Lakers Preseason: What We Know Now

Back Up The Big Man

September 28, 2015; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) and center Roy Hibbert pose for photographs during media day at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Given an unlikely circumstance, Roy Hibbert will be the starting center come October 28 against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.

The most glaring question here is whom out of Robert Sacre, Tarik Black, or Robert Upshaw will be Roy’s backup.

Sacre played in only three games and managed to score two points and two rebounds.

You would expect more from the three-year pro.

Black also played in three games but has been more productive.

He is averaging 4.6 points and 2.6 rebounds. Tarik has the ability to put points on the board and be a defensive presence, but Byron wants him to develop a mean streak first.

Upshaw played in two games and average three points, two rebounds, and one block.

He has shown flashes of a capable contributor on both sides of the floor but he is still very raw, which is expected of the rookie.

Out of the three, only Sacre has a guaranteed contract.

He has shown little improvement since coming into the league and I have to give him props for having stuck around until now.

The Lakers coaching staff have some decisions to make as they will start to trim down their roster to 15 at most.

Next: Final Thoughts