lorenzo ball - possible risky pick

[knuckleballer]

His shot is ugly looking, but I don't see why that's a problem since it goes in.  He gets it off quickly and is a 6'5" pg.

[walker834]

We aren't taking another guard.  I don't understand draft talk around here though usually.  There is always that chance Ainge swings for the fences but I'm not sure Ball is it.  Too much talk about players we won't even take or trade for.  A huge percentage of this board is that lately.

[Chris]

We aren't taking another guard.  I don't understand draft talk around here though usually.  There is always that chance Ainge swings for the fences but I'm not sure Ball is it.  Too much talk about players we won't even take or trade for.  A huge percentage of this board is that lately.

Most of the top players in the draft are guards (most of them big guards), and the C's three top guards (two of them undersized for their position, and the third undersized if you consider him a SG) are all going to be free agents in the summer of 2018.  So, I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility that Danny gets ahead of things and brings in a potential franchise guard to replace one of the guys he might not feel like they can/should pay.

[TrueFan]

His shot is ugly looking, but I don't see why that's a problem since it goes in.  He gets it off quickly and is a 6'5" pg.

I agree. He has a quick release and has some dribble moves into shots similar to Curry.

Ball is a guy we should be thrilled to add.

[td450]

We aren't taking another guard.  I don't understand draft talk around here though usually.  There is always that chance Ainge swings for the fences but I'm not sure Ball is it.  Too much talk about players we won't even take or trade for.  A huge percentage of this board is that lately.

Most of the top players in the draft are guards (most of them big guards), and the C's three top guards (two of them undersized for their position, and the third undersized if you consider him a SG) are all going to be free agents in the summer of 2018.  So, I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility that Danny gets ahead of things and brings in a potential franchise guard to replace one of the guys he might not feel like they can/should pay.

This is an important point. The only other position with talent in the top 10 are small forwards, and it makes even less sense to draft one of those, especially when the point guards have more upside.

Given that Isaiah is getting into rarefied territory as a scorer, and Bradley is playing at a borderline all-star level, keeping IT, Bradley AND Smart will require putting too much money into a trio that is very, very good but doesn't include a top 10 player. Replacing one of them with a big scoring point guard with superstar potential on a rookie deal makes perfect sense, especially when you consider they will all be valuable in trades.

[TrueFan]

I wouldn't get caught up in roster congestion when picking from this year's draft pool. Ball would end up being a better player then AB and Smart.

[mmmmm]

We aren't taking another guard.  I don't understand draft talk around here though usually.  There is always that chance Ainge swings for the fences but I'm not sure Ball is it.  Too much talk about players we won't even take or trade for.  A huge percentage of this board is that lately.

Danny will do one of the following with the pick:

a) Take the Best Trade Possible or
b) Take the Best Player Available.

If he ends up doing (b) and the BPA is a guard, then we are taking a guard.

[Ilikesports17]

I wouldn't get caught up in roster congestion when picking from this year's draft pool. Ball would* end up being a better player then AB and Smart.

*could

[TrueFan]

I wouldn't get caught up in roster congestion when picking from this year's draft pool. Ball would* end up being a better player then AB and Smart.

*could

The guy is way too dynamic of a player to not end up being better then AB and Smart.

[Ilikesports17]

I wouldn't get caught up in roster congestion when picking from this year's draft pool. Ball would* end up being a better player then AB and Smart.

*could

The guy is way too dynamic of a player to not end up being better then AB and Smart.

he lacks athleticism and has questions about his shot.

It is entirely possible that he is never better than AB and Smart.

He is likely to be a superior player perhaps, but not garunteed. No 19 year old outside Lebron James is.

[TrueFan]

I wouldn't get caught up in roster congestion when picking from this year's draft pool. Ball would* end up being a better player then AB and Smart.

*could

The guy is way too dynamic of a player to not end up being better then AB and Smart.

he lacks athleticism and has questions about his shot.

It is entirely possible that he is never better than AB and Smart.

He is likely to be a superior player perhaps, but not garunteed. No 19 year old outside Lebron James is.

He has deceptive quickness and nice footwork with his handle. Excellent court vision and one of the highest bball iqs I've seen from a college player. He's going to be very good.

[nickagneta]

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.

[coffee425]

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.

So we're just gonna pass up on drafting Penny Hardaway?

[nickagneta]

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.

So we're just gonna pass up on drafting Penny Hardaway?

I dont tgink he has the athleticism of Hardaway and his game is different. Hardaway drive and finish right away and wasnt a good shooter from deep until much later in his career when he lost his athleticism. Hardaway was also a much better athlete than Ball.

[Chris]

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.