2017 Lakers Draft Pick Discussion

[Michael Lucky]

Also defense only gets you so many wins these days in the NBA. The finals were a clear representation of that with the ridiculous numbers that were being put up. Not to mention the refs made sure these teams couldn't play defense.

And guess what it will only get worse. The rules will progress in favoring the offensive players. Why? Because you want to protect your stars and more points always equals higher ratings with the casual fans.

[Pythagoras]

Also defense only gets you so many wins these days in the NBA. The finals were a clear representation of that with the ridiculous numbers that were being put up. Not to mention the refs made sure these teams couldn't play defense.

This really can't be stated enough. There's always been a definitive ceiling with how much you can impact the game defensively. That ceiling only gets lowered when you're not a big. It gets lowered even further in today's pace and space NBA.

[Slava]

Jackson's jumper issues are every bit as real as Ball and D'Lo's defensive concerns.

No. D'lo will never be a good defender. There are plenty of players that came out of college with 0 jumper and developed a very good one.

This feels like you just hand waving away a very serious flaw of JJ's. Who are these players that became "very good" shooters? Way more often than not, if a guy can't shoot in college, the best you can hope for is them becoming a passable shooter in the NBA.

And defensively, you can scheme around a guard who isn't a good defender (see Steph).

Free throw shooting in college is a good indicator of shooting in the NBA and Jackson's FT% is comparable to some of the worst FT shooting NBA big men than any guards or forwards.

[Pythagoras]

No. D'lo will never be a good defender. There are plenty of players that came out of college with 0 jumper and developed a very good one.

This feels like you just hand waving away a very serious flaw of JJ's. Who are these players that became "very good" shooters? Way more often than not, if a guy can't shoot in college, the best you can hope for is them becoming a passable shooter in the NBA.

And defensively, you can scheme around a guard who isn't a good defender (see Steph).

Free throw shooting in college is a good indicator of shooting in the NBA and Jackson's FT% is comparable to some of the worst FT shooting NBA big men than any guards or forwards.

This is my thinking. Bear in mind, this isn't a Brandon Ingram situation. Ingram was a good free throw shooter throughout high school, 77%, and then had his numbers dip a bit as a college freshman (even with that dip, he still was a significantly better FT shooter than JJ in college). Jackson has been a mediocre FT shooter for a while now.

Jackson made just 57% of his free throw attempts this season, and is a career 56% from the line on over 230 attempts in our database

- Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Josh-Jackson-7239/ ©DraftExpress

That's a pretty big red flag regarding his ability to become a decent shooter in the NBA.

[iamworthy]

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[jnick206]

Fultz has arguably the worst cardio out of Ball, Jackson, and Fox. Wonder if he can even finish the workout.

Did you go on a jog with Markelle recently? He played 36 minutes a game.

His season ended much earlier than everyone elses. Carries the most weight.. played only 25 games. Thought you knew.

The correlations you want to make don't make any sense. Sorry.

[TyCobb]

Interesting, but expected I guess, to read that 76ers value the #3 pick over Russell and Lakers fans would want more than the #3 pick in return for Russell.

[Danny Darko]

Interesting, but expected I guess, to read that 76ers value the #3 pick over Russell and Lakers fans would want more than the #3 pick in return for Russell.

yeah i see both ways... Russell is a higher pick and better developed with positive stat signs, but potential and 2 years of rookie deal are also on #3's side.

[BeanBurrito]

Pelton has Ball as the #1 prospect "by statistical projection". Also says that the the person with the highest similarity score is Kyrie Iriving, which just shows how unusual a prospect he is to compare.

http://insider.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/19638855/ranking-markelle-fultz-lonzo-ball-top-prospects-2017-nba-draft-statistical-projections-kevin-pelton

[NBAWestFan]

Interesting, but expected I guess, to read that 76ers value the #3 pick over Russell and Lakers fans would want more than the #3 pick in return for Russell.

Russell, #28 and another future 1st rounder. for the #3


Ball, Jackson, Ingram, Nance Jr., Zubac

Randle, Clarkson

I would try to pick up Klay in 2019.

Also if Lebron leaves Cleveland that means sooner or later Kyrie may leave.

Look to get Kyrie and Klay with Ball, Jackson, Ingram, Nance Jr. Zuback

[Slava]

Probably the best description of ball's game.

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[TylersLakers]

Curious outside of Ball and Fultz, who else is on the docket for us to work out. I'm surprised we've seen no Tatum, Monk, Isaac, Markannen, etc.

[Kobeallday]

Interesting, but expected I guess, to read that 76ers value the #3 pick over Russell and Lakers fans would want more than the #3 pick in return for Russell.

I went on their board and ask them if they would trade their #3 pick for Russell and no fans would take the deal, and over here we think Russell is worth more than a 3rd pick.....very interesting

[Jon Snow]

I don't even want LA to trade Russell for the # 3 at all. I'm very intrigued to see how Ball and D'Lo together on the court first. I can also see Russell will have a good year next season. 7 days to go.

[ozymandias818]

Jackson's jumper issues are every bit as real as Ball and D'Lo's defensive concerns.

No. D'lo will never be a good defender. There are plenty of players that came out of college with 0 jumper and developed a very good one.

This feels like you just hand waving away a very serious flaw of JJ's. Who are these players that became "very good" shooters? Way more often than not, if a guy can't shoot in college, the best you can hope for is them becoming a passable shooter in the NBA.

And defensively, you can scheme around a guard who isn't a good defender (see Steph).

Ever heard of Kawhi Leonard? Pau Gasol? Marc Gasol, who made more 3s this year than he had ATTEMPTED his entire career? These guys are off the top of my head. Kawhi shot 44% from 3 last year, 20% his freshman year. You can teach elite shooting, you can't teach what Ball needs to be a high-level defender.

[jay51024]

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[ozymandias818]

Also defense only gets you so many wins these days in the NBA. The finals were a clear representation of that with the ridiculous numbers that were being put up. Not to mention the refs made sure these teams couldn't play defense.

And guess what it will only get worse. The rules will progress in favoring the offensive players. Why? Because you want to protect your stars and more points always equals higher ratings with the casual fans.

The Warriors played consistently great defense all series long. The Cavs didn't. It's half the game, this argument is beyond flawed.

[TheRealKaboom]

Interesting, but expected I guess, to read that 76ers value the #3 pick over Russell and Lakers fans would want more than the #3 pick in return for Russell.

Russell, #28 and another future 1st rounder. for the #3


Ball, Jackson, Ingram, Nance Jr., Zubac

Randle, Clarkson

I would try to pick up Klay in 2019.

Also if Lebron leaves Cleveland that means sooner or later Kyrie may leave.

Look to get Kyrie and Klay with Ball, Jackson, Ingram, Nance Jr. Zuback

Russell, Ingram, Randle, Clarkson, Zubac, Nance, #2, #28, 1st round picks in 19, 21, 23, 25, and 27 all for the #3 pick this year. How about that?

[ozymandias818]

No. D'lo will never be a good defender. There are plenty of players that came out of college with 0 jumper and developed a very good one.

This feels like you just hand waving away a very serious flaw of JJ's. Who are these players that became "very good" shooters? Way more often than not, if a guy can't shoot in college, the best you can hope for is them becoming a passable shooter in the NBA.

And defensively, you can scheme around a guard who isn't a good defender (see Steph).

Free throw shooting in college is a good indicator of shooting in the NBA and Jackson's FT% is comparable to some of the worst FT shooting NBA big men than any guards or forwards.

Obviously it is correlated. But there are dozens of examples of players that have learned to shoot in the NBA that couldn't in college. Where are the examples of garbage college perimeter defenders that became great defenders in the NBA? I can't even think of 1.

Russell Westbrook shot WORSE from the line his freshman year than Jackson. He shot 34% on extremely high volume this year from 3, and probably took more bad 3s than anybody outside of Steph. Demarcus Cousins shot 60% his freshman year. 36% from 3 last year. 78% from the line. Shooting is obviously much easier to improve.

[Leor_77]

Interesting, but expected I guess, to read that 76ers value the #3 pick over Russell and Lakers fans would want more than the #3 pick in return for Russell.

Oh man, I sure as hell hope so. Sooooo many people here undervalue Dlo - the guy is so good. We need to keep him.