Tank Tank Or Tank Tank Tank?

You need to watch him play. They're very different players.

 

This. Highlights can only show you so much.

I mean Kwame Brown has a highlight package

 

Good points from Mike

 

I agree with some of this, but not all of it. I think Fultz is a more well-rounded prospect and we've agreed on that. Fultz's ability to score from any point on the floor is dangerous. Fultz's ability to hit tough shots makes the first ability even more dangerous. Fultz has underrated vision and can pass the ball I'd say at least as well as D'Angelo, but maybe not as good as Ball. Fultz has shown that when he's engaged, he's a willing and capable defensive player. All that being said, I'm not positive Fultz is the better Laker fit and I'm not sure about the "switch them" theory.

I think if you switch Fultz and Ball, UCLA isn't as good and Washington is better. That's one of the strengths of what Ball can do: empower his teammates. Now, it's a fair point that Ball being a pass first player needs players who can execute, but he also helps them execute. Ball finds the best ways to make a player work and puts them in positions to score. I think if Ball is on Washington, that team plays better and plays harder. They'd have more than 9 wins on the year that's for sure. As for Fultz in UCLA, I think Fultz carries the team and shows off some enormous ability, but in the end he doesn't inspire the same sort of self-confidence that Ball does. It just doesn't seem to be the same type of strength that Ball has. They might have nearly the same record, but I'm not positive they'd be playing as well as they have been where at times they look unstoppable and part of that is the way Ball has empowered the players to succeed.

I think with this Laker team, Ball might be the better option because of that ability to inspire others. His leadership is his greatest asset and with a team like ours that at times is so rudderless, we could really use a player with that sort of charisma. Fultz may have that, but I haven't seen it. From what I've seen, he's been visibly frustrated by his surroundings and that sort of attitude is a maybe not a red flag, but a yellow one. If he's entering the team in the lottery, he's going to a horrible team. He's going to face some of the same issues he faced in Washington: a team without enough talent to compete. That's why they're 1st or 2nd in the draft (Boston excluded... stupid Brooklyn).

All that said, I still think Fultz is the #1 pick. He can do too many things too well. I wouldn't be surprised to look back in 4 years though and have people say Ball was the guy who should have gone first. It all depends on Fultz's mentality in the pros.

 

Ball has made Alford's transition from point to sg seamless. Leaf's the team's leading scorer in large part to him as well. Ditto for Hamilton. The frosh is leading the nation in assists. All speaks volume on how Ball affects team play. If Walton insists on that fast paced, move the ball offense we had during the first quarter of the season, he's the ONLY pick.

IF the roles are defined, Russell being the main set-up man/part scorer, Fultz is my choice. I do like his ability to create on his own when a sequence bogs down. Fultz would thrive in a half court set. The jury is still out on Ball in regards to that. Now if Russell looks to score more and willing to share the rock? It would be Ball obviously. The player I see that would benefit from his passing? Ingram. He won't have to work so hard for open looks and can receive the ball on the move.

Agree that Fultz on the UCLA team would not make it as good. Everyone would end being bystanders leaning on him and their own games would be stunted. I saw how Alford playing point turned out...his father's job being questioned and a candidate for a pink slip.

 

I think this is worth repeating. Magic is trying to inspire DAR to take the lead on this team. DAR is trying. BUT, he is not a born leader. Ball is. I'm on the Ball Train.

 

It's destiny. You can quote me on draft night too. Ball will be a Laker.

 

board bet!

 

From what I've heard, both Magic and Luke are drooling to get their hands on Ball.