Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
High School High
()
The Lakers took a chance in yesterday's NBA Draft, and it may just pay off. LAist likes the selection of Andrew Bynum, a 6-11 high school center from New Jersey, who is the youngest player ever drafted. Admittedly, we've never seen Bynum play, so we have no idea if he's the next Shaq or Desagna Diop. But high school players have panned out in recent years, and the kid certainly has size at 6-11, 280 pounds.
Bynum may take several years to develop, but we have patience because the Lakers aren't going anywhere for a while. LAist would rather the Lakers take a guy who could be a superstar in four years with the No. 10 pick instead of a guy who can immediately be an average contributor.
Can Kobe Bryant be Bynum's high school-to-the-pros mentor?
Support for LAist comes from
As for the Lakers other picks, we're also fans of Ronny Turiaf out of Gonzaga. Under Mark Few, he has only learned proper fundamental basketball. He's also got size at 6-10, 250, and has a tremendous amount of energy. He's still relatively new to the game, but the Frenchman has a strong desire to learn. While he's not where he needs to be now with his game, we feel good knowing that he'll actually try everything possible to improve. For a second round pick, this is a pretty good.
LAist is not as high on Von Wafer out of Florida State. He seems like a headcase, and he's not even a great scorer at the 2. Perhaps Phil Jackson wants him to play point guard, but he's not much of a passer either. He's got a ton of athletic ability, so that could pay off somewhere. But the track for athletic guys who can't shoot or pass, and have bad attitudes, isn't spectacular.
The Clippers had a questionable draft. Not unheard of, if you're a Clippers fan. About the only thing Clippers fans can positively about selecting 6-9 Russian Yaroslav Korolev is "in Dunleavy, we trust." Not that he's necessarily earned that trust, but it's hard for us to deny Dunleavy's love affair with Korolev that developed when he saw him play. Good luck, Clippers. Hope it works out for you.
Daniel Ewing isn't a bad second round pick, but is anyone else wondering why the Clippers have become Duke West? They have Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, who both went to Duke. Shaun Livingston had committed to Duke. Mike Dunleavy's son played for Duke. For while they had another Dukie in Cherokee Parks. And now they bring in Daniel Ewing of Duke. We guess there's nothing wrong with getting a bunch of guys with ties to the same school if they can all play, but at what point does a fixation on Durham cost you perspective in evaluating other better players? For now, the Clippers will just sit and hope that Yaroslav Korolev is better than... Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist