Two of the most intriguing players on the Los Angeles Lakers‘ roster this season are rookie guard Cameron Carr and second-year forward Adou Thiero. Many believe both players have plenty of potential and that they’re ready to start getting meaningful playing time this season.
Carr was impressive last season at Baylor University, averaging 18.9 points a game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. Thiero barely played last season as a rookie due to injury problems, but he showed promise in summer league play in July, and coach JJ Redick said that he had an “unbelievable” stretch of development this offseason.
Redick was asked what kinds of mistakes will be acceptable for young players such as Carr and Thiero in order to get and maintain playing time.
“I mean, everybody is gonna make mistakes. It’s a matter of, does your role allow you to have egregious mistakes? That’s the NBA,” Redick responded when asked what kinds of mistakes he feels would be more acceptable for the young players. “I remember when I was a player, early in my career, I’m getting eight minutes if I’m lucky and if I’m not the low man two straight possessions, I’m gonna get two minutes. That’s just how it works. Starters are different. Guys who play heavy minutes are different. That’s the nature of roles in the NBA.
“I’m very confident those guys are gonna have opportunities this year. Cam, we see a player in Cam. We’re really excited about him. You can also see through three days that he’s a rookie. And there were times today where we kind of had to stop a drill or, at one point, a minute into the second scrimmage I had to call a timeout and just bring him over and just teach him a little bit. But he picks up things quick so I’m very confident that he’ll have opportunities this year.”
“I mean, everybody is gonna make mistakes. It’s a matter of, does your role allow you to have egregious mistakes? That’s the NBA,” Redick responded when asked what kinds of mistakes he feels would be more acceptable for the young players. “I remember when I was a player, early in my career, I’m getting eight minutes if I’m lucky and if I’m not the low man two straight possessions, I’m gonna get two minutes. That’s just how it works. Starters are different. Guys who play heavy minutes are different. That’s the nature of roles in the NBA.
“I’m very confident those guys are gonna have opportunities this year. Cam, we see a player in Cam. We’re really excited about him. You can also see through three days that he’s a rookie. And there were times today where we kind of had to stop a drill or, at one point, a minute into the second scrimmage I had to call a timeout and just bring him over and just teach him a little bit. But he picks up things quick so I’m very confident that he’ll have opportunities this year.”
It may be difficult for both young men to get significant opportunities this season given the Lakers’ newfound depth at the wing position. Carr and Thiero will battle against Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt for minutes and perhaps a starting role.
But Carr and Thiero are arguably the two most athletically gifted players on the roster, and if their skills, especially on the offensive end of the court, are developed and reliable enough, they could play a real role in how far the Lakers go this season.
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