NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Ryan Kelly A Welcome Addition to the Los Angeles Lakers

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By @pjacobosports

Los Angeles Lakers Ryan Kelly Nick Young

Kirby Lee- USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly made his return to the team after missing the last 22 games with a torn hamstring. Kelly, a second-year forward out of Duke, will add a different dynamic to the team.

Kelly is the prototypical stretch-four that the Lakers need. As a team, they’re shooting 36 percent from behind the arc. Kelly’s specialty is the three (37 percent). He showed his rust (1-4) in the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The return of the second-year forward will stretch the floor for the Laker-bigs. Jordan Hill had an awful month of December. After coming out strong in the first few games, it seems fatigue started to catch up to him. Kelly adds front court depth to the team.

The addition of Kelly to the active roster gives Kobe Bryant another shooter on the floor. Bryant came off a triple-double the last game and has continued moving the basketball. Bryant had eight assists in tonight’s game. Nick Young, Wayne Ellington, Jeremy Lin and now Kelly give Kobe more incentive to pass the ball.

By spreading the floor, Ed Davis, Carlos Boozer and Hill will have more space to work inside. As the season progresses, the Lakers are starting to take shape. Roles are being defined. Byron Scott will have options to try new lineups.

Kelly showed glimpses of what he can do last season. He dropped 26 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers and 20 points versus the rival Boston Celtics. His versatility extends more than his shooting ability.

He showed that he can play defense. A team that is currently the worse defensive team could use any type of defense. He is not afraid of going for rebounds. He’s not a defensive stopper by any means but any player that is willing to take an offensive foul can find minutes on the court.

The Lakers can use Kelly in many different offensive sets. He can be in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop plays, run him off screens or just have him sit out by the three-point line. Kelly is versatile enough to play small forward when they need shooting on the floor.

The Lakers need players and they received one today. In a dismal year (10-23), the Lakers need to start playing their younger players to see what they have. It’s going to be interesting to see the rotations coach Scott is going to use with the additions of Kelly and Tarik Black.

Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @pjacobosports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.

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