DRAFT TALK Thread: Looking Like Lonzo

Ball shoots a higher FG%, better three-point %, and worse FT%. Over the last half of the season, Ball was at 58% FGs, 39% threes, and 67% FTs. Fox over the same stretch shot 48% FGs, 38% threes, and 77% FTs. I actually think that they are much closer as shooters than you might think. I'll give ball the + here, but not by a lot.

Ball's a better rebounder, passer, finisher in transition.
--I think there's no doubt that Ball is a better rebounder - by FAR. He's also a better passer - probably by far.

"He doesn't shy away from contact like Fox."
--I mean, maybe that's true - but even if it is, does it matter? Ball took 2.2 FTA per game in 35 MPG over his last 18 games. Fox took 5.9 FTA per game on 29 minutes per game. So, maybe you're wrong, and maybe you're right but it doesn't matter.

Ball vs. Fox
Ball's a better shooter, but I worry about whether his shot will translate. I don't worry about Fox; he figured it out as the season progressed.
Ball's a much better rebounder.
Ball's a much better passer.
Fox is a much better defender.
Fox is even better at breaking down a D than is Ball, but we can disagree.
I think Fox has the IT factor that Ball doesn't, but we can disagree.

"Vs. Conferences both played at least 3 games"
Vs. SEC
Ball: 13-8-5 on 42% FGs
Fox: 16-4-3 on 50% FGs

Vs. Pac-12
Ball: 15-7-6 on 55% FGs
Fox: 24-8-5 on 55% FGs

Bottom Line
I am okay with trading the pick. I'm kinda okay with Ball. I think his best case scenario is Kidd without the defense, which is pretty good. I think Fox's best case is Iverson with way more defense and less passing, which is sort of amazing.

 

Fox can get to the rim but he's far from a scorer. Hell he can barely shoot right now.

 

Not comparable in my opinion. Russell had a highlight reel of a handful of sweet passes in college and then that SportsScience thing and the passing hype got out of control. Then on the Lakers we tried to force the pg role a bit with him.

Ball has a natural ability to push the ball in transition and make the RIGHT passes as well as flashy ones. Like Magic, he sees 2 moves ahead out there, he's the best passer in college ball I've seen in a while, he makes passes I don't even see coming when I watch the replay and already know what happens. I'm not gonna say he's Jason Kidd, but he has a more natural feel for the game/PG than Russ does in that regard. Russ is a more of a scorer, Lonzo is more of a legit playmaker. I also agree with realdeal that his ability to break down the defense isn't as weak as some day, he's pretty damn quick, has nice handles, is a good finisher, and on the break can be a blur. But again, all that said, I'm just happy that we even got the pick, and there's very few scenarios where I come out upset on draft day, I'm not all in on Lonzo, I like multiple guys.

 

That's ridiculous.

 

Is that supposed to prove he can barely shoot? Look at his progression on the season. One would actually have to work very hard not to see that he was shooting much better at season's end than at season's beginning. He hit 9 of his last 19 three point attempts and shot 50% or better in six of his last nine games. I'm not worried about his ability to hit shots.

 

He literally can't be depended on to shoot the ball. He is the first person to tell you that. It's not a controversial statement to say he's not a good shooter. He does many things well. Shooting is not one of them. He's also not really a scorer. If you think you're drafting Fox to be a scorer you're going to be sorely mistaken. Ideally he gets to John Wall territory but that's about as likely as Ball becoming Kidd.