DRAFT TALK Thread: Looking Like Lonzo

Thomas has major flaws. He has to be hidden on defense and he has trouble creating shots for himself against elite defense. He was a net negative for Boston against Cleveland. If I were them I would re-sign him, but for less than people are expecting. A guy his size is just nearly impossible to build around.

Even so, the C Bags are almost guaranteed to take Fultz. He fits there, he knows Thomas well, and he's the most talented kid in the draft. I would be very surprised if the C Bags went a different direction.

 

I'm not wrong. He has said he's not as fast, and he's also reported that other players have said he's not as fast. He may also have said that he is as fast, but I don't see that quote anywhere.

 

Marc Berman has some Calipari quotes being noncommittal, including players who straight up say no.

 

Magic is back on 710 again:

1. He reiterated how happy he was with our young guys and emphasized he wants them to grow.
2. Compared Lonzo to himself and also was very complimentary of the kind of competitor that Josh Jackson is.
3. They said there were probably 3 or 4 players who can change your franchise in the draft.
4. Looking at 2018 FA instead of this one.
5. No timetable for return.
6. Said everyone was out of shape.
7. He sounds like they plan on using the 28 pick.
8. They have multiple targets in 2018 FA.
9. Reiterates that there's agents saying they want their guys in LA.
10. Said players who come back without improvements on their body will be sent away or sitting on the bench.
11. Said GS and CLE are in fantastic shape and capable of running consistently. Wants the team to get in shape to get after them.
12. Hints that the Lakers are looking at 2018 as when they'll start making their move on Cleveland and GS. ****
13. Magic says GS relentless offense is based off the shape they're in and how they continue their assault in the 4th the same as the 1st.
14. He wants the #2 wants to be a competitor and wants to be the best. He wants nothing else but greatness. Wants to know their IQ and see how they see/know the game.
15. Talked to Jackson and Ball's agents already.
16. Looked at 40-50 prospects already at 28 spot.
17. Starting Tuesday they'll see 6-8 guys again.
18. Hasn't met Lonzo yet. Excited about it. Looking forward to Fultz and Jackson interviews. Mentions Fox as well but seems like the 4th guy on their mind.
19. Magic says he just doesn't get to be at Dodger games anymore. Doesn't get to really even watch them. He's fully committed to the Lakers with his time.
20. Picks GS over FOR. Said Durants ability to go get a shot changes the series. But he said it's incredibly hard to bet against LeBron.
21. Said he watches the Finals to find things he can bring to the Lakers.
-sidenote- Magic has the most ridiculous way of making people smile and feel involved. Just incredible.

edit- I forgot one of the most important things: when asked if any players were untouchable he said the only guy untouchable was Ingram. Everyone else was available. He went on to be very complimentary of the kids, but Ingram was the only one who wasn't on the board.

 

This is all pretty good stuff. The way he talks about conditioning, you'd think we were Shaq and Barkley out there after a trip to Hometown Buffet. And Magic is just one of those guys who smiles and he has you. Him, Dwayne Johnson, Hillary Clinton...

 

It was an joke.

 

I found some of what Magic said fascinating.

There were two things I took away from that interview: he is CONVINCED about the 2018 FA. There has to be at least one promise (probably George) but more like two promises of FAs who will make it here in 2018 by hook or by crook. He didn't just say he was more interested in 2018 than 2017 which is an old sound bite already, he said "let's be real, nobody is taking down GS or Cleveland next year either, but the year after that is when we'll start". That blew me away! I've heard rumors that teams feel like it's useless to be "good" right now, but it looks like it's true. More than that though it gives tremendous insight to what the Lakers are seeing and planning. They must have something BIG in the works between FAs behind the scenes to be so confident. He made absolutely no bones about it.

The other thing I got was that the person Ramona says is into Josh Jackson is Magic. He may not be alone, but he's very intrigued by Josh Jackson's competitiveness and I've got to be honest I agree with that. The way that Josh Jackson becomes a factor in the NBA is through his heart and ability to change games with his energy. I completely understand that aspect of wanting Josh Jackson on your team. Magic was highly complimentary of Jackson and when they asked him about who he's looking at in the draft Lonzo and Jackson came up repeatedly while Fultz was brought up a bit and Fox was mentioned as something of an afterthought. Magic even compared Lonzo to himself on the floor. I think it's Lonzo's job to lose, but it might be Jackson who can take the spot instead of Fox which we all assumed.

 

Ganguli works for the LA Times while Serena works for Lakers Nation. They're both still very involved.

 

I still maintain that the physical part of it was more to fuel the mental part of it. Whoever comes back in clearly worse shape isn't committed, right? And of course it sets a good tone going into next season of seriousness and a dedication to improving.