finals\u2026had 18 points, 18 rebounds (including 16 defensive to tie his postseason career high) and 10 assists in Game 1 on June 6 and 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Game 6 on June 18\u2026had a game-high 37 points (his 2013 postseason high) and a team-high 12 rebounds in Miami\u2019s Game 7 title-clinching victory on June 20\u2026during the 2012 Playoffs, started all 23 games for the NBA Champion Heat and averaged 30.3 points (.500 FG%, .739 FT%), 9.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.87 steals and 42.7 minutes\u2026was named the unanimous MVP of the NBA Finals\u2026led the Heat in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, field goal percentage, free throws made and attempted, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, total rebounds, assists, steals and minutes…topped Miami in points a team-high 19 times and also led the squad in minutes 17 times, in steals 13 times, in assists in 12 contests, in rebounds 10 times and in blocks on five occasions\u2026scored in double figures in all 23 games, including 22 games with at least 20 points, 13 games with 30-or-more points and a pair of 40-point efforts\u2026set a postseason franchise record for most consecutive 30-point games with five (June 5-14)\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds 10 times and handed out double-figure assists twice\u2026recorded 11 double-doubles and one triple-double\u2026averaged 27.8 points (.478 FG%, .807 FT%), 6.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.20 steals and 37.8 minutes in the Opening Round vs. New York\u2026led Miami in points, field goals attempted, free throws made and attempted, assists and minutes and tied for the team lead in field goals made and defensive rebounds vs. New York\u2026averaged 30.0 points (.504 FG%, .725 FT%), 10.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.67 steals and 42.6 minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Indiana\u2026topped Miami in points, field goals made and attempted, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, total rebounds, assists, steals and minutes vs. Indiana\u2026averaged 33.6 points (.527 FG%, .650 FT%), 11.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.29 blocks, 1.14 steals and 45.9 minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Boston\u2026his 33.6 ppg scoring average vs. Boston is the second highest individual series scoring average in Heat postseason history…led Miami in points, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds and minutes vs. Boston\u2026with Miami facing elimination in Game 6 at Boston on June 7 he tallied 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists while shooting 19-26 (.731) from the floor\u2026his 19 field goals made in Game 6 set a Heat single-game postseason record\u2026matched his postseason career highs in both free throws made (18) and attempted (24) in Game 2 vs. Boston on May 30\u2026averaged 28.6 points (.472 FG%, .826 FT%), 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.60 steals and 44 minutes in the NBA Finals vs. Oklahoma City en route to being named the unanimous MVP of the series\u2026led Miami in points, field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists and minutes vs. OKC and tied for the team lead in offensive rebounds\u2026recorded only the second triple-double in Miami postseason history in the series-clinching Game 5 on June 21 as he tallied 26 points, a postseason career-high tying 13 assists and 11 rebounds\u2026in the 2011 Playoffs, started all 21 games for the Heat and averaged 23.7 points (.466 FG%, .763 FT%), 8.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.67 steals, 1.19 blocks and 43.9 minutes\u2026led Miami in minutes played, three-point field goals attempted, defensive rebounds, assists and steals and tied for the team lead in field goals attempted\u2026topped Miami in scoring and rebounds eight times each, in minutes 18 times, in assists on 13 occasions and in blocks in six games\u2026scored in double figures on 20 occasions, including 15 games with at least 20 points and five 30-point efforts\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds on seven occasions and handed out double-figure assists twice\u2026posted eight double-doubles and one triple-double\u2026averaged 24.2 points (.469 FG%, .820 FT%), 10.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 42.2 minutes in Miami\u2019s Opening Round series vs. Philadelphia and led the team in points, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists and minutes\u2026averaged 28.0 points (.472 FG%, .667 FT), 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.80 steals, 1.80 blocks and 44.6 minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Boston\u2026led Miami in field goals attempted, three-point field goals made and attempted and minutes vs. Boston and tied for the team lead in field goals made and blocks\u2026averaged 25.8 points (.447 FG%, .864 FT%), 7.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.40 steals, 1.80 blocks and 45.2 minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Chicago\u2026led Miami in points, field goals attempted, three-point field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, offensive and total rebounds, assists, steals and minutes in the conference finals and tied for the lead in field goals made\u2026averaged 17.8 points (.478 FG%, .600 FT%), 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.67 steals and 43.7 minutes in the NBA Finals vs. Dallas\u2026led Miami in defensive rebounds, assists, steals and minutes in the Finals\u2026recorded the first triple-double in Heat postseason history with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 5 at Dallas on June 9\u2026during the 2010 Playoffs, started all 11 games for the Cavs and averaged 29.1 points (.502 FG%, .733 FT%), 9.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.82 blocks, 1.73 steals and 41.8 minutes\u2026led Cleveland in points, field goals made and attempted, three-point field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes\u2026scored in double figures in all 11 contests, including nine games with at least 20 points, five games with 30-or-more points and one 40-point performance\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds four times and handed out double-figure assists twice\u2026recorded four double-doubles and two triple-doubles\u2026averaged 31.8 points (.567 FG%, .720 FT%), 9.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 2.40 blocks, 1.20 steals and 40.8 minutes in Cleveland\u2019s Opening Round series vs. Chicago\u2026averaged 26.8 points (.447 FG%, .743 FT%), 9.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.17 steals, 1.33 blocks and 42.3 minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Boston\u2026during the 2009 Playoffs, started all 14 games for Cleveland and averaged 35.3 points (.510 FG%, .749 FT%), 9.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.64 steals and 41.4 minutes\u2026led the NBA in scoring average\u2026led the Cavs in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, field goal percentage, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists and steals\u2026scored at least 25 points in all 14 games, including nine games with at least 30 points and four 40-point performances\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds seven times, including a postseason career-high four consecutive games (Apr. 21-May 5)\u2026handed out double-figure assists once\u2026posted seven double-doubles and one triple-double\u2026averaged 32.0 points (.506 FG%, .797 FT%), 11.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.50 steals and 40.8 minutes in Cleveland\u2019s Opening Round sweep of Detroit\u2026his 11.3 rebounds per game average vs. Detroit is his high for a postseason series\u2026averaged 33.8 points (.556 FG%, .696 FT%), 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.50 steals and 37.8 minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals sweep of Atlanta\u2026averaged 38.5 points (.487 FG%, .745 FT%), 8.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.17 steals and 44.3 minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Orlando\u2026the 38.5 points per game scoring average vs. Orlando is his personal high in a playoff series\u2026scored a Cavs playoff franchise-record 49 points vs. Orlando in Game 1 on May 20\u2026made the game-winning buzzer-beating shot in Game 2 vs. Orlando on May 22\u2026recorded his lone triple-double of the 2009 postseason with 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in Game 5 vs. Orlando on May 28 becoming the first player to record at least each of those numbers in a postseason game since Oscar Robertson on Mar. 21, 1963\u2026in the 2008 Playoffs, started all 13 games for Cleveland and averaged 28.2 points (.411 FG%, .731 FT%), 7.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.77 steals, 1.31 blocks and 42.5 minutes\u2026led the Cavs in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, three-point field goal attempts, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes\u2026scored in double figures in all 13 games, including 12 games with at least 20 points, seven games with 30-or-more points and one 40-point performance\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds on four occasions and handed out double-figure assists three times\u2026posted six double-doubles and one triple-double\u2026averaged 29.8 points (.483 FG%, .701 FT%), 9.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.33 steals, 1.33 blocks and 41.3 minutes in the Opening Round series vs. Washington\u2026averaged 26.7 points (.355 FG%, .756 FT%), 7.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 2.14 steals 1.29 blocks and 43.4 minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. Boston\u2026scored 45 points in Game 7 at Boston on May 18, the fourth highest individual point total scored in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history\u2026during the 2007 Playoffs, started all 20 games for the Cavs and averaged 25.1 points (.416 FG%, .755 FT%), 8.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.70 steals and 44.7 minutes\u2026led the Cavs in points, scoring average, field goals made and attempted, three-point field goal attempts, free throws made and attempted, defensive rebounds, assists, steals and minutes\u2026scored in double figures in all 20 games, including 16 games with at least 20 points, six games with 30-or-more points and one 40-point performance\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds four times and handed out double-figure assists on four occasions\u2026set a franchise record for double-doubles in a playoff season with eight\u2026averaged 27.8 points (.425 FG%, .813 FT%), 8.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.75 steals and 45.5 minutes in Cleveland\u2019s Opening Round sweep of Washington\u2026averaged 24.7 points (.423 FG%, .754 FT%), 8.5 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.17 steals and 44.0 minutes in the Eastern Conference Semifinals vs. New Jersey\u2026averaged 25.7 points (.449 FG%, .741 FT%), 9.2 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.67 steals and 46.2 minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Detroit\u2026scored a then franchise-record 48 points on 18-33 shooting in Game 5 at Detroit on May 31\u2026scored 29 of Cleveland\u2019s final 30 points in Game 5, including each of their last 25 points overall\u2026averaged 22.0 points (.356 FG%, .690 FT%), 7.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.00 steals and 42.5 minutes in the NBA Finals vs. San Antonio\u2026during the 2006 Playoffs, started all 13 games for the Cavs and averaged 30.8 points (.476 FG%, .737 FT%), 8.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.38 steals and 46.5 minutes\u2026led the Cavs in scoring, field goals made and attempted, three-point field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, defensive and total rebounds, assists and minutes\u2026scored at least 20 points in all 13 games, including eight games with 30-or-more points and a pair of 40-point efforts\u2026grabbed double-figure rebounds four times and handed out double-figure assists twice\u2026posted four double-doubles and a pair of triple-doubles\u2026averaged 35.7 points (.510 FG%, .746 FT%), 7.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.33 steals and 47.2 minutes in Cleveland\u2019s Opening Round series vs. Washington\u2026his scoring average against the Wizards was the third highest in NBA history for a player in his debut series trailing only Wilt Chamberlain (38.7 ppg in 1960) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38.2 ppg in 1970)\u2026recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 1 vs. Washington on Apr. 22 to become only the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double in his postseason debut joining Johnny McCarthy and Magic Johnson\u2026became the first player in NBA history to score over 40 points in his first road playoff game with 41 points in Game 3 at Washington on Apr. 28\u2026averaged 26.6 points (.442 FG%, .727 FT%), 8.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.43 steals and 46.0 minutes in Cleveland\u2019s Eastern Conference Semifinal series vs. Detroit. NOTABLE: A four-time MVP (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) and three-time NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016)\u2026a three-time NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016)\u2026a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012)\u202612-time NBA All-Star (2005\u20132016) and two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008)\u2026has started all 12 All-Star Games in which he has appeared and has averaged 24.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.3 minutes while shooting 51.3 percent from the floor\u2026among all-time leaders in the All-Star Game, James ranks first in points scored (291), first in three-pointers made (28), tied for first in field goals made (119), third in scoring average (24.2), sixth in assists (75) and tied for 10th in steals (17)\u202610-time All-NBA First Team selection (2006, 2008\u20132016)\u2026two-time All-NBA Second Team selection (2005, 2007)\u2026five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (2009\u20132013)\u2026.NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2014\u2026has been selected the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month a league-record 32 times: 15-16 three times (Feb., March, April), 14-15 two times (Feb. & March), 13-14 twice (Dec. & Feb), 12-13 five times (Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb. & March), 11-12 twice: (Dec.\/Jan. & Feb.), 10-11 three times (Dec., Jan. & April), 09-10 four times (Nov., Dec., Jan. and Feb.), 08-09 four times (Nov., Jan., March & April), 07-08 two times (Jan. and Feb.), 06-07 once (March), 05-06 twice (Nov. & March) and 04-05 twice (Nov. & Jan.)\u2026became the first player in NBA history to win the Player of the Month award in five consecutive months in the same season when he accomplished the feat the first five months of the 2012-13 season\u2026the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week a league-record 53 times: 15-16 five times (week ending Nov. 22, Jan. 10, March 6, March 27 and April 3), 14-15 three times (week ending Nov. 16, Nov. 30 & Jan. 25), 13-14 twice (Nov. 18 & Dec. 2), 12-13 six times (Nov. 11, Nov. 18, Dec. 23, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 & Mar. 24), 11-12 six times (Jan. 1, Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 19, Apr. 8 & Apr. 22), 10-11 five times (Dec. 26, Jan. 9, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 & Mar. 20), 09-10 six times (Nov. 22, Dec. 27, Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 7 & Feb. 28), 08-09 NBA-record seven times (Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Dec. 28, Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Mar. 15 & Mar. 22), 07-08 three times (Nov. 25, Jan. 6, Feb. 24), 06-07 twice (Nov. 19 & Mar. 11), 05-06 five times (Nov. 20, Jan. 29, Mar. 19, Mar. 26 & Apr. 2), 04-05 three times (Nov. 14, Nov. 28 & Jan. 23)\u2026has led the NBA in field goals made in four different seasons (07-08, 10-11 & 12-13), in triple-doubles three seasons (08-09, 09-10, 10-11,) and in scoring average (07-08), free throws made (08-09) and minutes per game (04-05) one season each\u2026the 2012 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year\u2026was named the USA Basketball 2012 Male Athlete of the Year\u2026in 2011-12, became only the second player ever to receive the NBA Finals MVP (was the unanimous winner) and NBA regular season MVP and capture the NBA championship and a gold medal with the United States Senior National Team (in London, England) in the same year (joining Michael Jordan who accomplished the feat in 1992)\u2026received the NBA\u2019s Community Assist Award for June 2008, June 2006 and August 2004 (with his Olympic teammates)\u2026was a starter for the Sophomore Team in the Rookie Challenge at the 2005 All-Star Weekend in Denver\u2026named the NBA Rookie of the Year, a unanimous All-Rookie First Team selection and was the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month all six months of the 2003-04 season\u2026during the 2012 Olympics, started all eight games for the USA Basketball Senior National Team which won the gold medal in London, England and averaged 13.3 points (.603 FG%, .750 FT%), 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.83 steals and 25.1 minutes\u2026led the team in assists\u2026recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic history with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists vs. Australia in the quarterfinal round on Aug. 8\u2026topped the team in assists four times, in minutes three times and in points, rebounds and steals once each\u2026in the 2008 Olympics, started all eight games for the USA Basketball Senior National Team which won the gold medal in Beijing, China and averaged 15.5 points (.602 FG%, .458 FT%), 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.38 steals, 1.00 blocks and 24.8 minutes\u2026led the team in minutes played, field goals made and blocks\u2026topped the team in scoring once and rebounds twice\u2026during the 2004 Olympics, was a member of the bronze medal winning USA Basketball Senior National Team\u2026came off the bench in all eight games and averaged 5.4 points (.594 FG%, 1.000 FT%), 1.6 assists and 1.0 rebounds\u2026became the youngest professional player ever to be a member of the U.S. Senior National Team. PERSONAL: Full name is LeBron Raymone James\u2026is the son of Gloria James\u2026married his high school sweetheart Savannah Brinson on Sept. 14, 2013\u2026has two sons (LeBron James Jr. and Bryce Maximus James) and one daughter (Zhuri)\u2026has his own website (www.lebronjames.com) and one for his Foundation (www.lebronjamesfamilyfoundation.org)…launched the LeBron James Family Foundation in 2004 with a mission to positively affect the lives of children and young adults through education and co-curricular educational initiatives\u2026in 2015, he played himself in the Judd Apatow film Trainwreck\u2026executive producer of Starz sitcom Survivor’s Remorse and CNBC\u2019s Cleveland Hustles\u2026James’ digital video company, Uninterrupted, is hosted on Bleacher Report and is used by several other athletes\u2026elected as vice president of the National Basketball Players Association on Feb. 13, 2015\u2026in 2011, in partnership with the Akron Public Schools, the LeBron James Family Foundation launched its pillar program, \u201cWheels for Education\u201d, with its mission to improve graduation rates in Akron, this groundbreaking initiative targets third graders and provides them with the programs, support and mentors they need for success in school\u2026through his Foundation, he also delivered on his promise to his high school alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary, to rebuild the gymnasium and outfit all student-athletes with brand new Nike uniforms…in 2012, he pledged $1 million to renovate his old stomping grounds at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School as the completion of The LeBron James Arena had its ceremonial grand opening on December 14, 2013\u2026he and his Foundation also work regularly with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, renovating a local Boys and Girls Club in every All-Star host city each year, an initiative that began in 2008 in New Orleans and continues today\u2026has endorsement partnerships with Nike, Audemars Piguet, Beats by Dre, Coca-Cola, Dunkin\u2019 Brands, McDonald\u2019s, Samsung, State Farm, Tencent, and Upper Deck\u2026had animated web series \u201cThe LeBrons\u201d that had two seasons on YouTube\u2026in September 2008, More Than a Game, executive produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, debuted at the Toronto Film Festival, finishing up as runner-up to the eventual Academy Award winner Slumdog Millionaire\u2026released in October 2009, the film chronicles LeBron and his teammates at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and their seven-year journey which culminated with a national high school championship\u2026co-authored the book Shooting Stars with Buzz Bissinger which was released in 2009 and chronicled the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School team that overcame adversity to fulfill their dream\u2026hosted Saturday Night Live on Sept. 29, 2007 and co-hosted the 15th Annual ESPY Awards on July 11, 2007\u2026grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls and is a fan of the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys\u2026 wore number 23 in high school and the first seven years of his NBA career as a tribute to Jordan\u2026led St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to three state championships and was named the consensus 2003 National High School Player of the Year\u2026was named PARADE magazine\u2019s High School Boys Player of the Year as both a junior and senior to become the first repeat winner\u2026won Ohio\u2019s Mr. Basketball Award his final three seasons, becoming the first sophomore to earn the honor\u2026also played football in high school through his junior year before giving it up to concentrate on basketball\u2026was named First Team All-State as a wide receiver his sophomore year\u2026wears size 16 sneakers.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

SMALL FORWARD, BRANDON INGRAM<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"\"Brandon Xavier Ingram (born September 2, 1997) is an American professional basketball<\/a> player for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> of the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA). He was drafted by the Lakers with the second overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft<\/a>, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

College History<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Consensus ACC Freshman of the year in his lone collegiate season \u2026 AP All-American Honorable Mention \u2026 Consensus Second Team All-ACC selection \u2026 USBWA Freshman All-America and All-District III honors \u2026 NABC All-District 2 First Team recognition \u2026 ACC Rookie of the Week four times \u2026 Finalist for the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year Award \u2026 Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week once (1\/12\/16) \u2026 One of five finalists for the Julius Erving small forward of the Year Award \u2026 Named to the 35-man midseason Naismith Trophy watchlist \u2026 Started 34 of his 36 games in 2015-16 \u2026 Finished ranked sixth in the ACC in scoring (17.3), seventh in three-point percentage (.410) and minutes played (34.6), ninth in three-pointers per game (2.2), 10th in blocks (1.4), and 13th in rebounds (6.8) \u2026 Led ACC freshman in scoring, rebounding, three-pointers per game, three-point percentage, minutes played, and double-doubles (eight) \u2026 Duke\u2019s leading scorer in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 23.0 points to go along with 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists over three games, scoring at least 20 points in each contest \u2026 Played 119 of a possible 120 minutes in the NCAA Tournament \u2026 Led the Blue Devils in scoring nine times, in rebounding seven times, and in assists six times \u2026 Hit double-figures in 31 of 36 games, with 14 games of 20+ points \u2026 Blocked a career-high six shots 1\/9\/16 vs. Virginia Tech \u2026 Finished in the top-five in Duke\u2019s freshman record books in a number of categories, including total points, points per game, double-figure scoring games, 20-point scoring games, field goals made, three-point field goals made, free throws made, total blocks, double-doubles, minutes played, and minutes per game.<\/strong><\/p>\n

High School History<\/strong><\/h4>\n

PERSONAL: <\/strong>
\nHad a solo workout with the Lakers on June 18th, 2016 before being drafted by the team \u2026 Member of USA Basketball\u2019s 2015 United States Junior National Select Team \u2026 Participated in the 2015 McDonald\u2019s All-American Game and Nike Hoop Summit \u2026 Parade AllAmerican as a high school senior \u2026 Also named North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association All-District First Team \u2026 Played four years of high school basketball at Kinston, winning four straight 2A state championships, one of two players in history to win four consecutive North Carolina State Championships \u2026 MVP of the state championship game as a senior \u2026 Averaged 24.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game as a prep senior \u2026 Son of Donald and Joann Ingram \u2026 Has an older brother, Donovan (who goes by \u2018Bo\u2019), and an older sister, Brittany \u2026 Donovan played basketball at South Plains College (2008-10) and UT Arlington (2010-12) \u2026 Born in Kinston, NC \u2026 ex-NBA player Jerry Stackhouse mentored him growing up … Assisted Lakers staff in organizing food boxes at the L.A. Regional Food Bank in late August … Joined his family in hosting a school supply giveaway in his home town of Kinston, NC … Gave out more than 1,000 Adidas book bags full of supplies.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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POINT GUARD, LONZO BALL<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\"\"Lonzo Anderson Ball\u00a0is an American professional basketball<\/a> player for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> of the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA). He played college basketball<\/a> for one season with the UCLA Bruins<\/a>, earning consensus first-team All-American<\/a> honors before the Lakers selected him with the second overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a high school senior at Chino Hills High School<\/a> in 2016, Ball was awarded multiple national high school player of the year honors, and led his team to an undefeated record, as well as a national championship. As a college freshman in 2016\u201317, he led the nation in assists<\/a> and broke the UCLA record for the most assists in a season. He also won the Wayman Tisdale Award<\/a> as the top freshman in the nation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On June 22, 2017, Ball was selected with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft<\/a> by the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>. He would be the third rookie the Lakers would draft at #2 in a row behind Brandon Ingram<\/a> and D’Angelo Russell<\/a>, the latter of whom was traded on draft night. On July 3, he signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Lakers. During the 2017 NBA Summer League<\/a> in Las Vegas<\/a>, Ball was named the league MVP after averaging 16.3 points, 9.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. He had two triple-doubles, the first in Vegas since 2008 and the first ever in Vegas by a rookie. He had four games with 10 or more assists, becoming the first in league history to have more than 10 assists in more than one game; his 9.3 assist average was also a league record.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In his second game on October 20, 2017, he scored a career-high 29 points, to go along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists in a 132\u2013130 win against the Phoenix Suns<\/a>, falling one assist shy of becoming the youngest player to notch a triple double in NBA history.[49]<\/a><\/sup> In the following contest, he had eight points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists in a 119\u2013112 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>, becoming the youngest player in franchise history to get at least 10 assists in a game.\u00a0On November 11, he recorded 19 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds in a 98\u201390 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a>, becoming the youngest player at the time to achieve a triple-double at the age of 20 years and 15 days old, breaking LeBron James<\/a>‘s record by five days. Leading up to the game, Bucks’ coach Jason Kidd<\/a>, who Ball is often compared to, had called it “a stretch” to compare the two since it was too early in Ball’s career. Ball, who had been struggling with his shooting, made over 50% of his field goals in a game for the first time in his career. On November 19, he recorded his second triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 127\u2013109 win over the Denver Nuggets<\/a>. It was the most rebounds by an NBA rookie guard since Steve Francis<\/a> had 17 in 1999\u20132000. He also joined fellow NBA rookie Ben Simmons<\/a>, as well as Magic Johnson<\/a>, Connie Hawkins<\/a>, Art Williams<\/a>, and Oscar Robertson<\/a> as the only players to record multiple triple-doubles within the first 20 games of their NBA careers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ball missed the team’s Christmas game<\/a> after spraining his left shoulder in the previous contest against the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a>. His shooting had improved to 34.9 percent from the field and 29.7 percent on three-pointers after having made 44 percent of his field goals and 44.2 percent of his three-pointers in the seven games prior to the injury. He returned after missing six games, playing in five games before spraining the medial collateral ligament<\/a> (MCL) in his left knee against the\u00a0Dallas Mavericks<\/a> on January 13, 2018. Originally, he was expected to be sidelined for one to three weeks. Ball was selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge\u00a0<\/a>during NBA All-Star Weekend<\/a>, but withdrew because of the injury. He returned after the All-Star break after missing 15 games. On February 23, he played 17 minutes and had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists in a 124\u2013102 victory against the Mavericks. It was the first game he played all season that he did not start. Ball was also on a minutes restriction, and the Lakers held him out of their following contest to limit his back-to-back games during his return. On May 22, 2018, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

JAVALE McGEE, STARTING CENTER, 2X NBA WORLD CHAMPION:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"JaVale Lindy McGee (born January 19, 1988) is an American professional basketball<\/a> player for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> of the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA). He was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards<\/a> in the 2008 NBA draft<\/a>. He is a two-time NBA champion<\/a>, having won consecutive titles with the Golden State Warriors<\/a> in 2017 and 2018 before signing with the Lakers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

McGee was born in Flint, Michigan<\/a>, and attended two high schools in Michigan, Detroit Country Day School<\/a> and Providence Christian, before transferring to Hales Franciscan High School<\/a> in Chicago<\/a>.[1]<\/a><\/sup> According to Hales Franciscan coach Gary London, McGee’s natural position in college was ideally small forward<\/a>, and he could play both forward<\/a> spots. McGee was the starting center for the University of Nevada<\/a>. After his sophomore campaign, in which he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, shooting 53% from the field and 33% from three-point range, McGee decided to hire an agent and declare for the 2008 NBA draft.[2]<\/a><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

On September 16, 2016, McGee signed with the Golden State Warriors<\/a>. On December 15, 2016, he scored a season-high 17 points in a 103\u201390 win over the\u00a0New York Knicks<\/a>. On March 31, 2017, he had 13 points and a season-best five blocked shots in a 107\u201398 win over the Houston Rockets<\/a>. The Warriors went on to win the 2017 NBA Championship after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> 4\u20131 in the NBA Finals<\/a>. He played in 77 of 82 regular season games, with a field goal percentage of .652, and 16 of 17 playoff games, with a percentage of .732, both the best in his career.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On August 1, 2017, McGee re-signed with the Warriors on a one-year contract.\u00a0In June 2018, he won his second straight championship after the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep in the Finals<\/a>. He started the final three games of the series, and averaged 8.0 points in the four games.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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NBA POSTSEASON CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: <\/strong>
\n\u2022Appeared in 31 postseason games (three starts), averaging 6.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.39 blocks in 14.7 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Has scored in double digits seven times and 20-plus points once in his postseason career. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Has tallied two double-doubles (both in the 2012 First Round), including one 20\/10 game. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Shot 78.3 percent from the field (18-of-23 FG) in the 2017 First Round series against Portland, matching Dale Davis\u2019 mark in 1998 (vs. Cleveland) for the second-highest field goal percentage in a four-game playoff series (trailing only Dwight Howard\u2019s 84.4 percent in 2010 vs. Atlanta). <\/strong>
\n\u2022Made his first career postseason start in Game 5 of the 2013 First Round on 4\/30\/13 vs. Golden State, tallying 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in 20 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Tallied the lone 20\/10 game of his postseason career in Game 5 of the 2012 First Round on 5\/8\/12 at the L.A. Lakers, finishing with a playoff career-high 21 points to go with 14 rebounds in a playoff career-high 33 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Grabbed a playoff career-high 15 rebounds to go with 16 points, the first double-double of his postseason career, in Game 3 of the 2012 First Round on 5\/4\/12 vs. the L.A. Lakers… Handed out a playoff career-high two assists in that contest. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Blocked a playoff career-high six shots in Game 2 of the 2012 First Round on 5\/1\/12 at the L.A. Lakers. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Made his NBA playoff debut in Game 1 of the 2012 First Round on 4\/29\/12 at the L.A. Lakers, scoring two points and grabbing six rebounds in 17 minutes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2016-17 HIGHLIGHTS WITH GOLDEN STATE: <\/strong>
\n\u2022Appeared in 77 games (10 starts), averaging 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 9.6 minutes while shooting a career-best 65.2 percent from the field… His 77 games were his most played in a single season since appearing in 79 games in 2012-13. <\/strong>
\n\u2022In 10 starts, averaged 9.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 16.4 minutes while shooting 69.2 percent from the field… Warriors finished with an 8-2 record in his starts. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Among centers, ranked second in PER (25.3) behind only Karl-Anthony Towns. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored in double figures 16 times, his most double-digit games in a single season since 2012-13 (33). <\/strong>
\n\u2022Grabbed double digit rebounds twice. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored in double digits in each of the last three games of the season, his longest double-digit scoring streak of the season. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Shot a combined 82.1 percent from the field in the last five games of the season. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored 13 points (all in the first half) on 3\/31 at Houston to go with a season-high five blocks in 11 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Tied a season-high with 10 rebounds to go with nine points in 12 minutes on 3\/24 vs. Sacramento. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored 10 points, his 11th double-digit scoring effort of the season, on 3\/20 at Oklahoma City. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Corralled a season-high 10 rebounds on 2\/15 vs. Sacramento, recording a season-high +32 while he was on the court. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Recorded a season-high 20 minutes on 2\/11 at Oklahoma City, finishing with 16 points. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored in double-digits in back-to-back games for the second time of the season (1\/22-1\/23). <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored a season-high 17 points on 12\/15 vs. New York, his second consecutive game in double figures, hitting a season-high eight field goals (8-of-10 FG). <\/strong>
\n\u2022Earned his first starting assignment of the season on 12\/13 at New Orleans, tallying nine points and five rebounds in 16 minutes. <\/strong><\/p>\n

2017 POSTSEASON HIGHLIGHTS WITH GOLDEN STATE: <\/strong>
\n\u2022Appeared in 16 games (one start), averaging 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Shot 73.2 percent from the field in the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the highest field goal percentage in a single postseason in franchise history (min. 10 field goal attempts). <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored in double figures four times. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Made his NBA Finals debut in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on 6\/1 vs. Cleveland, scoring four points in six minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Made his third career postseason start in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on 5\/20 at San Antonio, scoring a 2017 postseason-high 16 points (all in the first half) in 13 minutes… Set playoff career-highs for points in a quarter (11 in the first) and points in a half (16 in the first)… Marked his first playoff start since Game 6 of the 2013 First Round on 5\/2\/13 with Denver at Golden State. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Recorded his third double-digit scoring effort of the 2017 postseason in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals on 5\/8 at Utah, scoring 12 points in 11 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Grabbed a 2017 postseason-high seven rebounds in 12 minutes in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals on 5\/6 at Utah. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Shot 78.3 percent from the field (18-of-23 FG) in the First Round series against Portland, matching Dale Davis\u2019 mark in 1998 (vs. Cleveland) for the second-highest field goal percentage in a four-game playoff series (trailing only Dwight Howard\u2019s 84.4 percent in 2010 vs. Atlanta). <\/strong>
\n\u2022Scored in double figures for the second-straight game in Game 3 of the First Round on 4\/22 at Portland, recording 14 points in 16 minutes off the bench, his fifth career double-digit scoring effort in the postseason. <\/strong>
\n\u2022Shot a perfect 7-of-7 from the field in Game 2 of the First Round on 4\/19 vs. Portland, tying the franchise record for most field goals made without a miss in a playoff game (last: Chris Gatling, 4\/28\/92 at Seattle)… Finished the game with 15 points and four blocks in 13 minutes, becoming the first player in NBA history to tally at least 15 points and four blocks in fewer than 15 minutes in a playoff game, per the Elias Sports Bureau… Scored 13 points in eight minutes in the first half.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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6TH MAN, MR. RAJON RONDO, 1X NBA WORLD CHAMPION:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Professional History:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"2015-16 (SACRAMENTO):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 72 games (72 starts) and averaged 11.9 ppg (.454 FG%, .365 3P%, .580 FT%), 6.0 rpg, a league-leading and team-high 11.7 apg (839 total assists were also a league high), 1.96 spg (7th in the NBA) and 35.2 mpg … scored in double figures in 45 games, 20+ in seven … grabbed 10+ rebounds in eight games … dished out 10+ assists in 51 games (Sacramento-era single-season record) and 20 assists in two … recorded 37 double-doubles and six triple-doubles (Sacramento-era single-season record) … led team in scoring in four games, rebounding in seven and assists in 67 \u2026 posted season-high 27 points vs. POR (4\/5) in a triple-double effort with 10 rebounds and 12 assists \u2026 tied season-high 20 assists vs. CHA (1\/25) to go along with 7 points and 10 rebounds … set season high of 20 assists to go along with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 block at CHA (11\/23) … recorded 300th assist of the season at WAS (12\/21), becoming the fastest in Kings franchise history (27 games) to dish out 300+ assists in a season, according to Elias Sports Bureau; also fastest since Steve Nash (25 games) did it in 2007 … missed one game (12\/15) due to NBA suspension, one game (1\/5) due to lower back spasm, one game (2\/26) due to right thumb tendinitis, one game (3\/16) due to right 1st MTP joint sprain; \u201cturf toe,\u201d right thumb sprain & right shoulder contusion and six games (3\/28, 4\/2, 4\/7, 4\/9, 4\/11, 4\/13) due to rest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

CAREER:<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 645 games (592 starts) with averages of 11.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 8.7 apg, 1.84 spg and 32.9 mpg in 10 seasons with three teams – BOS (2006-07 – 2014-15), DAL (2014-15) and SAC (2015-16) … holds career shooting marks of .468 from the field, .289 from three and .606 from the free throw line \u2026 in nine seasons with Boston, averaged 11.0 ppg (.473 FG%, .252 3P%, .614 FT%), 4.7 rpg, 8.5 apg, 1.88 spg and 32.9 mpg in 527 games (started 474) … in only season with Dallas, averaged 9.3 ppg (.436 FG%, .352 3P%, .452 FT%), 4.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.17 spg and 28.7 mpg in 46 games (46 starts) \u2026 led the league in assists per game in 2011-12 (11.7 apg), 2012-13 (11.1 apg) and 2015-16 (11.7 ppg) … Celtics\u2019 all-time leader in assists per game (8.5) and steals per game (1.9) … holds the Celtics\u2019 single-season assist record with 794 (2009-10) and single-season assist average with 11.7 apg (2011-12).<\/strong><\/p>\n

2014-15 (BOSTON\/DALLAS):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 68 games (68 starts) and averaged 8.9 ppg (.426 FG%, .314 3P%, .397 FT%), 5.5 rpg, 7.7 apg (5th in the NBA), 1.34 spg (35th in the league) and 29.7 mpg … prior to being traded to Dallas, averaged 8.3 ppg (.405 FG%, .250 3P%, .333 FT%), 7.5 rpg, 10.8 apg, 1.68 spg and 31.8 mpg in starting all 22 games he played with the Celtics … recorded three triple-doubles and 15 double-doubles (six with Dallas) … had four games with 20+ points (three with Dallas) \u2026 had 29 games with 10+ points (20 with Dallas) \u2026 grabbed 10+ rebounds in seven games (one with Dallas) … dished 10+ assists 20 times (seven with Dallas) \u2026 scored season-high 29 points at BOS (1\/2) \u2026 grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds in a triple-double effort (13 pts\/11 ast) vs. WAS (12\/7) \u2026 handed out season-high 19 assists to go with 12 rebounds at ATL (12\/2) \u2026 missed the game at CHI (11\/8) due to a left hand procedure, one game with left Achilles soreness at DEN (1\/14), left the game at ORL (1\/31) in the first quarter with a left orbital fracture\/nasal fracture and did not return and missed six games due to the injury (2\/2-2\/11), was NWT-team suspension at ATL (2\/25), left the game vs. GSW (4\/4) in the second half with a hyperextended left knee and did not return, and was DND-Inactive (rest) at DEN (4\/10). 2015 PLAYOFFS: Appeared in two games (two starts) for the Mavericks and averaged 9.5 points, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists and 18.5 minutes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2013-14 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 30 games (30 starts) and posted 11.7 ppg (.403 FG%, .289 3P%, .627 FT%), 5.5 rpg, 9.8 apg, 1.33 spg and 33.3 mpg … led the Celtics in scoring four times, rebounds four times, assists 27 times, steals nine times, blocks once and minutes nine times … recorded one triple-double and 13 double-doubles … scored in double figures in 17 games, 20+ points in two games … made his season debut with 8 points, 4 assists and 2 steals vs. LAL (1\/17) \u2026 recorded his 4,000th career assist vs. DAL (2\/9) \u2026 recorded season-high 22 points to go with 11 assists and 3 steals vs. ATL (2\/26) \u2026 had double-double with 11 points, 18 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers vs. DET (3\/9) and passed Bill Russell for 5th-highest assist total in Celtic franchise history \u2026 missed a total of 42 games due to injury: 39 to rehab from a torn ACL, right knee (10\/30-1\/13), two games due to a bruised left shin (4\/11-4\/12) and one game due to a strained left hamstring (4\/16).<\/strong><\/p>\n

2012-13 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 38 games (38 starts) and averaged 13.7 ppg (.484 FG%, .240 3P%, .645 FT%), 5.6 rpg, a league-high 11.1 apg, 1.79 spg and 37.4 mpg \u2026 named as a starter for the Eastern Conference in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game in Houston \u2026 scored season-high 30 points vs. CHI (1\/18) \u2026 recorded first triple-double of the season (16 pts\/season-high 13 reb\/14 ast) along with 3 steals and 3 blocks at PHI (12\/7) \u2026 tied John Stockton for the second-longest streak with 10+ assists in a game at ORL (11\/25) by recording 16 against the Magic, which marked his 37th consecutive game with 10+ assists (also a career-long streak) \u2026 had streak snapped the next game when he was ejected just before halftime for an altercation \u2026 dished out season-high 20 assists vs. TOR (11\/17) and vs. PHI (11\/9) \u2026 suffered a torn ACL in right knee at Atlanta (1\/25) and was ruled out for the remainder of the season on 1\/27 (44 games).<\/strong><\/p>\n

2011-12 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 53 games (53 starts) and averaged 11.9 ppg (.448 FG%, .238 3P%, .597 FT%), 4.8 rpg, league-high 11.7 apg, 1.79 spg and 36.9 mpg … became the first Celtic to lead the NBA in assists per game since Bob Cousy during the 1959-60 season \u2026 named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team as a replacement for Joe Johnson and had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 8 assists in 16 minutes in the All-Star Game \u2026 was named as a replacement for Stephen Curry for the Taco Bell Skills Challenge at All-Star weekend and finished in 2nd place … tied season-high 20 assists in triple-double effort (10 pts\/10 reb\/20 ast) vs. ATL (4\/11) \u2026 recorded triple-double with 18 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and a season-high 20 assists vs. NYK (3\/4), becoming the first player to hit such numbers since Wilt Chamberlain recorded 22 points, 25 rebounds, 21 assists on 2\/2\/68; Rondo and Magic Johnson are the only two players since 1983 to record 17+ points, rebounds and assists in a game \u2026 scored career-high 35 points vs. DET (2\/15) \u2026 posted 15th career triple-double with 32 points (11-22 FG, 10-13 FT), 10 rebounds and 15 assists vs. CHI (2\/12), becoming the first player in more than two decades to record a 30-15-10 triple-double with 10 FGM and 10 FTM in a non-OT game (joining Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Larry Bird as the only players to accomplish that feat since 1980 \u2013 with Olajuwon\u2019s being the most recent in 1989) \u2026 appeared in his 400th career game vs. CHA (2\/7) \u2026 recorded his 3,000th career assist vs. CHI (1\/13) \u2026 passed K.C. Jones for 8th place on the Celtics all-time assist list on opening night when he recorded 13 assists to go with his 31 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals at NYK (12\/25) \u2026 missed four games due to injury. 2012 PLAYOFFS: Appeared in 19 games (19 starts) with averages of 17.3 ppg (career playoff high), 6.7 rpg, league postseason-high 11.9 apg and 2.37 spg in 42.6 mpg \u2026 notched four triple-doubles in the postseason \u2026 scored a playoff career-high 44 points to go with 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals in 53 minutes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at MIA (5\/30), became the first player in NBA postseason history to record those totals in a game \u2026 became just the second player in NBA playoff history to record 13+ assists in the first five games of a series (joining Magic Johnson) when he did so in Games 1-5 vs. PHI \u2026 averaged 14.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 12.7 apg vs. PHI; only one other player has matched or bettered those totals for a seven-game series: Magic Johnson against BOS in 1984 NBA Finals: 18.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 13.6 apg.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2010-11 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 68 games (68 starts) and averaged 10.6 ppg (.475 FG%, .233 3P%, .568 FT%), 4.4 rpg, 11.2 apg (2nd in the NBA), 2.25 spg (2nd in the NBA) and 37.2 mpg … led the team in scoring four times, rebounds seven times, assists 65 times, steals 37 times, blocks once and minutes 30 times \u2026 posted a team-high 31 double-doubles \u2026 scored in double figures in 36 games, 20+ in five games \u2026 named to his second consecutive All-Star Game as a member of the Eastern Conference reserves \u2026 had second triple-double (12 pts\/10 reb\/23 ast) to go with a season-high 6 steals vs. SAS (1\/5) \u2026 recorded first triple-double of the season (10 pts\/10 reb\/career-high 24 ast) vs. NYK (10\/29) \u2026 set the NBA record for most assists through four games (67) previously held by John Stockton and Magic Johnson (65) \u2026 tallied season-high 26 points vs. ORL (2\/6). 2011 PLAYOFFS: Played in nine games (nine starts) and averaged 14.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 9.6 apg, 1.11 spg and 38.3 mpg \u2026 notched sixth career postseason triple-double (15 pts\/11 reb\/20 ast) at NYK (4\/22), joining Magic Johnson as the only other player in NBA history to record a postseason triple-double with 20+ assists \u2026 dislocated his left elbow during the third quarter of Game 3 vs. MIA (5\/7) but did not miss any games due to the injury.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2009-10 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in a career-high 81 games (81 starts) and averaged 13.7 ppg (.508 FG%, .213 3P%, .621 FT%), 4.4 rpg, 9.8 apg, a league-high 2.33 spg and 36.6 mpg … led the NBA in total steals (189) \u2026 recorded 10+ assists in 45 games \u2026 led the Celtics in assists in 80 games, in points 14 times, in rebounds 13 times and in steals in 56 games \u2026 had two triple doubles and a career-high 40 double-doubles \u2026 earned his first All-Star Game appearance when he was named as a reserve to the 2010 Eastern Conference team \u2026 became the first Celtic since Sherman Douglas to record five 15+ assist games in one calendar year since Douglas had five in 1993 \u2026 handed out a season-high 18 assists vs. SAC (3\/26) \u2026 played his 300th career game vs. DET (3\/15) \u2026 tallied season-high 30 points to go with 15 assists and 3 steals at GSW (12\/28), becoming just the third Celtic to post 30 points and 15 assists in the same game (joining Larry Bird and Bob Cousy) \u2026 pulled down a season-high 13 boards at ORL (12\/25) \u2026 recorded 11 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists and 5 steals vs. MIL (12\/8), becoming the first Celtic to post those numbers since the Elias Sports Bureau began tracking steals during the 1973-74 season \u2026 missed game vs. TOR (1\/2) due to a strained left hamstring. 2010 PLAYOFFS: Played in 24 games (24 starts) and averaged 15.8 ppg (.463 FG%, .375 3P%, .596 FT%), 5.6 rpg, 9.3 apg, 1.92 spg and 40.6 mpg \u2026 had two triple-doubles \u2026 became just the third player in NBA postseason history to record a triple-double of 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists vs. CLE in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals (Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain) \u2026 recorded 21 points, 12 assists and 5 steals in the deciding Game 6 vs. CLE (5\/13), marking the fifth time a player recorded those numbers in a deciding game in which his team was the winner (Johnny Moore, Clyde Drexler, Michael Jordan, Jason Kidd) \u2026 moved into 6th place all-time in Celtics postseason history for assists.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2008-09 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 80 games (80 starts) and averaged 11.9 ppg (.505 FG%, .313 3P%, .642 FT%), 5.2 rpg, 8.2 apg, 1.86 spg and 33.0 mpg \u2026 among NBA leaders, ranked 6th in assists and 5th in steals \u2026 finished 5th in the NBA in total assists (659) \u2026 scored in double figures in 43 games, 20+ in 13 games and 30+ in two games \u2026 had 13 double-doubles and two triple-doubles \u2026 scored season-high 32 points on his 23rd birthday at PHX (2\/22) \u2026 dished out a season-high 17 assists twice (12\/3 vs. IND, 2\/27 vs. IND). 2009 PLAYOFFS: Appeared in 14 games (14 starts) and averaged 16.9 ppg (.417 FG%, .250 3P%, .657 FT%), a playoff career-high 9.7 rpg, 9.8 apg, 2.50 spg and 41.2 mpg \u2026 joined Larry Bird as the only Celtics to have posted three triple-doubles in the same postseason.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2007-08 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 77 games (77 starts) and averaged 10.6 ppg (.492 FG%, .263 3P%, .611 FT%), 4.2 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.68 spg and 29.9 mpg \u2026 among NBA leaders, ranked 13th in steals, 35th in FG% (.492) and 22nd in assists (5.1) \u2026 named to the T-Mobile Rookie-Sophomore Challenge and Youth Jam where he was a starter recording 6 points and 6 assists in 18 minutes of action \u2026 scored 20+ points in eight games \u2026 dished out 10+ assists in six games … led Celtics in assists 36 times, in rebounds five times and in scoring twice \u2026 became the first Celtic since Sherman Douglas in 1995 to record 15+ assists in a game when he dished out a season-high 16 assists vs. CHA (2\/29) \u2026 tallied season-high 24 points vs. LAC (2\/6) \u2026 grabbed season-high 12 boards vs. DAL (1\/31) in double-double effort with 14 points. 2008 PLAYOFFS: Played in 26 games (26 starts) during the Celtics\u2019 championship run \u2026 averaged 10.2 ppg (.407 FG%, .250 3P%, .691 FT%), 4.1 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.73 spg and 32.0 mpg \u2026 had two double-doubles \u2026 recorded second-highest single playoff assist mark by a Celtic in postseason history (172) \u2026 recorded 16 assists in Game 2 of the Finals, the most recorded by a player since Magic Johnson had 20 assists in 1991 \u2026 had 21 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals in 32 minutes in Game 6 of the NBA Finals vs. LAL (6\/17) \u2026 his 6 steals in Game 6 tied for 2nd all-time in steals recorded in a single game (with John Havlicek, Steve Mix and Maurice Cheeks).<\/strong><\/p>\n

2006-07 (BOSTON):<\/strong>
\nPlayed in 78 games (25 starts) and averaged 6.4 ppg (.418 FG%, .207 3P%, .647 FT%), 3.7 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.64 spg and 23.5 mpg \u2026 had 14 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and a then-career-high 7 steals at IND (4\/7) \u2026 grabbed a season-high 14 boards at SAS (3\/17) \u2026 had 12 points, 8 assists and 7 boards in a season-high 47 minutes vs. CHI (3\/11) \u2026 dished out a season-high 11 assists at DET (2\/6) \u2026 in first career start, tied season high of 23 points to go along with 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals vs. LAC (2\/2) \u2026 recorded first career double-double with 10 points, 10 boards and 7 assists at WAS (1\/20) \u2026 tallied season-high 23 points with 5 assists and 4 steals vs. TOR (1\/12).<\/strong><\/p>\n

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:<\/strong>
\nSelected by Phoenix Suns in the first round (21st pick overall) of 2006 NBA Draft … draft rights traded by Suns with Brian Grant to Boston Celtics for a first-round pick in 2007 draft (6\/28\/06) \u2026 traded with Dwight Powell to Dallas in exchange for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, a 2015 first round pick and a 2016 second round pick (12\/18\/14) … signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings (7\/13\/15) \u2026 signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls (7\/7\/16).<\/strong><\/p>\n

College History<\/strong><\/h4>\n

COLLEGE CAREER:<\/strong>
\n2005-06: Led the SEC in assists (4.9) and ranked second in steals (2.0), while averaging 11.2 ppg and a team-high 6.1 rpg \u2026 scored in double figures in 17 games \u2026 grabbed 10+ rebounds in five games \u2026 tallied career-high 25 points (7-12 FG) and 7 assists vs. Louisville \u2026 recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds vs. West Virginia \u2026 pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds vs. Iowa, the highest total ever by a Kentucky guard \u2026 dished out a career-high 12 assists with no turnovers vs. Ole Miss \u2026 recorded 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists vs. Connecticut in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 2004-05: Named to the SEC All-Freshman Team \u2026 set Kentucky single-season record for steals with 87 … had at least 1 steal in each game \u2026 tied Kentucky\u2019s single-game record with 8 steals in just 20 minutes vs. Mississippi State \u2026 scored in double figures in his first three NCAA Tourney games \u2026 handed out a season-high 8 assists with no turnovers at Vanderbilt.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Personal<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Full name is Rajon Pierre Rondo \u2026 son of Amber Rondo \u2026 attended Louisville\u2019s Eastern High School for three years before transferring to Virginia\u2019s Oak Hill Academy for his senior year \u2026 favorite NBA player growing up was Isiah Thomas \u2026 enjoys shopping in his spare time \u2026 favorite actor is Will Smith.<\/strong><\/p>\n

MAGIC JOHNSON’S LOS ANGELES LAKERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball<\/a> team based in Los Angeles<\/a>. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA), as a member of the league’s Western Conference<\/a> in the\u00a0Pacific Division<\/a>. The Lakers play their home games at Staples Center<\/a>, an arena shared with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers<\/a>, the Los Angeles Sparks<\/a> of the Women’s National Basketball Association<\/a>, and the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> of the National Hockey League<\/a>. The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in the history of the NBA, and have won 16 NBA championships (11 in Los Angeles), their most recent being in 2010<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The franchise began with the 1947 purchase of a disbanded team, the Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League<\/a> (NBL). The new team began playing in Minneapolis<\/a>, calling themselves the Minneapolis Lakers in honor of the state’s nickname, “Land of 10,000 Lakes”. Initially a member of the NBL, the Lakers won the 1948 NBL championship before joining the rival Basketball Association of America<\/a> and winning five of the next six BAA and NBA championships in Minneapolis after the NBA formed in 1949. The team was propelled by\u00a0center<\/a>George Mikan<\/a>, who is described by the NBA’s official website as the league’s “first superstar”.[12]<\/a><\/sup> After struggling financially in the late 1950s following Mikan’s retirement, they relocated<\/a> to Los Angeles before the1960\u201361 season<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Led by Hall of Famers<\/a>Elgin Baylor<\/a> and Jerry West<\/a>, Los Angeles made the NBA Finals<\/a> six times in the 1960s, but lost each series to the Boston Celtics<\/a>, beginning their long and storied rivalry<\/a>. In 1968, the Lakers acquired four-time NBA Most Valuable Player<\/a> (MVP) Wilt Chamberlain<\/a> to play center, and after losing in the Finals in 1969 and 1970, they won their sixth NBA title\u2014and first in Los Angeles\u2014in 1972<\/a>, led by new head coach Bill Sharman<\/a>. After the retirement of West and Chamberlain, the team acquired another center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<\/a>, who had won multiple MVP awards, but was unable to make the Finals in the late 1970s. The 1980s Lakers were nicknamed “Showtime<\/a>” due to their Magic Johnson<\/a>-led fast break-offense, and won five championships in a 9-year span, including their first ever Finals championship against the Celtics in 1985<\/a>. This team featured Hall of Famers in Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy<\/a>, and a Hall of Fame coach, Pat Riley<\/a>. After Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson’s retirement, the team struggled in the early 1990s before acquiring\u00a0Shaquille O’Neal<\/a> and Kobe Bryant<\/a> in 1996. Led by O’Neal, Bryant, and another Hall of Fame coach, Phil Jackson<\/a>, Los Angeles won three consecutive titles between 2000<\/a> to 2002<\/a>, securing the franchise its second “three-peat<\/a>“. After losing both the 2004<\/a> and 2008 NBA Finals<\/a>, the Lakers won two more championships by defeating the Orlando Magic<\/a> in 2009<\/a> and Boston in 2010.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Lakers hold the record for NBA’s longest winning streak<\/a>, 33 straight games, set during the 1971\u201372 season. 21 Hall of Famers have played for Los Angeles, while four have coached the team. Four Lakers\u2014Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, O’Neal, and Bryant\u2014have won the NBA MVP Award for a total of eight awards.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1ST FIVE MEN UP ROTATION, TO INCLUDE:<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Kentavious Tannell Caldwell-Pope (born February 18, 1993) is an American professional basketball<\/a> player for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> of the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA). He was one of the top high school basketball players in the class of 2011, and played college basketball<\/a> for the Georgia Bulldogs<\/a> for two years before declaring for the 2013 NBA draft<\/a>.<\/sup> He was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Detroit Pistons (2013\u20132017)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Caldwell-Pope with Pistons in 2016.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

On June 27, 2013, Caldwell-Pope was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft<\/a> by the Detroit Pistons<\/a>. He later joined the Pistons for the 2013 NBA Summer League<\/a> and signed his rookie scale contract with the team on July 19.\u00a0<\/sup>On April 16, 2014, he scored a then career-high 30 points in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

In July 2014, Caldwell-Pope re-joined the Pistons for the 2014 NBA Summer League<\/a>, where he averaged 24.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in five games. Head coach Stan Van Gundy<\/a> quickly assessed Caldwell-Pope as his best perimeter defender and he wound up leading the Pistons in minutes played with 2,587. Caldwell-Pope got better after the All-Star break, largely thanks to the acquisition of point guard Reggie Jackson<\/a>; post All-Star Break, Caldwell-Pope averaged 14.3 points per game. He finished the season with 153 three-point shots made, 70 more than the closest Pistons player. He tied Kevin Love<\/a> for 16th in the NBA.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

On December 16, 2015, Caldwell-Pope scored a then career-high 31 points in a 119\u2013116 win over the Boston Celtics<\/a>.<\/sup> He helped the Pistons finish the 2015\u201316 regular season with a 44\u201338 record, which was good for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons thus qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2009. In the first round of the playoffs, the Pistons faced the first-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>, and in a Game 1 loss on April 17, Caldwell-Pope scored a team-high 21 points.<\/sup> The Pistons went on to lose the series 4\u20130.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On November 9, 2016, Caldwell-Pope scored a then season-high 27 points in a 107\u2013100 loss to the Phoenix Suns<\/a>.<\/sup> On November 25, 2016, he recorded 16 points and a career-high 10 assists in a 108\u201397 win over the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a>.\u00a0<\/sup>On January 8, 2017, he hit a three-pointer with 9.4 seconds left in double overtime to lead the Pistons to a 125\u2013124 win over the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a>; he finished with 26 points.<\/sup> On February 1, 2017, he scored a career-high 38 points in a 118\u201398 win over the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>. He also made a career-high eight three-pointers on 11 attempts.<\/sup> On February 23, 2017, Caldwell-Pope scored 33 points, including three three-pointers late in the fourth quarter during a Detroit rally, as the Pistons defeated the Charlotte Hornets<\/a> 114\u2013108 in overtime. Caldwell-Pope’s three-pointer with 18.2 seconds to play tied the game at 100.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

On July 7, 2017, the Pistons renounced the rights to Caldwell-Pope, making him an unrestricted free agent.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Los Angeles Lakers (2017\u2013present)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

On July 13, 2017, Caldwell-Pope signed a one-year, $18 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>.<\/sup><\/sup> He made his debut for the Lakers on October 22, 2017, scoring 20 points as a starter in a 119\u2013112 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>.<\/sup> On November 27, 2017, he scored a season-high 29 points against the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a>.<\/sup> On December 13, 2017, Caldwell-Pope pleaded guilty to a probation violation he committed during the summer. He was handed a 25-day jail sentence, but under a work-release program<\/a>, was allowed to leave the facility for home games and practices. However, he was not allowed to leave California, limiting him to only road games within the state during that period.<\/sup> On February 24, 2018, he scored a season-high 34 points and hit a career high-tying eight 3-pointers in a 113\u2013108 win over the Sacramento Kings<\/a>.<\/sup> On March 22, 2018, he hit eight 3-pointers and had 28 points in a 128\u2013125 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

On July 6, 2018, Caldwell-Pope re-signed with the Lakers,<\/sup> on a reported one-year, $12 million contract.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

LANCE STEPHENSON<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\"\"Professional History<\/h4>\n

2014-15 (Charlotte):<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Appeared in 61 games (25 starts), averaging 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 25.8 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Scored in double figures 22 times, including one game of 20+ points. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Grabbed 10+ rebounds five times. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Led team in scoring once, rebounding eight times, assists 18 times and steals 10 times. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 12\/3\/14 vs. Chicago, scored a season-high 20 points. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 11\/11\/14 at Portland, grabbed a career-high tying 14 rebounds. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 1\/31\/15 at Denver, dished a career-high 13 assists. <\/strong><\/p>\n

2013-14 (Indiana):<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Appeared in 78 games (all starts), averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 35.3 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Finished second in voting for the Most Improved Player award. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Recorded five triple-doubles, leading the NBA and setting a Pacers franchise single-season record. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Led the team in both rebounding and assists. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Led all NBA guards in rebounding. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Scored in double figures 64 times, including 13 games with 20 points or more. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Grabbed double-figure rebounds 22 times and handed out double-figure assists six times. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Including triple-doubles, recorded 20 double-doubles. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 11\/11\/13 vs. Memphis, recorded first career triple-double with 13 points, a career-high 12 assists and 11 rebounds. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 11\/22\/13 at Boston, tallied 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 12\/22\/13 vs. Boston, posted 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 1\/30\/14 vs. Phoenix, had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 4\/13\/14 vs. Oklahoma City, notched 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 1\/16\/14 vs. New York, scored a career-high 28 points. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds on two occasions, 1\/28\/14 at the Lakers and 3\/28\/14 at Washington. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 PLAYOFFS: Appeared in 19 games (all starts), averaging 13.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37.1 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 5\/20\/14 vs. Miami, tied a playoff career-high with 29 points. <\/strong><\/p>\n

2012-13 (Indiana):<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Played in 78 games (72 starts), averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 29.2 minutes. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Scored in double figures 36 times, including three games of 20 points or more. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Recorded two double-doubles. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 3\/27\/13 at Houston, scored a season-high 21 points. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Tallied a season-high 11 rebounds on 1\/30\/13 vs. Detroit and again on 3\/15\/13 vs. the Lakers. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 3\/6\/13 vs Boston, had a career-high five steals. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 PLAYOFFS: Appeared in 19 games (all starts), averaging 9.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 35.4 minutes. <\/strong><\/p>\n

2011-12 (Indiana):<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Appeared in 42 games (one start), averaging 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 10.5 minutes per game. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 4\/25\/12 vs. Chicago, scored a season-high 22 points in first career start. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 1\/11\/12 vs. Atlanta, scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out three assists. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 PLAYOFFS: Appeared in four games (zero starts), averaging 1.5 points in 3.0 minutes per game. <\/strong><\/p>\n

2010-11 (Indiana):<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Appeared in 12 games (zero starts) as a rookie, averaging 3.1 points, 1.8 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 3\/2\/11 at Oklahoma City, posted season highs of 11 points and six rebounds. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 2\/27\/11 vs. Phoenix, made NBA debut, scoring two points in four minutes. <\/strong><\/p>\n

COLLEGE (Cincinnati \u2013 2009-10):<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Played one season at the University of Cincinnati. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Appeared in 34 games, averaging 12.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28.2 minutes per game. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Named Big East Rookie of the Year. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Ranked 28th in the Big East in scoring and first among Big East freshmen. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Scored in double figures 23 times, including three games with 20 points or more. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 3\/6\/10 at Georgetown, scored a season-high 23 points. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 2\/24\/10 vs. DePaul, tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Scored in double figures in nine straight games to end the season. <\/strong><\/p>\n

PERSONAL:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Full name is Lance Stephenson Jr. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 The son of Lance Sr. and Bernadette Stephenson. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Has one brother. <\/strong>
\n\u2022 Finished his career at Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, NY, as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the state of New York with 2,946 points. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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KYLE KUSMA<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\"\"Kyle Alexander Kuzma (born July 24, 1995) is an American professional basketball<\/a> player for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> of the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA). Kuzma played college basketball<\/a> for the Utah Utes<\/a>, and was named first-team all-conference<\/a> in the Pac-12<\/a> as a junior in 2016\u201317. He was selected in the 2017 NBA draft<\/a> in the first round with the 27th overall pick.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

ISAAC BONGA<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Isaac Evolue Etue Bofenda Bonga (born November 8, 1999) is a German professional basketball<\/a> player for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> of the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA). Standing 6\u00a0ft 9\u00a0in (2.06\u00a0m),<\/sup> he began his professional career with the Frankfurt Skyliners<\/a> of the Basketball Bundesliga<\/a> (BBL).<\/sup> Born in Neuwied<\/a>, Bonga represents the senior German national team<\/a> in international competitions. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> (second round, 39th overall) and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> in the 2018 NBA draft<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

JOSH HART<\/strong><\/div>\n
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\"\"Josh Hart (born March 6, 1995) is an American professional basketball<\/a> player for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> of the National Basketball Association<\/a> (NBA). He played college basketball<\/a> for Villanova<\/a>. As a sophomore, Hart was named the Big East Tournament<\/a> most outstanding player. He was named a third-team All-American<\/a> as a junior, when he helped lead the Wildcats to a national championship in 2016. As a senior in 2017, he was a consensus first-team All-American. He was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft<\/a> with the 30th overall pick.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

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On June 22, 2017, Hart was drafted 30th overall in the 2017 NBA draft<\/a> by the Utah Jazz<\/a>. He was later traded along with the 42nd pick, Thomas Bryant<\/a> to the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> in exchange for the Lakers 28th pick, Tony Bradley<\/a>.<\/sup> On July 3, 2017, Hart signed his rookie scale contract with the Lakers.<\/sup> In his first start on December 14, 2017, Hart recorded a double-double<\/a> against Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.<\/sup> Hart fractured his left hand in practice on February 28 and was sidelined until the end of March. In his final game as a rookie, Hart scored a career-high 30 points against the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a>, shooting 7 of 9 from three. Hart finished the season averaging 7.9 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game, recording 8 double-doubles. Hart shot 39.6% from three, leading the team in three-point percentage.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>2018\u201319 season<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Hart was named the league MVP of the 2018 NBA Summer League<\/a> after averaging 24.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and setting a new Summer League game-high of 37 points for the Lakers’ players.<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

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