Lonzo Ball

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I agree but it was made public by this unnamed family member(who was allegedly Lavar's dad).

That's how he found out his mom had a stroke though some family member texted him that during a practice.

People sort of made Lavar out to be a monster for how he handled that but if his version is true, sounds like he did everything he could.

What was lonzo doing checking texts during practice? Is this commonplace now with kids and sports?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Oh 100% I'm just saying in this case we have 2 totally different versions one from Lavar Ball, and one from some anonymous person who emailed someone off a website and leaked the news that Tina Ball was in the hospital recovering from a stroke.

There was one source for the claim Lavar wouldn't let the boys see her and that was these emails and again allegedly it's Lavars estranged father who sent them but nobody really knows because the family hasn't spoken about it.

He may be putting himself in a good light, he may be telling the truth.

But this Shelburne story is the first time I've seen his version of what happened.

I agree with the other post that stuff should have been private but this relative whoever he is made it public.

Yeah the "other version" in many of these stories is questionable to say the least but I find it concerning that there are so many "other versions" when it comes to Lavar.

As for keeping it private, I'm not sure I agree. If Lavar is the megalomaniac and controlling person he is sometimes painted as; what recourse do you have if you care about those kids and their mother and you see him doing something like this? I know Lavar's explanation made his actions seem reasonable, almost heroic, but that's consistent with the darker interpretation of this man's behavior.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I flip flop on ball and fultz daily now. But if we drop to three I won't be upset with jackson. I still see jackson as a potential Scottie Pippen. If he is and Booker continues to develop and Chriss and bender develop, add in ulis, williams and warren . . . and still have Bledsoe and I think they're a contender. They just need a championship level coach then. Oh and bonus - next year's draft pick and the two Miami picks! Future is bright.

 

[Bodha]

My top 3 would be Fultz, Jackson, Ball. Lavar has nothing to do with the evaluation. Ideal draft would be Fultz and Jordan Bell.

Agreed. Id even put it at: Fultz, Jackson, Fox, Ball

You cant pass your way back into a game. Modern NBA demands your distributor also be a scorer.

 

[Russ Smith]

What was lonzo doing checking texts during practice? Is this commonplace now with kids and sports?

I had the same question I have no idea maybe they all check their phones somewhere.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Agreed. Id even put it at: Fultz, Jackson, Fox, Ball

You cant pass your way back into a game. Modern NBA demands your distributor also be a scorer.

As much as I like fox I see him as being as close a clone to Bledsoe as there is in the draft. Completely redundant imo.

 

[Bodha]

As much as I like fox I see him as being as close a clone to Bledsoe as there is in the draft. Completely redundant imo.

Having 2 Bledsoes isnt a terrible thing.

But if you want to run Booker at the 2nd PG, in that case boot Bledsoe. Install Fox.

My dream would be to land Fultz and trade Bledsoe

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Having 2 Bledsoes isnt a terrible thing.

But if you want to run Booker at the 2nd PG, in that case boot Bledsoe. Install Fox.

My dream would be to land Fultz and trade Bledsoe

I never want to see Booker as a pg. let him do what he does well and let him dominate. Have ulis for second pg. my point is, if fox is just younger Bledsoe we might better aligning time trajectory of our players but not really improving the team.

 

[Bodha]

I never want to see Booker as a pg. let him do what he does well and let him dominate. Have ulis for second pg. my point is, if fox is just younger Bledsoe we might better aligning time trajectory of our players but not really improving the team.

Thats fine, I agree. Thats why hes my 3rd.

I want Fultz #1. I think hes a superstar.

And then I think the way our team is assembled, Jackson would be the most likely and smart pick for #2 overall.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Thats fine, I agree. Thats why hes my 3rd.

I want Fultz #1. I think hes a superstar.

And then I think the way our team is assembled, Jackson would be the most likely and smart pick for #2 overall.

I have Fultz #1 just because of his complete game. The losing still bothers me alot though. Jackson is a complete player too. I am just not sure about Ball. I thought his D was better than it seems to be.

 

[Finito]

I think Fultz and Jackson are on a different level than Ball. I honestly just don't see it in Ball, Fox ate him for lunch in the NCAA a tournament

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think Fultz and Jackson are on a different level than Ball. I honestly just don't see it in Ball, Fox ate him for lunch in the NCAA a tournament

That's a lot of cash you're gambling on a single game . . . a game in which Ball was hurt.

 

[Finito]

That's a lot of cash you're gambling on a single game . . . a game in which Ball was hurt.

Fox was good all year he's pretty much regarded as the #4 guy in this draft. He's not a Jonny come lately.

I've said all along I think Fox will have a better career than Ball

 

[AzStevenCal]

Fox was good all year he's pretty much regarded as the #4 guy in this draft. He's not a Jonny come lately.

I've said all along I think Fox will have a better career than Ball

I wouldn't describe him that way, more like "decent all year, very good late". He came on strong the second half of the season but he really struggled early in the season to generate offense for his teammates, especially compared to their starter the season before (Ulis). Even considering his late surge, overall he still only averaged 4.6 assists per game.

Fox was very highly regarded at the start of the season and dropped to that second or third tier until he finally came on late. Most of that was due to his horrible 3 point shooting which will be an even bigger issue in the pros. He has to be a threat to take more than two 3 pointers per game and obviously he can't continue to make less than 25% of his distance shots.

I don't think he's the slam dunk star that many see although he does have a very safe floor. At the absolute worst, he'll be an excellent backup point guard, capable of defending even the top guards. If he can become a real threat from distance, he's probably the best player in this class.

 

[mojorizen7]

The closer we get to the draft, the less on board i am with the idea of having Ball on this team.

 

[Russ Smith]

I have Fultz #1 just because of his complete game. The losing still bothers me alot though. Jackson is a complete player too. I am just not sure about Ball. I thought his D was better than it seems to be.

He got better on D all year, his D in the UK loss was bad but he was playing on one leg for half the game, again he hurt himself in the first half. when they came out after halftime Tracy Murray, doing the game on radio, said that the players looked like their dog had just died and they were eventually told Lonzo was hurt but asked not to say anything on air.

I was impressed he continued to play, it was obvious to anybody that had seen him play all year he wasn't nearly 100% but he played.

His D will be a work in progress but that's one of the things people should LIKE about Ball, there's tons of room for improvement he played in a crazy system in HS and AAU ball. Until his senior year of HS he was the backline in a full court press, the last year they moved him up and put Okongwu in the back. UCLA was the first time in Lonzo's career he played "normal" defense and not full court press. He's going to get better at regular defense, he showed that all year at UCLA.

He's also got lots of room for improvement on on offense playing in a more normal offense.

And despite all that he led the country in assists, and shot over 70% on twos and 40% on 3's, something that hasn't been done in college basketball sine 1994.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Fox was good all year he's pretty much regarded as the #4 guy in this draft. He's not a Jonny come lately.

I've said all along I think Fox will have a better career than Ball

If you reread your comment it was centered more in Ball and seemed to be based just on that game against Fox. While I don't agree with your assessment of fix over ball you're entitled to your opinion.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

The closer we get to the draft, the less on board i am with the idea of having Ball on this team.

I am the exact opposite. I was far too heavily worrying about his flaws. He is cemented as my #2 after Fultz and I think you could say he is #1 depending on your team.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

And this board helped change my opinion. Look people do win arguments on the interwebs.

 

[sunsfan88]

I still don't think Ball will be able to get that jumper off in the NBA. It's just so ugly especially for a PG.

Can't think of a PG in the NBA in the last few years with a worse release.

Also not impressed by his athleticism.

Right now my top 8 is:

Fultz
Fox
Jackson
Ball
Monk
Markannen
Isaac
Tatum

 

[DevonCardsFan]

I am the exact opposite. I was far too heavily worrying about his flaws. He is cemented as my #2 after Fultz and I think you could say he is #1 depending on your team.

Yes Jackson and Fox arent gonna turn the Suns around. Balls vision and range and rebounding will translate to the NBA. Fults pick and roll ability will translate immediately. But Balls play making ability will improve every one around him. Him and Booker would make a dynamite back court. You guys discounting Ball how scouting have you done. Dude has amazing vision and playmaking ability.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I still don't think Ball will be able to get that jumper off in the NBA. It's just so ugly especially for a PG.

Can't think of a PG in the NBA in the last few years with a worse release.

Also not impressed by his athleticism.

Right now my top 8 is:

Fultz
Fox
Jackson
Ball
Monk
Markannen
Isaac
Tatum

He has a great release, it's what he does before he releases that is major league funky.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He has a great release, it's what he does before he releases that is major league funky.

His release point is perfectly lined up with his left eye. Its not a bad release at all. But the way he ***** the ball off of his left shoulder makes it nearly impossible for him to shoot a jump shot going right. I would imagine defenders will over play him to the left. But it they do that, his drives well going right.

So who knows.

 

[Mainstreet]

I still don't think Ball will be able to get that jumper off in the NBA. It's just so ugly especially for a PG.

Can't think of a PG in the NBA in the last few years with a worse release.

Also not impressed by his athleticism.

Right now my top 8 is:

Fultz
Fox
Jackson
Ball
Monk
Markannen
Isaac
Tatum

I think you have the right players in the top 8 although maybe not in that order.

A player like Zach Collins might surprise.

 

[Ronin]

Burns and Gambo‏@BurnsAndGambo 14m14 minutes ago
.@Gambo987 is reporting that LaVar Ball COULD play a factor in whether the Suns draft Lonzo Ball. #NBADraftLottery