More and more people are feeling hopeful about the Los Angeles Lakers’ two draft picks this year: Indiana University guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and Pepperdine University forward Maxwell Lewis.
Neither is a sure thing, but both have a great deal of potential, and there is optimism that Hood-Schifino and possibly Maxwell will fill needs for Los Angeles.
While Hood-Schifino has intriguing playmaking and defensive skills, Lewis is a long 6-foot-7 man who has ample athleticism and 3-and-D potential.
But no matter what fans and pundits may think, the opinion of their new head coach matters most, and Lakers head coach Darvin Ham had nice things to say about both incoming rookies.
Darvin Ham breaks down the rookies’ game and how they can make an immediate impact on the #Lakers. pic.twitter.com/qHxaULozEc
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) June 27, 2023
“I just think with Jalen you have a big guard. He kind of reminds me of Chauncey Billups, one of my old teammates — probably doesn’t shoot it as well as Chauncey, but his jump shot is nowhere near broke, (shoots) high 70s in his free throws and that is usually an indicator that that will translate to the 3-point line at the NBA level. Just his versatility on both sides of the ball, his poise with the ball in his hands, his ability to play off the ball, his reads, his playmaking ability offensively and defensively is just off the charts. His ability to guard multiple positions, guarding on the ball, off the ball, his ability to rebound, keep his man in front of him at that size — 6-foot-6, 215 — to have that in your backcourt is really going to be special.
“Maxwell, on the wing, just his versatility, his ability to shoot, his ability to playmaker, also his ability to rebound and his length. He’s able to get deflections, get steals, he can block shots at the rim, block shots on the ball. They’re both great in transition. They check a lot of boxes in regards to the way we want to play.”
In all likelihood, the best way for both men to gain meaningful playing time in Ham’s rotation next season is to get after it on the defensive end, which is something both are capable of.
