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Kris Lang usually dont play in the D-League from what we can tell. A 6-11 center with an NBA frame, Lang is ready to compete physically with big men at any level of basketball. Hes rated by most International scouts in attendance as the #1 big man prospect in the D-League, and its really not hard to tell why. Hes someone you know exactly what you can expect from him on a consistent basis.
Besides his chiseled frame, Lang also has excellent hands and solid mobility for a player his size. He runs the floor well, and has excellent timing for rebounds and blocks, being somewhat of a force on the glass in many minutes here in Boise. Hes extremely active, boxes out well, plays physical and doesnt shy away from contact.
Offensively, Lang is a fairly limited player, although hes probably slightly better than he was able to show here. He establishes deep position in the paint thanks to his strength and frame, and has some basic back to the basket moves he can utilizemainly a jump-hook and some simple footwork. Hes not explosive finishing at the rim, particularly in traffic, and loses effectiveness significantly the farther out he strays from the basket. He tried some really tough shots here that looked out of his repertoire, hook shots from difficult angles and too far out, and some mid-range jumpers that didnt look particularly good. He doesnt seem to have the best touch around, and has been struggling from the free throw line at times early on in the year so far. He does run the floor extremely well, which can help him get some easy baskets.
Defensively, Lang does a very good job. He likes to throw his body around in the post and is not afraid to make his presence felt. Its tough to post him up because of his size, strength and the effort he puts in here, which makes him a pretty valuable guy to have. Hes constantly talking to his teammates, looking to pick his spots where he can help out with a heady rotation or by sticking his hand in for a steal or block. His feet are a little bit slow out on the perimeter, which hurts him trying to defend pick and roll plays.
All in all, Lang is a useful player who might even have a chance to get called up by some NBA team looking for a backup center who brings defense, rebounding, intelligence, and consistent effort whenever hes called upon. Hes not a super talented player, but there is a lot to be said for the consistency he brings to the table. Some of the biggest teams in Europe are waiting in the background in case he decides to cross back over the Atlantic again.
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