2020 NBA Draft Prospects: Thread III

[Domejandro]

If you are going to just bemoan everything in the thread as pointless propaganda, why even participate?

[wolves_89]

FWIW

I listened to the Dunc’d On Mock Off-season. Danny LaRouix took LaMelo #1

I also listened to Duncan and Hollinger. Both thought LaMelo was the clear choice at #1.

I'm becoming more confident in saying Ball is going to be the Wolves pick. I also think it's getting more likely that Rosas keeps the pick since there don't seem to be offers to trade down that include a good 2021 1st (I don't see DET or NYK having any players that could bridge the value gap).

I don't know that Ball will stay in Minnesota long term, but he seems like the best bet with respect to future trade value.

[TheZachAttack]

I’m putting on my clown mask from previous posts and in going to say I think Lamelo Ball is the pick, his talent is insane. Yes, I did get sucked in by watching his highlight videos. The handle/vision is craaaazy though. What sold me is learning about how good he is off ball as a cutter and 38% on catch and shoot 3’s.

Edit - side note. I have now put myself on record for each of the top 3 prospects so I dunk on you guys when I quote my posts 3 years from now

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

I’m team wiseman but I’m preparing to be team Ball. 6’8 with handles and vision and passin?


I wish his jumper wasn’t so ugly but it’s looked like he’s tried to correct it so he’s not landing at a 90 degree angle. Never understood how pros can shoot in front of their faces like that.

It seems lavar ball has calmed his tone big time the last few years.

[UnFadeable21]

Doogie and Dane Moore podcast, Doogie said Lamelo’s Medicals say his growth plates are still open and he can still grow another 1-2 inches making him 6-8/6-9.

Draft Lamelo Ball

[Slim Tubby]

Doogie and Dane Moore podcast, Doogie said Lamelo’s Medicals say his growth plates are still open and he can still grow another 1-2 inches.

The porn industry will love him when he busts in the NBA.


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[chaimer]

Ball is a pick at 1, I believe he is the best talent and ownership will put some pressure to get him. He kinda has a zion effect, you want to tune in and watch.

[TheDominator273]

Doogie and Dane Moore podcast, Doogie said Lamelo’s Medicals say his growth plates are still open and he can still grow another 1-2 inches making him 6-8/6-9.

Draft Lamelo Ball

Not uncommon to never reach your full potential height according to your growth plates. I was told in HS I had another 6 inches on my growth plates but got maybe half inch taller than I was when I was told that.

If it happens and he does grow further great, but I wouldn't expect it to be the case.

[Slim Tubby]

Ball is a pick at 1, I believe he is the best talent and ownership will put some pressure to get him. He kinda has a zion effect, you want to tune in and watch.

Similar to not being able to turn away from watching a train wreck.

I know I’m in the vast minority but there is nothing about Ball that appeals to me...not his horrific shooting, not his terrible defense and certainly not his off court persona and family involvement.

People talk about why Wiseman is the wrong “fit” for what Rosas is looking to do yet blindly forget to include this when talking about Ball. We need shooting and defense and LaMelo is at the bottom of the talent pool in both areas.

Ball will not be a Timberwolf after the draft because I believe/hope Rosas is smart enough to also understand this.


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[Battletrigger]

Doogie and Dane Moore podcast, Doogie said Lamelo’s Medicals say his growth plates are still open and he can still grow another 1-2 inches.

The porn industry will love him when he busts in the NBA.


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Best post by far.

[Neeva]

I can’t see Lamelo busting, he will be Better than Lonzo for sure (although i know not saying much) Ones I worry about really busting in the top ten are Okoro, Avdija and Vessell (maybe haliburton also)

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

Ball is a pick at 1, I believe he is the best talent and ownership will put some pressure to get him. He kinda has a zion effect, you want to tune in and watch.

Similar to not being able to turn away from watching a train wreck.

I know I’m in the vast minority but there is nothing about Ball that appeals to me...not his horrific shooting, not his terrible defense and certainly not his off court persona and family involvement.

People talk about why Wiseman is the wrong “fit” for what Rosas is looking to do yet blindly forget to include this when talking about Ball. We need shooting and defense and LaMelo is at the bottom of the talent pool in both areas.

Ball will not be a Timberwolf after the draft because I believe/hope Rosas is smart enough to also understand this.


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The lavar ball train doesn’t scare me as much as it did a year or 2 ago. Once BBB folded, he did too.


Ball is an electric playmaker. Would Rubio on steroids be a decent comparison? Rubio flat out couldn’t shoot a ball above his head. His set shot was like a beginner. While I don’t see Balls form getting any prettier, I think what he does with his legs (in the air is very awkward)can make him more consistent.

But he has great handles and vision. Like gonna he tops in the league in that department soon. The fact that wiseman won’t give us the time of day is offsetting. Maybe hes someone we draft below 1 and deal with it later but with #1 we gotta take the for sure package instead of gambling with a problem

[urinesane]

Ball is a pick at 1, I believe he is the best talent and ownership will put some pressure to get him. He kinda has a zion effect, you want to tune in and watch.

Similar to not being able to turn away from watching a train wreck.

I know I’m in the vast minority but there is nothing about Ball that appeals to me...not his horrific shooting, not his terrible defense and certainly not his off court persona and family involvement.

People talk about why Wiseman is the wrong “fit” for what Rosas is looking to do yet blindly forget to include this when talking about Ball. We need shooting and defense and LaMelo is at the bottom of the talent pool in both areas.

Ball will not be a Timberwolf after the draft because I believe/hope Rosas is smart enough to also understand this.


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The lavar ball train doesn’t scare me as much as it did a year or 2 ago. Once BBB folded, he did too.


Ball is an electric playmaker. Would Rubio on steroids be a decent comparison? Rubio flat out couldn’t shoot a ball above his head. His set shot was like a beginner. While I don’t see Balls form getting any prettier, I think what he does with his legs (in the air is very awkward)can make him more consistent.

But he has great handles and vision. Like gonna he tops in the league in that department soon. The fact that wiseman won’t give us the time of day is offsetting. Maybe hes someone we draft below 1 and deal with it later but with #1 we gotta take the for sure package instead of gambling with a problem

That's exactly how I feel about Wiseman over Ball.

[UnFadeable21]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[KGdaBom]

Doogie and Dane Moore podcast, Doogie said Lamelo’s Medicals say his growth plates are still open and he can still grow another 1-2 inches making him 6-8/6-9.

Draft Lamelo Ball

Who gives a sheet. He's tall. I get that, but he's not good. It takes tall and talented to beat small and talented.

[KGdaBom]

Ball is a pick at 1, I believe he is the best talent and ownership will put some pressure to get him. He kinda has a zion effect, you want to tune in and watch.

I don't. He will make me tune out and not watch.

[theGreatRC]

Ball is a pick at 1, I believe he is the best talent and ownership will put some pressure to get him. He kinda has a zion effect, you want to tune in and watch.

You tune in because it's like a crash; you know it's gonna be bad but you can't help but look

[jpatrick]

I don’t get the Ball hate. People have said he’s an ego maniac, etc. His dad is an ego maniac. His dad has hurt his development by dragging him around the world making him part of some reality show instead of playing competitive ball.

Apparently in Australia, despite all this, he kept his head down and worked. I mean, it really is a credit to Ball that he overcame this lack of development and competition, and almost averaged a triple double against competition significantly better than NCAA.

As an example, against Scotty Machado, Ball went for 32pts, 11rebs, 13 assts on 11-20 shooting (4-7 from 3). Who is Machado? Someone who probably could be in the NBA, as he is now in his prime. A couple years ago he was one of the best point guards in the G League, averaging 16pts, 9asts, shooting over 40% from 3. He also was on Houston’s G League team several years ago, I wonder if Rosas went to him to ask about Ball’s play?

Don’t look at overall stats. Ball hadn’t played against real competition in years and was thrown into a man’s league. He significantly improved after about 5-6 games. He’s really good.

As far as ego, the dude is clearly uncomfortable during interviews. I think seeking the spotlight is much more his dad. He does have Instagram followes because of that show, but so did Zion, and I never hear this complaint about him. LaMelo and Zo both when separated from their dad have seemed to be good hard working kids.

I will say, Melo needs to completely cut himself off from his Dad’s Big Baller Brand. It does him no favors and makes him look bad.

[Domejandro]

Ball is a pick at 1, I believe he is the best talent and ownership will put some pressure to get him. He kinda has a zion effect, you want to tune in and watch.

Similar to not being able to turn away from watching a train wreck.

I know I’m in the vast minority but there is nothing about Ball that appeals to me...not his horrific shooting, not his terrible defense and certainly not his off court persona and family involvement.

People talk about why Wiseman is the wrong “fit” for what Rosas is looking to do yet blindly forget to include this when talking about Ball. We need shooting and defense and LaMelo is at the bottom of the talent pool in both areas.

Ball will not be a Timberwolf after the draft because I believe/hope Rosas is smart enough to also understand this.


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LaMelo pushed away his father in favour of a real mentor well before he went to Australia. That talking point is actual malarkey, fantasy land.

On defense, LaMelo showed major strides in his time with Australia, he isn’t the worthless sieve people keep claiming.

I am sorry, but I am fully convinced that people are failing to remove the name from the prospect here.

[KGdaBom]

I don’t get the Ball hate. People have said he’s an ego maniac, etc. His dad is an ego maniac. His dad has hurt his development by dragging him around the world making him part of some reality show instead of playing competitive ball.

Apparently in Australia, despite all this, he kept his head down and worked. I mean, it really is a credit to Ball that he overcame this lack of development and competition, and almost averaged a triple double against competition significantly better than NCAA.

As an example, against Scotty Machado, Ball went for 32pts, 11rebs, 13 assts on 11-20 shooting (4-7 from 3). Who is Machado? Someone who probably could be in the NBA, as he is now in his prime. A couple years ago he was one of the best point guards in the G League, averaging 16pts, 9asts, shooting over 40% from 3. He also was on Houston’s G League team several years ago, I wonder if Rosas went to him to ask about Ball’s play?

Don’t look at overall stats. Ball hadn’t played against real competition in years and was thrown into a man’s league. He significantly improved after about 5-6 games. He’s really good.

As far as ego, the dude is clearly uncomfortable during interviews. I think seeking the spotlight is much more his dad. He does have Instagram followes because of that show, but so did Zion, and I never hear this complaint about him. LaMelo and Zo both when separated from their dad have seemed to be good hard working kids.

I will say, Melo needs to completely cut himself off from his Dad’s Big Baller Brand. It does him no favors and makes him look bad.

I have no problem with his persona. It's just the most broken shot I have ever seen and still being a chucker. That and considering defense optional.