Lakers Outsiders@LakersOutsiders 24m24 minutes ago Lonzo Ball's camp is reportedly "undecided" on working out for the Celtics ahead of the draft. https://lakersoutsiders.com/2017/05/16/lonzo-ball-undecided-work-out-celtics-2017-nba-draft/… http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19399909/lonzo-ball-sure-work-teams-other-los-angeles-lakers If Lonzo shows up to the Celtics' work out at all he's coming in full Lakers' gear like
Lonzo is NOT working out for the C's, he may workout for the teams outside of the top 2 just n case God forbid the Lakers don't pick him for some out of the fucking blue reason. Draft is June 22, can't wait! Interesting note I just read, mlb draft is 10 days BEFORE.
Ball is the perfect compliment to the Lakers' rudderless ship. Needed a distributor in the worst way. He also fits the Laker mold of a guard who can't play a lick of defense.
I love that the Lakers got in the top 3 - obviously. That said, I'm not thrilled with drafting Lonzo and getting his dad in the package. I'll admit that I chuckled the first time I saw Lavar interviewed, but that act got old quickly. What are the odds that he realizes his 15 minutes of fame are over and it's time to shut up so that he's not a distraction on his son's career? If that's not likely, do we really want to invite drama to this young team? I know drama and Lakers have historically gone hand in hand at times, but this "new beginning" doesn't need it. I hope Magic et al think long and hard on this one. Lonzo could be great, but he's not the only highly regarded PG in this draft class.
Ball plays defenseless distributor just as well/poorly as Russell does... is this really even an upgrade?
We saw the same thing with Earl woods and Richard Williams. They both got over their own self-importance and eventually STFU. I'm sure whoever really handles Lonzo will take him behind the woodshed in short order as soon as his BS costs him the first penny.
He should be a much better distributor than Russell. But defensively... well, we all saw how badly Fox exploited that in the tourney.
The defensive part you have there is why D´angelo will more than likely be traded. These D´angelo trade rumors didn´t come from nowhere, LAL or his agent more than likely put it out there that he was available for the right return and we´re seeing it so fast because along with Paul George´s timely trip to Jimmy Kimmel, the wheels have to start spinning quickly and shit just has to get moving and clear up over the next month. Once upon a time there was a man named Norm Nixon and he was talented and productive, but he was a bad long term fit alongside a phenomenal talent named Magic..namely defensively. So LAL shipped the talented Nixon to the Clips for the better defensive/size fit in Byron Scott and the rest is history. D´angelo simply doesn´t have the foot-speed to play championship level defense and his offensive game/athleticism isn´t on the level of Lonzo´s, so he´s the one to go..somewhat like Norm Nixon had to go. Although, LaVar Ball comparing D´angelo´s foot-speed to a white guy´s foot-speed would´ve been fun to see ( Lol)..this pairing may not happen. But yeah, what Lonzo does have is defensive upside in that he has quick feet and size and so he would be able to improve and/or defend multiple positions. So much is made of ¨ 3-point shooting ¨ and ¨ shooting ¨ in this era, but defense is still the difference maker, always will be. Rockets can hoist up 1,000 3pters a game, but they don´t play good enough defense and the Warriors do.
Lost in all of this is the Suns moving down to the #4 pick. Can't help but wonder if the Lakers had not gone on that winning streak and retained the second worst record in the league......would they have slipped to the #4 like the Suns did???? That being said, WHEW!!!!! Now, here is what I think the Lakers should do: Draft Ball Offer the Wizards the #28pick/Clarkson/Mozgov for Gordat. (Wizards lost their pick this year to Nets) Offer the Pacers Russel/Nance for George Don't sign anyone in this years FA. (UHG......I hate to say this, but MABYE resign swaggy.....ugh) Run with a starting line up of Ball/Ingram/George/Randall/Gordat in October Improve record to #8 or #7 seed in playoffs Sign big FA in 2018
LOL at ole Fall playing history prof But By Scott was bigger and better than Norm... How is it D'Angelo slow white feet were not observed before wasting a #2 pick?? Fancy no look passes are great but we agree "D" is required to win
D'angelo's athleticism was always in question, but you draft what's available to you. He just brought other essentials, however, things change..team composition changes..opportunities to upgrade come along. Also, picking D'angelo #2 was hardly a waste if he eventually nets a Paul George as a trade asset/chip. I'm sure he'll be productive here or elsewhere..it's just that upgrade is there for the taking in this draft
He is not a game changer, but shedding salary might be wise. Also Gordat can run and gun a bit more than Mozgov.
Mozgov isn't exactly a hot commodity so trading him isn't happening UNTIL he's an expiring contract. Mozgov is already 3rd on the depth chart and Zubac is going to fill the spot just fine!! Maybe the Nets will take him for a 1st rounder?
This is where players would fail the Dwight Howard smell test, as in so mentally weak and soft that they let criticism and outside noise shut them down. Instead, what LAL should looking for is guys who take the challenge. Everybody's not cut out to be a Laker champion. There are always going to be more eyes on the Lakers, more drama, more coverage..if LaVar Ball can fuck off a player's focus or throw him off, the player's not Laker champion material. Lonzo has been succeeding regardless of LaVar and all his foolishness and doing so all his life. Lonzo is Laker material. His focus is legit. I'm in line with Jeanie's thinking from a few years back.." anybody that doesn't wanna play with Kobe Bryant is a loser. " Ron Artest sought out Kobe Bryant..Ron Artest was tough minded. Dwight Howard ran. We want Artests. Anybody that doesn't wanna play with Lonzo because of his father's BS is a loser. Anybody that allows Lonzo's father to bother them to the point of failed team chemistry is a loser. Luckily, I believe LAL has a group of kids that are tough. Jerry Stackhouse has been grooming Ingram for a while, all of Ingram's interview sessions are mature and he's all about working/winning and the same actually goes for Zubac..they're both tough. Clarkson is a worker as well and a tough minded kid, same as Randle. I'm less confident in D'angelo in this area because his maturity has always been in question, but D'angelo's father stays on him. A vet like Paul George..could he handle criticism from LaVar? Not sure, but if he didn't he'd be a punk.
His dad will fade off into irrelevance. How many NBA players fathers are talked about? Like zero maybe
I like talking with the Nets. Maybe we offer Mozgov and the Houston pick for Foy and Nicholson. Nicholson has 4 years at 6MM per, but Foy is only 2.5 and only for one year.
I wouldn't bet on it LaVar is now on social media and doing pretty well business wise running his own company..and a lot of people enjoy his ridiculousness
If Lavar Ball ever faded into irrelevance, it might mean Lonzo's not playing very well But even then, Lavar is a show himself..they're almost separate entities at this point
Fox beatdown on Ball was not just a check on Ball's defense. It was a manhood check. The smaller Fox rose to the big game, Ball was deflated.
