Tank Tank Or Tank Tank Tank?

With Jackson it's all about what's going on in his head and off the court. He's a very talented kid, but right now he's still my 4th with his flags right behind Tatum.

Any of those four kids would be very good assets though.

 

What's your top 5 @therealdeal ?

I Can't find the list you made.

 

For the Lakers:

1. Ball- He moves past Fultz based on his demeanor. Fultz may be more talented, but Fultz comes with the same ?s as the rest of our team (mental).
2. Fultz- Uber talented. One of the most well rounded guards I've seen in the draft. Has some bust potential due to his mentality.
3. Tatum- Started out looking like Rudy Gay, but as the season went on he affected the game in a lot of ways. Very talented scorer.
4. J. Jackson- Fantastic energy, changes games, great athleticism. Big time questions off the court.
5. Fox- Some would say Monk (DE does), but I think Fox projects as a starting caliber PG with elite defense. Reminds me of Patrick Beverly.

For good measure:
6. Monk
7. Smith
8. Markkanen
9. Isaac
10. Allen

If Fultz blows me away in interviews and individual workouts, he can easily move past Ball. Jackson could move past Tatum in the same way. Smith is a huge question mark. If he screwed his head on straight he could be a special player with his athleticism. Isaac and Allen are really talented, but honestly too young. They'll need a couple years.

 

Depressing game last night about the outcome... Steve 16 Lavin to Steve 16 Alford. Ball seemed gimpy late in the game but he had a pedestrian game where he did not do much as Kentucky pulled away halfway through the second. The Wildcats slowed the game to half court sets where he had some moments but not enough. My take is that Ball's pass first mindset really inhibits him from taking the game on his own which he did against Cincinnati. Kentucky's overall defense was a different level. Ball still relies too much on the deep ball yet can drive if he chooses too. The in between game is where he has to improve or at least show something.

I was impressed with Fox. Doesn't look like he can shoot a lick outside but his mid-range was effective and I agree with @therealdeal that his defense was solid. Fox reminded me more of Rondo than Beverly as he can control the game's pace. Monk shot them into the lead though he cooled off when Ball decided to take him on. If there is a question whether Ball can play defense, that should answer it. He did against Brooks too when they played Oregon.

 

^^ Ball's length and athleticism will translate into a decent defender, but I didn't see a sense of urgency from him (offense or defense). The "cool under pressure" demeanor is great, but when it's go time, he needs to get going. Too nonchalant near the end for me. Losing Welsh to foul trouble really threw them off. Leaf showed up and Ball was incredible in the early going, but the others were MIA.

 

Agree... Ball will be an adequate defender at the next level as attitude is part of it. Urgency wise, I felt Fox had more fire last night as he attacked all game. Ball if his deep shots aren't falling tends to back off. As far as UCLA, Hamilton did not get going until the game was out of reach. Alford was unable to free himself most of the time.

 

Ask LaVar Ball about the Johnson comparison. Actually ask him two questions. Johnson likely sees some of himself in Ball just without the engaging, all encompassing personality. The draft will be pins and needles for us as to where we fall and if Ball is still on the board. Our competition for him appear not to have a need for a point man with an Isaiah Thomas on their team.

 

They sat TJ Warren for my Final round in my fantasy league. So thanks for that Suns.

Genuinely though the only way we're going to tank harder than them is to sit actual, young assets who can play which is the worst thing you could do. Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but at least the Lakers are playing their young players. What the Suns are doing is showing they have no faith in their kids to improve to the point where they'll be useful players (outside of Booker). What we're doing is tanking sure, but it's also giving young players the opportunity to succeed.

 

He seems to have some Iverson in him. If he has any kind of outside shot, he looks like he'll be able to pile up points in the NBA.