Add The California Post on Google Search Cameron Carr’s highlights on YouTube from his lone season at Baylor, it’ll immediately become clear what made him such a tantalizing prospect.
There are rim-rattling dunks, with the Lakers’ first-round pick taking full advantage of his 42 ½-inch vertical.
Former Baylor star Cameron Carr wants to be known as the Lakers’ “best defender.” NBAE via Getty Images There are deep 3-pointers where it’s evident his smooth shooting stroke will translate to the NBA.
There are a plethora of blocks from all over the court, with Carr using the 7-foot-plus wingspan on his 6-foot-4 ½ frame to stop shots where they began.
The plays are “explosive,” which along with “dominant” were one of the ways Carr described his game during his introductory news conference Friday at the Lakers’ El Segundo practice facility.
But Carr, 21, knows he’ll have to get better at the quieter aspects of the game to carve out a role during his rookie season with the Lakers.
Staying in front of ball handlers while being the point-of-attack defender.
“First things first, play defense,” Carr responded when asked how he’ll adjust his skills to fit with the Lakers. “I feel like I’ve got to show that I’m the best defender here. That’s what I’m here to do. Yeah, I was a primary ball handler at Baylor, but that has not always been my role.
“In high school, I was an off-ball player. I had the best point guard in the country, Elliot Cadeau, so he set the table for me and made it very easy for me. I feel like now stepping in an organization with people with the same type of mindset and abilities, it only makes my job easier. I’ve just got to cut and dunk the ball for them and run in transition. But first things first is establishing a defensive consistency and showing I can be dominant.”
His strength, or lack of it, was one of the biggest critiques surrounding him entering the NBA draft, where he was projected to be selected during or just outside of the lottery before he fell to No. 24. The Lakers traded picks with the Knicks to select Carr.
He weighed 184.4 pounds at the combine, which was the lightest among all players who measured at least 6-3.
“Got to put on some weight,” Carr said. “That’s going to be an emphasis, be in the weight room as much as possible. It’s going to be my second home.”
Carr also spoke glowingly and excitedly about the opportunity to play alongside the Lakers’ best players, including superstar Luka Doncic and star guard Austin Reaves, the latter of whom agreed to a four-year, $185 million deal to stay in Los Angeles.
And Carr, without being prompted, mentioned superstar free agent LeBron James and how he can’t wait to take advantage of the passing/playmaking they bring to the table.
“Man, anytime I can make their job easy and cut, I’m going to do that,” Carr said. “That makes their job easy. I think the chemistry that we build over time, it will only get stronger. Hopefully I can make their job easy of just [throwing] it by the basket and I go dunk it for them.”
“Of course just having great vets in front of you to look up to and learn from, follow in their footsteps and take little things from them and implement it into your life,” Carr said. “Overall, it’s going to be exciting. I know I keep saying it and it’s repetitive, but, man, y’all don’t understand how much of a joy it is and blessing to be here in this situation. So just learn and follow in their footsteps.”
