ESPN: … No matter the reason, I came up with a 15-man sleeper team for the second half. The rules? For starters, this isn’t an all-underrated team as much as it’s an all-no-exposure-whatsoever team. The other criteria are more obvious: They’re playing well, and in most cases they’re young enough that they’re likely to keep it up or improve on it in the future.
Ronny Turiaf, Lakers: L.A. has a ridiculously deep and productive bench, but the one member of the group who gets fairly little attention is Turiaf. Yes, he can’t shoot, he’s a below-average rebounder and he seemingly fouls on every play. But despite those shortcomings, he’s a very productive player.
Turiaf isn’t a refined post player but can pile up points on garbage baskets because he runs the floor and never stops moving — he is scoring 15.5 points per 40 minutes on 50.6 percent shooting this season. The hyperactivity also helps on D, where he posts over a block a game in just 17.3 minutes of action.
With Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm out, Turiaf is getting a much bigger opportunity to showcase his skills, and he could become important come playoff time. Even if he doesn’t, he’s a restricted free agent after the season who could prove tempting to teams with holes in the frontcourt.
Hollinger: Kobe Most Likely to Break Kareem’s All-Time Scoring Record
Winner! Winner! Chicken! Dinner!!!
Video: Examining Bynum’s breakout season
Kidd trade is risky business for Mavs
Kobe’s Agent: “Kobe would like to be moved.”
Loading ...
i dunno, i always thought he was a decent shooter. he seems to be able to hit those wide open 15 footers with some consistency.
ronny = best teammate you can ask for
turiaf can shoot! he usually hit that midrange jumper.
IF THE LAKERS ARE SMART THEYLL RE SIGHN HIM
ronny for prez!
kobe for lewinsky!!!!!!!!
jk
The Lakers should resign him in the offseason. I mean they gave Brian Cook $10.5M for 3 year, why wouldn’t they give Ronny this. Because Ronny is a restricted free agent, the Lakers can match any offers other teams, may give him so the Lakers FO are probably going to let the rest of the league determine is market value.
ronny works hard and brings energy every night. his jumper is somewhat off and on but he can work on that. he’s definitely a keeper.
ronny needs to take the same classes bynum has been taking and develop 2-3 go to moves in the post. if he can accomplish that he can be a 15 and 7 contributor
turiaf is mark madsens black brother
Why the hell aren’t we starting Turiaf?
Did you read this article? Walton isn’t putting up those kinds of numbers. Not to mention (with the MAYBE exception of Ariza) none of the other Lakers forwards are nearly as effective on defense.
Put Ronny in the starting lineup. He earned it.
Him and Sasha should really get a hair cut!!!
one last thought, maybe this way he’ll jump higher and out rebound every one ha ha! lol
ronny will be back with the lakers, no doubt. i forget where i saw it but he was interviewed and flat out said that he wants to be with the lakers and implicitly said that more money elsewhere wouldn’t draw him away as long as the money in la was fair.
I agree with everything in this article except the fact that they said he cant shoot
Lately Ronny’s outside shot seems more reliable than Lamar’s. He brings so much energy, enthusiasm and hustle. He is a key player that we can not afford to lose!
Now that walton is out, I don’t see why we don’t start Turiaf at the 4 and move Odom back at the 3. Sure he isn’t as great a rebounder at that position, but he can post up most 3’s and get better shots. Plus, Turiaf defense is a big help. Since we have no decent 3 to play with, the Lakers should try either of these as there starting line ups
Fisher/Bryant/Lamar/Turiaf/Brown
OR
Farmar/Fisher/Bryant/Lamar/Brown
RONNY IS A KEEPER FOR SURE…HE GIVES 100% EACH NIGHT HE’S ON THE FLOOR…AND SUPPORTS HIS TEAMMATES WHILE SITTING ON THE BENCH…YOU GO ON WITH YO BADD SELF RASTA BOY…WE LAKER FANS LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU!!!
WHY???THEY’RE COOL JUST LIKE THAT…THEY DONT NEED TO LOOK LIKE EVERYONE ELSE…THEY ARE BEING THEM AT THIS POINT IN TIME…..EXPRESS YOURSELF!!!!!