Tarik Black is definitely taking advantage of his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. Black plays in the time of the year where he has the chance to gobble up minutes and prepare himself for next season. Coach Byron Scott has increased his playing time while piecing together various rotations.
Production was sure to come, as Black proved he’s a capable NBA big during his time with the Houston Rockets. As their franchise center, Dwight Howard, went down, the undrafted 23-year-old from the University of Kansas stepped up and played a solid role.
Black’s 12 starts in Houston were not filled with gaudy numbers (4.2 points and 5.1 rebounds) but his most recent five-game stretch in Los Angeles included a slight increase in his numbers (8.8 points and 8.2 rebounds). Black has also notched two double-doubles with the first against the New York Knicks, finishing with 10 points and 11 boards.
His second came against the Utah Jazz, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Again, lots of this production can be attributed to the increase in minutes from 17.2 during the season to 23.2. Scott has made a concerted effort to place him in the rotation, providing the team with the look they need for the future.
There’s no question that Black will be one of the Lakers pieces to their foundation for next year. Black’s most important skills aren’t in his one-on-one play, but his energy stands out. He is the kind of player that does things that won’t show up on the stat sheet, unless it’s his rebounding on blocked shots.
The best thing about Black’s mentality is that he knows he has work to do, and he wants to expand his game. He also knows that his situation could change in the blink of an eye. Black spoke with Los Angeles Times reporter Mike Bresnahan:
"“I learned my lesson this year,” he said Friday. “I was doing very well in Houston. I had one or two double-doubles there, I was backing up Dwight [Howard], started 12 games and we actually won, like, a ridiculous amount.”Life was looking up for the undrafted player out of Kansas.“Every article was the same — ‘Tarik Black is a keeper, a surprise because nobody drafted him,'” he said. “Then a situation popped up where a star free agent came up and I ended up getting waived. It’s why I tend not to think about tomorrow.”"
With his efforts and potential, the Lakers will likely bring him back next year. After all, the team is in the midst of a rebuild, and flexibility in their cap-space is at the forefront of any plans they have. Black’s current deal is $850,000 upon his contract being picked up from the Houston Rockets.
The future may have been slightly unclear in Houston, but things may have a better outlook in Los Angeles for Black. If he continues his play, then the team may make an early move to secure him for multiple years. This stability would surely help Black’s confidence. The organization believes in him, as indicated with bringing him on-board this season.
Things are looking up for Black, and if his development continues, he will play a vital role in revitalizing the league’s most storied franchise. Certainly a long-cry from an undrafted rookie to an integral piece of resurgence.
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