Friend of the site and Real GM writer/Dunc’d on Podcast co-host Danny Leroux had me on his Real GM Radio podcast to talk Lakers heading into the draft. We talked a lot about Lonzo Ball, but also got into Brandon Ingram, what the goals should be for this off-season, and how it all ties into next season’s plan.
Also, as part of this pod, Danny spoke separately with Jared Weiss (Celtics) and Derek Bodner (76ers) to discuss the top of the draft and team building options for those two teams. Give the entire episode a listen by clicking through…
mattal says
Great podcast!
I have not been a huge proponent of drafting Ball, not because he’s bad, I’m a UCLA fan so I saw him in action a lot, he is very good at what he does.
I’m not high on the long term fit with Russell. I don’t see a Ball/Russell backcourt being close to average defensively plus I am concerned with how infrequently they both get to the line since neither of them like to drive through contact.
Fultz is Russell with better defensive upside and with a passion to throw it down in your face. In my mind a Fultz/Russell backcourt works long term and becomes the west coast version of the Wizards’ Wall/Beal. But the tea leaves point to the Celtics not considering anyone else other than Fultz at #1.
If the Lakers end up taking Ball then they are getting a player that impacts the team’s on court play with a very low usage rate (18% in college) and fits in with other players that need the ball in their hands: Russell, Randle, Ingram and looking ahead Paul George. He is a mercurial passer. So in those regards Lonzo is a great choice.
It will be fascinating to see how this plays out.
Tar Baby says
If you don’t draft Ball are you committing to Russell at the point? Or maybe have Ingram play a “point-forward”?
Just curious is all.
Alan says
Another great podcast, but I must say I’m still learning terminology. Players are assets, players are not tall, they’re long etc. This takes personalizes out of the picture and makes them sound like equipment.
I’m still thrilled the Lakers lucked out and kept the draft pick. Ball seems to be the favorite as the Celtics, and everyone else, seem enamored with Fultz. The Lakers will be so much better as a result of the two first round picks.
Hopefully the team is “all hands on deck” this year, everyone stays healthy and the results validate the skills or shortcomings of all the players so in 2018 the team can attract free agents. Everyone has favorite players that the team should sign, maybe your wish will come true.
Who is going to show up and make a real commitment to defense? Good teams like Golden State start there, in order to beat them, the team needs to STOP giving up 120+ point games, that’s terrible and a good way to wind up on the bench or worse.
Conventional wisdom? dictates Moz and Deng might a have better trade value with two years remaining on their contracts. That would work hand and hand with Magic saying he will wait until 2018 free agency.
How come so many college players waiting to be drafted have to “work on shooting?” I hear that over and over with guys rated high like Fox, or … pick em.
CraigW. says
It used to be – in Michael Jordan’s time – that players generally had to stay in college 4yrs. Pre-college AAU ball dominates and teaching shooting is not a priority. It was college that taught players to shoot and play team defense. Maturity and practice have a great deal to do with how good a rookie can be.
We might think about this as we ‘demand’ players be given the ‘right’ to go into the NBA directly out of high school. As-a-matter-of-fact, why not let players go to the NBA whenever they, themselves, choose. Then some would forgo their high school years – wouldn’t that be great?
The NBA is a business and they can set some guidelines for whom they accept. Personally, I am in favor of either 2-3 years in a college-like environment or 20-21 yrs-of-age, as this would insure better skills when the players are drafted. Of course this would have to be negotiated in the CBA and the players would demand something in return from the owners.
Lakers Future says
Craig,
I don’t think the college game really prepares players for the NBA anymore. The two games are just too different now. Not to mention the range in talent is too wide. So that leads to stats that really do not tell the true story of a player’s potential.
It used to be that NCAA basketball was a slower, easier version of NBA basketball. Now they are so different you could argue that too much college basketball is a hindrance to top prospects. Why have a player spend 3 to 4 years learning a style of play that doesn’t even translate to the pro game? Players are often playing out of their natural positions because the coach is stuck on his system. The idea of the college game teaching great fundamentals is a bit outdated.
Connor Gates (@ae2fefbe22a540b) says
The college game has a shorter three point line also a lot of these kids never need a great jumper because high school through college they are inherently better than most people on the court. So they don’t prioritize it whereas in the NBA a passable jumpshot is a must for positions 1-4 unless you have other skills a La Great Defense Transcendent passing a great post gate etc.
ED says
I`m still waiting for the Lakers to hire asst coaches with proven success in the NBA in the defense and shooting areas.. As for Ball,he`s not a finished product,and I think he has the IQ and work ethic to improve on the things he`ll need to do at the NBA level. It will be interested to see how his relationship with Lavar evolves once he signs his contract and is free to hire and take advice from whoever he chooses.
Mid-Wilshire says
Here’s a good article by Zach Buckley of Bleacherreport.com, “Pros and Cons of LA Lakers drafting Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick.” It’s very balanced, thorough, and well-argued (in terms of both pros and cons). It’s worth a peek:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2712222-2017-nba-draft-pros-and-cons-of-la-lakers-drafting-lonzo-ball-with-no-2-pick
Also, on that same bleacherreport web site, there’s a before-and-after picture of Julius Randle who seems to have changed his body and now looks really ripped:
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2017/5/30/15716516/la-lakers-news-julius-randle-workout-fitness-conditioning-muscles
Apparently, Julius has been working out.
Pbz06 says
Can we stop worrying about defense so much? Lakers need TALENT. Their roster has several players aged 19 thru 21. They are prospects and have much to learn still and they are developing.
Ain’t no young team stopping anybody. 8 out of the bottom 10 teams in defensive efficiency are young teams. All the top 10 defensive teams are veteran teams that play deep into playoffs.
Calm down and watch them keep progressing. Talent is more important right now, followed by a system that becomes instinct. I like the potential of Ball/Russell defensively. Tall backcourt.
You guys watch a 19 year old play 30 games in college and saying he doesn’t play D. Russell is barely 21 and you guys complaining he can’t guard Curry, Harden, Westbrook, Lillard etc. Yawn.
Even if they draft Jackson, not like he’s coming in and shutting down anyone. Fox will get eaten up.
Lakers Future says
Agree. We have to go in knowing that any player the team drafts will take a few years to really make an impact. Neither Fultz nor Ball has ever seen Westbrook coming full speed at them. Neither has seen Curry, Lillard, CP3, Wall, Kyrie, Beal, or even Kemba Walker for that matter. There is nothing in college that can prepare them for trying to defend these players. Its trial by fire and it takes awhile for it finally click.
It is also why I am leery of going too high or low on Russell and Ingram. Ingram is the darling of the team. Russell is the heel. Neither has shown enough to draw concrete conclusions on. Patience is required for both.
Fern says
I agree absolutely, it’s getting tiring, some people here wants a 6’10 pg, athletic, that shoot over 50% in fg and 3s over 90% FTs shooting 20 a game with over 12 apg,4 spg and zero turnovers and be All NBA defensive team at 19 or 20. Not going to happen. The gap between the college and pro game is getting bigger every year. With fewer and fewer exceptions the Draft is becoming a place where you can get a guy that can help you down the road, maybe. We been lucky with all these picks but they all still have a long way to go. Look and the Wolves, all that young talent, still lost 51 games.Im leaning toward Lonzo because im intrigued with having the tallest backcourt in the league with 2 guys that can create for themselves and others. And Ball is more athletic than a lot of people here give him credit for. “So and so is a better defensive player”so what? they are going to get tore the hell up as a rookies regardless.We need TALENT. So much nitpicking…
FredP says
I like the concept of comparing and contrasting 3 young teams. It is a fun way to look at the Lakers and see where they are in the rebuilding process. Thanks for another solid podcast.