What signing Timofey Mozgov means for the Lakers
Timofey Mozgov signs a 4 year $64 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday July 1, 2016.
He is a former center for the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 2016 NBA Finals Champion.
His former team just won the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors coming from behind a 3-1 deficit, which has never been done before.
Talk about experience in the playoffs, the NBA Finals, and how to win games to make the playoffs, Mozgov knows what to do and how to accomplish it.
The Los Angeles Lakers have made headlines in the off-season by signing a player in free agency no one expected to sign.
BREAKING: Lakers officially agree to 4 year $64 million deal with Timofey Mozgovhttps://t.co/DxwshBbD5u pic.twitter.com/LuG8BAJukB
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) July 1, 2016
Mozgov has experience and will be able to share it with the rest of the young players on the team.
He is basically in his prime as he has been in the league for 6 years and he is what the Lakers need position, skill, and experience wise.
They needed a rebounder on the team which will help lead to second chance opportunities in every category.
Mozgov only averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds with the Cavaliers this season, because Tristan Thompson was the starter and playing the whole game.
Timofey has the talent to grab multiple rebounds and score multiple points which can lead to more double-doubles.
He showcased this to all NBA fans when he was given the chance to perform in the NBA Finals. His stat sheet was much better than what he accomplished in the regular season. His numbers went up in the Finals than in the regular season.
In the Cavaliers game 4 loss Mozgov had 28 points and 10 rebounds in a blowout loss, which proves he hustles every play and has the ability to be a double-double machine.
Pair him with another double-double monster in Julius Randle and the Lakers front court is improved and working their way to be great.
Acquiring Mozgov is huge for the Lakers, as the Roy Hibbert era did not accomplish much, but what signing Mozgov means is that the Lakers will not have a 4th straight losing season.
They will be on the edge of making the playoffs, because they are in the Western Conference and the worst they will accomplish is a 41-41 record just coming in at .500.
If not in this upcoming 2017 NBA season, then in the 2018 NBA season the Lakers will make the playoffs.
Let us not forget that Mozgov was playing against his current coach in the Finals.
New Los Angeles Lakers head Coach Luke Walton saw something in Mozgov that lead to Mozgov to sign a 4 year deal with the Lakers.
According to stats looked up by the Washington Post, Mozgov is a much better defender in the post, isolation, and on spot-up shooters than off the pick and rolls.
He is great with playing vertically by going straight up on defense, along with his hands straight up in the air, therefore he will not get called for the foul.
The Los Angeles Lakers need help with protecting the rim and Mozgov fits their description of what they need.
The way he shined in the 2016 NBA Finals, posting double-doubles, and hustling every play is what the Lakers need from him.
If he can do that LA will be very much improved.
Now that Mozgov will most likely be the starter he has a greater opportunity to shine and prove himself to everyone more than ever.