Report: Lakers currently plan on passing on Lonzo Ball

[Fancatstik]

Lakers not sure Lonzo will be a star and don't want anything to do with his looney Dad. I sure hope they pass on him.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba...zo-ball/ar-BBBUKvy?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

 

[GonzoCat90]

As a Lakers fan, I hope it's true. But I don't trust anything draft related that gets leaked in June. Could be LA just trying to make sure Boston doesn't take him and try to squeeze them for a trade.

 

[UKvisitor]

Throw out the parents, Is Ball better that Fox?

 

[UK_fan_41102]

I think Fox has the higher upside of the 2 and is only scratching the surface of what he'll be in five years. His speed will translate well to the NBA, where it will allow him to drive defenses crazy while he continues to work on his jumper. He's also better on defense and is the better athlete of the two.

 

[UKvisitor]

I think Fox has the higher upside of the 2

Right now, is Ball better than Fox?

 

[greymatters4]

Right now, is Ball better than Fox?

Probably. Fans take more from h2h matchups than scouts.

 

[UKvisitor]

Probably. Fans take more from h2h matchups than scouts.

So what is the different view a scout might take from the obvious that a fan might take? Especially, end of season performance.

 

[musrat59]

I think Magic likes Ball a lot and they will take him.

 

[UKvisitor]

After Fox is drafted, Ball will be hot stuff in the draft.
(IMO, Monk goes B4 Ball in the draft.)

 

[ukfan03]

The Lakers need Fox more than Ball for defense.

 

[getcha pull]

Ball is a Jason Kidd Type Player - makes the whole team better- will he struggle with quicker guards , of course he will - Fox blew by him anytime he wanted too- But his height and vision are second to none in the pt guard category - Fox is today's speedster guard - he has to get a lot stronger to stay healthy in the NBA- He has to work on his jump shot - he has great form just doesnt go in - I think it will - add pounds and consisitent jumper - Fox is all star material - Ball unorthdox Jumper needs work - but he is very athletic - potential All Star - IMO MONK is the best player in this years draft - already ready to play and contribute

 

[UKWINS]

LA will take Ball...but Fox will be the better pro

 

[BBUK]

Ball is a Jason Kidd Type Player - makes the whole team better- will he struggle with quicker guards , of course he will - Fox blew by him anytime he wanted too- But he height and vision are second to none in the pt guard category - Fox is today's speedster guard - he has to get a lot stronger to stay healthy in the NBA- He has to work on his jump shot - he has great form just doesnt go in - I think it will - add pounds and consisitent jumper - Fox is all star material - Ball unorthdox Jumper needs work - but he is very athletic - potential All Star - IMO MONK is the best player in this years draft - already ready to play and contribute

He may be a Jason Kidd type but he is not and won't be a Jason Kidd....

 

[UK_fan_41102]

The Lakers need Fox more than Ball for defense.

Especially since Russell isn't a great defender either.

 

[Smashcat]

Lakers not sure Lonzo will be a star and don't want anything to do with his looney Dad. I sure hope they pass on him.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba...zo-ball/ar-BBBUKvy?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

Not surprised by this.

 

[Slowwalker]

This is saying a lot, but every time I see Fox play, I see John Wall. He doesn't make the crazy highlight plays, but he is lightening quick and has the same driving and finishing ability. Neither are great shooters. I see Fox being the better of the two right now and in the future. IMO the only thing Ball does better is shooting.

 

[wromanp7]

I'll only talk current rather than speculate the future.

Fox obviously has the speed and athleticism advantage.

I'd give Fox the edge on defense.

Court vision/passing I'd go with Ball.
Shooting is Ball (I'm still not convinced it wasn't a bit of a fluke, but still..)

Teammate/leader/intangibles is Fox by a mile.

I call them pretty even.. but I'd give Fox the slight edge based on heart. Ball never impressed me as having a love for the game.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I hope LA takes Ball, and then Philly takes Fox.

Fox, playing alongside Simmons and Embiid, would be in a solid situation and could potentially win ROY since Fultz will be overshadowed for a few years in Boston.

I don’t see Ball winning ROY. I’d put the smart money on Jackson (if Phoenix grabs him) or Fox. Tatum and Monk both with an outside shot at ROY as well.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Right now, is Ball better than Fox?

I would say they're even right now imo. Also, consider their weaknesses and then think which one can correct them the easiest.(Fox's shooting/passing vs Ball's speed/athleticism)

 

[Mash 2.4]

I'll only talk current rather than speculate the future.

Fox obviously has the speed and athleticism advantage.

I'd give Fox the edge on defense.

Court vision/passing I'd go with Ball.
Shooting is Ball (I'm still not convinced it wasn't a bit of a fluke, but still..)

Teammate/leader/intangibles is Fox by a mile.

I call them pretty even.. but I'd give Fox the slight edge based on heart. Ball never impressed me as having a love for the game.

Spot on. I saw Ball quit more than once when his team got in a hole and I only caught a few of their games. Never once saw Fox do that and I watched every one of UK's. The only downside I could see with Fox is injury potential. Those drives to the basket leave you vulnerable to that. But same could be said for Wall and he's been fairly healthy.

 

[king of cali]

Teammate/leader/intangibles is Fox by a mile.

That right there is pure speculation based on nothing. There is nothing that indicates that Ball was a bad teammate, or substandard leader, or lacked intangibles. If anything, those things are his biggest strengths. He took a team that won 15 or so games before he came in and contributed greatly to a 15+ game win improvement.

I think a lot of people project the "sins" of LaVar on Lonzo, when from all accounts LaVar was never around the team and thus not a distraction.

 

[wromanp7]

That right there is pure speculation based on nothing. There is nothing that indicates that Ball was a bad teammate, or substandard leader, or lacked intangibles. If anything, those things are his biggest strengths. He took a team that won 15 or so games before he came in and contributed greatly to a 15+ game win improvement.

I think a lot of people project the "sins" of LaVar on Lonzo, when from all accounts LaVar was never around the team and thus not a distraction.

A certain amount of speculation is inevitable. However, watch the games again and pay close attention to two things;

1) the body language
2) how teammates rush to huddle around their PG

And then tell me it's "pure" speculation.

 

[Hjack]

Passing Lonzo Ball is like passing gas.

 

[mdlUK.1]

I kind of hope the Lakers don't take Fox. If they do and for whatever reason, ball has a better year, it will put a ton of pressure on Fox. I hope he ends up going after Ball and then has a better year.

 

[Blueaz]

A certain amount of speculation is inevitable. However, watch the games again and pay close attention to two things;

1) the body language
2) how teammates rush to huddle around their PG

And then tell me it's "pure" speculation.

And what was the first thing Ball said after thier lose... I'm going pro
That speaks volumes.

 

[BBUK]

I hope LA takes Ball, and then Philly takes Fox.

Fox, playing alongside Simmons and Embiid, would be in a solid situation and could potentially win ROY since Fultz will be overshadowed for a few years in Boston.

I don’t see Ball winning ROY. I’d put the smart money on Jackson (if Phoenix grabs him) or Fox. Tatum and Monk both with an outside shot at ROY as well.

Embiid will be very lucky..very lucky to have any kind of career. I state this again. Big men with knee issues never seem to make it. I hope he does but knees...just get older.

 

[Chuckinden]

I hate that his Father is not doing his kid any favors.

 

[Blueaz]

Don't like the lakers. Hope they take him.
If they pass my stupid Suns will probably draft him.

 

[Chico&TheMan]

I would love to see Ball somehow go to the Kings.

 

[wromanp7]

Don't like the lakers. Hope they take him.
If they pass my stupid Suns will probably draft him.

Phoenix Point Guards

 

[jmmcgr02]

Embiid will be very lucky..very lucky to have any kind of career. I state this again. Big men with knee issues never seem to make it. I hope he does but knees...just get older.

Embiid's health issue is his foot. The knee injury that kept him out of the 2nd half of the season was a smoke screen to give him rest and the best chance in the lottery.
Philly and Boston is going to be a great rivalry again real soon.

 

[Blueaz]

Phoenix Point Guards

They would probably then trade Bledsoe...
And the team will be worse.
They make a lot of dumb moves. No reason to think they won't screw this up.

 

[wromanp7]

They would probably then trade Bledsoe...
And the team will be worse.
They make a lot of dumb moves. No reason to think they won't screw this up.

Decent shot at Jackson. If he's not there I may reach a bit for Markkanen.

 

[BBUK]

Embiid's health issue is his foot. The knee injury that kept him out of the 2nd half of the season was a smoke screen to give him rest and the best chance in the lottery.
Philly and Boston is going to be a great rivalry again real soon.

I hope but since I've known his name he has been more injured than healthy.

 

[Blueaz]

Decent shot at Jackson. If he's not there I may reach a bit for Markkanen.

I wish they would trade down or try to get another 1st round pick next year.

 

[cawoodsct]

I think Magic likes Ball a lot and they will take him.

Agree. He was even making excuses for LaVar last week. I expect the Lakers to select Ball.

 

[wromanp7]

I wish they would trade down or try to get another 1st round pick next year.

Yeah.. this draft is deep but I'm not sure there's a sure-fire game changer at #4 and a PG isn't need which makes it worse.

With the immense amount of hype surrounding this draft.. it sure seems pedestrian to this untrained eye.

 

[Ky-troutbum]

LA will take Ball...but Fox will be the better pro

Fox was the better collegiate player as well!

 

[wromanp7]

I wish they would trade down or try to get another 1st round pick next year.

Another question.

It seems obvious Knight isn't in their long range plans and his contract is not a good one (may be tough to move), so why trade Bledsoe? If they get rid of both Knight and Bledsoe, are they looking for another starting PG (I'm assuming they don't intend to run Ulis big minutes for a whole season)?

 

[BBUK]

I think Magic likes Ball a lot and they will take him.

Magic will look you in the eye and lie and make you like it. Magic will do what is best for Magic. He is not a bad guy for being that way.... He caught aids by being that way but he is not a bad person for being that way.