Ty Lawson

 China, sac or ? I think I just made a joke…

Ty Lawson may deserve a second chance, but the track record for 6′ and under point guards who rely on speed is pretty tough (Chris Paul and KJ excepted). The track record for alcoholics (a serious issue, not trying to make light of it) in the highest level of athletics is also not great. All of the teams who could take a flyer are in relatively large markets (LAC, ATL, Brooklyn, Dallas), and I would be concerned about the temptation there. I’ve been a big fan since his UNC days, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for a comeback.

With all the negativity surrounding him, he was clearly not in the right mind set going into last season. He also ended up in a terrible situation for him personally and  professionally in Houston. As a result, his play suffered dramatically. However, he managed to behave and stay out of trouble off the court, which is an encouraging sign.

 From what I’ve heard anyway, I don’t get the impression he is really an alcoholic, just someone who struggles with maturity issues and decision making. Hopefully, with everything he has gone through the past few years, he has put most of that behind him. This is still the same player that was widely considered one of the top 10 pgs in the league just a season ago, and he is still just 28 years old and healthy, so there is a good chance he can get back to that same level. Plus he should have something to prove. If I’m a team like Sacramento, Brooklyn, Chicago or Philly that needs a pg, it’s hard for me to see the risk in giving him a one year deal, similar to what rondo got from the kings last year.

 "Struggles with maturity and decision making".  What decision is he struggling with?   The decision to be sober and responsible for his actions!!  The booze took with it many of his skills… don’t make excuses for addicts.  Lawson has many millions of reasons to correct what he has done but those same reasons were there prior to his screw ups.

As good as Lawson was earlier in his career he would still have teams begging him to sign if there wasn’t truth to him having problems.  The NBA has many of these players followed so they know exactly what they are spending their money on.

Lawson may receive more chances to play but it is very risky for a team to count on a player that struggles with sobriety when teams have so few roster spots available.  Throw in the fact that teams don’t want younger players to learn from that type of example.

I have always loved Lawson and how he plays but I certainly can understand why he is finding it tough to land with a team

 for Players have not at least poked the tires on Lawson

Alcoholism is a Life threatening issue – no doubt……. but a person w/ that disease who is 100% committed to getting help can be even Better than they were B4…..

I know that sounds Crazy…… but Lawson at 28 w/ a Stress -Free, Clear mind & Healthy body is a Much better player than a 25 or 26 y/o athlete who is poisoning themselves Daily w/ Alcohol & causing Immeasurable Stress in his Personal Life b/c of all the damage that Alcoholism brings on the Entire family……

 But getting Sober / Clean is Not easy & I think it’s been proven that doing it alone is Rare…… He really needs to Ask for help & Commit to it……. 

I am rooting for him.  My life is indebted to him after his junior season at UNC.  Hope he can turn it around!

 There was a point in his career where I thought Ty was close to being a top 5 point guard in my opinion.  The ability to play basketbal has never been the question with him.  He has always had immaturity issues dating back to his time in Chapel Hill.  His junior year he was arguably the top player in college basketball when he led Carolina to the title.  He shot 47 percent from 3 and was unguardable due to his quickness and speed in transition.  He has issues with alcohol obviously and needs some help.  I don’t think he is a bad guy but he needs to decide if he really wants to ball or just go out and party every night.  I think he could really have a bounce back year if he is alcohol free and motivated to prove his critics wrong.  Someone will be able to get him for very cheap.  Really rooting for the guy.  

On a basketball tip

I’d love to see him in Philly personally, he can start or come off the bench for a change of pace

I just feel he needs a second chance and what better place than Philly to do it

He should really talk to AI and take his situation as a warning, both guys struggled with Alcohol and Immature decision making…AI seems to have turned it around from what I’m told but IDK

Bottom line, the NBA is a hard place to survive when you’ve been labeled a “distraction in the locker room” , I just hope Lawson can come out on the other side a better person and player…

 Hes truly an anomoly. Every year Lawson was in the league his shooting got worse.

09-10/51.5-FG%/41.0-3PT%

10-11/50.3-FG%/40.4-3PT%

11-12/48.8-FG%/36.5-3PT%

12-13/46.1-FG%/36.6-3PT%

13-14/43.1-FG%/35.6-3PT%

14-15/43.6-FG%/34.1-3PT%

15-16/39.3-FG%/33.3-3PT%

His FT% went from 82.4% in 2011/13 to 68.6% last year! Sure drinking and partying held him back but part of is the fact that he was probally not in the gym working on his game like the best do.

 The guy must have some ongoing issues as he has DUIs over a 7 year period. He got a good 2nd contract and played very well in the first two years of his extension. It was last season that the wheels really came off and he ended up being brought out by Houston.

The guy is still only 28 and so if he gets his act together could have several more years in the NBA but if Sac-Town doesn’t work out, it could be the end of his career as a legit NBA player.