Originally published by LakersNation.com
One of the first signings the Los Angeles Lakers made in free agency this offseason was bringing in forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, who was coming off a career year with the Toronto Raptors last season. A versatile offensive player, Mamukelashvili figures to play a big role for the Lakers whether he’s starting or coming off the bench and can play both the power forward spot as well as operate as a small-ball center.
In terms of his offensive role, Mamukelashvili made it clear that he is willing to do whatever is needed for the Lakers, but hopes to be able to utilize his passing ability.
“I would love that. I love passing,” Mamukelashvili said following a recent Lakers practice. “I think I got a good feel for it. I don’t mind it and I just love finding open guys so I want to be that guy that can kind of play in the short roll and just be a connector or be a spacer or something like that. Whatever I gotta do I will and if I can find guys, even better.”
One of Mamukelashvili’s biggest strengths is his passing and high IQ. The ability to operate in different areas of the floor and find open shooters and cutters is huge for this Lakers’ offense. And whether he is playing the four or the five, he knows what he can do to help this team.
“Well at the five stretch the floor, pick and pop, go on the other side and play a lot of delays,” Mamukelashvili noted. “Knock down threes of course, on the pops. When I’m at the four, that short roll that I mentioned. A lot of times you can kind of push it up to somebody in the screen roll and then play from there. Kind of find the five-man in the dunker, or maybe somebody cracks down you can find the corner and have a lot of mismatches. Try to set good screens and get a small guy on me or a better defender off Luka or AR. So you know, trying to feel what I’m playing, how I’m playing and do it to the best of my ability.”
His versatility allows for head coach JJ Redick to use him in many different ways depending on who is on the court and the different matchups the Lakers face. Whether as a starter or a reserve, Mamukelashvili figures to help this team as a high IQ connector.
Sandro Mamukelashvili lays out defensive responsibilities as a forward and center
The big question about Mamukelashvili revolves around his defensive abilities, but he also understands his responsibilities on that end as well, whether he is operating at the forward or center position.
“At the four you’re more, kind of like off the ball,” Mamukelashvili said. “You gotta be more in help, down, maybe you’re the low man or you’re on the shift. Kind of like figuring out who you’re guarding, knowing your personnel, at the five as well.
“But you know at the five it’s a lot of screens, it’s a lot of weak, strong ice, making sure you call out and make sure the big man doesn’t roll behind you. It just kind of depends what I’m playing, but I’m trying to make sure I use the right terminology and I’m at the right spots.”
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One of the first signings the Los Angeles Lakers made in free agency this offseason was bringing in forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, who was coming off a career year with the Toronto Raptors last season. A versatile offensive player, Mamukelashvili figures to play a big role for the Lakers whether he’s starting or coming off the bench and can play both the power forward spot as well as operate as a small-ball center.
In terms of his offensive role, Mamukelashvili made it clear that he is willing to do whatever is needed for the Lakers, but hopes to be able to utilize his passing ability.
“I would love that. I love passing,” Mamukelashvili said following a recent Lakers practice. “I think I got a good feel for it. I don’t mind it and I just love finding open guys so I want to be that guy that can kind of play in the short roll and just be a connector or be a spacer or something like that. Whatever I gotta do I will and if I can find guys, even better.”
One of Mamukelashvili’s biggest strengths is his passing and high IQ. The ability to operate in different areas of the floor and find open shooters and cutters is huge for this Lakers’ offense. And whether he is playing the four or the five, he knows what he can do to help this team.
“Well at the five stretch the floor, pick and pop, go on the other side and play a lot of delays,” Mamukelashvili noted. “Knock down threes of course, on the pops. When I’m at the four, that short roll that I mentioned. A lot of times you can kind of push it up to somebody in the screen roll and then play from there. Kind of find the five-man in the dunker, or maybe somebody cracks down you can find the corner and have a lot of mismatches. Try to set good screens and get a small guy on me or a better defender off Luka or AR. So you know, trying to feel what I’m playing, how I’m playing and do it to the best of my ability.”
His versatility allows for head coach JJ Redick to use him in many different ways depending on who is on the court and the different matchups the Lakers face. Whether as a starter or a reserve, Mamukelashvili figures to help this team as a high IQ connector.
Sandro Mamukelashvili lays out defensive responsibilities as a forward and center
The big question about Mamukelashvili revolves around his defensive abilities, but he also understands his responsibilities on that end as well, whether he is operating at the forward or center position.
“At the four you’re more, kind of like off the ball,” Mamukelashvili said. “You gotta be more in help, down, maybe you’re the low man or you’re on the shift. Kind of like figuring out who you’re guarding, knowing your personnel, at the five as well.
“But you know at the five it’s a lot of screens, it’s a lot of weak, strong ice, making sure you call out and make sure the big man doesn’t roll behind you. It just kind of depends what I’m playing, but I’m trying to make sure I use the right terminology and I’m at the right spots.”
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