That seems an awful long way from a "poor handle," but maybe there are other reports out there. To me the criticism of Ball is his lack of a mid-range game/lack of a quick release. In any case, my only point was not to get into a discussion of his dribbling skills, but rather the notion that he would slide to the Kings or even the Knicks. I'm 90% certain he'll go to the Lakers and if they decide that he's a poor match with Russell (which would be fair) then he's definitely not getting past the 76ers. All these guys have flaws and it's usual in the pre-draft process to start nit-picking and even exaggerating those flaws such that, say, "lacks a deep arsenal of dribbling moves" becomes a poor handle/needs to learn how to dribble. That's what I'd chalk this up to (per the analogy to Myles Garrett not having a good motor, etc), rather than some sort of superior breakdown of his handle.
Cole is one of my favorite draft guys.
Probably Orlando. I wonder how he'd work with Elfrid but Orlando is a disaster. Minnesota would be a good fit if he fell that far, depending on if you think Dunn is done. Can't see the Suns drafting him.
Depends on if Ingram improves his 3 point shot and if Jackson is close to the .378 he shot in college. With Jackson and Randle, they also have 2 good playmakers that could help make up for Russell.
I'd like to see this happen, if for no other reason than to watch Ball père go
Just a reminder that you probably shouldn't be drafting for need or roster fit at #2. Get the best player.
Fox is probably a better fit with Russell. I suspect, though, that on draft night Fox/Clarkson/filler to end up in Chicago and Jimmy Butler in LA.
May get your wish Some guy named Jordan Schultz (Huff Post I believe) reporting that Lakers aren't convinced he's going to be a star and if the draft were today, they'd pass. Lot depends on his workout Wednesday.
That picture would make the Steve Francis sourpuss face look like a beaming smile.
Phoenix needs whoever they can get for the long term, but their best player right now is a PG. It might be in their best interest to deal Bledsoe (who's 27 and on a good deal), but it sounds like so far they are willing to keep him, add a player or two in FA, and go from there developing their young talent around some actual veterans.
I think I made that same joke a week ago. Ball really would benefit from playing in the armpit of the NBA, where even local residents don't watch the game on TV, and there'd be no public pressure on him to be the franchise savior. I'm guessing that if both LA and Philly pass on him, then #5 is where the slide halts.
Fine, the other armpit of the NBA. Happy now?
If by horrendous you mean James Harden level fucking hilarious I completely agree. However Hield could improve.
Given ball would almost certainly be best as a secondary handler, his catch and shoot, cutting and spacing and skills as a passing enabler and secondary playmaker I would hugely disagree.
I don't think this is true. I know you believe in the "Ball is a sub par ball handler", but if you are hoping to get the most out of Ball, he needs to be a primary handler.
Ball is going to be best as the primary ball handler on his team. His court vision and basketball IQ are the best parts of his game. Could Philly draft him and play him and Simmons? Absolutely. But if Fox goes 2 to LA, I think Philly would have a hard time giving up the chance to get Jackson. Malik Monk is another player who I think fits Philly more than Ball. His shooting abilities would compliment Simmons' game.
Wouldn't Jackson and Simmons create spacing problems since they both can't shoot? I mean, maybe both improve - but I agree that Monk is probably a safer pick if Ball is out of the picture.
What else does Monk do to warrant picking an undersized 2 that high? Seems like he should only be an option in a trade down scenario.
Technically, with Simmons running the offense, Monk plays and defends the PG spot while providing shooting.
That would be his role in Philly but I guess my contention is that I don't think he projects well enough to warrant taking him over guys like Jackson, Tatum, or even Fox. Don't think a team like Philly should be drafting for need at this point, especially when they could probably sign Bradley outright in a year, a guy who they've tried on multiple occasions to acquire.
Kevin O'Connor calls Philly Ball's best fit for just those reasons. He isn't the ball dominant PG type that many are expecting him to be.
I'm with you on all of this, though I get the sense we read a lot of the same deaft guys (Cole Zwicker, Marc Whittington, Don Yates, JZ Malish), where there's some consensus about Lonzo's role off-ball, at least in half court sets.
Yeah sounds like we do.
As a Sixers fan, would you give back the 2018 Lakers pick to move to #2 and get Ball?
He'd be crazy to do that, the odds that Ball will be there at #3 are pretty high.
Absolutely not.
#3 for D'Angelo Russell (assuming Ball to LAL at 2)? Would you do that? Based on what I'm hearing, Philly isn't really enamored with their options at 3.
Seems like there would be better trade partners for Philly. Maybe SAC really loves Fox and Philly could get #5 plus (5 + 10 feels like too much, but it is SAC), putting them in position to take Monk without taking him way too high...
