Marcus Landry a fan of Mike D’Antoni’s system, hopes to be a Laker
The Lakers wrapped up summer league Saturday with an 83-77 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Forward Marcus Landry finished as the Lakers’ leading scorer at 15.2 points a game, playing for summer league coach Dan D’Antoni.
“I’ve shown what I’m capable of doing and doing it in a system, that’s a wonderful system,†said Landry after the loss. “It’s proven that the system works, if you stick with it.â€
The 6-foot-7 Landry played for Coach Mike D’Antoni in New York for the Knicks during the 2009-10 season before a trade sent him to the Boston Celtics with guard Nate Robinson.
Landry shot 42.1% from the field and 37.1% from the three-point range through five summer league games for the Lakers. He enjoyed the learning experience.
“I took lot of advice from Mike and Dan D’Antoni, them telling me what I need to work on,†Landry said. “You take that and try to apply it to your game.â€
Although the team shot just 38% from the field, the Lakers advanced to the quarterfinals by playing together defensively.
“I think the one thing that really helped us is our defense. We really picked that up and really played defense,†said Landry.
The “D’Antoni system†isn’t necessarily known for a commitment to defense, but Landry disagrees.
“That’s not true. You always hear defense wins championships. You go out there and constantly in your thoughts, it’s to stop the other team. That’s what we go out there to do,†he said. “Whether or not [the media], or whoever else, says what it looks like -- every offense has to play defense.â€
The Lakers already have 11 guaranteed players -- second-round draft pick Ryan Kelly (48th) will soon make it 12. The Lakers will carry 13 to 15 players into the regular season and Landry is hoping for at least a training camp invite and a chance to make the team.
“They know I can shoot,†Landry said. “Sometimes the shots are not falling, so you’ve got to do something else. I think I showed I can play defense and I can get to the basket.â€
Landry, brother of veteran forward Carl (who just signed a long-term deal with the Sacramento Kings), might have a chance to fill a position on the Lakers’ bench.
“My versatility is something that will help me out in this league,†Landry said. “I’ll talk to everybody after [summer league] and see where they stand.â€
ALSO:
Kobe Bryant visiting Italy while rehabbing Achilles’ tendon
Undrafted forward Elias Harris dreaming of chance with Lakers
Lakers fall to Warriors, 83-77, in summer-league quarterfinals
Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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