@lakerjones...Ball did have some good defensive games at UCLA against the likes of Bell (Oregon), Fultz and Fox. Mostly he played within a team concept but was an able on ball defender when needed.
One thing is super clear by now with the Fultz flame out and the rise of Zo: we got THE best player in the draft.
Remember when Jayson Tatum was the greatest thing since sliced bread in the NBA media? Tatum: 13.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.8 blocks, 30.5 minutes, 47.3 FG%, 43.2 3PT%, 82.9 FT% Lonzo: 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, 33.3 minutes, 36.5 FG%, 32.4 3PT%, 49.1 FT% The only point where Tatum is a clear favorite is efficiency, but Tatum's numbers have fallen since the start of the year: First 40 games: 50.8 FG% (188/370), 47.1 3PT% (57/121), 82.4 FT% (131/159) Last 23 games: 42.1 FG% (107/254), 35.9 3PT% (23/64), 85 FT% (34/40) Lonzo First 21 games: 31.5 FG% (74/235), 25.7 3PT% (27/105), 46.7 FT% (14/30) Lonzo Last 16 games: 43.1 FG% (78/181), 39.2 3PT% (40/102), 52.1 FT% (12/23) In the games since Lonzo has been back: Lonzo: 10 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 58.8 FG% (10/17), 66.7 3PT% (8/12), 66.7 FT% (2/3), in just 25.1 minutes per game.
Wade has been about the Ball family all year! Marks is a skeptic on the Lakers so that is a high compliment from him.
I agree whole hardheartedly. I honestly feel bad for fans who can't see Lonzo for what he really is and his impact. Instead all they do is look at that box score. It's so much fun to watch him play and how he impacts the game whenever he can.
That is some crazy high praise from Wade. You never really hear actual players saying anything negative about him though, only dumb media and fans hating. Players have generally praised his game and basketball IQ, I guess it’s easy to see how good he is/can be when playing against him.
Some high high praise from Wade. Ball made him work for that shot and it was an insanely tough shot too. Ball was still inches away from blocking it too.
Per Synergy: f*** Roberson, Zo-PG-BI along the wings is going to be a problem for teams to go against next year. I'm hoping Luke runs more defensive schemes next year and doesn't just rely on switching everything.
That's incredible praise from Wade. People finally recognize what Lonzo can do. And his defense is already way above average; he plays smart on both ends of the floor.
The chart is from Synergy and the screen grab of the chart is from this twitter thread: 13th amongst guards in contested shots (7.5 per game) 17th amongst guards in deflections (2.7 per game)
Was IT This draft has some pretty special talent outside maybe Fultz (lol). Zo, Kuz, Hart, Tatum, Dennis Smith Jr., Mitchell, Markannen. Verdicts still out on Fultz, Fox, and Jackson. But all those guys are contributing straight outta the draft which is typically very hard to come by.
