Tag: Jalen Hood-Schifino

Jalen Hood-Schifino will miss at least the first week of 2023-24 season

Rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is still recovering from a knee ailment he suffered during the preseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers begin their 2023-24 regular season on Tuesday when they pay a visit to the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets, the team that swept them in last season’s Western Conference finals.

Los Angeles has a much deeper and more balanced roster than it did at this time last year. While it is exactly the type of roster any team wants to have, it does present one small problem — finding meaningful playing time for everyone who deserves it.

Rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino appears to have the potential to eventually become a good player. In order to become whatever he will become, he needs to get on the court for actual game action.

Unfortunately, he will not get any for at least the next week due to a knee contusion.

The former Indiana University player missed time during the exhibition season due to the same ailment. Once he’s cleared to play, it will be interesting to see how Lakers head coach Darvin Ham finds playing time for him.

Update on status of Lakers guards Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino

Will Gabe Vincent or Jalen Hood-Schifino be able to play in the Lakers’ final preseason game of 2023?

The start of the 2023-24 regular season is just a week away, and teams are ramping up their preparation and intensity for the games that will actually count.

While the Los Angeles Lakers are 2-3 in the preseason, they have looked sharp when their regulars have been on the floor together. Guard Gabe Vincent, who was signed as a free agent in July, is one player who has done well, especially in terms of his outside shooting.

Meanwhile, rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino has struggled offensively, although he has shown promise as a playmaker.

Vincent has missed the Lakers’ last two games with back tightness while Hood-Schifino sat out their last contest on Sunday with a knee ailment. Both are reportedly day-to-day.

Meanwhile, forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who only played in L.A.’s preseason opener, will still be re-evaluated for a heel problem on Friday.

The Lakers will close their exhibition schedule on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns before they open their regular-season schedule on Oct. 24 at the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

LeBron James, Austin Reaves and three others to sit versus Bucks

The Lakers will be shorthanded when they take on Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Sunday.

Damian Lillard will suit up for the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time on Sunday, and he will do so against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. He was traded to the Bucks just over two weeks ago, and he will give them a gigantic shot in the arm.

Milwaukee was being picked by some to reach the NBA Finals last season. Instead, it lost in the first round of the playoffs in five games to the underdog Miami Heat, and it should be supremely motivated this season.

For their contest against the Bucks, the Lakers will be short-handed. LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino will sit out.

While James and Reaves are merely resting, Vincent has back tightness and will miss his second straight game. Vanderbilt continues to deal with a heel issue, and Hood-Schifino has a knee ailment.

Meanwhile, Khris Middleton will not play for the Bucks.

The Lakers’ sixth and final preseason game will be on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns before they prepare for their season opener in the Mile High City on Oct. 24 versus the defending world champion Denver Nuggets.

Who has stood out in the Lakers’ scrimmages so far?

According to team sources, four Lakers players have been standouts so far in training camp scrimmages.

The Los Angeles Lakers held their third full day of training camp on Thursday, and so far, things seem to be going well.

LeBron James, according to head coach Darvin Ham, has regained his explosiveness and looks like a much younger version of himself. Meanwhile, Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura have been vying for the team’s third and final starting frontcourt spot, but they have reportedly been joined by Taurean Prince.

Ham has praised rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, calling him the MVP of the team’s first full day of camp. Reportedly, he is one of four Lakers players who have been standouts so far in scrimmages, along with Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell and Christian Wood (h/t Lakers Daily).

Via The Athletic:

“Hachimura, who rejected the assumption that he had lost weight this summer, has been one of the standouts in scrimmages, along with Russell, Wood and Hood-Schifino, according to team sources,” wrote Jovan Buha.

Wood is likely going to be the team’s wild card this season because of his ability to score from multiple locations on the court, as well as the negative narrative that has dogged him, especially regarding his poor defense. Ham said on Wednesday that the big man has been active, engaged and communicative on the defensive end during practice.

Lakers’ Darvin Ham reveals feedback given to Jalen Hood-Schifino

The Lakers have only been in training camp for two days but Hood-Schifino has been among the early standouts.

Though the Los Angeles Lakers have only been in training camp for two days, rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino has been among the early standouts on the court.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham even went a step further and said Hood-Schifino was probably the MVP of the first day of training camp on Tuesday. He came in and made his presence felt in a practice with All-Stars and other veterans.

“He plays with a moxie and stability,” Ham said. “You can’t speed him up. You can’t slow him down. He is strong. He is a fierce competitor in a silent way. You’re not just gonna do whatever you want to do with him. He’s going to guard the hell out of the ball, guard off of the ball, try to rebound. He plays a powerful, powerful game at that position.”

Hood-Schifino debuted with the Lakers in summer league, averaging 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals in six games. He scored at least 15 points four times, including a summer league-high 20 points on July 5.

The 17th pick projects to provide the Lakers with depth at the point guard position behind D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent. But Ham said the 20-year-old has one area to address: Be more vocal.

I said: ‘Kid, you’re going to be a 15-year point guard in this league with the skill set you have and the way you’re going to get better with how young you are, (but) you gotta start screaming. Just scream when you’re in your house by yourself — just start yelling and screaming for no reason. You’re going to have to be the one to keep your teammates organized and they’re all going to have to understand what we’re doing out there with whatever possession it is.

Hood-Schifino spent much of the summer in L.A. working out with coaches and the training staff. That work has helped him become more confident, which is showing so far in training camp. Ultimately, that will help him get on the court this season.

After a strong showing to begin training camp, Hood-Schifino knows there is plenty of learning to do in the coming weeks. He is looking to keeping it going and is eager to continue to get better.

“Playing with older guys, I’m just trying to find that voice,” Hood-Schifino said. “I think off the court, I’m naturally a quiet guy but, obviously, on the court, you’ve gotta be vocal, especially at the point guard position. (I’m) definitely trying to find that and be more assertive. That comes with time. Obviously, I got to find my way and earn my way.”

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Darvin Ham gives Jalen Hood-Schifino some massive praise

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham loves how rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino plays and confirmed how much he stood out during Tuesday’s practice.

Training camp is fully underway across the NBA, and the Los Angeles Lakers are full of hope, optimism and confidence as they embark on a quest for their 18th world championship.

They have a deep and talented roster consisting of veterans and young standouts, and one of the more intriguing things about that roster is a few young prospects who could become very good players moving forward. One of them is Jalen Hood-Schifino, the No. 17 pick in June’s draft.

D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves said the 6-foot-6 rookie guard stood out on the team’s first full day of training camp. On Wednesday, head coach Darvin Ham gave Hood-Schifino plenty of praise.

“He plays with a lot of moxie, he plays with stability. You can’t speed him up, you can’t slow him down. He’s strong. He’s a fierce competitor in a silent way. You’re not just gonna do whatever you want to do with him. He’s gonna guard the hell out of the ball, guard off the ball, try to rebound, plays a powerful, powerful game at that position individually. He was phenomenal yesterday. He was actually, I don’t think anyone would disagree if I called him the MVP of day one scrimmaging.”

It will be hard for Ham to find playing time for Hood-Schifino this season other than garbage time at the end of games. But perhaps the Lakers have a difference-maker for the future on their roster right now in him.

Rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino stood out on first day of training camp

The Lakers’ two starting guards liked what they saw from rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino on Tuesday.

While the Los Angeles Lakers are locked in on the present in their quest for another NBA championship, they also have an eye on the future.

Rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, who they took at No. 17 in June’s draft out of Indiana University, is thought to have the ability to become a valuable player. The 6-foot-6 20-year-old likely will not play much this season, but he will have opportunities to grow and prove his worth during practice and scrimmages.

His first opportunity to do so came on Tuesday, which was the Lakers’ first full day of training camp. Reportedly, he stood out, something D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves relayed to the media.

Via Lakers Nation:

“If I could give everybody on the team credit, I would,” said Russell. “I will give you one actually. Jalen (Hood-Schifino) played really well today. He made shots and got after it.”

“Obviously it’s a new group, but those guys are super talented and super willing to buy into what we’re doing and it showed today,” Reaves said. “I think there were a lot of teaching moments. You mentioned playing on the go, you can see their reaction to what they’re being told, so it was great. Everybody looks good, the new guys looked good, Jalen (Hood-Schifino) had a really good day for his first day. So we’re super excited.”

Hood-Schifino is a big guard who can handle the ball, facilitate for teammates, score from the mid-range and (occasionally) hit from 3-point range. Improving his outside shooting, defense and overall consistency will be a big key to his chances of sticking around in the NBA.

Lakers 3 goals: Will Jalen Hood-Schifino live up to his potential?

Jalen Hood-Schifino can start to become a quality NBA player by focusing on these three goals for the 2023-24 season.

With training camp for the 2023-24 season just days away, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to hit the court for what could be an exciting and very successful season for them. They appear to have a stacked roster, and therefore an 18th NBA championship is a realistic goal for them once it’s all said and done next summer.

To accomplish that goal, a number of players will need to play up to their potential. Therefore, we have identified three goals for each Lakers player that, if attained, will help the team win it all.

Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, the No. 17 pick in June’s draft out of Indiana University, seems to have the potential to become a stud. Zeroing in on these three goals this season would give him a nice start toward realizing his potential.

Jalen Hood-Schifino says he’s been working on his 3-point shooting

Incoming Lakers rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino says he has been in the lab looking to improve his shooting.

When the Los Angeles Lakers took Indiana University guard Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 pick in June’s draft, fans were intrigued.

At 6 feet, 6 inches and 215 pounds, he has size and length, not to mention passing and facilitating ability and a nice mid-range game.

Hood-Schifino showed flashes of what he could become during NBA Summer League play, but overall he was inconsistent with his shooting, especially from 3-point range.

He has had nearly two months since the end of summer league play to work on his game, and he told The Athletic he has zeroed in on his perimeter shooting.

Via The Athletic:

“I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress. Being in the gym every day, getting up a lot of reps, working on my footwork, my form, mechanics and everything. Getting everything sharp. That’s definitely been a strong point and something that I’ve been really attacking every day.”

The incoming rookie also added he has worked a little with famed Lakers player development coach Phil Handy, who has done wonders with other players, including forward Rui Hachimura.

NBA 2K24: Ratings revealed for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday.

The official player ratings and other features for NBA 2K24 have been unveiled as the popular video game hit stores on Friday across all platforms around the world.

The latest installment of NBA 2K features three distinct editions, each honoring Kobe Bryant. The game, for the first time, also allows for crossplay, meaning users on different gaming consoles can still play with their friends online.

In addition to many of the new features and updates unveiled in the game, fans are equally as excited to see the initial player ratings. Of course, with a new group of players set to enter the league, many are curious to see how the rookie class would be graded.

The franchise, led by marketing director Ronnie 2K, previously revealed the ratings for several first-rounders this year. With the game officially available for purchase around the world, the grades for each rookie have been unveiled.

Here are the ratings for the first round of the 2023 NBA draft.