DRAFT TALK Thread: Looking Like Lonzo

Thanks, man. I appreciate the kind words

I think All-Star matters because it's a good proxy for being one of the best NBA players. It's hard to find a player who has been near the top of his position for years and didn't make at least one ASG. It's also hard to find those who made multiple ASGs without being near the top of his position. They're minuscule lists compared to the deserving players.

I think Ball has his problems, but his numbers look good. He should be able to pass and hand out tons of assists. Unlike some of the other guys, however, his shooting concerns me. I think he'll see more of a dropoff in scoring efficiency than a lot of the other non-bigs. His FG% is unsustainable.

It's the highest FG% by a guard taking at least 300 FGs in the past 25 years. By comparison, here are the other NBA players on the list and their career NBA FG%:
Alec Burks 42.8%
Keith Braxton N/A
James Harden 44.2%
CJ Anderson N/A
Jaycee Carroll N/A
Mike Conley 44.3%
Brian Parker N/A
Jaylen Franklin N/A
Josh Jackson - Rookie

 

He's more of a traditional SG. Might be a better shooter than D'Angelo, but isn't nearly the passer, isn't really a cutter or slasher, has a horrible wingspan that limits him defensively, and is at best an equal athlete but probably worse.

If we traded Russell for Kennard, we'd need to add another asset for sure. Another pick, preferably one in the teens. But I don't see it happening at all. The Lakers need Russell around for a bunch of reasons, chief maybe among them as a recruiting tool for Paul George.

 

He screams Redick, who a) vastly outperformed my thoughts on him and b) is a one-way player. Kennard is a Phil Jackson pick. Wonder if Luke will see a kindred spirit and push for him.

 

As long as we're posting fantastic workout videos. Check out John Collins out of Wake Forest.

 

Towns is significantly bigger. I like Collins though.

 

Yeah he's smallish, kinda dumb. In a lot of ways might end up looking like Thomas Robinson.

 

Some more, including guys with big numbers (but more college experience)...

Semi Ojeleye 6.4 SCOFF, 2.0 PAF, 2.8 HUFF, 68 WING/78 BIG
--Older - with three "seasons" of playing time in college, may project better as a stretch four than anything else. He's already 22.

Tyler Lydon 5.4 SCOFF, 2.3 PAFF, 3.3 HUFF, 76 BIG
--He could be a solid passing big, and he can shoot, but he has not good size for a PF.

Tony Bradley 6.1 SCOFF, 2.0 PAFF, 4.1 HUFF, 101 BIG
--Bradley is a kind of physical specimen. His numbers look great, and he can probably defend very well, but it's unclear how well his old-school PF game will translate to the NBA.

Jawun Evans 6.6 SCOFF, 4.1 PAFF, 2.7 HUFF, 98 PG
--After two years in college, Evans has monstrous numbers, but he's short (probably shy of 6') and weak, and he's not a good athlete. His numbers look promising, so he could pay off if he add some strength and savvy.

And an update:

Top Scoring Efficiencies
John Collins 7.1*
Zach Collins 6.7
Markell Fultz/Jawun Evans* 6.6

Top Passing Efficiencies
Lonzo Ball/Jawun Evans* 4.1
Markell Fultz 3.6
De'Aaron Fox 3.5

Top Hustle Efficiencies
Tony Bradley 4.1
John Collins 4.0*
Zach Collins 3.9
Harry Giles 3.9

If they're not a freshman, I mark an asterisk. It's kinda cheating.

 

So far he's crushing everyone in scoring efficiency, and his hustle is second best. vs. KAT:

Towns was 6.1 SCOFF, 2.2 PAFF, and 4.1 HUFF, for a 103 at his position.
J. Collins is 7.1 SCOFF, 1.3 PAFF, 4.0 HUFF, for 110 at his position.

If Collins adds a legit outside shot, he could be very good. Collins did play two seasons in college, mind you.

 

Lottery pick. He's probably going in the teens.

 

F*** me, spoke way too soon.

 

Agreed. If this fails, they've wasted one of their talented players. I understand we rated him more highly than other places, but you traded him at the valley of his value.

 

F*** my life lol. This is my nightmare man, I friggin hate LeBron. I don't want to be rooting for his aging, declining a** to win with my franchise when I saw what a real champion and winner looks like already with Kobe.