I just realized who Lonzo Ball is. Lonzo Ball is essentially Michael Carter Williams. Before everyone gets upset with this comparison... look at these numbers. Lonzo: 6’6”, 195 lbs MCW: 6’6”, 190 lbs Year 1 Lonzo: 52 games played. 10.2 ppg/6.9 rpg/7.2apg/1.7spg/0.8bpg. 0.36 fg%/0.305 3pt%/0.451 ft% MCW: 70 games played. 16.7 ppg/6.2rpg/6.3apg/1.9 spg/0.6 bpg 0.405 fg%/0.264 3pt%/0.703 ft% Year 2 Lonzo (in progress): 8.6 ppg/4.7 rpg/4.4 rpg/1.3 spg 0.41 fg%/0.345 3pt%/0.545 ft% MCW: 14.6 ppg/5.3 rpg/6.7apg/1.7spg/0.5bpg 0.396 fg%/0.235 3pt%/0.694 ft% Put it in this perspective.... if Lonzo put up MCW’s year 1 numbers this season, we would be calling Lonzo a all time great Scary thought is MCW was irrelevant after 5 NBA seasons and out of the league by the time he was 27 years old
Fox only scored on Zo 1 time - Fox's points came of switches. The problem with Zo isn't his defense "most" of the time. There is other glaring weaknesses to his game that need to be addressed; and I know we're not using him very efficiently presently, but he needs to make shots i.e layups, open 3's, at an average clip. I don't know what version of Zo's shot we're getting each game; it seems to be a mental issue where he is getting in his own way...I like the kid, and I think he can be a good player in this league; I just don't know if we have the patience in the FO to continue watching Zo struggle in games like this...I guess we'll see.
Bad shooting the last couple games, but still some outstanding passing and most importantly he moves the ball so effortlessly. He does the pure point guard thing impeccably. He's a great fit with Lebron. I still think Kuz should be coming off the bench for a better defender/three point shooter such as Hart though. Can we actually see that in action some time Luke? I want to see us start Lonzo, BI, Hart, Lebron, McGee. That's a more balanced lineup.
I really believe Zo will get there. If you guys expect Westbrick type scoring then you will be really disappointed the entire time Lonzo is a Laker. Zo only needs to be a scoring threat. Zo reminds me a lot of John Stockton. He just needs to be more of a threat to score. Stockton was an assist and steals savant and scoring was secondary. I can see Zo’s game evolving into a mix of JS and Magic... some of the stuff I see Zo do I’m completely in awe. That touch pass last night to McGee was amazing. Plus, I get more excited by great defense than I do offense. Zo is an elite defender and is only going to get better and craftier.
You seem to be content with mediocrity which is your choice and it's fine. Others are not. We are not religiously invested in some random guys just because they play for the Lakers. If you haven't done ish for this franchise we don't owe you anything. We aren't loyal to some random millionaires, we're loyal to excellence and winning. If you don't bring it, then don't let the door hit ya. We don't want any can be, will be or would be players. We want players that do, and do it now. Also it doesn't matter if you lack the ability or you aren't used correctly or whatever the case may be. The result matters and they are mediocre.
I didn’t watch last night, but Rondo and Zo had identical numbers PER36. Maybe we don’t go and trade our 21 year old kids after 12 games of playing with Lebron. Perennial all stars have struggled to adjust in the past, yet we’re here ready to trade these kids because of a few bad games.
The value he brings as a player is not his scoring. Yes I understand he needs to make his shots when he’s open, but when he is off, he still has great vision and great defense and great IQ. You do not get rid of a player like that. Period. I would take Zo’s defense, IQ, and passing ability over Fox’s quickness and scoring ability everyday and twice on Sunday. As I’ve always said about Zo, there are certain things you can’t teach to a basketball player and he has those things.
You can teach people to make layups, and he has a full-on case of the yips in that regard. It's a concern.
This is a wild assumption of my position and you're better than that. For the record, there's a massive difference between patience and what happens after every game in here. I can be patient and still hold the kid to high standards. I can also recognize that the kid brings better things than most kids his age while also struggling with some serious mental blocks with his confidence. I also find it hysterical that @trodgers liked your post after his religious following of D'Angelo Russell that actually lead him to leave the site for a while. That's awesome. I'm far from okay with mediocrity. I'm also not going to panic a few games into the season on any of these players. That includes Lonzo, Ingram, and even Pope. I do however understand that part of fandom is living and dying game to game. We have to feel certain ways, otherwise why would we be here? I love it here. That's why I said I love everyone here, including you KB. It's all part of being a fan.
Definitely. He's got to find a good sports therapist. Maybe he's got too much LeBron in him mentally.
I’m enjoying your inconsistent views and fanatical defending of Lonzo. Reminds me of me. Btw, Ball’s defensive numbers aren’t elite this season. Still waiting on some advanced metrics, but it’s another area he has stepped back or at least not improved. Welcome to fandom.
Not at all the same. Lonzo doesn't want to take them, and the opposition knows it and uses that information to gum up the offense.
