DRAFT TALK Thread: Looking Like Lonzo

TJ Leaf fall to the end of the 1st for us?

I was looking at some mock drafts and the draft is full of Freshmen. If we're patient with their development we can snag a future star with that Houston pick.

 

I'm betting he doesn't fall, but I'd consider him for sure. He doesn't show it often, but he's pretty athletic and can shoot the ball. He needs a lot of seasoning, but could be a good NBA player.

 

He has potential as a stretch 5.

 

I'm shocked that Jello can dunk, that dude clearly likes cake and he is one Ball who will not be making the NBA.

 

He does. He needs to hit the weight room with some passion and he'll just need some time to grow into his body. I've heard comparisons to Ryan Anderson, but what I like about Leaf is his old-school feel. He dribbles, jumps, and shoots like a 50s basketball instructional film.

 

Good breakdown.

The thing I value most about Fox was something he didn't really bring up though: heart. Fox's best attribute is his competitiveness and his fire to win games. When the lights are on, he wants to be at his best. That is what caught the attention of the Lakers. He played Ball twice and accepted the challenge when it came. I love that.

As for his game, I don't think he's quite as fast as Wall, but I've seen Wall live so maybe that's the bias I have. Wall live is like nothing I've ever seen on a court. It's possible Fox has that speed, but it doesn't pop the same way to me on film. I don't think anyone would mistake Wall for Nash, but Wall is even more of a natural passer than Fox. I compared him to Patrick Beverley because that's what I think he looks like early in his career: high defensive energy, limited offensive ability, still has a way of helping the team win games and does enough offensively to be effective. Later in his career he's probably more like Conley: smarter, discriminating with his athletic ability, diverse in the way he attacks.

I think Fox has a tighter handle than Ball and he's still a better defender because he gives consistent effort on that end. Like the video said, he's not going to lock you down, but he can still be effective because he's not going to quit on you. Defense is at least half effort.

Still, I think this video does a good job pointing out why I like Ball more for this team. Ball is the more natural passer and this offense desperately needs someone willing to move the ball and make good decisions. We tried to force D'Angelo into it and he just didn't take to it. Moving D'Angelo more off the ball is going to do wonders for him, I really believe that. We could move D'Angelo off the ball for Fox, but the results offensively won't be as great because Fox isn't a shooting threat. Teams will still be able to pack the paint and play D'Angelo tough, forcing him to make tough shots.

I can't wait for the workouts. If Fox can beat up Ball in a workout, he's going to beat him to the pick too. I don't think he will, I think Ball will step up to the challenge, but I can't wait to see if that holds up.

For what it's worth, I think those two will be the best two guards in this draft in the NBA and will have some great battles over the years. DE thinks Fox drops to 5 now and goes to Sacramento. That'd be great as we'd probably see the two best young guards fight it out 4 times a year.

 

I want to trade it, too, for the right move. I'm also really intrigued to see whether we can fleece someone with the Houston pick. Maybe we could hold onto the two pick and still add ten or fifteen wins to this team.

 

I think he needs to play football.

 

I think Ball would play off-ball well too. That's part of why I want him. You're right, he does have two really good shooters with him in the starting lineup in Alford and Hamilton. Some of his assists were of the easy variety with those two, but I'm okay with that. I think Russell fills that Alford role easily and does it at a much higher level. Catch, shoot, or make the defense rotate. The same would be true going the other way. Ball, with his range, helps take pressure off of Russell driving and making decisions as well. Russell is also excellent and finding the back door cutter which Lonzo can do extremely well.

One of the things Ball does that changes the way teams have to play defense is move the ball (and himself) quickly and with purpose. It's something that Russell, Clarkson, and Randle do not do and it kills our offense. How often did we see Clarkson dribble out an entire shot clock? Once a game? How many times did Russell force a pick and roll action? At least once a game, right? How many times did Randle stop the ball movement and spin around at the top of the key? Had to be at least once a game. Ball's game encourages ball movement which would limit those issues.

I don't deny at all that Ball's transition will be tougher than some people think. I do believe though that most here know that Ball won't be a savior and turn us into a 45 win team. He's just going to be another piece that helps the team improve. I think he'll make the team more exciting and makes our other players look better, but I'm not sure how many wins he adds next year.

I'm fine trading the pick, but only if it's for someone like Butler who gets us an All-Star on a 2-3 year contract. I have no interest in jettisoning a Top 3 pick for a rental or anything less than an All-Star and I don't see anyone giving us an All-Star for #2. We'll see.

 

It would take 3 seasons to get that Clipper stench off of him.