NBA Draft 2017: Five prospects the Lakers need to keep an eye on
By Keith Rivas
Josh Jackson
Another draft prospect on the radar for the Lakers should be Josh Jackson. Coming from the University of Kansas, Jackson helped get the Jayhawks to the Elite Eight before they were eliminated by Oregon.
There’s a lot of electricity in his game. This would help the Lakers in their effort to be more explosive on both ends of the floor.
While it’s obviously still up in the air as to how his talent will translate at the next level, he’s in that top five conversation.
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One of the things that the Lakers should be careful about with Jackson, though, is whether or not he can handle the spotlight. Playing in Los Angeles comes with a pressure that players don’t necessarily feel other than in New York.
The fans will eat you alive if you don’t perform. If it keeps up long enough, they’ll want you gone and it won’t be long before you overstay your welcome. This year’s March Madness tournament was a testament to that concern.
Jackson scored at least ten points in all four of the tournament games that he played in. However, after scoring 17 against UC Davis and 23 versus Michigan State, his numbers dropped. Against Purdue, he only had 15 — then in the game against Oregon he only scored ten.
Why this matter is simple. If the Lakers can’t draft someone that can score under pressure, even if they’re consistent in the regular season, it won’t help their cause.
He’s rated as the second best prospect available by CBS Sports.