2020 NBA Draft Thread: Bulls pick #7 (probably)

[GimmeDat]

A serious question, with Lonzo, Simmons and LaMelo the trend of not being able to shoot in today’s NBA seems a bit concerning no?

It's a fair question. I guess the idea is that their ceiling's are massive if they do learn to shoot. These guys have the physical tools and natural feel/talent that can't be taught - but shooting can develop. That's not to say it will, and if a guy has a broke J his whole career, then it's a massive limitation.

But I look at those guys, and I don't think it's been a poison pill. Simmons would be a superstar with a jumper, but he's still a stud without it and the #1 player from his draft class at this point (only reason I say at this point is because Ingram's come out of the season hot, playing like a star).

Lonzo's still only 22, and he's doing better. So far this season he's shooting 36.7% from 3 on 7.6 attempts per 36. He's already had a baseline of excellent passing and top level defense, so you add a 3 ball on top of that and he's a very good player (still needs to improve though).

LaMelo's shot looks pretty whack, but he just went 5/11 from downtown last night, and that's with his attempts from beyond the arc being pretty difficult ones (shot selection issue imo). He's also adjusting to a higher level of play than these guys going to the college game. Both RJ and LaMelo are playing much better than they were at the start of the season, you can see them adjusting to the level of play and gaining confidence. While his shooting slump to start the season was horrific, a lot of elements to consider there.

[The Box Office]

LaMelo remains the number one pick for me. He's just adding to that status.

- He showed flashes of defensive brilliance.

- His jumper is a set shot. I have nothing against that. Magic Johnson's form is a set shot. D'Angelo Russell, too. Nothing wrong there. His jump shot form is not going to change now. That takes YEARS to do. It is what it is. And LaMelo is improving. I would be worried if his jump shot looks like Ronnie Brewer's.

- Kid can pass. He definitely has court vision unlike Coby White. He doesn't turn the ball over a lot like Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook.

- LaMelo standing around when he doesn't have the ball CAN be fixed with good coaching. That's what he's getting right now.

- The most important thing: LaMelo is ballin' out against grown experienced men. These men are fighting just to get food on the table. And LaMelo is showing out against them. He's not playing against boys in the NCAA like Wiseman, Cole Anthony, and Edwards. That's a mega difference. That counts a lot in my mind.

Luka Doncic is an example of this. Michael Jordan is another example since he dominated NBA Superstars when he was a college player in exhibition games for the Olympics. Kobe, too. Kobe was already developing his game with his grown ass Dad and his Dad's teammates.

With the grown ass men experience in mind, LaMelo's EGO is humbled. I know LaMelo is getting his ass roasted behind closed doors with these vets. He's not escaping that. There's nothing he can do. That's a great thing. Lavar can't save him.

RJ Barrett has massive ego that was never put in check. Look at him now.

- At this point, LaMelo just has to stay healthy.
Aaron Brooks, the team's former starting point guard, retired. It's up to LaMelo to run the team now. The thing with LaMelo is I don't want him to be another Dante Exum. The chances of that happening are extremely low though because Dante Exum did not compete in a grown man's league like LaMelo.

[GimmeDat]

LaMelo remains the number one pick for me. He's just adding to that status.

- He showed flashes of defensive brilliance.

- His jumper is a set shot. I have nothing against that. Magic Johnson's form is a set shot. D'Angelo Russell, too. Nothing wrong there. His jump shot form is not going to change now. That takes YEARS to do. It is what it is. And LaMelo is improving. I would be worried if his jump shot looks like Ronnie Brewer's.

- Kid can pass. He definitely has court vision unlike Coby White. He doesn't turn the ball over a lot like Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook.

- LaMelo standing around when he doesn't have the ball CAN be fixed with good coaching. That's what he's getting right now.

- The most important thing: LaMelo is ballin' out against grown experienced men. These men are fighting just to get food on the table. And LaMelo is showing out against them. He's not playing against boys in the NCAA like Wiseman, Cole Anthony, and Edwards. That's a mega difference. That counts a lot in my mind.

Luka Doncic is an example of this. Michael Jordan is another example since he dominated NBA Superstars when he was a college player in exhibition games for the Olympics. Kobe, too. Kobe was already developing his game with his grown ass Dad and his Dad's teammates.

With the grown ass men experience in mind, LaMelo's EGO is humbled. I know LaMelo is getting his ass roasted behind closed doors with these vets. He's not escaping that. There's nothing he can do. That's a great thing. Lavar can't save him.

RJ Barrett has massive ego that was never put in check. Look at him now.

- At this point, LaMelo just has to stay healthy.
Aaron Brooks, the team's former starting point guard, retired. It's up to LaMelo to run the team now. The thing with LaMelo is I don't want him to be another Dante Exum. The chances of that happening are extremely low though because Dante Exum did not compete in a grown man's league like LaMelo.

A couple of things I would disagree with -

Thing about the 'set shot' business, he actually jumps a bit, sometimes, but he still has heaps of inconsistent moving parts, a flared out shooting arm, etc. It's less to do with the release and how he can get it off but the actual mechanics.

I don't think he has ever had that much of an ego, people just assumed that from the dad. He's a pretty unassuming kid.

Flashes of defensive brilliance is a stretch. He's good in the passing lanes. Allen Iverson had a good steal rate too (not a good defender). Right now he's a complete liability on that end of the floor. That's not to say he can't improve, but there's a loooong way to go. I think saying 'off-ball ability' can just be taught is a lot easier said than done as well. Would like to see some examples of that, not many come to mind. Again, not saying he can't/won't improve his areas of weakness, but he's all too easy to take areas of clear liability and just say they'll improve them.

[CoreyVillains]

LaMelo has shown 0 flashes of defensive brilliance. He makes Zach Lavine’s team defense look like Kawhi Leonard.

[Michael Jackson]

Another question. His is the NBL competition compared to like the EuroLeague and teams like Real Madrid (just trying to gauge how well he looks compared to a Luka).

[TheFinishSniper]

Lamelo will be worst #1 NBA pick since Fultz. And Fultz was 3x prospect Lamelo was before draft. Either way both Ball players will be taken too high than what they are worth it as prospects.

I still shake my head on Lonzo Ball being #2 overall. Dude was like 6-12 range prospect player. And I was one of biggest fans from HS, before he even go hype on college. Only reason he gone higher was Magic being dumbass, father's hype and living at UCLA meaning in LA already.

[LateNight]

LaMelo has shown 0 flashes of defensive brilliance. He makes Zach Lavine’s team defense look like Kawhi Leonard.

Yeah - I’m a little confused about the hype. The guy has good court vision, but if you watch those NBL games it looks like his team just gets destroyed because he’s so bad on defense.

[CoreyVillains]

LaMelo has shown 0 flashes of defensive brilliance. He makes Zach Lavine’s team defense look like Kawhi Leonard.

Yeah - I’m a little confused about the hype. The guy has good court vision, but if you watch those NBL games it looks like his team just gets destroyed because he’s so bad on defense.

I mean I get the hype. He is a phenomenal ball handler and passer. His highlights are eye opening. Unfortunately there aren’t full on scouting vids out yet so his weaknesses are hidden to the general public. Not too many people are excited to watch LaMelo/Josh Boone p&r’s for two hours. For me, what I see is a Jamal Crawford-esque offensive player who is a worse shooter and better passer. That doesn’t seem like a top 5 pick, but what do I know lol.

[GimmeDat]

Another question. His is the NBL competition compared to like the EuroLeague and teams like Real Madrid (just trying to gauge how well he looks compared to a Luka).

Euroleague is a lot better (as is the case compared to most international competitions). But the NBL is no China empty stats league either, it's a good pro league and he's going up against fringe NBA PG's most nights.

I would look at stats less and more at tools.

As for his team losing games, it's not his fault. His team is the worst on paper team in the league, and they're best player (Aaron Brooks) just tore his achilles a couple of weeks ago and retired as a result. They're yet to get a replacement.

[No-Man]

NBL is worse than all euro leagues (ACB, Jeep Elite, G-BBL, VTB, Turkish, Greek, probably ABA) and obviously worse than EuroLeague and EuroCup

[TheSuzerain]

NBL is worse than all euro leagues (ACB, Jeep Elite, G-BBL, VTB, Turkish, Greek, probably ABA) and obviously worse than EuroLeague and EuroCup

I don't know about that.

First off, you have Australia showing as well as they did in the World Cup w Granted, they were driven by Mills/Ingles, but the rest of the roster was filled in with domestic players.

Second off, most of these teams have quite a few well-know US college players. Seems like there are looser restrictions on that than somewhere like a China where teams are quickly capped.

I could see them being on par with some of the mediocre/lesser euro leagues.

[leo921]

Let's assume the Bulls do not make any trades this season and gets lucky in the lottery.
Who do you want the team to pick and shape the team.

Do you take James Wiseman a legit center?
Would your big man rotation be Lauri/Carter with Young/Wiseman off the bench?
or go Lauri/Wiseman with Young/Carter off the bench?

What about Cole Anthony, an uptempo PG who scores first?
Do you go Anthony/Lavine with Sato/White off the bench

Finally you have Anthony Edwards, a tough strong Sg who can score
Do you go with Sato/Lavine and White/Edwards off the bench
or go with White/Lavine with Sato and Edwards off the bench

Yes there are other prospects but those are the top 3

[The Box Office]

Let's assume the Bulls do not make any trades this season and gets lucky in the lottery.
Who do you want the team to pick and shape the team.

Do you take James Wiseman a legit center?
Would your big man rotation be Lauri/Carter with Young/Wiseman off the bench?
or go Lauri/Wiseman with Young/Carter off the bench?

What about Cole Anthony, an uptempo PG who scores first?
Do you go Anthony/Lavine with Sato/White off the bench

Finally you have Anthony Edwards, a tough strong Sg who can score
Do you go with Sato/Lavine and White/Edwards off the bench
or go with White/Lavine with Sato and Edwards off the bench

Yes there are other prospects but those are the top 3

LaMelo is 100% in the conversation to be in the Top 3. C'mon now.

[The Box Office]

NBL is worse than all euro leagues (ACB, Jeep Elite, G-BBL, VTB, Turkish, Greek, probably ABA) and obviously worse than EuroLeague and EuroCup

I don't know about that.

First off, you have Australia showing as well as they did in the World Cup w Granted, they were driven by Mills/Ingles, but the rest of the roster was filled in with domestic players.

Second off, most of these teams have quite a few well-know US college players. Seems like there are looser restrictions on that than somewhere like a China where teams are quickly capped.

I could see them being on par with some of the mediocre/lesser euro leagues.

There's one more: the NBL has several former NBA pros. That automatically makes them better than the NCAA competition. Easily.

[The Box Office]

LaMelo has shown 0 flashes of defensive brilliance. He makes Zach Lavine’s team defense look like Kawhi Leonard.

Yeah - I’m a little confused about the hype. The guy has good court vision, but if you watch those NBL games it looks like his team just gets destroyed because he’s so bad on defense.

Whoa whoa slow down. I WAS skeptical and dismissed LaMelo for the last 2 years, but now almost entering 2020, I can't dismiss LaMelo if you have been following my posts. I didn't get the buzz either. I had to observe for awhile. Now, I get it. He will be better than Lonzo Ball.

LaMelo is definitely not to blame for team defense. That's ridiculous. LaMelo is not even the leader. He's not the vet. Yes, LaMelo has ways to go, but he has shown signs of defensive brilliance.

Watch the previous youtube highlight vid on LaMelo. There was a play where the team rebounded the ball. 2 guys to be exact. One guy secured the rebound. Normally, dudes be running back the other way on defense, but LaMelo STAYED. He didn't move. He went for the ball and snatched it out of dude's hands for a steal.

Now, how the hell did he know how to do that???

When I see a guy secures a rebound, I would be running back the other way on defense, too. However, this kid decided to stay his ground and snatch it. That's a flash right there.

[The Box Office]

Lamelo will be worst #1 NBA pick since Fultz. And Fultz was 3x prospect Lamelo was before draft. Either way both Ball players will be taken too high than what they are worth it as prospects.

Please explain.

[The Box Office]

Here's the flashes of LaMelo's defensive brilliance. I have never done any of that stuff during my time on the court and I never will.

- At the 1:24 mark.
- At the 3:00 mark. To me, LaMelo clearly didn't gamble. He was eyeing that the entire time.
- At the 3:19 mark.

Watch on YouTube

3 flashes of defensive brilliance. An awful NBA scout would dismiss those. I don't.

[MrSparkle]

If GarPax have a brain, they'll start planning a hundred ways to improve the team without considering the draft pick.

[RedBulls23]

So how about DePaul. They look legit.

Anyone on their team we could look at as a 2nd rounder or maybe better?

[CoreyVillains]

LaMelo has shown 0 flashes of defensive brilliance. He makes Zach Lavine’s team defense look like Kawhi Leonard.

Yeah - I’m a little confused about the hype. The guy has good court vision, but if you watch those NBL games it looks like his team just gets destroyed because he’s so bad on defense.

Whoa whoa slow down. I WAS skeptical and dismissed LaMelo for the last 2 years, but now almost entering 2020, I can't dismiss LaMelo if you have been following my posts. I didn't get the buzz either. I had to observe for awhile. Now, I get it. He will be better than Lonzo Ball.

LaMelo is definitely not to blame for team defense. That's ridiculous. LaMelo is not even the leader. He's not the vet. Yes, LaMelo has ways to go, but he has shown signs of defensive brilliance.

Watch the previous youtube highlight vid on LaMelo. There was a play where the team rebounded the ball. 2 guys to be exact. One guy secured the rebound. Normally, dudes be running back the other way on defense, but LaMelo STAYED. He didn't move. He went for the ball and snatched it out of dude's hands for a steal.

Now, how the hell did he know how to do that???

When I see a guy secures a rebound, I would be running back the other way on defense, too. However, this kid decided to stay his ground and snatch it. That's a flash right there.

I've watched multiple full games and broke down the video. Its actually posted in this thread. His father had him playing gimmick basketball his whole life and it messed him up. He has no idea what to do on either side of the ball when the ball isnt in his hand or his man's hand. He is an undoubtedly brilliant ball handler and he can manipulate a high screen like nobody else in the draft, but don't let highlights confuse you with the fact that his basketball IQ is super low. I'm not all that worried about him from a 1 on 1 perspective, he has good lateral movement and good size, but the team defense is abominable.