Magic Johnson's statement on Lonzo Ball

[$Mike$]

C'mon Danny...find a way to get Ball and Gordon. Magic Johnson just said the following: "There's no point guard in this league whose basketball IQ is higher than Lonzo Ball." While I think Chris Paul and a few others may have an issue with this comment, it does say a lot about how Magic views Lonzo Ball...Hoping Danny respects Magic's take on this.

[Birdman]

Ball & Gordon would be a great fit on this team with Tatum & Brown

[knuckleballer]

I would be absolutely thrilled to get both Gordon and Ball.  We’d have more size, shooting, and ball movement.  Ball’s shooting has improved a lot.  He used to shoot right handed from the left side of his head.  After years of work, he’s moved it to the right side and the shooting percentages are there.  He’s a fantastic passer.  I doubt we have the assets to get both deals done though.

[footey]

When did Magic make that statement; right after the Lakers drafted him?

[$Mike$]

Ball 1, Brown 2, Tatum 3, Gordon 4, R. Williams 5

Back up:

Pritchard 1, *Get a good shooting veteran 2, *Nesmith 3, G. Williams or Semi 4 (trade one of these two), Theis 5

Both line ups allow for length on the court, easy switch on D in 1-4 positions, better rebounding and ball movement IMO


If possible to keep Smart or move Langford and Nesmith in and out of 2/3 spot, great, but if not trade whoever you need to other than Brown, Tatum, and R. Williams...and of course Taco ;-)

The Team will be young enough to part with a few years of late 1st round picks.

[$Mike$]

When did Magic make that statement; right after the Lakers drafted him?

I believe today, on First Take with Steven A.

[Who]

I would be absolutely thrilled to get both Gordon and Ball.  We’d have more size, shooting, and ball movement.  Ball’s shooting has improved a lot.  He used to shoot right handed from the left side of his head.  After years of work, he’s moved it to the right side and the shooting percentages are there.  He’s a fantastic passer.  I doubt we have the assets to get both deals done though.

One of the things I am not clear on and have been meaning to ask on here about Lonzo is:

His shooting has improved but I have also read that he is playing more off the ball in order to allow Zion to be a playmaker. Is Lonzo shooting a high percentage on just spot up 3s? Or is he enough of a threat now to shoot 3s off the dribble? To be more of a threat in the PnR in order to open up his playmaking in the halfcourt? Or is Lonzo still only a transition passer and a secondary creator in the halfcourt?

Well that was a few questions but all asking pretty much the same thing.

[knuckleballer]

I would be absolutely thrilled to get both Gordon and Ball.  We’d have more size, shooting, and ball movement.  Ball’s shooting has improved a lot.  He used to shoot right handed from the left side of his head.  After years of work, he’s moved it to the right side and the shooting percentages are there.  He’s a fantastic passer.  I doubt we have the assets to get both deals done though.

One of the things I am not clear on and have been meaning to ask on here about Lonzo is:

His shooting has improved but I have also read that he is playing more off the ball in order to allow Zion to be a playmaker. Is Lonzo shooting a high percentage on just spot up 3s? Or is he enough of a threat now to shoot 3s off the dribble? To be more of a threat in the PnR in order to open up his playmaking in the halfcourt? Or is Lonzo still only a transition passer and a secondary creator in the halfcourt?

Well that was a few questions but all asking pretty much the same thing.

Great questions.  I don’t know the answers.  His shooting form sure looks a lot better and the total percentages reflect that.  But why are the Pelicans looking to trade him?

[dannyboy35]

I would be absolutely thrilled to get both Gordon and Ball.  We’d have more size, shooting, and ball movement.  Ball’s shooting has improved a lot.  He used to shoot right handed from the left side of his head.  After years of work, he’s moved it to the right side and the shooting percentages are there.  He’s a fantastic passer.  I doubt we have the assets to get both deals done though.

One of the things I am not clear on and have been meaning to ask on here about Lonzo is:

His shooting has improved but I have also read that he is playing more off the ball in order to allow Zion to be a playmaker. Is Lonzo shooting a high percentage on just spot up 3s? Or is he enough of a threat now to shoot 3s off the dribble? To be more of a threat in the PnR in order to open up his playmaking in the halfcourt? Or is Lonzo still only a transition passer and a secondary creator in the halfcourt?

Well that was a few questions but all asking pretty much the same thing.

Great questions.  I don’t know the answers.  His shooting form sure looks a lot better and the total percentages reflect that.  But why are the Pelicans looking to trade him?

  I know Lonzo won’t challenge the defense in halfcourt. I think it’s because he does f want to go to the free throw line. 6 ft 6 snd his skills he should get to the line somewhat. I just looked up the stat and he averages 1.1 free throw attempts per game. I think that’s a big mental issue. But he’s a tantalizing player.

[blink]

Ball & Gordon would be a great fit on this team with Tatum & Brown

I have come around to this thinking as well. After watching him play for a couple years, Ball seems to be the big, excellent distributor / penetrator floor general that would be a good fit with Tatum and Brown.  I am still a little on the fence about Gordon, but he seemingly has improved a lot in the last couple of years as well.

I would just like that massively big lineup of Ball (6'6"), Brown (6'6"), Tatum (6'8"), Gordon (6'9"), Timelord (6'9" but LONG).

Everyone is a good defender, everyone is quick, athletic, and relatively long and can jump.  I could live without Smart if this is what our lineup ended up at after some trades.

off the bench Theis, Nesmith, PP, some other vet shooter - scorer, Langford

[jambr380]

I'd like to have Lonzo on the Cs, but the time to get him was this past offseason. He would likely be pretty expensive to acquire and he seems primed for a big pay raise. The dude is trending right now - which is great for him.

[$Mike$]

I'd like to have Lonzo on the Cs, but the time to get him was this past offseason. He would likely be pretty expensive to acquire and he seems primed for a big pay raise. The dude is trending right now - which is great for him.

I believe his bird rights may come in play and allow the Celtics to go over cap.

[gouki88]

Well, there are numerous point guards with higher IQs on offence than Lonzo Ball. Lonzo Ball is a mediocre passer in the half-court, as he's put on full display this year. Dunno why Magic loves to exaggerate like this.

I also think he's due a big pay day, given what we saw guys like Bogdanovic get.

[Boise To Boston]

I would be absolutely thrilled to get both Gordon and Ball.  We’d have more size, shooting, and ball movement.  Ball’s shooting has improved a lot.  He used to shoot right handed from the left side of his head.  After years of work, he’s moved it to the right side and the shooting percentages are there.  He’s a fantastic passer.  I doubt we have the assets to get both deals done though.

Amen to that.  Ball, Brown, Tatum, Gordon, and Timelord.  I'd faint!

[hwangjini_1]

C'mon Danny...find a way to get Ball and Gordon. Magic Johnson just said the following: "There's no point guard in this league whose basketball IQ is higher than Lonzo Ball." While I think Chris Paul and a few others may have an issue with this comment, it does say a lot about how Magic views Lonzo Ball...Hoping Danny respects Magic's take on this.

may i ask what it is about Johnson's time as president of the lakers that convinced you he is an expert in player evaluation?