[princejamesParticipant]

 Lonzo Ball

Why?

Lonzo Ball ability to generate points and make his teammates better with his passing skills, special court vision, unselfishness, basketball I.Q., instincts, creativity, uncanny anticipation, and playmaking skills are at an elite level, comparable only to Magic Johnson and Jason Kidd. He knows where everybody is at on the court at all times, plays 2 steps ahead of his competition, anticipates what needs to be done, and just makes spectacular plays and needed decisions that consistently gives his team an advantage against their competition. The only players I’ve seen play with that level of ability have been Magic Johnson and Jason Kidd

Yes he’s just a solid athlete and his jump shot is unorthodox, But Lonzo Ball just has an natural and innate ability to make everybody around him better and generate a lot of points for his team with-out needing to be a dominate scorer. He has the understanding, skills, and special instincts that will him to play at a high level until he like 40 years old, LOL!!!

When it comes to  generating points for his team, creating offense for his teammates, and making his teammates better. He does this better than 95% of the players in the NBA 

Because basketball is a team game, I’ve always thought that the greatest skill a basketball player can possess is the ability to make their teammates better. And Lonzo Ball does this far better than anyone in College Basketball. 

He’s the number 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft and would be a spectacular addition for any team in the NBA.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Your gonna get crushed for this post. Its just too close to call right now between Ball, Fultz and Smith with Jackson as a wild card as well. I respect going out on the limb though and making a bold prediction. Im not ready too choose between the three so koudos to you.

[princejamesParticipant]

After watching them all play, I’ve come to the conclusion that Lonzo ball is the best player out of the 4

Markelle fultz is a talented athlete and a talented scorer, but he’s more of a combo guard than a true point guard, his point guard skills at the moment are solid, but not great.

Dennis Smith Jr. is an explosive athlete, skilled passer, creative finisher around the rim, spectacular ball-handler, and a great isolation scorer, who plays with great confidence and swagger, but he is a much better scorer than a playmaker, and his ability to make his teammates better is not on the same level as Lonza Ball’s ability. He also has not proven to me that he can consistently run a team from the point guard position in an efficient manner. At times he looks like a great street ball player, who is not really concerned about running his team in an efficient and organized manner. He’s more concerned about scoring, playing 1 on 1 basketball, and breaking down the defense off the dribble to create scoring opportunities for himself. But he has great talent, potential, and upside. And I won’t be surprised if he becomes the best player from the 2017 draft class

Josh Jackson, I love his passing skills, defensive tenacity, intangibles, size, athleticism, and versatility, I wonder sometimes when I watch him play, if he will ever be more than an average shooter, and he hasn’t shown that he has the dynamic offensive skills that will eventually allow him to become a go to guy on offense or a number 1 offensive option.

Lonzo Ball is an elite passer, elite playmaker, has a high basketball I.Q, and makes his teammates better. He has great sav-vy and spectacular instincts. He does things and make plays that a lot of basketball players just can’t to. 

 

[holefillers1Participant]

 You said generate points for his team three times but I can only neg you once…see what I’m sayin

[princejamesParticipant]

You must be one of the foolish ones on this website that foolishly cares about giving out negative points, I really don’t care about the point system or negative points. I just like coming on this website to talk about basketball when I’m in the mood to talk about basketball. Neg me if you like, I could care less, just please make sure you contribute some could topics of discussion to the post I create, because like I said, I like to come on this website to talk about basketball, I know alot about a vairety of basketball topics, so I enjoy communicating with members of this website who also like talking about basketball on a variety of basketball topics

[holefillers1Participant]

 Ball cant score 20 a game in the NBA.  He can’t break defenders down off the dribble and get to the rim/line.  Without these abilities he can’t effectively use his size to play off ball.  Spot up shooter a t the 2, maybe.  Fultz can score from all levels and get to the rim. They are both ball dominant guards but Fultz can close a game out and play both gaurd spots effectively.  Boston doesnt need a gaurd. Sixers don’t need another facilitator they need scorers and shooters.  That leaves Miami or Dallas.  Dallas maybe but Miami would take Fultz’s Wade like versatility all day.   All the best gaurds in the league can take a game over in the clutch. Tough to do that when you have to set up you team mates and rely on them to finish.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Ball wont look to score in the NBA its not his game but he will be breaking down defences off the dribble. He has that Stephen Curry  Brandon Roy like deceptive hesitation steps in his game. He knows how to position his momentum to throw the defender off and attack certain angles to beat players. He uses his body alot like Chauncey Billups did with the strength and width to attack angles and spin into spots on the floor where he can attack defences. Ball has proved to be just as clutch as anybody in college basketball this year and has won a handful of games for UCLA down the stretch. Not saying your wrong about Fultz being the better prospect I just dont agree with your critisism on Ball. I really dont have much negative to say about Ball, Smith or Fultz.

[holefillers1Participant]

I  have no beef with Ball. If Dallas gets the first pick he might go One.  But I had to explain myself to prince albert. So in my opinion that is how Balls game looks when compared to Fultz’s game.  BTW that whole Brandon Roy deceptive nonsense was used last year with Jamal Murray. Where is Jamal Murray?  

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Murray has been one of the most productive rookoes in a weak class. He was drafted to a team with lots of gaurd depth with Mudiay, Harris, and Barton that has also elected to give minutes to Nelson to have a leadership type role/coach on the floor. He is averaging 38% FG which needs to be improved but looks alot worse at first glance than it is considering 50% of his shoots are three pointers and 70% of his shots are jumpshots. His shot is struggling from three as he shooying 32% and his long jumpers which take up 10% of his shot he only makes at 17%. Although this is not a condement on his abillity to create and finish at the rim as overall he is making 42% of his 2-point shots despite his midrange game being so awful.

Also despite being drafted to be a backup SG on a team with gaurd depth and clear ball dominance ffrom Mudiay and of course Jokic who creates alot of offense for the Nuggets Jamaal averages 3-assists and 5-rebounds per 36-minutes. Its a similar situation to Okafor where they have tons of gaurd depth yet he has carved out a role with this team. You seem to defend Okafor alot in other threads for not getting minutes yet still being productive.

In all I would say Murray is ahead of schedule and playing well. Once his shot starts to fall he will be a dangerous offensive weapon for the Nuggets and he plays a complete game.

[holefillers1Participant]

 70% of his shots are jumpers because he can’t dribble drive.  Especially not one on one.  Pretty much my whole point with Ball.  And he is shooting 38% because even his threes are tough shots.  If you want to know how good a gaurd will be at scoring in the NBA look at FTA per game. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Yeah good point I havent watched him play too much this year. Murray also has too tighten up his handle though and is nowhere near the playmaker Ball is while balls handles are above average for NBA standards. That was the knock on Murray headed into the draft as well and it sure is looking like you guys were right it is a problem halfway through the season. Dont write him off just yet though.

[David..PaulsParticipant]

 Go on the limb and say Josh Jackson. 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Josh Jackson and Lonzo Ball are 1a and 1b.. Im sold on Lonzo as the First Pick, Hes a very rare talent of a PG hes going to be able to instantly come in and grasp the speed of the NBA. He sets up players beautifully and really improves the team around him..GMs will value  him because he’ll be able to get the most out of future picks and FA signings which is extremely valuable.. His game isn’t completely wrapped around his athletic ability, he’ll be able to contribute for a healthy career. 

Hes the type of player that doesn’t grow on trees, that cant be said about the other guys considered. 

[binetParticipant]

 I have to agree Fultz type/archetype is common in the NBA, i.e. "grows on trees" but all the guys he compares to are stars or superstars (arguably not D’Angelo but still considered as promising enough not to be a counterpoint here), and he probably is the most exciting this young. That sky high floor he has makes him a very likely #1. And he is younger. Ball and Jackson are born in 1997 making them "false freshmen" in terms of age, this is not necessarily significant later on but teams love youth. On draft night age is going to be a huge plus for Fultz.

 

 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 Markelle Fultz is still the top prospect in my opinion.  He’s extremely skilled while being one of the youngest prospects for this year’s draft.  

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

Sorry if this is a cop out all depends on who gets number 1..The 6 most likely teams at this point.

If Philly get number 1 they don’t really have a need for Ball as he is to similar to Ben S in play style-they need shooters-So Futlz/French combo guard(who could play off the ball) or a Sf Josh J or Taytum could make sense(if Simmons is playing PG).

The only way I see it happening with the 76ers would be if he was going to be 6th man but for a number1 overall pick in a deep draft, would you really want to do that when you can get a starter?

If Dallas gets number 1 Ball could make sense there but so could anyone really it all depends on what Barnes is SF or PF to what they are limited to.

Heat also need anything except maybe Futlz(unless the move all the SG’s which they have few) So Ball could go there,especially if they move Dragic.

Suns need anything except a SG,So ball could number 1 if they got it,that would also allow them to move Bledsoe and Knight for further assets..To better suit the suns Time line..

Lakers(by pure fluke keep their pick..For a 2nd time)They could use Ball and have Russell play SG or have them both be interchangeable really..But to be fair Futlz also makes sense there for  same reasons as Ball essentially..

Celtics who knows what they would draft if the kept the pick(via Brooklyn)They took Jaylen Brown when every one thought they were taking Dunn for trade bait(But to be Fair Dunn refused to workout there)..

I could also sort of see Ball pulling a similar move to Dunn if the Celtics get number 1 if he wanted to start…This would force them to either take Futlz or best available Forward..

 

 

 

 

 

 

[binetParticipant]

No way he is taken number one. It’s like everybody thinks he is Steve Nash right now, high bball IQ, high assist rate, low usage rate, high 3PT%, exciting bball…yet he is not.

He is overrated just has much as teammate TJ Leaf is underrated and deserve credit for all the UCLA hype as well.

Closest thing to him right now in the NBA is Greivis Vasquez, not exciting, yet similar pass first 6’6" PGs that like playing off ball and not holding it too much. I expect Ball to end up better than Vasquez yes, but not enough to be number 1. Ball compares favorably to Vasquez the way Fultz compares to established stars like McCollum, Lillard …That’s just nowhere near the same floor. 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 You lost all credibility with me comparing him to Grevis Vasquez,  Vasquez was an excessive dribbler and bad shooter..  Lonzo Ball sets up his teammates and understands how to run an offense and react to defensive schemes something Grevis lacked.. 

[binetParticipant]

Fair.

My Vasquez comparison is more there to argue that there are/have been multiple bad pass-first tall PGs in the league and that does make Lonzo concerning, despite way better talent, because his archetype is not proven in the NBA, whereas Smith’s, Fultz’s are (to some extent even Fox’s is, but most guys that type are not stars, and contrary to Ball, Fox is not clearly outclassing the previous talent of his archetype).

Personally, I consider Jahlil Okafor as a lesson that being an outlier talent of an unsuccessful archetype has to be considered with caution. I just can’t think of Ball being a "safe" pick.

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 I clicked onto this thread thinking he was going to really make a wild bold prediction and say Creighton’s 7 foot freshman redshirt Justin Patton….lol…Patton has gone from 4 star prospect to 1st rounder….

I dont believe saying Ball will be the 1st pick is bold..Becuz he’s already in the conversation..And like some have already mentioned it’ll come down to which team have the top selection…Right now i say Ball,Fultz & Jackson are the top 3….But i think Ball has the highest b ball iq,out of all the top prospects…There are only a few players that can see plays before it happens..And be a coach on the floor..To me Ball is 1 of those players….

 

[binetParticipant]

 Who would take Ball #1 then? If it comes down to who has the top selection, I am sorry but there is no team in the lottery that I see picking Ball #1 with their current roster. All teams suceptible to prioritize PG are not really team that should want Lonzo over Fultz. Maybe the Lakers if they get lucky and don’t give their pick to Philly… That’s like the only team where a pass first low usage PG could/should be more useful than a versatile franchise player-caliber go-to scoring guard.

Of course where there is already one or many good/great guards they might pick someone else (or trade down), but it’s not like Lonzo would fit in the Boston and Charlotte of the world.

 

[SubZeroParticipant]

I could see Dallas picking Ball just because of the success they had with Jason Kidd and because of how barren their roster is. Although they could use Fultz’s scoring ability so I don’t think either would be a bad pick (I’m partial to Fultz and think Ball is great, though slightly overrated, like how Kyrie is right now), but I think they would definitely look long and hard at Ball

[binetParticipant]

Fair.

I personally think Dallas would be better with Fultz, because right now their roster is still filled with older guys not really the type to play the fast pace offense you should want with Ball and Fultz offers way more flexibility into building around him (fits any system, can play equally well 1&2).

I honestly think the Lakers could pick Ball 1 because they already have D’Angelo has a worse Fultz-like and their coach and youngsters are already suited for Ball, but that’s imo the only team that could do it.

 

[MatosParticipant]

 All depends on who gets that #1 pick. I dont think Boston is picking Ball. 

[HitsterParticipant]

 As always I’ll say it depends on what is the greatest need of  the team who picks first and Boston via Brooklyn pick could complicate things. But if you asked me who at this moment I think is the best prospect in the draft then I’ll go with Fultz ahead of Ball.

Fultz as a combo guard gives possibly more options than the other guards who are more PGs, he has that star quality about him that a bigger franchise picking might look for ahead of a very polished player who would need other players for them to facilitate.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Fultz may seem like the best fit next to Thomas because of his abillity to potentially play off the ball and his slashing and.futting skills but I doubt Ainge cares. He already has a winning team that can compete with anyone in the East and he has another pick next year that should be Top 5 with Mo Bomba and DeAndre Ayton likely to enter. He will draft the player he thinks is the best 100% of the time and he always  gets negative feedback for his selections but look at that Jaylen Brown pick half a season in, its looking pretty good. Ainge was scouting Smith against Boston College.

Imagine if the Celtics end up drafting Fultz, Brown and Ayton off of those Nets picks. That was the biggest steal EVER. 

[nill650Participant]

 I would be surprised if Boston isn’t able to move the pick from the nets as most would agree is the plan…esp if it is at 1 or 2 along with Smart or similar for a 2 or 3 yr vet that elevates them immediately. If they are at 3rd It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Ainge goes for underated Markannen that high.

If they like him enough I could also see Boston trading down for Okafor using the the pick for Philly’s 2nd lottery pick ( if they don’t get the Lakers and want back in the top 3) . Some seem to think Okafor is worth a top 10 pick straight up …maybe but more likely Philly would need to give up the few picks later lottery pick to get the deal done and could probably get a decent filler like zeller or something.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 So it doesn’t worry anybody that Ball Has Only Hit Like 5 2 Point Jump ShotS Off The Dribble ALL year?  I don’t think he’s even attempted a floater.   He also gets 3/4 of his assists by simply swinging it around the perimeter to teammates who are all scorching hot from deep  all year.

 

He’s being hailed as the best passer in college since forever ago but he really hasn’t made many jaw dropping passes like Simmons did last year or D’Angelo The Year before.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[binetParticipant]

I personally am. And a lot.

On one hand this is another example of his Bball IQ, not forcing low efficiency shot like 2pt jump shots, being pass first, always looking for and seeing the easy basket even the simple ones.

On the other, one should wonder if this would/should work with almost any other PG, and it’s just that Alford system and this group shooting quality is off-the-charts.

Right now what goes in favor of Ball is mostly that UCLA was not playing like this last year, and only him and TJ Leaf are key additions to the starting lineup. My opinion is that Leaf is underrated and Ball Overrated a bit in that regard, but Ball being the PG, the consensus opinion is that he deserves all the credit for the success and exciting uptempo play.

Ball is a pass first guy, unlike others that can make flashier assists with difficult pocket passes (behind the back and other fancy things) after drawing double teams and such , so most of his passes won’t be flashy but simply the one orthodox pass delivered the orthodox way to the right guy. Key here is the sheer amount of good passes he delivers, the few tos, and evidence of good, and more importantly quick, decision-making.

 

 

 

[nill650Participant]

 way to soon to know who will "get picked 1st"

what 1& is playing the best: Ball and Fultz …it’s a toss up

Who will be in the top 5 that isn’t right now; Tatum

sleeper #1 : Markkanen ( if Boston has pick)

 

 

 

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

I just can’t bet the #1 pick on Ball’s jump shot working in the NBA, just can’t do it. Sure it works now but NBA defenders are bigger and faster. Can’t take that risk with Fultz and Smith on the board.

[Author]

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