All Things 2017 Draft

[greenroom31]

Sorry but that's crazy to say... you could make the case that he has the HIGHEST superstar potential, but there are guys littered throughout the league who became superstars who got drafted outside the top 5 or even lottery. Look at Steve Nash (#15), Steph Curry (#7), Jimmy Butler (#30), Ginobili (#57) and even Isaiah Thomas (#60). There is always the chance to pick a superstar, the risk is just much higher. Jackson, Tatum, Fox, Monk, and more all have superstar POTENTIAL -- the problem is that they have a lower likelihood of achieving that potential relative to Fultz.

Yeah of course, becoming a superstar within a reasonable likelihood.

I guess Bam Adebayo could become a superstar if he grew another 3 inches, adds the three to his offensive arsenal, learns how to dribble, rebound and defend.

My point was that the "reasonable likelihood" piece is very hard to gauge. If you really think only one guy in this class has superstar POTENTIAL, you're wrong... that's not a matter of opinion. If you think only one guy will FULFILL that potential and become a superstar, well that's fine and you're entitled to whatever opinion you want. May seem like I'm splitting hairs but it's an important distinction.

[Kolkmania]

Sorry but that's crazy to say... you could make the case that he has the HIGHEST superstar potential, but there are guys littered throughout the league who became superstars who got drafted outside the top 5 or even lottery. Look at Steve Nash (#15), Steph Curry (#7), Jimmy Butler (#30), Ginobili (#57) and even Isaiah Thomas (#60). There is always the chance to pick a superstar, the risk is just much higher. Jackson, Tatum, Fox, Monk, and more all have superstar POTENTIAL -- the problem is that they have a lower likelihood of achieving that potential relative to Fultz.

Yeah of course, becoming a superstar within a reasonable likelihood.

I guess Bam Adebayo could become a superstar if he grew another 3 inches, adds the three to his offensive arsenal, learns how to dribble, rebound and defend.

My point was that the "reasonable likelihood" piece is very hard to gauge. If you really think only one guy in this class has superstar POTENTIAL, you're wrong... that's not a matter of opinion. If you think only one guy will FULFILL that potential and become a superstar, well that's fine and you're entitled to whatever opinion you want. May seem like I'm splitting hairs but it's an important distinction.

I understand that, drafting isn't an exact science. There's so many variables that can't be accurately measured, even after the draft. My point about Adebayo was that this forum would be very tedious if we had to state every opinion this nuanced.

[cl2117]

Anybody else turned off by the idea of drafting Ball with all the crap his dad has been getting up to?

I'm not educated enough on the pair to have a strong preference between Fultz and Ball for their on the court performance, but I certainly would prefer to deal with Fultz than the Balls.

[London2Boston]

Anybody else turned off by the idea of drafting Ball with all the crap his dad has been getting up to?

I'm not educated enough on the pair to have a strong preference between Fultz and Ball for their on the court performance, but I certainly would prefer to deal with Fultz than the Balls.

Not much. Lonzo by all means is a chill,well mannered kid. Brad will most likely love his personality and Work ethic. He handles questions about his dad fairly well every time too. LaVar is a fool, but he's not dumb enough to **** with his Son's future once he's actually drafted on a team. At the moment he just thinks if he keeps talking then he will keep his boys in the news.

[Homerclease]

Anybody else turned off by the idea of drafting Ball with all the crap his dad has been getting up to?

I'm not educated enough on the pair to have a strong preference between Fultz and Ball for their on the court performance, but I certainly would prefer to deal with Fultz than the Balls.

Yes. Kid is off my board now and through no fault of his own.

[cl2117]

Anybody else turned off by the idea of drafting Ball with all the crap his dad has been getting up to?

I'm not educated enough on the pair to have a strong preference between Fultz and Ball for their on the court performance, but I certainly would prefer to deal with Fultz than the Balls.

Not much. Lonzo by all means is a chill,well mannered kid. Brad will most likely love his personality and Work ethic. He handles questions about his dad fairly well every time too. LaVar is a fool, but he's not dumb enough to **** with his Son's future once he's actually drafted on a team. At the moment he just thinks if he keeps talking then he will keep his boys in the news.

I don't know. I think LaVar will NEVER shut up. He's got 2 more kids in the pipeline, his mouth is going to be running for years. And in the Boston media market, he's going to get plenty of mics put in front of him.

I'm just not looking forward to hearing what dumb thing he says every week. I'm sure Lonzo would be absolutely pleasant and ignore his dad and not let it be a distraction to him, but it's going to be incredibly annoying regardless.

[Bar Fight]

Yeah, you don't pass up on a great prospect because his dad is obnoxious (although hilarious IMO). I wouldn't take him over Fultz because Fultz is the best prospect, but Lavar has absolutely no impact whatsoever on my draft board. Honestly, the Josh Jackson incident is probably a lot more concerning, and even that wouldn't effect whether I would take him or not if he's the BPA.

[greenroom31]

Givony's latest mock with brief comments for Yahoo:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-vertical-mock-draft-version-2-0-135637001.html

[truth18]

Yeah, you don't pass up on a great prospect because his dad is obnoxious (although hilarious IMO). I wouldn't take him over Fultz because Fultz is the best prospect, but Lavar has absolutely no impact whatsoever on my draft board. Honestly, the Josh Jackson incident is probably a lot more concerning, and even that wouldn't effect whether I would take him or not if he's the BPA.

Agree with all of this. Lavar is a **** LA homer clown who pisses me off more and more daily, but the Jackson stuff worries me way more, and neither issue would stop me from taking either player at BPA.

[Homerclease]

Yeah, you don't pass up on a great prospect because his dad is obnoxious (although hilarious IMO). I wouldn't take him over Fultz because Fultz is the best prospect, but Lavar has absolutely no impact whatsoever on my draft board. Honestly, the Josh Jackson incident is probably a lot more concerning, and even that wouldn't effect whether I would take him or not if he's the BPA.

Agree with all of this. Lavar is a **** LA homer clown who pisses me off more and more daily, but the Jackson stuff worries me way more, and neither issue would stop me from taking either player at BPA.

Until he starts ripping half the Celtics organization if things don't go his way. I agree that the Jackson stuff is cause for concern and Lonzo himself appears to be clean as a whistle but man. His dad is toxic with a capital T and with a team and locker room like ours I want no part of that ass clown. I had him behind Fultz and Jackson to begin with but I don't touch him in the top 10 now if at all

[Writebloc]

Yeah, you don't pass up on a great prospect because his dad is obnoxious (although hilarious IMO). I wouldn't take him over Fultz because Fultz is the best prospect, but Lavar has absolutely no impact whatsoever on my draft board. Honestly, the Josh Jackson incident is probably a lot more concerning, and even that wouldn't effect whether I would take him or not if he's the BPA.

Agree with all of this. Lavar is a **** LA homer clown who pisses me off more and more daily, but the Jackson stuff worries me way more, and neither issue would stop me from taking either player at BPA.

Until he starts ripping half the Celtics organization if things don't go his way. I agree that the Jackson stuff is cause for concern and Lonzo himself appears to be clean as a whistle but man. His dad is toxic with a capital T and with a team and locker room like ours I want no part of that ass clown. I had him behind Fultz and Jackson to begin with but I don't touch him in the top 10 now if at all

I know this is just your personal opinion, but it is still such a crazy train of thought. Ball is a transformational talent, one of four players in this draft with super star potential, to say that you wouldn't take him in your top ten is just irrational. Ainge can't think this way, these GM's need to be able to cut through the noise, that's what they are paid to do. It would be worse if Ball had a crazy posse (sorry, if this term is racially charged,) of hangers on that was dragging him down. No, he just has an over the top father. Once Ball gets drafted, and if the organization he goes to is professional enough, than all of this will slide into the past and Lavar will move on to pumping up his next two sons.

Lonzo would probably be best served by not going to the Lakers due to all the pressures and the proximity to his father, and frankly I don't know the organizational strength of the Lakers at this point. For the most part this is much to do about nothing. The media really plays it all up and I doubt it will be a big factor. Ainge has a way of minimizing distractions, as does Brad, I doubt they would let Lavar become a distraction for his son; and if Lavar is a good father, which aside from all of the histrionics, he likely is, he would do nothing that interferes with his son being a star in this league. I worry more about Lonzo's weird shot than anything having to do with his overenthusiastic father.

[OFWGKTA]

Agree with all of this. Lavar is a **** LA homer clown who pisses me off more and more daily, but the Jackson stuff worries me way more, and neither issue would stop me from taking either player at BPA.

Until he starts ripping half the Celtics organization if things don't go his way. I agree that the Jackson stuff is cause for concern and Lonzo himself appears to be clean as a whistle but man. His dad is toxic with a capital T and with a team and locker room like ours I want no part of that ass clown. I had him behind Fultz and Jackson to begin with but I don't touch him in the top 10 now if at all

I know this is just your personal opinion, but it is still such a crazy train of thought. Ball is a transformational talent, one of four players in this draft with super star potential, to say that you wouldn't take him in your top ten is just irrational. Ainge can't think this way, these GM's need to be able to cut through the noise, that's what they are paid to do. It would be worse if Ball had a crazy posse (sorry, if this term is racially charged,) of hangers on that was dragging him down. No, he just has an over the top father. Once Ball gets drafted, and if the organization he goes to is professional enough, than all of this will slide into the past and Lavar will move on to pumping up his next two sons.

Lonzo would probably be best served by not going to the Lakers due to all the pressures and the proximity to his father, and frankly I don't know the organizational strength of the Lakers at this point. For the most part this is much to do about nothing. The media really plays it all up and I doubt it will be a big factor. Ainge has a way of minimizing distractions, as does Brad, I doubt they would let Lavar become a distraction for his son; and if Lavar is a good father, which aside from all of the histrionics, he likely is, he would do nothing that interferes with his son being a star in this league. I worry more about Lonzo's weird shot than anything having to do with his overenthusiastic father.

I think "posse" is only offensive to 50s doo wop groups, so you're good here

[truth18]

Until he starts ripping half the Celtics organization if things don't go his way. I agree that the Jackson stuff is cause for concern and Lonzo himself appears to be clean as a whistle but man. His dad is toxic with a capital T and with a team and locker room like ours I want no part of that ass clown. I had him behind Fultz and Jackson to begin with but I don't touch him in the top 10 now if at all

I know this is just your personal opinion, but it is still such a crazy train of thought. Ball is a transformational talent, one of four players in this draft with super star potential, to say that you wouldn't take him in your top ten is just irrational. Ainge can't think this way, these GM's need to be able to cut through the noise, that's what they are paid to do. It would be worse if Ball had a crazy posse (sorry, if this term is racially charged,) of hangers on that was dragging him down. No, he just has an over the top father. Once Ball gets drafted, and if the organization he goes to is professional enough, than all of this will slide into the past and Lavar will move on to pumping up his next two sons.

Lonzo would probably be best served by not going to the Lakers due to all the pressures and the proximity to his father, and frankly I don't know the organizational strength of the Lakers at this point. For the most part this is much to do about nothing. The media really plays it all up and I doubt it will be a big factor. Ainge has a way of minimizing distractions, as does Brad, I doubt they would let Lavar become a distraction for his son; and if Lavar is a good father, which aside from all of the histrionics, he likely is, he would do nothing that interferes with his son being a star in this league. I worry more about Lonzo's weird shot than anything having to do with his overenthusiastic father.

I think "posse" is only offensive to 50s doo wop groups, so you're good here

Too late I already went to the Black illuminati with this. You're a racist forever Writebloc

[Writebloc]

Until he starts ripping half the Celtics organization if things don't go his way. I agree that the Jackson stuff is cause for concern and Lonzo himself appears to be clean as a whistle but man. His dad is toxic with a capital T and with a team and locker room like ours I want no part of that ass clown. I had him behind Fultz and Jackson to begin with but I don't touch him in the top 10 now if at all

I know this is just your personal opinion, but it is still such a crazy train of thought. Ball is a transformational talent, one of four players in this draft with super star potential, to say that you wouldn't take him in your top ten is just irrational. Ainge can't think this way, these GM's need to be able to cut through the noise, that's what they are paid to do. It would be worse if Ball had a crazy posse (sorry, if this term is racially charged,) of hangers on that was dragging him down. No, he just has an over the top father. Once Ball gets drafted, and if the organization he goes to is professional enough, than all of this will slide into the past and Lavar will move on to pumping up his next two sons.

Lonzo would probably be best served by not going to the Lakers due to all the pressures and the proximity to his father, and frankly I don't know the organizational strength of the Lakers at this point. For the most part this is much to do about nothing. The media really plays it all up and I doubt it will be a big factor. Ainge has a way of minimizing distractions, as does Brad, I doubt they would let Lavar become a distraction for his son; and if Lavar is a good father, which aside from all of the histrionics, he likely is, he would do nothing that interferes with his son being a star in this league. I worry more about Lonzo's weird shot than anything having to do with his overenthusiastic father.

I think "posse" is only offensive to 50s doo wop groups, so you're good here

You never know if LeBron is lurking, especially when in reference to Lavar. The King is about to knuckle up on Lonzo's Pops!

[London2Boston]

Watch on YouTube

You can't watch LaVar and not see that he isn't on a huge windup . I find him funny tbh.

[Gomes3PC]

Anybody else turned off by the idea of drafting Ball with all the crap his dad has been getting up to?

I'm not educated enough on the pair to have a strong preference between Fultz and Ball for their on the court performance, but I certainly would prefer to deal with Fultz than the Balls.

If any coach/GM combo is capable of managing a guy like LaVar Ball, it's Stevens and Ainge. Stevens is used to nutso parents from his college days and has the patience of a saint. Ainge is the kind of guy who can just zone him out.

Personally I think Ainge has Lonzo 3rd on his list after Fultz and Jackson, but if we do think he's BPA, he won't be afraid to pick him.

[Edug27]

Anybody else turned off by the idea of drafting Ball with all the crap his dad has been getting up to?

I'm not educated enough on the pair to have a strong preference between Fultz and Ball for their on the court performance, but I certainly would prefer to deal with Fultz than the Balls.

If any coach/GM combo is capable of managing a guy like LaVar Ball, it's Stevens and Ainge. Stevens is used to nutso parents from his college days and has the patience of a saint. Ainge is the kind of guy who can just zone him out.

Personally I think Ainge has Lonzo 3rd on his list after Fultz and Jackson, but if we do think he's BPA, he won't be afraid to pick him.

Brad has had players at Butler with nutso parents like Lavar? Or is it a general statement because he coached in college?

[SmartWentCrazy]

Watch on YouTube

You can't watch LaVar and not see that he isn't on a huge windup . I find him funny tbh.

Glad I'm not the only one.

He's hysterical, you just can't take him seriously. He's a character playing a role, no different than Banners or CoachMang or CHL. He's just trying to get people talking about his son, and, in turn, build his brand.

[FlatearthZorro]

Man, I'm gettting on that Tatum hype train, if we aren't picking 1st, I like Tatum over Jackson honestly. Tatum is longer, has better standing reach and is a better shooter. Tatum has such elite size for a SF(6'11 wingspan, nearly 9 feet standing reach at 6'8). I'm still on the Fultz hype train as the #1. Dude should at least be an elite scorer.

[Gomes3PC]

Anybody else turned off by the idea of drafting Ball with all the crap his dad has been getting up to?

I'm not educated enough on the pair to have a strong preference between Fultz and Ball for their on the court performance, but I certainly would prefer to deal with Fultz than the Balls.

If any coach/GM combo is capable of managing a guy like LaVar Ball, it's Stevens and Ainge. Stevens is used to nutso parents from his college days and has the patience of a saint. Ainge is the kind of guy who can just zone him out.

Personally I think Ainge has Lonzo 3rd on his list after Fultz and Jackson, but if we do think he's BPA, he won't be afraid to pick him.

Brad has had players at Butler with nutso parents like Lavar? Or is it a general statement because he coached in college?

I don't have a specific person to point to, but can tell you as someone who was involved with D-1 college basketball, with 15 scholarship players you'll have a few whose parents will be a hassle. They either want to tell you how to coach, complain about their kids playing time, or complain about other players' performances (or all three).

Ball is the extreme end of things, but there's plenty of bickering from parents & handlers.