College basketball and 2017 draft - One more poll after last game

[DirtyDez]

If Ball/Fultz are off the board and Monk is available I make that pick in 2.5 seconds.

[ATTL]

I'd take Jackson and probably Tatum before monk.

[Marcus]

Yeah Monk seems like more of the same of what you have with Knight. Don't think he pairs well with Booker either.

[Djedefre]

Ball, Fultz, Smith, Fox, Jackson, Isaac, probably Tatum and Bolden (we never had the chance to watch them yet) before Monk.

Fox is fenomenal defender, i’m totally impressed. He does not lack creativity, shames our Blur when it comes to quickness, and even that shooting isn’t as bad as everyone expected - he struggles only with 3pointers so far.

I’d be pleased with any of this class’ top 4 PG’s. Anyway, we do not need to get #1 or even #2 pick, anything within top 4 is good. Very good.

[darealjuice]

Yeah Monk seems like more of the same of what you have with Knight. Don't think he pairs well with Booker either.

It's funny you say that, I was watching their game against ASU and was surprised how much his game reminded me of Brandon Knight lol. I don't not like him, but I'd prefer we didn't go for another combo guard except Fultz because he just seems a tier above most of the draft class so far.

I was re-watching some of the Texas AM and UCLA game to check out more Lonzo Ball against a bit better competition, and the commentator said something along the lines of, "when you watch Lonzo Ball you have to appreciate the fact that whenever he passes the ball, his teammates are always in a better position. He never passes it to someone who's going to catch it and be uncomfortable." That really resonated with me because it feels like that's a big problem of our guards right now, when they make try making something happen on their own and fail, it ends up in the hands of guys like PJ Tucker to force something up with 5 seconds on the shot clock instead of an open shooter or cutter. You can tell he sees the court and reads the defense so well and makes the simple-but-effective play instead of trying to do too much for the same result. I'm excited to see him go up against some stiff competition in the Kentucky backcourt on Saturday.

[Marcus]

Yeah Monk seems like more of the same of what you have with Knight. Don't think he pairs well with Booker either.

It's funny you say that, I was watching their game against ASU and was surprised how much his game reminded me of Brandon Knight lol. I don't not like him, but I'd prefer we didn't go for another combo guard except Fultz because he just seems a tier above most of the draft class so far.

I was re-watching some of the Texas AM and UCLA game to check out more Lonzo Ball against a bit better competition, and the commentator said something along the lines of, "when you watch Lonzo Ball you have to appreciate the fact that whenever he passes the ball, his teammates are always in a better position. He never passes it to someone who's going to catch it and be uncomfortable." That really resonated with me because it feels like that's a big problem of our guards right now, when they make try making something happen on their own and fail, it ends up in the hands of guys like PJ Tucker to force something up with 5 seconds on the shot clock instead of an open shooter or cutter. You can tell he sees the court and reads the defense so well and makes the simple-but-effective play instead of trying to do too much for the same result. I'm excited to see him go up against some stiff competition in the Kentucky backcourt on Saturday.

yeah I loved that comment about Ball too. I think that's the thing that gets lost with kids like him and Josh Jackson. they have a higher know how on the court. you can see a deeper understanding of positioning and what's occurring on the court when they play. I think things like that get lost to the number crunchers or people that are focusing on the cosmetics of a prospects game. The kids near the top of this draft aren't just talented. they actually know how to play basketball. We're not just talking "upside, pan-out one day" kids here. I don't think folks quite understand that just yet.

[MrMiyagi]

It's funny you say that, I was watching their game against ASU and was surprised how much his game reminded me of Brandon Knight lol. I don't not like him, but I'd prefer we didn't go for another combo guard except Fultz because he just seems a tier above most of the draft class so far.

I was re-watching some of the Texas AM and UCLA game to check out more Lonzo Ball against a bit better competition, and the commentator said something along the lines of, "when you watch Lonzo Ball you have to appreciate the fact that whenever he passes the ball, his teammates are always in a better position. He never passes it to someone who's going to catch it and be uncomfortable." That really resonated with me because it feels like that's a big problem of our guards right now, when they make try making something happen on their own and fail, it ends up in the hands of guys like PJ Tucker to force something up with 5 seconds on the shot clock instead of an open shooter or cutter. You can tell he sees the court and reads the defense so well and makes the simple-but-effective play instead of trying to do too much for the same result. I'm excited to see him go up against some stiff competition in the Kentucky backcourt on Saturday.

yeah I loved that comment about Ball too. I think that's the thing that gets lost with kids like him and Josh Jackson. they have a higher know how on the court. you can see a deeper understanding of positioning and what's occurring on the court when they play. I think things like that get lost to the number crunchers or people that are focusing on the cosmetics of a prospects game. The kids near the top of this draft aren't just talented. they actually know how to play basketball. We're not just talking "upside, pan-out one day" kids here. I don't think folks quite understand that just yet.

There are a lot of guys who'll be in contention for all-star spots throughout their careers in this draft. A lot of very smart players too. I feel like a lot of previous drafts, there were a lot of great athletes that weren't necessarily smart basketball players. This draft seems to have a lot of smart players with skills and athleticism to make it next level.

[kennydorglas]

Isaiah Austin is cleared to play basketball again.
What a story!

Best of luck for him.

[DirtyDez]

Yeah Monk seems like more of the same of what you have with Knight. Don't think he pairs well with Booker either.

I suppose Monk and Knight are similar in some ways but one plays above the rim. Monk would instantly be the best athlete on the team the day he gets drafted... He reminds me more of Lavine with a much better frame to add strength.

[bwgood77]

Yeah Monk seems like more of the same of what you have with Knight. Don't think he pairs well with Booker either.

I suppose Monk and Knight are similar in some ways but one plays above the rim. Monk would instantly be the best athlete on the team the day he gets drafted... He reminds me more of Lavine with a much better frame to add strength.

So you'd want him as our PG?

[Marcus]

Yeah Monk seems like more of the same of what you have with Knight. Don't think he pairs well with Booker either.

I suppose Monk and Knight are similar in some ways but one plays above the rim. Monk would instantly be the best athlete on the team the day he gets drafted... He reminds me more of Lavine with a much better frame to add strength.

I didn't necessarily mean in terms of skillset. More in terms of mentality. They're both looking to get theirs moreso than setup teammates. I would think getting Devin Booker clean looks, hitting TJ on the right spots on the floor to score, and using some of that length and athleticism you have up front would be paramount over adding another "my shot first" guy to the roster. That's cloth Monk is cut from.

I will say when he's on its terrifying but when he's off he doesn't know it which can be equally terrifying the other way. But either way you don't want him as your PG when you have other weapons that need touches as well.

[darealjuice]

Lonzo Ball played 36 minutes last night, and he only took 3 shots all game with 13 assists on 1 turnover, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He set the UCLA record for assists in a game by a freshmen. UC Riverside isn't a very good team or anything like that, but man some of the plays he was making were just pretty.

DX put together a little video highlighting Ball's effect on UCLA's ball movement, it was a pretty good, short video. I'm a really big Lonzo Ball fan right now, can't wait for Saturday. The way he sees the floor and passes shooters and cutters open would be great with Book and Warren.

[Marcus]

Lonzo Ball played 36 minutes last night, and he only took 3 shots all game with 13 assists on 1 turnover, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He set the UCLA record for assists in a game by a freshmen. UC Riverside isn't a very good team or anything like that, but man some of the plays he was making were just pretty.

DX put together a little video highlighting Ball's effect on UCLA's ball movement, it was a pretty good, short video. I'm a really big Lonzo Ball fan right now, can't wait for Saturday. The way he sees the floor and passes shooters and cutters open would be great with Book and Warren.

I know the hype on Lonzo is crazy right now but I still don't think he really gets the full respect for everything he does on the court.

[kennydorglas]

Lonzo Ball played 36 minutes last night, and he only took 3 shots all game with 13 assists on 1 turnover, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He set the UCLA record for assists in a game by a freshmen. UC Riverside isn't a very good team or anything like that, but man some of the plays he was making were just pretty.

DX put together a little video highlighting Ball's effect on UCLA's ball movement, it was a pretty good, short video. I'm a really big Lonzo Ball fan right now, can't wait for Saturday. The way he sees the floor and passes shooters and cutters open would be great with Book and Warren.

That's a lot of LBJ on some of those passes. Geez.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Its crazy how deep the point guard position is in this draft. What is already the deepest position group in the nba is only gonna get deeper next year. I kind of wonder if 2 pg systems become more the norm as teams try to find a way to get their best 5 on the floor.

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[ATTL]

Ball is top of my list right now. We'll see how the season plays out but he's checking all the boxes I want from a point guard.

[Zelaznyrules]

Yeah, put me down for Ball too. There are some great prospects in this class but Ball is something special.

[kennydorglas]

Whoever gets the #1 pick this year, will have a really hard time trying to choose between those guys.
It'll get easier once some guys are off the board. You really cant get it wrong with this class, but u never know.

[Marcus]

Whoever gets the #1 pick this year, will have a really hard time trying to choose between those guys.
It'll get easier once some guys are off the board. You really can get wrong with this class, but u never know.

I think it still comes down to fit personally and the draft is deep enough to allow that.

[Bogyo]

The draft is deep, but I still only see Ball, Fultz and Jackson as real game changers in the NBA. Two of them are PGs and it's very hard for a PG to be the lead dog in a championship team - only Curry and Isiah Thomas have done it in recent memory...
But there is still plenty of time left, and if our young guys develop right it could be the case that all we need is an elite distributing PG.