Lonzo Ball

[Duke4life831]

My dad, ucla alum, is totally sold on ball

He doesn't care about the shot release at all. Like at all. No. Issue to him.

Expects him to lead the NBA in assists and average about 15 ppg

I said dude is gonna have a bad rookie year. Pros are gonna totally key on his shot release.


When lonzo drives to his right, there is a 0% chance he will shoot off the dribble.

Pro defenses are gonna eat him alive until he can shoot of the dribble to his right. My dad just wont hear it.

I can't remember a prospect this divisive (well, last year Simmons and his left/right handed ness

I actually think both you and your dad are right on this one. If you told me in 3-4 years that Ball is averaging a very efficient 15ppg and leading the league in assists I wont be shocked at all. I could see a stat line around the line of 16/12/5 with 2 stls, a John Stockton-esque stat line with a few less assists and a few more rebounds. But I can also see him struggling as a rookie and struggling to shoot going right, but I think he will improve on that and the dude could easily become a guy that runs a beastly offense.

I really like Ball, but you gotta admit that his pick'n'roll action is quite concerning. Most NBA plays are pick'n'roll based, and every play has at least one. For a guy to average 10+ assists, he has to be a p'n'roll master, which Ball is not.

He'll get his assists from fast breaks and elite vision, but a guy like Markelle Fultz who's impressive off the pick'n'roll might even get more assists than Ball (or create more opportunities)

Ball no doubt doesn't run the PnR as well as the other PGs but his vision and passing ability is far superior to anyone else in this draft. I also think Ball will be a fine PnR player, he has all the skill sets to be a good PnR player, just hasn't been asked to play it much.

[WalterBenjamin]

Ball no doubt doesn't run the PnR as well as the other PGs but his vision and passing ability is far superior to anyone else in this draft. I also think Ball will be a fine PnR player, he has all the skill sets to be a good PnR player, just hasn't been asked to play it much.

But in times he played it he wasn't good. That is the important part.

Look no further than the playoffs and the importance of that action. I don't see how on can argue that he will be an impact player out of the pick and roll.

[Duke4life831]

Ball no doubt doesn't run the PnR as well as the other PGs but his vision and passing ability is far superior to anyone else in this draft. I also think Ball will be a fine PnR player, he has all the skill sets to be a good PnR player, just hasn't been asked to play it much.

But in times he played it he wasn't good. That is the important part.

Look no further than the playoffs and the importance of that action. I don't see how on can argue that he will be an impact player out of the pick and roll.

I'm not saying he's an impact player day 1 out of the PnR. I'm saying he's a 19 year old with a skill set that should lead to him being a solid PnR player down the line.

[WalterBenjamin]

I'm not saying he's an impact player day 1 out of the PnR. I'm saying he's a 19 year old with a skill set that should lead to him being a solid PnR player down the line.

You can argue that for Monk.

[Duke4life831]

I'm not saying he's an impact player day 1 out of the PnR. I'm saying he's a 19 year old with a skill set that should lead to him being a solid PnR player down the line.

You can argue that for Monk.

Not really. Ball has elite vision and passing ability and shows an elite ability to control and run an offense. Ball's handle can get high at times but for the most part he has a very sturdy and sure handle, plus his size helps him with his elite vision and being able to see the entire floor.

Monk does not have good vision or passing ability and has never shown an ability to run an offense. Vision and control of the offense is a huge factor to being a good PnR player.

[WalterBenjamin]

The primary thredt in a PnR is an off the drible shoot. Going to his right will unable Ball to make that shoot. And a PnR doesn't require elite passing. Adequate passing is enough.

[azcatz11]

Yes, no NBA team is foolish enough to pass on Lonzo because of his dad. They draft based on talent #1 - everything else is a distant second. I'm not even sure how his dad can get in the way? If he's disruptive during games they will ban him from the arena.

I don't see his game translating well to the league anyways. He has elite court vision. He can certainly see over the defense but he's not all that quick. He's not fast in a straight line. Or at least that speed never translated to his college game. Was he playing slow because he could? He reminds me of how Kyle Anderson played in college

Lonzo is slow now? You just didnt call him slow but you compared him to one of the slower prospects in some time that has a nickname Slo Mo. Ball is a pretty fast player (especiall in the open court) and he runs a fast paced offense. Does he have a lightening quick first step? No. But that doesnt make him Kyle Anderson 2.0 when it comes to his speed and quickness.

Lonzo Ball has blistering speed and a lightening fast first step. look at the Arizona highlights for when he beats NBA prospect Kobi Simmons with his first step out of the triple threat position.

Kobi Simmons is a fringe NBA prospect who will probably not be drafted. He was benched for most of the last 1/3rd of the season because he couldn't play defense.

[bwgood77]

With all the rumors coming out of Phx that we want Ball, I'm not sure what I am hoping for since I don't want him. I could see it...the first time we get the #1 in franchise history we take a guy who can't run the pick-n-roll in this era, has a crazy meddling dad/agent and wants to be a rapper.

[SelfishPlayer]

Who can't run the pick & roll in the NBA? Giannis, Harden, and Kawhi look pretty good doing it right now, how good were they at running the pick & roll when they were 19?

[GimmeDat]

With all the rumors coming out of Phx that we want Ball, I'm not sure what I am hoping for since I don't want him. I could see it...the first time we get the #1 in franchise history we take a guy who can't run the pick-n-roll in this era, has a crazy meddling dad/agent and wants to be a rapper.

For you guys I'd be happy with Ball at #2. If you get #1 you better hope you're taking Fultz, though, and that goes for every other team as well.

[MalonesElbows]

Hopefully cameras will be on Levar's face when the Lakers pass on Ball at #2.

[antonac]

The thing with Ball is, what does he bring that Russell doesn't?

yeah, he might have a higher ceiling and be able to do everything better but beyond just crossing their fingers that's the case, what's the other evidence?

it's not college stats as Russell was about as hotly tipped coming out of college as Ball.
they're both long PGs, but with suspect on the ball handling, DLo due to his lack of explosion and Ball due to his average handles.
they're both good 3 point shooters.

I mean, they're basically just drafting the same player again, I think that back court sucks in this era where the best backcourts compliment each other, it's got very good three point shooting but they're not going to be great playing off the ball for each other, neither are great at the pick n roll, both are pretty good passers, and while they're big faster guards can blow by them.

I don't think Ball busts, but Jackson and Tatum make better sense for the Lakers.

[ItsThatEasy]

With all the rumors coming out of Phx that we want Ball, I'm not sure what I am hoping for since I don't want him. I could see it...the first time we get the #1 in franchise history we take a guy who can't run the pick-n-roll in this era, has a crazy meddling dad/agent and wants to be a rapper.

Of all things to be weary of you use him recording a few songs in his free time with a childhood friend?

[MotownMadness]

The thing with Ball is, what does he bring that Russell doesn't?

yeah, he might have a higher ceiling and be able to do everything better but beyond just crossing their fingers that's the case, what's the other evidence?

it's not college stats as Russell was about as hotly tipped coming out of college as Ball.
they're both long PGs, but with suspect on the ball handling, DLo due to his lack of explosion and Ball due to his average handles.
they're both good 3 point shooters.

I mean, they're basically just drafting the same player again, I think that back court sucks in this era where the best backcourts compliment each other, it's got very good three point shooting but they're not going to be great playing off the ball for each other, neither are great at the pick n roll, both are pretty good passers, and while they're big faster guards can blow by them.

I don't think Ball busts, but Jackson and Tatum make better sense for the Lakers.

I don't think Russell is a floor general type of PG like Ball is. Ball is really good in that regard at such a young age.

[MotownMadness]

If I'm LA I take Ball without hesitation. Not only is he a good prospect himself but Lakers have young talent that underperforming. Ball will instantly help them all improve their games in my opinion.

[Rockmaninoff]

If I'm LA I take Ball without hesitation. Not only is he a good prospect himself but Lakers have young talent that underperforming. Ball will instantly help them all improve their games in my opinion.

I think they could make a 10-20 win improvement, similar to the 1994-95 Dallas Mavericks.

[bwgood77]

With all the rumors coming out of Phx that we want Ball, I'm not sure what I am hoping for since I don't want him. I could see it...the first time we get the #1 in franchise history we take a guy who can't run the pick-n-roll in this era, has a crazy meddling dad/agent and wants to be a rapper.

Of all things to be weary of you use him recording a few songs in his free time with a childhood friend?

I didn't know the specifics, just heard or read he recorded a rap song. But the main things are the half court game and the dad.

[Duke4life831]

The thing with Ball is, what does he bring that Russell doesn't?

yeah, he might have a higher ceiling and be able to do everything better but beyond just crossing their fingers that's the case, what's the other evidence?

it's not college stats as Russell was about as hotly tipped coming out of college as Ball.
they're both long PGs, but with suspect on the ball handling, DLo due to his lack of explosion and Ball due to his average handles.
they're both good 3 point shooters.

I mean, they're basically just drafting the same player again, I think that back court sucks in this era where the best backcourts compliment each other, it's got very good three point shooting but they're not going to be great playing off the ball for each other, neither are great at the pick n roll, both are pretty good passers, and while they're big faster guards can blow by them.

I don't think Ball busts, but Jackson and Tatum make better sense for the Lakers.

Hes much more athletic, hes a better shooter and his vision and playmaking is leagues better than Russell. Ball led the NCAA in assists, thats not easy to do as a freshman. The dude is a freak when it comes to his vision and ability to facilitate. Im sure a guy like Brandon Ingram is praying that they take Ball and I think this helps Russell in the long run as well because now he can focus just on scoring and thats what hes best at anyways.

[antonac]

The thing with Ball is, what does he bring that Russell doesn't?

yeah, he might have a higher ceiling and be able to do everything better but beyond just crossing their fingers that's the case, what's the other evidence?

it's not college stats as Russell was about as hotly tipped coming out of college as Ball.
they're both long PGs, but with suspect on the ball handling, DLo due to his lack of explosion and Ball due to his average handles.
they're both good 3 point shooters.

I mean, they're basically just drafting the same player again, I think that back court sucks in this era where the best backcourts compliment each other, it's got very good three point shooting but they're not going to be great playing off the ball for each other, neither are great at the pick n roll, both are pretty good passers, and while they're big faster guards can blow by them.

I don't think Ball busts, but Jackson and Tatum make better sense for the Lakers.

Hes much more athletic, hes a better shooter and his vision and playmaking is leagues better than Russell. Ball led the NCAA in assists, thats not easy to do as a freshman. The dude is a freak when it comes to his vision and ability to facilitate. Im sure a guy like Brandon Ingram is praying that they take Ball and I think this helps Russell in the long run as well because now he can focus just on scoring and thats what hes best at anyways.

I think this is a bit revisionist. at this point in their careers, pre-draft, Russell definitely projected as the better shooter, he was better from the FT line in college than ball, shot almost identically from 3 in the field, scored more points and there were no question marks about his form (something no one can say about ball). If they're in the same draft, Russell is being graded the better shooter.

Lonzo is rated the better athlete, but he's not at the elite level and in college Russell wasn't rated as any sort of athletic liability. He was rated as having elite ball handling skills and better than most at that level on the pick n roll, neither of these things are true for Ball and while they're not the complete measure of a floor general, they certainly help.

Ball's the better passer and yes, has less question marks over him as he's a true PG whereas Russell was still seen to be adapting to the role.

yep, Russell doesn't really seem to be an exciting prospect anymore, there look like holes in his game that will prevent him being the next Curry (or Penny Hardaway as he was compared to pre-draft) and it may turn out Ball will make those leaps, but as pre-draft prospects there's not much seperating them so Lakers fans should be prepared to be drafting another Russell.

[Duke4life831]

The thing with Ball is, what does he bring that Russell doesn't?

yeah, he might have a higher ceiling and be able to do everything better but beyond just crossing their fingers that's the case, what's the other evidence?

it's not college stats as Russell was about as hotly tipped coming out of college as Ball.
they're both long PGs, but with suspect on the ball handling, DLo due to his lack of explosion and Ball due to his average handles.
they're both good 3 point shooters.

I mean, they're basically just drafting the same player again, I think that back court sucks in this era where the best backcourts compliment each other, it's got very good three point shooting but they're not going to be great playing off the ball for each other, neither are great at the pick n roll, both are pretty good passers, and while they're big faster guards can blow by them.

I don't think Ball busts, but Jackson and Tatum make better sense for the Lakers.

Hes much more athletic, hes a better shooter and his vision and playmaking is leagues better than Russell. Ball led the NCAA in assists, thats not easy to do as a freshman. The dude is a freak when it comes to his vision and ability to facilitate. Im sure a guy like Brandon Ingram is praying that they take Ball and I think this helps Russell in the long run as well because now he can focus just on scoring and thats what hes best at anyways.

I think this is a bit revisionist. at this point in their careers, pre-draft, Russell definitely projected as the better shooter, he was better from the FT line in college than ball, shot almost identically from 3 in the field, scored more points and there were no question marks about his form (something no one can say about ball). If they're in the same draft, Russell is being graded the better shooter.

Lonzo is rated the better athlete, but he's not at the elite level and in college Russell wasn't rated as any sort of athletic liability. He was rated as having elite ball handling skills and better than most at that level on the pick n roll, neither of these things are true for Ball and while they're not the complete measure of a floor general, they certainly help.

Ball's the better passer and yes, has less question marks over him as he's a true PG whereas Russell was still seen to be adapting to the role.

yep, Russell doesn't really seem to be an exciting prospect anymore, there look like holes in his game that will prevent him being the next Curry (or Penny Hardaway as he was compared to pre-draft) and it may turn out Ball will make those leaps, but as pre-draft prospects there's not much seperating them so Lakers fans should be prepared to be drafting another Russell.

There were definite question marks about Russell's athletic ability coming out of the draft, the dude even looked slow for the Big 10 and that was a major red flag to me. Ive also never been a fan of Russell's jumper even when he was in college while you can go back to well over a year ago on here and Ive been sold on Ball's jumper. Ball is a far far superior prospect than Russell was coming out of college.