Who Is Gani Lawal

[Irish]

NCAA Weekly Performers, 1/15/10
January 15, 2010
Matthew Kamalsky

An early entry candidate for the 2009 NBA Draft, copted to return to school after going through the draft process and not receiving the first round guarantee he was looking for. Though some were impressed by his potential, others questioned his lack of polish –something that was only magnified at the NBA combine and in the heavily attended group workouts. Though he was well-positioned last summer with a number of major prospects opting to stay in school, he decided to hone his skills back at Georgia Tech alongside incoming freshman Derrick Favors.

While Lawal’s minutes and touches have decreased marginally next to the lottery-bound Favors, he’s shown development in some areas and will still have an opportunity to hear his name called in the first round this summer.

Sporting an excellent physical profile highlighted by a 7’0 wingspan, Lawal has always been lauded for his athleticism and tremendous work ethic. While those two attributes have afforded him quite a bit of success on the NCAA level, Lawal’s post footwork, jump shooting, and passing lagged behind his ability to impose his will on lesser athletes in the paint.

This season, Lawal has shown marked improvement to some of those weaknesses. His post footwork looks substantially better for example, being far more assertive these days. He’s still not adept at making counter moves on the block and loses control when he tries to do something overly complicated, but his ability to create space for his turnaround jumper has improved considerably. His turnaround jumper over his left shoulder has been particularly impressive, as he’s shown the touch to use the glass effectively and creates separation seamlessly with his strength and leaping ability.

While Lawal is definitely showing signs of improvement in the post –as evidence by the improvement in his field goal percentage from 46.7% to 54.9% in back to the basket situations according to the data we have at our disposal, he still has plenty of room for improvement. He finishes with his left hand occasionally, but he doesn’t appear entirely comfortable on that side of the rim when he can’t dunk the ball.

Away from the block, Lawal remains limited. He rarely attempts a jump-shot, taking less than one per game according to our data. He has improved from the foul line, upping his percentages more than 10% from last season. Continuing to improve his range will be a key for him as he moves forward in his career.

Defensively, Lawal appears to have improved, though he doesn’t always sustain his quality defensive play. He still has some issues closing out shooters too aggressively, but displays a better stance and moves better when not defending the ball. While he sometimes over-commits to helping his teammates, leaving his man open on the perimeter, and will have an occasional lapse of judgment, he appears to have added a degree of discipline to the high energy play that makes him an extremely productive rebounder, even playing next to a jumping jack in Derrick Favors. If he can learn to stay home when closing out shooters and be a bit more decisive off the ball, he could really help his draft stock.

Watching Lawal on film, it is clear that he’s made some strides, though they are not overwhelmingly obvious in his numbers. In the short-term, it will be important for Lawal to show well against the high-level competition he’ll face in ACC play and hone his defensive ability. His role in the NBA may be limited to doing some dirty work off the bench initially, but if he can continue to add strength and improve his jumper, he could fit into niche similar to the one that Leon Powe and Brandon Bass have played for their respective teams.

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From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Gani-Lawal-1269/#ixzz0rpe0Oo5Q
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Draft express had him projected at 35 (5th in the second round)

This is another pick when a guy is overshadowed by a teammate, in this case Favors. He's viewed as a dirt worker type, He averaged 8.6 rpg at Georgia Tech due in part to his length. He's only 6'8" but has a standing reach of 8'11.5".

At 13.1 ppg he gets a lot of his points off the 2.9 offensive rebounds he grabs. Unfortunately, he's another bad foul shooter. He seems very good at the basket and is a bit like an early Amere with no outside shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZgIS_87430

 

[overseascardfan]

Strictly a bench player, had a nice career at GT though, I am surprised we didn't take Alabi out of FSU, 7'1 C who can block shots and rebounds pretty well just a project on offense but he would have been a nice back up to Lopez.

 

[devilalum]

Sounds like a Lou clone.

 

[slinslin]

Strictly a bench player, had a nice career at GT though, I am surprised we didn't take Alabi out of FSU, 7'1 C who can block shots and rebounds pretty well just a project on offense but he would have been a nice back up to Lopez.

What? You are surprised that we passed on a center? We are the Suns, we like undersized players.

 

[Mainstreet]

What? You are surprised that we passed on a center? We are the Suns, we like undersized players.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Also the Suns could have.... choke...choke... purchased a second round pick to draft a center.

 

[Chaplin]

You took the words right out of my mouth. Also the Suns could have.... choke...choke... purchased a second round pick to draft a center.

LOL That's hilarious. Good one!

 

[slinslin]

You took the words right out of my mouth. Also the Suns could have.... choke...choke... purchased a second round pick to draft a center.

With lottery potential and versatility to play PF as well... (Whiteside)

 

[Mainstreet]

This draft seemed like a good chance to select a center. I can't ever recall seeing so many centers being taken. Too bad the Suns did not take advantage of it. Maybe the Suns get lucky with one of the PFs they drafted. It just irritates me Sarver could not buy another second round pick to get another backup center candidate.

 

[slinslin]

According to Gambo center is no need for the Suns because we already have our backup center.

Not sure if he refers to either:

1. Robin Lopez which would be correct and also means we have no starting center.
2. The 28 year old NBDL scrub which must be a bad joke.
3. Our 6'11 SG who is allergic to playing in the paint.

 

[carey]

Slin's in a mood.

Lopez is a starting caliber NBA center. I thought he proved that this season.

 

[Sunburn]

According to Gambo center is no need for the Suns because we already have our backup center.

Not sure if he refers to either:

1. Robin Lopez which would be correct and also means we have no starting center.
2. The 28 year old NBDL scrub which must be a bad joke.
3. Our 6'11 SG who is allergic to playing in the paint.

"According to Gambo" immediately dismisses credibility for everything stated after this phrase. Center is absolutely a position of need for the suns, especially when able to take Alabi at 46. All anyone needs to know this is true is one working eyeball.

 

[Mainstreet]

According to Gambo center is no need for the Suns because we already have our backup center.

Not sure if he refers to either:

1. Robin Lopez which would be correct and also means we have no starting center.
2. The 28 year old NBDL scrub which must be a bad joke.
3. Our 6'11 SG who is allergic to playing in the paint.

Earl Clark needs to play in the paint more and not be tissue soft on his drives to the basket. I sure hope the Suns did not miss on him because he has the tools but seems to have none of the grit. The Suns relying on Dwayne Jones to play backup center is a long reach. The Suns should have addressed backup center in the draft. Only if the Suns could have spared a few bucks.

 

[Sunburn]

Ok after having researched a little more I'm not as sold on Alabi as I once was. I'm satisfied with Lawal. Solid pick.

 

[Yuma]

I'm OK with both picks. We needed bigs, and we got some.

 

[PhxGametime]

I haven't keyed on him (while watching game-film) but he ran like a deer against Clemson... can finish and should be a decent rebounder. I don't know anything about Collins though.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I like the Chris Wilcox comparison because their bodies are nearly identical, but from theh highlight clips I have seen, Lawal seems tougher and even a bit quicker than Wilcox in college. I know Wilcox was a top-10 talent in his draft, so I'm not going there, but what I see is what I see. I really liked Wilcox out of college and hopefully Lawal can translate into half of what Wilcox was his first 4-5 years in the NBA....

 

[Sunburn]

I'm OK with both picks. We needed bigs, and we got some.

I would have liked bigger bigs but I'll take it.

 

[TBaslim]

The 'tough build, athletic, bangs well, can rebound and runs like a deer' works for me.

With a Alvin's long bench approach and our style, having some young, inexpensive 11-13th man hustling dirt-workers who can defend, set picks and rebound, then can get out on the break and dunk it is a good thing.

I presume they made these picks because the backcourt is set next year, but the front-court is the question.

So, they have some end of bench options now at least, depending on the Amare, Lou, Frye outcomes. Basically Lou, DJones, JCollins, and these two guys as possibilities for 11-13, along with whomever is available cheap at the end of free agency.

Not going to replace Amare or Frye by any means, but allows some flexibility with Lou, DJones, Collins.

I would like to see Lou back for sure, see what DJones can do, and have Collins as maybe a player-coach guy on the DL, and the better of these new 2nd rounders replace Taylor Griffin. Lou has earned a payday that might outweigh his value to the current Suns, so we'll see.

 

[Mainstreet]

I just can't see Collins and Griffin on the Suns roster next season. Collins is the perfect example of why the Suns should have purchased a pick for a center. He played for the Suns just to keep the rotation with Lopez out. His best days are past. Also Dwayne Jones has not shown anything. If a team wants to pay Amundson more than the Suns can pay, the Suns will have to say goodbye. The Suns really need to keep Frye because they have no replacement for him. The situation is just made worse if Amare leaves.

 

[slinslin]

I couldn't care less about replacing Frye if Amare leaves we will suck anyway. Just don't make it worse by overpaying Frye because you don't want to be looked at being cheap for not keeping Amare, Frye and Amundson.

Just wait 2 years and we would send two unprotected picks to get rid off an overpaid Frye.

 

[Mainstreet]

I couldn't care less about replacing Frye if Amare leaves we will suck anyway. Just don't make it worse by overpaying Frye because you don't want to be looked at being cheap for not keeping Amare, Frye and Amundson.

Just wait 2 years and we would send two unprotected picks to get rid off an overpaid Frye.

Just how much do you want to pay Frye? Nevermind probably nothing. I'm not thinking he is a MLE type player although he may get that from some other team. If Amare leaves the Suns will have to budget for Frye after they pick up a PF that can start. For example, I would sign a player like Gooden first then worry about Frye afterwards.

I think Frye is getting a bad rap to some degree because he was really the only center the Suns had after the Lopez injury. Yes, he shot poorly against the Championship Lakers but they were the last team standing in the end.

 

[Chaplin]

Just how much do you want to pay Frye? Nevermind probably nothing. I'm not thinking he is a MLE type player although he may get that from some other team. If Amare leaves the Suns will have to budget for Frye after they pick up a PF that can start. For example, I would sign a player like Gooden first then worry about Frye afterwards.

I think Frye is getting a bad rap to some degree because he was really the only center the Suns had after the Lopez injury. Yes, he shot poorly against the Championship Lakers but they were the last team standing in the end.

Frye is probably not worth the MLE, but he's worth more than the minimum. I'd take him in-between those 2 amounts. I don't see why people wouldn't. He was much better than a minimum-level player this past season.

 

[slinslin]

3M$ per year would be ok, anything more than that would be overpaid. Unfortunately I suspect we will sign him to something around 5yrs/30-35M$ which is a huge mistake.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Clippers signed Suns FA Tim Thomas to a 4 year 24 million contract. Frye plays a lot like TT so the money seems about right. Frye will probably command a similar offer unless the Suns get lucky.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The Clippers signed Suns FA Tim Thomas to a 4 year 24 million contract. Frye plays a lot like TT so the money seems about right. Frye will probably command a similar offer unless the Suns get lucky.

if we pay frye an average of $6M/year we're overpaying (just as the clips did with TT). minimum? no. but he should be on the lower end of the range. $3-4M.