Strange way to analyze the kid, but we've got nothing else to do I guess. He is very quiet but that doesn't mean much to me. Everything I've seen, read, and heard is that he just doesn't care much for anything besides basketball. His dad is the outrageous one so he lets his dad be outrageous. The kid just likes to play basketball. Besides, we have a college season's worth of footage to prove what kind of leader he is on the floor. We have testimonies from coaches and teammates that talk about what he's doing. I'm not worried about his personality the same as I wasn't worried about Ingram.
Yeah, his personality is the least of my worries with him. I don't think I've seen any scouting reports on him that pointed out anything regarding his mentality at all, whereas Fultz has been called out for leadership and effort on the floor, Josh Jackson with his off court troubles.
Oh I forgot to mention also: if you look at the kids we're bringing in right now, shooting is a major focus for the team. We've got all the kids training on their outside shot, many of the kids we're bringing in for workouts are either defenders or shooters... The writing on the wall that I'm seeing is we're going to target a kid who can shoot outside. Kadeem Allen, Beachem, Andrew White, even Dominique Hawkins improved all four years as a shooter. Nigel Williams-Goss and Kuzma were both decent shooters too. Hawkinson and Peak both are capable shooters. Jamel Artis is a really good shooter. Adebayo crashes well and has defensive upside, but I'm not sure he's a floor spacer. When I watch him, he looks like a bigger Brandon Bass.
Went down a worm hole on YouTube looking at Lonzo Ball highlights, ended up watching Tyler Dorsey from Oregon highlights. Looks like a less athletic Jordan Clarkson. Probably too high at 28, wouldn't mind dropping some cash to get back in the 2nd round to get him.
If Fox gets past Phoenix I would highly consider trying to move Ball (who I think lakers pick) along with Deng to Sac for Fox. Sac has like 60 million in payroll they need to fill up and its unlikely anyone would consider signing there. Deng replaces Gay and might be a good influence on the younger guys. Sac gets a PG which they need desperately. Not sure if Sac would view Ball as a big enough upgrade over Fox to take on Deng's salary. But I would float that idea out to Divac to see if I could get a bite.
If Divac made that trade, he might be shot, literally. Plus, I think Fox is overrated. This draft is overrated. There will be many busts in this draft. A lot of young players going to lousy teams. Lousy team, young players who need time to develop, pressure, social media, etc, makes it hard for players to succeed these days. If Fultz was going to Sac or the Hornets, i might have put him in a catagory of possible busts. Since he is going to the C Bags, he will succeed around a great coach, great talent around him and the ability to not have to carry much at the beginning. Lonzo Ball has the temperament and attitude to be a star. You can see it. We have to see if those passes will translate to the NBA. If they do, he will be the best player in this draft. Fox, Jackson, Monk etc. Meh. Marginal players who may have their moments but zero franchise players after the top 2 and the top 2 are still debatable.
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-n...-take-anger-management-classes-190851226.html To the Queens? I mean there is a huge crevasse left because of Cuz leaving.
^^^ of what, jerk citizenship athletes I take it? Spot on Kareem .... go to the Queens. Sounds like head case that will easily have his buttons pushed in the NBA.
Think past the lone draft pick; Ball, Fox, Jackson, etc. Ball's ability to get the ball to his teammates' favorite spots cannot be overlooked. The rhythm he creates on the floor is a rare skill. You take Lonzo not only for his talents, but particularly for the high tier players he'll attract.
He will need to come out the gate distributing like a boss. Not only that but win. No rookie, pass first PG, has made a major impact in his first year like that in years.
Ramona Shelburne on 710 ESPNLA this morning. She was asked "what % would you put right now on the Lakers taking Lonzo Ball" RS: Honestly I put it at 50/50, this isn't a slam dunk thing. First the individual workouts haven't happened and we all know opinions can change in this process. Also there are Josh Jackson fans in that front office that really like his fit with Brandon Ingram. Third we don't even know if Boston is really going to take Fultz or not."
Josh Jackson and Brandon Ingram? Yeah no, they play the same position, and with JJ needing anger management, I think he'll drop a few spots to Fox and Monk.
She jumped on these Josh Jackson rumors early. I honestly think it's Josh Jackson peoples floating positivity all over the league and not a reality. I mean the kid has some serious mental issues and the Lakers have spent months talking about "high character kids". I just don't see the match. That being said, Jackson has a lot of positives about him as a player. He's athletic as can be, a strong and versatile defender, and maybe most importantly he's a very good passer for his size. He could slot in for us at the SG spot and create a really interesting duo on the perimeter defensively with he and Ingram and either of them project to be able to guard 2-4 in stretches as they get older. But that'd be banking on him being able to shoot the ball effectively and there are a LOT of questions about his jumper. If you're worried about Lonzo Ball projecting his jumper, this one is... really scary. It's not just unorthodox, it's inconsistent, and some fear it's just broken completely. I would be surprised if we went that direction, but it wouldn't be the worst fit. The thing with the workouts is guys like Fox and Jackson are going to PUSH in those workouts. They're going to compete hard. If Lonzo doesn't compete in his workout, he could definitely slide past us.