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

[Duke4life831]

Ball fits your guys team perfectly. I think he would really make life easier for both Booker and Warren. You can almost go with a death lineup of the future of

Ball
Booker
Warren
Chriss
Bender

Ball would slice up defenses if you surround him with 4 guys that can shoot like that. Ball in an extremely fast pace offense and surrounded by young weapons that could spread the floor. Thats a perfect combination and Ball does just know how to win. He plays winning basketball and always makes his teammates better.

[bwgood77]

Ball fits your guys team perfectly. I think he would really make life easier for both Booker and Warren. You can almost go with a death lineup of the future of

Ball
Booker
Warren
Chriss
Bender

Ball would slice up defenses if you surround him with 4 guys that can shoot like that. Ball in an extremely fast pace offense and surrounded by young weapons that could spread the floor. Thats a perfect combination and Ball does just know how to win. He plays winning basketball and always makes his teammates better.

That sounds like a fun team to watch. Haven't had that here in Phx for a while.

[gaspar]

Read on Twitter

[gaspar]

I'm not sold on Ball at all. Admittedly I've seen only one full game and 5-6 highlight videos but it seems like he puts very little pressure on opposing teams' defense in the half-court sets. He kinda looks like a more athletic Kendall Marshall/Kyle Anderson. Perhaps it's just a matter of system, but from what I've seen he rarely crosses the three point line (mostly in transition). Most of his shots/assist are either on fastbreaks or on catch-and-shoot/catch-and-pass type of plays and I'm not sure how useful his skillset will be in the NBA. Guards who can't shoot (and I highly doubt that Ball with that horrendous shooting mechanics will shoot more than 30% from three in the NBA off the dribble) and turn the corner on the pick and roll and get all the way to the rim have little success in the NBA.

[Marcus]

I'm not sold on Ball at all. Admittedly I've seen only one full game and 5-6 highlight videos but it seems like he puts very little pressure on opposing teams' defense in the half-court sets. He kinda looks like a more athletic Kendall Marshall/Kyle Anderson. Perhaps it's just a matter of system, but from what I've seen he rarely crosses the three point line (mostly in transition). Most of his shots/assist are either on fastbreaks or on catch-and-shoot/catch-and-pass type of plays and I'm not sure how useful his skillset will be in the NBA. Guards who can't shoot (and I highly doubt that Ball with that horrendous shooting mechanics will shoot more than 30% from three in the NBA off the dribble) and turn the corner on the pick and roll and get all the way to the rim have little success in the NBA.

He actually puts a lot of pressure on the defense in the half court with how he moves the ball with the pass. Take some time to watch a little more of him and look for the nuances. How he spaces after a pass, how aware he is of all his teammates, how he orchestrates sets even when he's off the ball. Just sit back and watch him on the floor and see the little things he does.

Then watch him on the other end of the floor and how he always seems to be around the ball on defense, challenging a shot, digging on the post or on penetration, bodying the pick setter to make the pick less effective, little adjustments that showcase his IQ on the floor.

Watch how well paced he is, how he does the necessary things in a timely matter when plays are needed. Also I wouldn't worry about his form rendering bad results. They haven't the entire time he's played basketball don't see that changing going forward. He's not a ball dominant shooter, he's not a ISO scorer so he gets his shot off when he knows he has space and time and he hits it at a good clip.

Finally, and this isn't directed at you perse but I've seen the penetration comments here and there (I even knocked him for a little during the UK game when they switched bigs on him) and I don't understand why folks are down on a 19 year old kid for not forcing a drive into traffic that will yield a turnover or bad shot more times than not just to show he can get there on occasion. I would think that him being smart enough to not force it unless he had it would be seen in a positive light.

[kennydorglas]

I'm not sold on Ball at all. Admittedly I've seen only one full game and 5-6 highlight videos but it seems like he puts very little pressure on opposing teams' defense in the half-court sets. He kinda looks like a more athletic Kendall Marshall/Kyle Anderson. Perhaps it's just a matter of system, but from what I've seen he rarely crosses the three point line (mostly in transition). Most of his shots/assist are either on fastbreaks or on catch-and-shoot/catch-and-pass type of plays and I'm not sure how useful his skillset will be in the NBA. Guards who can't shoot (and I highly doubt that Ball with that horrendous shooting mechanics will shoot more than 30% from three in the NBA off the dribble) and turn the corner on the pick and roll and get all the way to the rim have little success in the NBA.

Yeah, sometimes I get the more athletic Kendall Marshall vibe too. But then he throws an amazing antecipation pass and I'm in love again.

Ball will be a polarizing prospect for sure.

[OGBAH]

Leaning towards Dennis Smith jr if he's available

[JDJ26]

Ball fits your guys team perfectly. I think he would really make life easier for both Booker and Warren. You can almost go with a death lineup of the future of

Ball
Booker
Warren
Chriss
Bender

Ball would slice up defenses if you surround him with 4 guys that can shoot like that. Ball in an extremely fast pace offense and surrounded by young weapons that could spread the floor. Thats a perfect combination and Ball does just know how to win. He plays winning basketball and always makes his teammates better.

I haven't watched Ball play much except for the UK game and if what your saying is true then I can definitely see the Suns being able to go back to the SSOL days.

[Djedefre]

Jackson is pretty meh so far. That shooting is not encouraging at all - <30% for three and <60% from the free throw line. He's certainly ridiculous athlete and plays D, but neither that court vision isn't as good or special as advertised.

[darealjuice]

Jackson is pretty meh so far. That shooting is not encouraging at all - <30% for three and <60% from the free throw line. He's certainly ridiculous athlete and plays D, but neither that court vision isn't as good or special as advertised.

Yeah his shooting has definitely been a problem so far, his form is not very encouraging either. I love his game though, he's so smooth with the ball and he plays with a really high basketball IQ, which you don't see much with prospects as athletic as him. I'm just really afraid of that shot at the next level. He'd easily be the best defensive player on this team the second we drafted him though. I gotta say I disagree about his court vision being disappointing, there aren't a lot of players at his position that can find cutters and make the right pass like he does.

I'm not seeing the hype on Lauri Markkanen. He's looked pretty good against terrible teams, but I thought Butler and Gonzaga gave him a lot of problems. He almost feels like a less mobile, more physical version of Bender lol.

[Marcus]

Jackson is pretty meh so far. That shooting is not encouraging at all - <30% for three and <60% from the free throw line. He's certainly ridiculous athlete and plays D, but neither that court vision isn't as good or special as advertised.

Yeah his shooting has definitely been a problem so far, his form is not very encouraging either. I love his game though, he's so smooth with the ball and he plays with a really high basketball IQ, which you don't see much with prospects as athletic as him. I'm just really afraid of that shot at the next level. He'd easily be the best defensive player on this team the second we drafted him though. I gotta say I disagree about his court vision being disappointing, there aren't a lot of players at his position that can find cutters and make the right pass like he does.

yeah Josh is pretty good at seeing things develop and making the pass. Shows potential of being able to run offense through him at the elbow with the threat to drive, draw and kick, or hit a cutter.

[kennydorglas]

Not worried about JJ shooting at all.
If you're a top prospect and your only flaw is shooting, this is great news.

Shooting can be developed in the NBA.
Athleticism, IQ and work ethic dont.

[MrMiyagi]

I think what impresses me most about Ball is how he moves without the ball. He's pretty great at cutting to the rim.

[Djedefre]

yeah Josh is pretty good at seeing things develop and making the pass. Shows potential of being able to run offense through him at the elbow with the threat to drive, draw and kick, or hit a cutter.

Yeah, but it's not so impressive given that he draws so much attention when he has the ball there, opponents almost always seek to double-team him (because he attacks the rim and finishes with such ease) which is leaving more than enough space for him to see free team-mate and hit him. I'm not saying that every college SF can do that, but it's certainly not so rare or special.

To be fair, it's most likely because of Self, who obviously refuses to use Jackson as point forward and really give him the opportunity to show if he can run that Jayhawks offense.

[Marcus]

yeah Josh is pretty good at seeing things develop and making the pass. Shows potential of being able to run offense through him at the elbow with the threat to drive, draw and kick, or hit a cutter.

Yeah, but it's not so impressive given that he draws so much attention when he has the ball there, opponents almost always seek to double-team him (because he attacks the rim and finishes with such ease) which is leaving more than enough space for him to see free team-mate and hit him. I'm not saying that every college SF can do that, but it's certainly not so rare or special.

To be fair, it's most likely because of Self, who obviously refuses to use Jackson as point forward and really give him the opportunity to show if he can run that Jayhawks offense.

Less about it being a "rare or special" talent and more about being smart enough to make that play given his role and the attention he draws. Lot of kids in his position see that, and sure they'll pass it from time to time but after not getting a shot up after a few trips take on the "my time" approach and force the issue. The fact that he's trustworthy in that situation to make the right play regardless speaks to understanding and groundwork. We know the physical gifts are there but not having to teach the game as much goes a long way. being able to just drop him in a game situation and feel confident about the decisions he'll make goes a long way. Taking a kid with high level talent and number 1 pick in a stacked draft ability that shows a willingness to defer when he has to and take over when he needs to means a lot. Not always the easiest thing to balance with physically gifted and highly talented kids.

You don't always get guys that think the game even when they've been the most physically blessed player on the court game in and game out.

[darealjuice]

I know he's ranked #3 by DX for 2018's draft, but I'm pretty damn impressed by this Luka Doncic kid playing for Real Madrid right now. 6'8", 17 year old guard getting solid playing time for Real Madrid, one of the best teams in Europe, and definitely making the most of it. I caught the game against Zalgiris Kaunas yesterday, and he can really play. Great size, very unselfish and skilled passer, sees the floor well, solid handles, nice stroke. There's just a lot to like from him, especially considering he's doing it when he's not even 18 going against grown men in the Euroleague and ACB. Definitely keeping my eye on him.

[Marcus]

Whole slew of top prospects on ESPN throughout the day today.

Lauri Markennen
Josh Jackson
Jayson Tatum
Frank Jackson
Jarrett Allen
Lonzo Ball

Good day to watch some basketball

[LV-Suns]

Going to be at the UNLV v Duke today. Getting to see Tatum, Jackson and hopefully Giles firsthand

[DirtyDez]

Whole slew of top prospects on ESPN throughout the day today.

Lauri Markennen
Josh Jackson
Jayson Tatum
Frank Jackson
Jarrett Allen
Lonzo Ball

Good day to watch some basketball

Do you even Leaf bro?

[Marcus]

Whole slew of top prospects on ESPN throughout the day today.

Lauri Markennen
Josh Jackson
Jayson Tatum
Frank Jackson
Jarrett Allen
Lonzo Ball

Good day to watch some basketball

Do you even Leaf bro?

Lol. Yeah he's playing too.