Republic: Lampe believes he can be a force

[George O'Brien]

Republic: Lampe believes he can be a force

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 20, 2004 12:00 AM

SALT LAKE CITY - This is Maciej Lampe's summer.

No other Suns player has the chance to enhance his role with the team as Lampe does. With only Lampe and Jake Voskuhl currently in the center mix, there is room to rise.

Lampe stayed in Phoenix for the off-season and spent more time than any other player working out on the court and in the weight room.

"It's definitely coming along," Lampe said. "I've been working hard on it."

If Monday's summer league game was any indication he's right.

Oh, Lampe can be frustrating. With his sycamore-thick body spread over 6 feet 11 inches, he should get more rebounds, bang more bodies and settle less often for the 18-foot jump shot. But just because this is a summer session, it does not mean Lampe can finish his work in some condensed, five-week class.

Reminder: He is 19 years old.

"It's going to come," Lampe said. "I know I have it in me. I know I can play in this league."

Monday's win over Atlanta was a microcosm of Lampe's mixed bag of talents and deficiencies.

He opened the game settling for a jumper on his first touch. He went strongly into traffic for a rebound, only to get stripped. He maneuvered to get the ball under the basket, only to have his shot swatted by 6-9 rookie Josh Smith.

But by game's end, Lampe had 13 points and five rebounds.

"I've been encouraged that he's chasing down more rebounds and hitting people more," Suns summer coach Marc Iavaroni said. "I think big players have to hit people."

Through six summer games, Lampe is averaging 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds while hitting 39.4 percent of his field-goal attempts and 73.1 percent of his free throws.

His jumpers have been rattling out more often than usual, but the Suns don't need to see Lampe from 15 to 20 feet out. They know he can hit that.

"Maciej has to make sure his effort is consistent," Iavaroni said. "He's obviously a good shooter, but he's got to understand he could be more than a shooter. I want him to share the ball when the shot isn't there."

Even when he gets the ball in the low post, he gravitates more to finesse.

Lampe knows the Suns expect him to become a more physical player, using his 275-pound body to initiate contact, but it is going to have to be learned behavior.

Here is a second related article

Republic: Roster probables play like they want minutes

Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 20, 2004 12:00 AM


SALT LAKE CITY - A July victory may not seem important, but four of the Suns' summer league contingent who figure to make the team this fall got something out of the win.

The way the Suns beat Atlanta 74-71 Monday in the Rocky Mountain ***** made it more meaningful than a pickup game.

Leandro Barbosa, seeking to improve at the point, was a creator with six assists and scored 16 points. Maciej Lampe showed a more physical streak. Jackson Vroman scored 11 points for the second straight game and lived up to his active reputation, taking three charges.

The capper came from Casey Jacobsen, who berated teammates for blowing an 11-point, third-quarter lead. With less than a minute to go and the score tied, Vroman tapped a Lampe miss to Jacobsen, who canned a three-pointer.

"They played with a lot of emotion and showed they have a lot of pride," summer coach Marc Iavaroni said.

No JV effort

His roster spot is guaranteed, but Vroman, the second-round pick out of Iowa State, continues to play hungry. His high-energy effort shows that his goal of regular-season minutes is well within reach.

"Vroman is showing he belongs at this level," Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. "He's got a ways to go with respect to some things, but he has shown great competitiveness, he hustles and has great energy."

 

[Biclops]

Thanks for the read George

Man... I keep forgetting that Lampe is only 19 yrs old

Good to hear that the Suns are working to make him into a center

Does anyone know how long it takes for a player to learn and get accostumed to the center position?

 

[F-Dog]

Does anyone know how long it takes for a player to learn and get accostumed to the center position?

Typically, it takes three years at least.

 

[George O'Brien]

Typically, it takes three years at least.

This has certainly been true for young Europeans. In Lampe's case, he is not only young, he is learning a new position he never played before.

Caro was on the radio this afternoon (KDUS) and he said there is no doubt Lampe would have been a lottery pick this season. His biggest problem is that he doesn't have a "nasty streak" (he didn't say it, but that IS what separates Amare from other athlete types).

One thing that caught my attention, Caro said Lampe is 275 pounds. He doesn't look that big, but it is a mistake to compare him to guys that are forty pounds lighter when looking at potential.

 

[Gaddabout]

Caro was on the radio this afternoon (KDUS) and he said there is no doubt Lampe would have been a lottery pick this season. His biggest problem is that he doesn't have a "nasty streak" (he didn't say it, but that IS what separates Amare from other athlete types).

It's not all a lack of attitude. He has zero confidence and ends up thinking too much. That's why he shoots those 18 footers -- that's where he's comfortable.

I like what D'Antoni said: "Big guys just need to hit people." That's a good concept with which to start Lampe's progression to center.