Phx-Suns.Net

Now I want the Lakers to fall out of the top 3 even more. I do not want to see Lonzo on the Lakers.

carey wrote:

Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:I'd have to assume that the dad is just running his mouth and that this does not actually represent Lonzo Ball's wishes. It would be stupid for him to insist on that. From what I've heard the dad is a total douche.

Idk. He has absolute control over those kids. It wouldn't surprise me.

Dude is a total pageant mom. Awful, I hope he doesnt pull something ridiculous like that.

He kinda backed off his statement. Said he really wants him to play for the hometown lakers and magic Johnson. But that he would play for another team if they drafted him. However, he said he would discourage other teams from drafting him.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... les-lakers

"All I said was that my boy is going to play for the Lakers, and I'm going to speak it into existence," LaVar Ball told ESPN on Saturday night. "I want him to be a Laker, but I wasn't saying he's only going to play for the Lakers."

I'd want to avoid Ball for the dad factor alone. Has he even thought this through for more than five minutes before running his mouth? Like, what happens when his other kids come out? Are they less important than Lonzo so they don't have to play for the Lakers, or are the Lakers expected to take all three of his sons as their only back court rotation? What a dumbass.

The Laker comment from the dad has me concerned. Would Ball try to manipulate his way off of the team that drafts him to the Lakers? I am not sure I want a player or family that is that full of themselves.

I am really becoming convinced that Ball will be the better pro than Fultz. There is just some "it" factor with him.

He can't shoot off the dribble.

He's going to have develop that part of his game along with a mid-range game and finishing through contact.

True, but those are skills that can be learned. In any case, he's a good finisher at the rim so teams can't just keep backing off him. They've got to step up and stop his dribble at some point, and when that happens he can pass.

I'm not too worried about Ball's dad. I haven't seen any indication from Ball that he will let his dad get in the way. I'm more concerned about his ability to play in the half court. I think he'll have some growing pains as a pg in a half court offense. However, I think he'll be a good spot up shooter and he moves well without the ball and can finish at the rim, so if he's playing with an Eric Bledsoe or Devin Booker, I think he can be fine. It'll be interesting how his jumpshot, specifically his pull-up and mid range shots, will translate to the nba.

I am probably beating a dead horse but that shot release... Damn. I know that KMart survived, but it still has me concerned.

pickle wrote:I am probably beating a dead horse but that shot release... Damn. I know that KMart survived, but it still has me concerned.

You're right, it is concerning a bit. You wonder why he essentially has no mid-range game? When you shoot it from your left side with your right hand because you are left eye dominate and turn so much to the left in your natural stance, it's going to be nearly impossible to have a quick pull up going to his right. NBA defenders and defenses will exploit this, make him go right, take away his drive, his passing lanes and try to force him to shoot an uncomfortable pull up. He's either going to adapt and change or be diminish is effectiveness.

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_ ... -chad-ford

Insider article, but here's the suns section

Phoenix Suns (26-56)


No. 1 pick odds: 15.6 percent
Top-3 pick odds: 48.3 percent
Most likely spot: No. 3

Whom Phoenix should draft with the ...

No. 1 pick: Lonzo Ball
No. 2 pick: Markelle Fultz
No. 3 pick: Josh Jackson

Most likely pick: Josh Jackson | G/F | Fr. | Kansas

The Suns already have two starting-caliber point guards in Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. But Knight was shopped heavily before the deadline, and as much as Phoenix loves Bledsoe, both Ball and Fultz have more upside.

If they land at No. 3, Jackson gives them maximum versatility, an elite defensive presence and the highest motor in the draft.

Alternative pick: Jonathan Isaac | F | Fr. | Florida State

I can't see us picking Isaac after picking two tweener forwards in the last draft, even if Isaac is a better prospect than both.

I love Isaac and the thought of him wreaking havoc on defense along with Bender at the same time would be awesome. But I do think you're right and I draft board probably looks a lot like: 1. MF 2. Lonzo 3. JJ 4. DS 5. Tatum

FWIW, I'm really warming up to Dennis Smith. He reminds me a lot of Kyrie his rookie year.

My current worry is that our recent play pushes us out of the top 5 into the range where the 2 best players are Monk & Markkanen. Both play positions where we have good young players in Booker & Chriss/Bender right now. Does McDonough ransom the pick, go BPA, or reach for a player like Williams? Will he take someone years away like Isaac? Or go 3rd best PG in Smith when many consider it a 2 PG draft and he loves Bledsoe? This draft is going to stress me out because it is crucial for us to get this one right if we're going to have any hope of being good anytime in the next few years. A miss here will set us back a good ways and will cost McDonough his job.

carey wrote:My current worry is that our recent play pushes us out of the top 5 into the range where the 2 best players are Monk & Markkanen. Both play positions where we have good young players in Booker & Chriss/Bender right now. Does McDonough ransom the pick, go BPA, or reach for a player like Williams? Will he take someone years away like Isaac? Or go 3rd best PG in Smith when many consider it a 2 PG draft and he loves Bledsoe? This draft is going to stress me out because it is crucial for us to get this one right if we're going to have any hope of being good anytime in the next few years. A miss here will set us back a good ways and will cost McDonough his job.

I disagree with this. I think we have a young core that can hold down the 4-5 spot in the west for a few years without any major additions. We're going to have lots of chances to push this team over the edge with trades, free agency and future draft picks. I'm not too worried about the downside ATM.

I don't like what I've heard about DSJ's attitude and I wonder whether we already have a better PG in Tyler. But talent is talent. I wouldn't be shocked if DSJ was the guy.

OE32 wrote:I disagree with this. I think we have a young core that can hold down the 4-5 spot in the west for a few years without any major additions. We're going to have lots of chances to push this team over the edge with trades, free agency and future draft picks. I'm not too worried about the downside ATM.

I don't like what I've heard about DSJ's attitude and I wonder whether we already have a better PG in Tyler. But talent is talent. I wouldn't be shocked if DSJ was the guy.

I wish I saw what you're seeing, but I don't. I see we've won a few games on the backs of a 2nd unit, but until we get some significant talent upgrades in the starting line-up we're not going to be challenging anyone in the West for anything, much less the 4-5 spot.

I've not heard anything about Dennis Smith's attitude. What have you read?

carey wrote:

OE32 wrote:I disagree with this. I think we have a young core that can hold down the 4-5 spot in the west for a few years without any major additions. We're going to have lots of chances to push this team over the edge with trades, free agency and future draft picks. I'm not too worried about the downside ATM.

I don't like what I've heard about DSJ's attitude and I wonder whether we already have a better PG in Tyler. But talent is talent. I wouldn't be shocked if DSJ was the guy.

I wish I saw what you're seeing, but I don't. I see we've won a few games on the backs of a 2nd unit, but until we get some significant talent upgrades in the starting line-up we're not going to be challenging anyone in the West for anything, much less the 4-5 spot.

I've not heard anything about Dennis Smith's attitude. What have you read?

Here's the Smith Jr. discussion: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/whats-on-d ... -prospects

I think our starting 5 has plenty of talent. Whether Tyson or Alex, we're weakest at the 5 spot, IMO. I'm happy to upgrade by the internal development of our players and, if that's not enough, over time through the draft, free agency and trades. I'm in no rush to replace Warren and DJJ with Jackson, and I'm certainly not interested in trying to upgrade at the 2 or 4 in this draft. That leaves the 1. Maybe I overvalue Ulis, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him earn and keep that spot. I admit that I think Fultz would be ideal, but no matter what you do, you can't put yourself in a position to have more than a 25% shot at that pick.

I think we have enough talent to move confidently forward to the next stage in our rebuilding process - trades, free agency, competition.

I think we have enough talent to move confidently forward to the next stage in our rebuilding process - trades, free agency, competition.

I like our young players a lot, but I don't really agree with this. I think this is a top-heavy league, and you need 2-3 real studs / stars to be a great team. I see only one real potential star on our roster, and that's Booker. I think we need one more home-run draft pick who turns out to be awesome, like a Ball or Fultz or maybe Jackson. Then maybe we will be able to fill out the team with trades and FAs and actually try to get some wins.