How Great is the 2017 draft class?

[Mainstreet]

Apparently Lavar Ball is seeking a 1 billion dollar deal to sign all three sons for shoe and apparel endorsements.

I'm not sure the father goes away for whoever signs Lonzo Ball.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/245506/Nike-Interested-In-Signing-Lonzo-Ball

 

[Russ Smith]

Apparently Lavar Ball is seeking a 1 billion dollar deal to sign all three sons for shoe and apparel endorsements.

I'm not sure the father goes away for whoever signs Lonzo Ball.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/245506/Nike-Interested-In-Signing-Lonzo-Ball

That's 2 weeks old though. Obviously he can't sign a deal for all 3 or the 2 younger ones would lose their amateur status.

I think he wants someone to buy his Big Baller Brand, seems to be going about it the wrong way.

 

[Mainstreet]

That's 2 weeks old though. Obviously he can't sign a deal for all 3 or the 2 younger ones would lose their amateur status.

I think he wants someone to buy his Big Baller Brand, seems to be going about it the wrong way.

I'm not sure the "Big Baller Brand" wouldn't effect the younger sons amateur status as you suggest if it is inclusive of all three sons.. IMO, he should just concentrate on Lonzo for the time being.

Looking at it purely from a Suns fan, the father could take all the air out of the room for a team that signs him. And I can see the father might wanting to be his agent, if not now later.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm not sure the "Big Baller Brand" wouldn't effect the younger sons amateur status as you suggest if it is inclusive of all three sons.. IMO, he should just concentrate on Lonzo for the time being.

Looking at it purely from a Suns fan, the father could take all the air out of the room for a team that signs him. And I can see the father might wanting to be his agent, if not now later.

It doesn't really although the sons picture was on the site. Last time I looked they had taken the heads off so you can't tell if it's them or not.

The NCAA has already looked into it, USC reported it they told UCLA they thought it was a violation so UCLA contacted the NCAA. the NCAA said it wasn't a violation. I assume they're using the same rules they used to allow Duke to play Jabari Parker even though a headphone company was using video of him as an ad on their website, and allowing some other situations that even 5 years ago would have been violations.

But if he accepts a billion dollars it's going to be to buy the brand and a contract for Lonzo, if the contract includes the other 2, they won't be able to play college ball. they may not care if he has a billion though.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Matt Barnes was an elite athlete, not sure I buy that comparison at all.

Rodney Hood is not a good athlete either, does fine.

Matt Barnes was not an elite athlete. You actually don't watch basketball do you?

And good was considered an elite shooter. Justin Jackson is not. He's streaky at best.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It doesn't really although the sons picture was on the site. Last time I looked they had taken the heads off so you can't tell if it's them or not.

The NCAA has already looked into it, USC reported it they told UCLA they thought it was a violation so UCLA contacted the NCAA. the NCAA said it wasn't a violation. I assume they're using the same rules they used to allow Duke to play Jabari Parker even though a headphone company was using video of him as an ad on their website, and allowing some other situations that even 5 years ago would have been violations.

But if he accepts a billion dollars it's going to be to buy the brand and a contract for Lonzo, if the contract includes the other 2, they won't be able to play college ball. they may not care if he has a billion though.

It really does blur the lines of amateur status. How can you have a player reaping millions of dollars from his families athletic endorsements (in which he is a centerpiece) and then punish a player for taking $500 bucks from a booster?

 

[Russ Smith]

Matt Barnes was not an elite athlete. You actually don't watch basketball do you?

And good was considered an elite shooter. Justin Jackson is not. He's streaky at best.

Yeah Matt Barnes in HS that was a high level WR and a basketball player might have been an elite athlete in HS, but at the college and NBA level not even close. good athlete in his prime, not nearly elite.

 

[Russ Smith]

It really does blur the lines of amateur status. How can you have a player reaping millions of dollars from his families athletic endorsements (in which he is a centerpiece) and then punish a player for taking $500 bucks from a booster?

I assume where the NCAA draws the line is partisan or not. That is if Lonzo Ball was making money off his dads company, it has nothing to do with him playing at UCLA or wherever else. the only argument you could make is some of those BBB shirts are in UCLA's colors, but they don't say UCLA. Nobody is paying Lavar Ball a billion dollars to send his son to UCLA.

But if a booster at UCLA gives Lonzo Ball $500, that's a violation because it's specific to UCLA and is an example of a partisan booster favoring a kid with "extra benefits."

The whole system is nuts, they had a show on Vice on HBO recently called the end of amateurism. Was pretty well done explaining the absurdity of a system where athletes are allowed accept thousands of dollars of free shoes and gear, but are suspended if they sell any of it for a few hundred dollars(like the Oregon case).

 

[JCSunsfan]

Earle Watson on the radio today:

"Who we draft has to fit in with how we play and the people we have moving forward. We know who our young core is. They have to have chemistry and it has to match. (How do you do that?) It can't be a guy coming in looking to score 30 points a night. He has to be able to do a little bit of everything no matter what position he is. We know we need length, athleticism, a defender. We need a play maker and potentially a rebounder. We know that, and always a guy who can shoot and space the court."

 

[Cheesebeef]

Earle Watson on the radio today:

"Who we draft has to fit in with how we play and the people we have moving forward. We know who our young core is. They have to have chemistry and it has to match. (How do you do that?) It can't be a guy coming in looking to score 30 points a night. He has to be able to do a little bit of everything no matter what position he is. We know we need length, athleticism, a defender. We need a play maker and potentially a rebounder. We know that, and always a guy who can shoot and space the court."

I'll be honest.. this is a little idiotic when you might have the number 1 pick in a draft where the first couple players could be transformative.

This is a terrible team. That's the reality. You're looking for someone to CHANGE that, not to fit in with the awfulness.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Earle Watson on the radio today:

"Who we draft has to fit in with how we play and the people we have moving forward. We know who our young core is. They have to have chemistry and it has to match. (How do you do that?) It can't be a guy coming in looking to score 30 points a night. He has to be able to do a little bit of everything no matter what position he is. We know we need length, athleticism, a defender. We need a play maker and potentially a rebounder. We know that, and always a guy who can shoot and space the court."

Haha he just seemingly named every prospect but fultz imo.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'll be honest.. this is a little idiotic when you might have the number 1 pick in a draft where the first couple players could be transformative.

This is a terrible team. That's the reality. You're looking for someone to CHANGE that, not to fit in with the awfulness.

Would be interesting to know how much if any power Watson has in the actual draft choice? Being a UCLA guy is he going to naturally lean towards Lonzo Ball and would the Suns allow him to push for that or does someone else make the decision and just seek input from Earl?

FWIW the claim among UCLA fan "insiders" is Watson was in fact the first name on the list if Alford had left and he allegedly did indicate very clearly he wanted the job if it became available.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if he does well in Phoenix if that happens later on, look at Ewing getting hired by Georgetown.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Haha he just seemingly named every prospect but fultz imo.

It certainly seems that he would favor Jackson or Ball. Although Fultz has a well-rounded game and could fit in too, I would think.

 

[Mainstreet]

Haha he just seemingly named every prospect but fultz imo.

This was my first take although I wonder what young core means in regards to Bledsoe.

I'm not sure Watson is privy to the Suns decision making like the choice to sit certain players.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This was my first take although I wonder what young core means in regards to Bledsoe.

I'm not sure Watson is privy to the Suns decision making like the choice to sit certain players.

I think his young core is Booker and Chriss. Watson thinks alot of Chriss.

 

[SirStefan32]

Theoretically, the coach and the GM should be absolutely on the same page. If they disagree, I'm trusting McD. He's made some mistakes, but he knows how to draft.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'll be honest.. this is a little idiotic when you might have the number 1 pick in a draft where the first couple players could be transformative.

This is a terrible team. That's the reality. You're looking for someone to CHANGE that, not to fit in with the awfulness.

Yeah, that is funny stuff. Next time I see a large blaze I'm just going to dump gasoline on it, wouldn't wanna mess with what seems to be working.

 

[Hoop Head]

This team is bad but they've been in full tank mode for a month and a half. This is a better team than it was last season, when they won 23 games in total, which we're 1 win away from right now. I don't think our record or place in the standings is a good indicator of how bad we are or how this team will do next year with the addition of a top 5 prospect. Chriss is a different player than he was at the beginning of the year, Booker and Ulis are also.

I don't think we'd be competing for the 8th spot in the playoffs but we'd probably be about where Minnesota and Sacramento are with 31 wins if they didn't go into full tank mode, which was the right move.

 

[slinslin]

Haha he just seemingly named every prospect but fultz imo.

Fultz checks every box of that description except defender, Ball only checks playmaker (in transition).
Fultz is very athletic, has a 6'10 wingspan same as Jackson and how on earth is he not a playmaker? If anything Fultz is a far better playmaker than Ball because he can create for others and for himself in the halfcourt and transition.


Watson does not make the pick anyway.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I know my mind went to Fultz with that quote and it's not because I don't think very highly of Fultz. I think it may be that Fultz is the first person you think of in this draft when "looking to score 30 points a night" is said. Not that it's a bad thing; it's a compliment. It's just that Fultz seems more like an alpha scorer than Jackson or Ball.

 

[slinslin]

Matt Barnes was not an elite athlete. You actually don't watch basketball do you?

And good was considered an elite shooter. Justin Jackson is not. He's streaky at best.

I am not sure you actually do.

Among other things Matt Barnes measured the highest vertical leap in the 2002 class, but of course man he was not a good athlete. Lmfao

 

[hsandhu]

This team is bad but they've been in full tank mode for a month and a half. This is a better team than it was last season, when they won 23 games in total, which we're 1 win away from right now. I don't think our record or place in the standings is a good indicator of how bad we are or how this team will do next year with the addition of a top 5 prospect. Chriss is a different player than he was at the beginning of the year, Booker and Ulis are also.

I don't think we'd be competing for the 8th spot in the playoffs but we'd probably be about where Minnesota and Sacramento are with 31 wins if they didn't go into full tank mode, which was the right move.

100% agree. After they won 3 in a row, they were on the verge of beating Washington and I posted in that game thread congratulations on the 8-10 pick, they were playing that well. It looked like we were sliding.

Fortunately they blew that game and the Portland game in the 4th, then shutdown bledsoe, sat booker and warren for selective games.

the reason everyone is excited is because of the draft pick AND what is already here.

 

[slinslin]

I know my mind went to Fultz with that quote and it's not because I don't think very highly of Fultz. I think it may be that Fultz is the first person you think of in this draft when "looking to score 30 points a night" is said. Not that it's a bad thing; it's a compliment. It's just that Fultz seems more like an alpha scorer than Jackson or Ball.

I doubt that, maybe Monk, but Fultz does everything, he is not a guy who tries to simply score 30 every night.

I very much doubt that Watson prefers a player that does not score because he simply can't score more.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I doubt that, maybe Monk, but Fultz does everything, he is not a guy who tries to simply score 30 every night.

I very much doubt that Watson prefers a player that does not score because he simply can't score more.

I probably wasn't clear with my point...

I don't think Watson is opposed to a skilled scorer. Nor do I think Fultz lacks the ability to be an all-around versatile player.

However, if you make the assumption that Ball, Fultz and Jackson are the top players in this draft (I understand some, like you, prefer Tatum or Monk or Fox or Smith, etc...but the average fan reading the quote would be thinking of those three...) then you consider the quote with those three players in mind.

"It can't be a guy coming in looking to score 30 points a night."

That's clearly not Lonzo Ball, who is arguably too passive if anything.

And I don't think it's Jackson either, who is known for passing more than your average small forward and who clearly worked in a system where his point guard was the primary scorer.

So my mind went to Fultz.

 

[slinslin]

Do you really think that Earl Watson during the season is doing college scouting?