Zach LaVine

[Casey Jonas]

He might have the highest ceiling in this draft after Wiggins, and is a definite top 10 pick if he comes out. He needs to refine his game, but his combination of length, athleticism, and shooting is ridiculous. I think he ends up going in the 5-7 ranage.

[brackdan70]

I've just watched a couple times but his understanding of the game, passing, being in the right spot seems pretty solid as well.

[miltk]

I got it! I know exactly who he reminds me of! Allan Houston.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNqAkOYRM1M

This. From what i hear from this kid his ceiling is looking a lot like Allan Houston. Lights out from 3 and can shoot step back shots right in his opponents face. But, doesn't do much else and rarely takes it to the hole

i don't know what you mean right in his face, but i don't think i've seen anyone closer than 5 or 6 feet. he doesn't take it to his man.

[doordoor123]

I got it! I know exactly who he reminds me of! Allan Houston.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNqAkOYRM1M

This. From what i hear from this kid his ceiling is looking a lot like Allan Houston. Lights out from 3 and can shoot step back shots right in his opponents face. But, doesn't do much else and rarely takes it to the hole

i don't know what you mean right in his face, but i don't think i've seen anyone closer than 5 or 6 feet. he doesn't take it to his man.

He spots up at the three. If he's got an open shot, he's taking it. If he gets the ball inside the three point line (which is rare), he'll take it to the rim or (if someone is on him) use a step-back jumper. He's great at driving as well. To be honest, I could see how a coach could develop him into something like Westbrook. Right now, I see Houton.

[ManualRam]

I got it! I know exactly who he reminds me of! Allan Houston.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNqAkOYRM1M

This. From what i hear from this kid his ceiling is looking a lot like Allan Houston. Lights out from 3 and can shoot step back shots right in his opponents face. But, doesn't do much else and rarely takes it to the hole

i don't know what you mean right in his face, but i don't think i've seen anyone closer than 5 or 6 feet. he doesn't take it to his man.

he's taken his share of contested jumpers this yr, especially off the bounce, to mixed results. he has made some though. he seems to favor the right to left cross into a jumper.

[No-Man]

For me he's JR Smith with a good shot selection/IQ, not that Smith is a bad passer at all, just he gets carried away by his emotions too much.
LaVine is cold blooded.

[BullsFTW]

For me he's JR Smith with a good shot selection/IQ, not that Smith is a bad passer at all, just he gets carried away by his emotions too much.
LaVine is cold blooded.

Definitely share the same skills as Smith. But you're right, their demeanor is so different.

[SlowPaced]

For me he's JR Smith with a good shot selection/IQ, not that Smith is a bad passer at all, just he gets carried away by his emotions too much.
LaVine is cold blooded.

Great comparison. Zach is like a non-stupid JR Smith, which speaks to very high potential.

[MellowRose]

NBADraft.net has my boy LaVine at #5.

http://www.nbadraft.net/

[minimalist1972]

I honestly believe this guy is right up there with Wiggins in terms of athleticism. His handle is pretty solid. Very quick, long arms. He's 7th for me as well, behind only Wiggins/Parker/Exum/Randle/Embiid/Smart. The way he moves reminds me of someone, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

He reminds me of Jeremy Lamb, and I'm quite surprised that he's moved up the ladder so quickly--and, for me anyway, out of nowhere.

[MellowRose]

For those of you guys who watched the game last night, do you think LaVine will be able to make the transition to PG in the NBA? He handed the rock much more than I've ever seen him handle it, and was extremely aggressive once he got the ball. He would either drive it down the lane for a dunk/layup, or he would drive it down the lane probing and looking for someone to pass it to (like the nice drop-off pass to Tony Parker, but Parker sucks, so he missed the shot). LaVine's shot was pretty off for most of the game, and while at first glance it would seem like his shot selection was suspect, it really wasn't. He only took 1-2 bad shots the entire game (that's despite only having shot the ball like once in the first half), and on the rest of his good looks, his shot was just off.

Anyways, can LaVine make the transition to play PG at the NBA level?

[Ruzious]

For those of you guys who watched the game last night, do you think LaVine will be able to make the transition to PG in the NBA? He handed the rock much more than I've ever seen him handle it, and was extremely aggressive once he got the ball. He would either drive it down the lane for a dunk/layup, or he would drive it down the lane probing and looking for someone to pass it to (like the nice drop-off pass to Tony Parker, but Parker sucks, so he missed the shot). LaVine's shot was pretty off for most of the game, and while at first glance it would seem like his shot selection was suspect, it really wasn't. He only took 1-2 bad shots the entire game (that's despite only having shot the ball like once in the first half), and on the rest of his good looks, his shot was just off.

Anyways, can LaVine make the transition to play PG at the NBA level?

That's a great question. I'd like UCLA to play him at the point to show us. There are times when I see some John Wall in his game - for better and for worse. See what happens when they free Zach Lavine.

[TucsonClip]

LaVine is obviously better with the ball in his hands, but his ability to come off pin-downs and hit jumpers is impressive. UCLA needs to get him the ball more.

[miltk]

For those of you guys who watched the game last night, do you think LaVine will be able to make the transition to PG in the NBA? He handed the rock much more than I've ever seen him handle it, and was extremely aggressive once he got the ball. He would either drive it down the lane for a dunk/layup, or he would drive it down the lane probing and looking for someone to pass it to (like the nice drop-off pass to Tony Parker, but Parker sucks, so he missed the shot). LaVine's shot was pretty off for most of the game, and while at first glance it would seem like his shot selection was suspect, it really wasn't. He only took 1-2 bad shots the entire game (that's despite only having shot the ball like once in the first half), and on the rest of his good looks, his shot was just off.

Anyways, can LaVine make the transition to play PG at the NBA level?

That's a great question. I'd like UCLA to play him at the point to show us. There are times when I see some John Wall in his game - for better and for worse. See what happens when they free Zach Lavine.

he was a 6' pg in high school before he added 5". i still say he's not used to his new found length. the team is so unsettled i can see several incarnations through the remainder of the season. lavine never handled the ball this much and so aggressively, so CLEARLY the directive came from alford.

[ManualRam]

yeah i think alford was trying to get him more touches. lavine barely got any touches in the first half since they were going with 1 or 2 pass shots and PnP quick hitters. lavine got a little antsy and rushed a couple of shots.
he looked good on his slashes though. he had a nice little change of direction at the top of the key for that dump off.
i still think he's a SG going forward and should look to master that off screen game with his ability to put the ball on the deck being a bonus.

[themaster07]

Basing it strictly on College performance, he reminds me of Terrence Ross and Klay Thompson.

I don't think he's a Jeremy Lamb type player as Jeremy Lamb is more finesse and has a better all around game than Lavine.

I don't think he plays like JR Smith has Lavine hasn't really shown his ability to break a player down nor does he dribble in transition a lot at the college level. Also, JR's BBIQ is horrible. Lavine is a smarter player.

I see Lavine as a poor man Klay Thompson with more explosiveness or Terrence Ross with better ability to create space. Stylistically, he plays exactly the same as Terrence Ross. I think Lavine is slower than Ross but he has that knack for utilizing screens and creating space like Reggie and Rip. However, I don't think Lavine's game is as refine as Ross' game (of course due to experience). Lavine is such a young kid.. given the fact that he grew a few inches and was a pg before, I think he should get more touches and handle the rock more. I can't blame Steve Alford for giving Kyle Anderson pg role (Kyle's the most dependable player on the team) but it does hurt Lavine's development and/or doens't show his play making/dribble in transition ability.

[miltk]

Basing it strictly on College performance, he reminds me of Terrence Ross and Klay Thompson.

I don't think he's a Jeremy Lamb type player as Jeremy Lamb is more finesse and has a better all around game than Lavine.

I don't think he plays like JR Smith has Lavine hasn't really shown his ability to break a player down nor does he dribble in transition a lot at the college level. Also, JR's BBIQ is horrible. Lavine is a smarter player.

I see Lavine as a poor man Klay Thompson with more explosiveness or Terrence Ross with better ability to create space. Stylistically, he plays exactly the same as Terrence Ross. I think Lavine is slower than Ross but he has that knack for utilizing screens and creating space like Reggie and Rip. However, I don't think Lavine's game is as refine as Ross' game (of course due to experience). Lavine is such a young kid.. given the fact that he grew a few inches and was a pg before, I think he should get more touches and handle the rock more. I can't blame Steve Alford for giving Kyle Anderson pg role (Kyle's the most dependable player on the team) but it does hurt Lavine's development and/or doens't show his play making/dribble in transition ability.

just cuz he was a 6' 1" pg starting out, doesn't mean that'll be his position going forward. his rep in high school wasn't that he was a facilitating pg, but that he had a 3 shot....his growth spurt gave him dunkability. if alford has a born facilitator in kyle, and a natural pg in his son, then 6'5" pogo stick zach on this team is a sg and maybe gets a little time at pg. in the last 2 games he has. he's young and there's plenty of time to show some pg skills IF that's his future,,,but if alford was to "give in" and show zach's pg skill at this time, i think that's just giving in to the pro scouts. IF zach decides to leave this early, he's basically opting to get all his training in the pros instead of college, and alford has a team to develop in the meantime.

everything zach does has flair, even the smallest things. even a simple bounce pass to another guard on top has some snazz to it, but i wouldn't run with that and make him a pg when there's kyle and bryce.

[themaster07]

just cuz he was a 6' 1" pg starting out, doesn't mean that'll be his position going forward. his rep in high school wasn't that he was a facilitating pg, but that he had a 3 shot....his growth spurt gave him dunkability. if alford has a born facilitator in kyle, and a natural pg in his son, then 6'5" pogo stick zach on this team is a sg and maybe gets a little time at pg. in the last 2 games he has. he's young and there's plenty of time to show some pg skills IF that's his future,,,but if alford was to "give in" and show zach's pg skill at this time, i think that's just giving in to the pro scouts. IF zach decides to leave this early, he's basically opting to get all his training in the pros instead of college, and alford has a team to develop in the meantime.

everything zach does has flair, even the smallest things. even a simple bounce pass to another guard on top has some snazz to it, but i wouldn't run with that and make him a pg when there's kyle and bryce.

I wasn't saying he should play point as all the players I've mentioned and/or were compared to are SGs. I'm strictly judging Lavine basketball skill set based on his collegiate performance. As implied, he's a pogo stick and spot up shooter. However, his play making ability and dribbling in transition to get to the lane has been very limited. He has a very solid first step which i feel Steve Alford should take advantage of (isolation plays especially with his athletic ability and length). However, I feel there's more to his game than dunking and shooting. If Steve Alford were to run the offense through Lavine more often, I would not doubt that he can 1. blow by opponent 2. create for others or 3. step back jumper (big hops, long arms, and quick release). Once again, Zach Lavine will not be a point guard in the NBA. I think the kid has the tools to be the Paul George of the draft but for the time being, he's pretty much Terrence Ross stylistically.

[miltk]

just to throw this in re: will lavine leave early.
a couple of people(not players) involved with the program are saying in practice the best frosh is clearly isaac hamilton, who will be eligible to play next year. so, with all the talk about will zl or won't he, there is another player who is playing better than him in practice.

just saying.

just cuz he was a 6' 1" pg starting out, doesn't mean that'll be his position going forward. his rep in high school wasn't that he was a facilitating pg, but that he had a 3 shot....his growth spurt gave him dunkability. if alford has a born facilitator in kyle, and a natural pg in his son, then 6'5" pogo stick zach on this team is a sg and maybe gets a little time at pg. in the last 2 games he has. he's young and there's plenty of time to show some pg skills IF that's his future,,,but if alford was to "give in" and show zach's pg skill at this time, i think that's just giving in to the pro scouts. IF zach decides to leave this early, he's basically opting to get all his training in the pros instead of college, and alford has a team to develop in the meantime.

everything zach does has flair, even the smallest things. even a simple bounce pass to another guard on top has some snazz to it, but i wouldn't run with that and make him a pg when there's kyle and bryce.

I wasn't saying he should play point as all the players I've mentioned and/or were compared to are SGs. I'm strictly judging Lavine basketball skill set based on his collegiate performance. As implied, he's a pogo stick and spot up shooter. However, his play making ability and dribbling in transition to get to the lane has been very limited. He has a very solid first step which i feel Steve Alford should take advantage of (isolation plays especially with his athletic ability and length). However, I feel there's more to his game than dunking and shooting. If Steve Alford were to run the offense through Lavine more often, I would not doubt that he can 1. blow by opponent 2. create for others or 3. step back jumper (big hops, long arms, and quick release). Once again, Zach Lavine will not be a point guard in the NBA. I think the kid has the tools to be the Paul George of the draft but for the time being, he's pretty much Terrence Ross stylistically.

[Ruzious]

Sounds like those UCLA practices would be a lot of fun to watch - like the KY practices when Kanter wasn't eligible and the rest of their absurd talent.