2017 Lakers Draft Pick Discussion

[MrWaffles]

Ebanks was known for his drinking--I can definitely see the resemblance in Mr Waffles posts.

Can I be mod now?

When they expand to college forums, I'll put your name in the hat for the Mountaineers Mod.

Sounds good!

[No name]

I watched every single UCLA game this season, and I value Fultz, Fox, Smith, Jackson, and Taytum ahead of Ball. Ball is a longer project than Ingram, Russell, and Randle.

I'll take your word for it... what did you see?

Here’s what I saw witnessed:
- A guy come in and completely turn a program around by instilling confidence in his teammates and raising their BBIQ.
- A guy that orchestrated the #1 offensive in college basketball and literally had every teammate with an eFG% 54.0 and above.
- Improved his team’s pace of play 16.4 seconds per possession to 14.5.
- A smart decision maker who only needed 18.1 USAGE % to lead the NCAA in assists.
- A smart shot taker who made 73.2% of his 2 point attempts.
- Lone freshman on 1st All American team, College FR of the Year.

I think Ball is a good player but if you compare his game vs Fox from the last game
Fox out played him and his shot was exposed in a big game. Fox is quicker, scored a lot more points.
Ball was too slow to defend Fox.

Ball needs tall center type to pass to have success like Shaq, Duncan, KD, Kareem, Gasol.

The Lakers don't have one of those type of players. Ingram is the biggest guy with mobility they got.


I want to see the Lakers team Defense improve and to draft players that hustle on D game in and game out 81games
and still put up 12 to 20 points a game. Who in the top fits that?
I don't see that in Russell or Randle. Randle has to go unless you get Embiid which is not happening.

There seems to be some sensationalism here. In fact the last two posts are completely sensational. First, using one game against Fox to demonize his quickness on defense is not academic. There is maybe two men in the NBA as quick as Fox. If we should be concerned it's against stronger guards. Ball is a very smart player and smart players with good attention to craft (coupled with good to very good athleticism and hands) are almost always great defenders.

The statement about needing a tall center with athleticism is absolutely false. He hasn't had it yet there are very few of those guys in the NBA. Again, Ball is very smart with the ball in his hands. He has and will be able to take what he's given and also create when planned against.

Smarts, dedication to craft, skill level. He's got that stuff.

[Pointgod]

How bad is Ball defensively? If feels like a few people are exaggerating how bad his defense is the same way they exaggerate how bad D'angelo's defense is. I know Dlo was bad his rookie year and still had the occasional defensive lapses this past season but if you didn't see his improvement throughout the season its because you didn't want too.

I would also like someone to point out how many "defensive" point guards their are in the league today. Two maybe? Three?
Its one thing to pass on Lonzo because you like other prospects more, or other things you don't like about his game. But passing on him because of his defense, or how is defense would be next to Russell's really seems like all the wrong reasons imo.

Both Lillard and McCollum are better defenders than Ball and DLo and they still got wrecked in the playoffs.

Remember what Kyrie did to Steph in the finals
Or what every Pg did to Westbrook throughout his Mvp campaign

Do you think that Ball and Russell will produce more than they give up defensively because I feel that you're making a poor comparison here.

[J_LA]

Both Lillard and McCollum are better defenders than Ball and DLo and they still got wrecked in the playoffs.

Remember what Kyrie did to Steph in the finals
Or what every Pg did to Westbrook throughout his Mvp campaign

Do you think that Ball and Russell will produce more than they give up defensively because I feel that you're making a poor comparison here.

I used that comparison only to show that guards will get their numbers regardless. Doesn't really matter who is playing defense.
Look at John Wall and Isiah Thomas, they just went at each other for 7 games. John Wall is supposed to be one of the best defensive pg's in the league and he couldn't do anything with 5'9 Isiah. The Wizards had to trap and take the ball our of his hands just to slow him down.

To answer your question, I'm not sure if they will produce more than they give up. I do think that that Lonzo and D'angelo skill sets compliment each other so well, I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up being one of the best back courts in the whole league within 3-5 years.

[Slava]

Also apparently Woj is great friends with Pelinka and they talk often.

[LALifer49]

One thing a lot of people are not thinking about is our chances at the other Ball brothers in the future. Lavar has already said he sees them all playing on the same NBA team one day.

For starters, we're not obligated to draft them. That package deal, draft my boys or we're going somewhere else-crap works at the HS and collegiate level. It won't fly, here.

The next Ball brother in line isn't even rated high right now. And in the event he improves his draft stock at UCLA... well, we don't have a 1st rounder next year, anyway.

Not that it really matters, but from what I've gathered the middle Ball kid is in no way a lock to make the NBA, much less be one and done.

[snaquille oatmeal]

I don't care if you agree with me or not, you've made it quite clear to me that you've never played a lick of reputable competitive basketball in your life. Therefore, I rescind my statement.

Ball/Russell will be the GOAT defensive backcourt.

Joke's on you. I played for the Lakers 5 years ago.

Whaaaaaaat

The Machine?

[AcecardZ]

My biggest complaint about Lonzo has nothing to do with Lonzo himself. It sounds silly but his dad is going to be a massive distraction. The clown can't shut his mouth and I can see it now. Every time Lonzo has a bad game or struggles his dad is going to be interviewed blaming everybody else. That's the last thing in the world a young team needs.

If Lavar can keep his pie hole shut I'm fine with taking Lonzo but if Lavar can't stay the **** away I'd rather draft somebody else!!!

[Teen Girl Squad]

I'm not sold on Ball either and am less enthusiastic by the day. My concern is that Magic/Jeannie will override any scouting input and draft on hype/story (aka Ball). The result might work out but I'm afraid the the process will be flawed.

[Princeinrevolt]

A Lonzo Ball/D'angelo Russell backcourt is going to be the most hated backcourt in the NBA . I kinda like it though. Hope they both become successful to shut the haters up.

[Michael Lucky]

A Lonzo Ball/D'angelo Russell backcourt is going to be the most hated backcourt in the NBA . I kinda like it though. Hope they both become successful to shut the haters up.

not going to lie, a little part of me is happy over the idea of Lonzo here. The hate for Russell is borderline ridiculous at times. Now the focus won't be so much on him anymore.

[AcecardZ]

Lonzo and D'Angelo should be great together. Assuming they share in the common cause which at this point I have no reason to believe they won't.

[ozymandias818]

Fultz going #1, Ball going #2. I could see Ball playing his entire career with the Lakers. He wants to be on the Lakers more than any other team, Once he's on the Lakers, I don't see Ball ever going to another team.

Watch on YouTube

well he is a better leader which is what i do love about him, he did a good job leading (until the last game where he sucked). Fultz does have a mark against him for not being able to do anything at Washington.

UCLA was good. Washington wasn't. Team sport. There's a reason Fultz is the consensus #1 pick. Simmons was the #1 pick last year, and Fultz doesn't have a fraction of the attitude problems Simmons displayed last year.

[dontforget]

Lonzo Ball is just too perfect of a fit for the Lakers not to take. He is the perfect PG for Luke's system and he'd be the only guy on the Lakers roster that specializes in creating shots for others. Russell will thrive offensively not having the burden of creating shot, just focus on shooting. Ingram will thrive in being that slasher/shooting role and getting easy buckets off of passes from Ball. I can only drool about the transition potential of Ball and Randle. Nance will have weekly "dunk of the year" type dunks of lobs from Ball. This is a beauty....

Now the big concern is on the defensive end. Lonzo is going to have to get stronger and be smart, because him and Russell will get attacked mercilessly. All in all, this is a beautiful.

(And I didn't even have to mention Paul George lol)

[ozymandias818]

Lonzo Ball is just too perfect of a fit for the Lakers not to take. He is the perfect PG for Luke's system and he'd be the only guy on the Lakers roster that specializes in creating shots for others.

Watch on YouTube

Russell is an extremely good passer and is wasted at shooting guard. Playing 2 guys next to each other that have no interest in playing defense is a terrible idea, no matter how many times you all continue to chant it.

[Slava]

Josh Jackson's feel for the game appears so poor. An amazingly gifted athlete who hasn't come to grip with his strengths, he has some quality physical tools but there's far too many fundamental things he needs to learn to be effective at NBA level. Might be a great project pick for someone like Phoenix to play behind Warren for a couple of years but we should steer clear.

[Sushisensei26]

Watch on YouTube

[TKainZero]

Everyone is focused on pick 2, but at the end of the round the lakers have pick 28, which will be the last pick the lakers have til they use chicagos 2018 2nd rounder (losing their 2018 1st to philly and 2018 2nd to Orlando)

Assuming ball is the choice. (Most mock drafts and the voting majority of laker fans here) where would you look to with pick 28?

Ball
Russell/Clarkson
Ingram/brewer
Randle/nance/deng
Zubac/black/mozgov

Ennis and nwaba are contending to comeback No room for t rob.

I think that perimeter defender would be the best position to grab. A sg/sf with plus defense and athleticism.


Nance was drafted at a similar spot. And Clarkson even later. Jordan farmar and Sasha were prior good draft picks from this area.

[Spens1]

Watch on YouTube

well he is a better leader which is what i do love about him, he did a good job leading (until the last game where he sucked). Fultz does have a mark against him for not being able to do anything at Washington.

UCLA was good. Washington wasn't. Team sport. There's a reason Fultz is the consensus #1 pick. Simmons was the #1 pick last year, and Fultz doesn't have a fraction of the attitude problems Simmons displayed last year.

they were decent, shouldn't have been anywhere near the 30 win mark. Ball probably added 10 wins on his own in fairness to him.

You are right though, without Fultz Washington wouldn't have had 5 wins

[BEazy]

This thread feels troll worthy...