Tank Tank Or Tank Tank Tank?

I didn't get to watch the Arizona game, but I've read Arizona forced him to create shots for himself and he struggled with it. It's a legitimate concern. He can run sets and organize offenses, but can he go get a shot when the time comes for it? I'm not sure.

But hey I think Russell can... just saying...

 

He looked to have jammed his thumb early in the game. Went out for a few minutes and came back. I'm not sure if it effected him, but his shot was definitely off.

 

I know that the quality of a roster matters a lot in college ball, but really good players can also make their team good at that level. I have to have at least some concern that Fultz's team is 9-22. UCLA has been good in recent years overall, but we were 15-17 last season, and 29-4 this season, and a lot of that is Ball. I think from what I have seen over many years of college ball, winning it all doesn't necessarily lead to NBA success, but players who really put a stamp on their team and lead them to the tournament with a good record does seem to.

 

Leaf was hobbled with his sprained ankle and had his hands full with Markkanen. Alford was taken out of the game when he could not free himself from Kadeem Allen. Trier also made Ball work on defense. Yes, he was not able to create shots for himself nor was he looking to do so. That and a sprained thumb on his non shooting hand. All in all, the Bruins were outplayed. The Wildcats were able to figure out the UCLA 3-2 zone defense.

 

No I think Simmons is the exception. He kinda took his college season easy to not get injured, he knew he as the top pick. I think had Simmons played all out his team would have been much better. I guess a mark in Fultz's favor is that he's playing hard and doing all he can unlike Simmons. That record though, it's a question mark for me personally on his draft resume.

 

I hear you. I think Ball has some clear faults that tend to get outshone by what he's great at. It remains to be seen if those gifts will be something he can't work past. You and I agree that Fultz is the #1 pick in this draft. There's very little that Ball can do to change my mind about that. I think Fultz is good enough that we could include Russell in trade deals. He's a great prospect.

I just happen to think that Ball complements what Russell does. I think Ball is a more natural leader and his athleticism is a good contrast to Russell. I agree Russell isn't a "go get me a bucket" guy, but he's a big shot maker. He's shown it in the past and he continues to show it when he actually takes the shots.

Still the top two spots in my draft haven't changed: Fultz then Ball. I'd be happy with either though. Heck I'd be happy with #3 right now as either Tatum or a trade piece.

Fultz's cast is genuinely awful. Worse even than Simmons's cast was. The knock I would have on him is choosing that garbage school and program when he was recruited by all the big names. I understand wanting to pave your own way, but it's just not a smart move to go to a crap small school unless you plan on staying 4 years.

 

Fultz splitting that screen help is thing of beauty.