The Lakers’ propensity for finding diamonds in the rough means players like Scotty Pippen Jr., an undrafted two-way player, are viewed in perhaps a different way by fans than with other franchises. Even as a fringe prospect, he’s viewed under the lens of “Will he be the next one?”
It can take away from what a player accomplishes or place unnecessary pressure on them. But Pippen Jr. was also quite productive this season in his own right. He was named to the Rising Stars Game this year because of his G League production. He made a number of NBA cameos this season, almost exclusively in garbage time.