lorenzo ball - possible risky pick

[Who]

I think his best comparison is a skinnier, slightly taller and longer John Wall. Great court vision and passer. Good shooter, high bbiq, ability to be clutch, excellent court vision. As he gains experience and man muscle I believe his ability to penetrate will improve greatly.

He is definitely in the top two of players coming out this year.

Maybe I just am biased against Wall, but I feel like Wall is kind of the antithesis of what Ball is.  Wall has always been someone I have seen as having super athleticism who can get wherever he wants, and a physical ability to pass the ball, but not great court awareness.  Ball is kind of the opposite.  He seems to be more in the Jason Kidd or even Andre Miller type, but with better shooting ability.  He doesn't have the top end speed of guys like Wall or Westbrook, but can create space with changes of pace and footwork, and can make use of the smallest passing lanes to make things happen.

Andre Miller (with a jump-shot) is who Ball reminds me of.

[seancally]

I like Ball. The Ringer has a great piece on his success so far in college:

https://theringer.com/lonzo-ball-ucla-bruins-freshman-point-guard-280a7cdbc284#.x83x6ptok

He has a great feel, steps up in big moments, and plays a style that suits the modern game. I think he'll be a successful player. Will he be a star? Possibly.

Fultz is in the same boat. I mean, all these guys are in the same boat. It's so hard to nail the draft. Everyone knew Greg Oden was going to be the next Bill Russell except for Greg Oden's body. Go figure.

That's why I'm also intrigued to see how Josh Jackson plays and if his achilles (or is it ACL?) injuries hamper him. He's another big-time player.

[tankcity!]

I'm in love with Ball. Fultz is still number 1 on my board. However I won't complain if the Celtics get their hands on this kid. He is the closest thing I've seen to Jason Kidd.

[Vermont Green]

It is a crap shoot to pick the best of the bunch but I am curious to see how Harry Giles at Duke develops.  After losing to Virginia Tech, they play 8 games in Jan against mostly ACC teams, including tonight against Georgia Tech.  He still could be a sleeper or late bloomer.

[Chris]

It is a crap shoot to pick the best of the bunch but I am curious to see how Harry Giles at Duke develops.  After losing to Virginia Tech, they play 8 games in Jan against mostly ACC teams, including tonight against Georgia Tech.  He still could be a sleeper or late bloomer.

Giles is definitely the wild card.  On the surface, he is the best fit for what the C's need, so if he can show something over the last few months of the season he would be hard to pass up.  He just has shown nothing yet, after missing so much time with an injury. 

[Vermont Green]

It is a crap shoot to pick the best of the bunch but I am curious to see how Harry Giles at Duke develops.  After losing to Virginia Tech, they play 8 games in Jan against mostly ACC teams, including tonight against Georgia Tech.  He still could be a sleeper or late bloomer.

Giles is definitely the wild card.  On the surface, he is the best fit for what the C's need, so if he can show something over the last few months of the season he would be hard to pass up.  He just has shown nothing yet, after missing so much time with an injury.

Exactly.  At this point it is impossible to know what Giles might be.  That is why I think this next month or so is so important for him.  And yes, I would much rather roll the dice with a big than a guard or even a wing.  There will be guards and wings in 2018, there may not be a top tier big.

[PAOBoston]

I'd be fine with any of Fultz, Ball, or Jackson. Personally, I prefer Jackson for his size/athleticism. Ultimately, I would just go with BPA (assuming the C's actually make the pick).