For NBA experts: Low down on Lonzo Ball

[Hawkeye0202]

I admit my passion for the NBA is nowhere near what it was during Jordan years. In fact, haven't really paid much attention to many games last couple years. But suddenly I'm seeing the media and other NBA players making a big deal about this kid and various matchups. Is he for real? or just another media flash?

 

[jterrell]

Lonzo is a very talented kid and would be best served by less hype now.
He is not a very good shooter of the ball yet but should be in time.

I'd compare him to Jason Kidd. Another Cali youth legend and soon to be Hall of Famer.
He can pass the ball and he is unselfish. Great rebounder at the 1.
Lots of length for defense but can't guard quick guys .. see DeAaron Fox.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Lonzo is a very talented kid and would be best served by less hype now.
He is not a very good shooter of the ball yet but should be in time.

I'd compare him to Jason Kidd. Another Cali youth legend and soon to be Hall of Famer.
He can pass the ball and he is unselfish. Great rebounder at the 1.
Lots of length for defense but can't guard quick guys .. see DeAaron Fox.

That's interesting coz I've seen some report of him scoring 92 points in a single game and some labeling him a sharp shooter

 

[Manwiththeplan]

That's interesting coz I've seen some report of him scoring 92 points in a single game and some labeling him a sharp shooter

I wouldn't consider Lebron in HS a sharp shooter, but I'm pretty sure in HS he probably had some outrageous scoring nights, especially if he got hot. HS competition is real hit or miss, even in college it is, but there's enough talent, that no one is scoring 92 points.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I admit my passion for the NBA is nowhere near what it was during Jordan years. In fact, haven't really paid much attention to many games last couple years. But suddenly I'm seeing the media and other NBA players making a big deal about this kid and various matchups. Is he for real? or just another media flash?

His father should be put out to pasture. All the hype is from that self-absorbed idiot and all he is doing is going to hurt his son.

Trash parent. He is worse than many of those baby pageant moms.

 

[jterrell]

That's interesting coz I've seen some report of him scoring 92 points in a single game and some labeling him a sharp shooter

that was his brother LaMelo.
Lonzo isn't a ball hog like that.
The LaMelo display was nuts. He never got past midcourt for defense.
Thats largely why the Ball's are home school kids now, lol.

 

[Sarek]

Great players are going to want to be on the same team as Ball because he loves to pass to anyone who runs/gets open. Lakers needed a player like Ball because it will now be easier for them to get more talent back into the purple and gold.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Offensively, he's the closest thing to Jason Kidd. But Kidd was a great defender, probably Top-3 at his position for about 10 years and I don't think Lonzo has that potential on that end of the floor.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

that was his brother LaMelo.
Lonzo isn't a ball hog like that.
The LaMelo display was nuts. He never got past midcourt for defense.
Thats largely why the Ball's are home school kids now, lol.

Funny I notice the different name but I assumed was the same player. What's the deal with the father hype as mention above?

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Funny how every decade or so, a potential Showtimer lands in the Lakers lap.........LOL

 

[jterrell]

Funny I notice the different name but I assumed was the same player. What's the deal with the father hype as mention above?

Dad was a former college player and coaches AAU. He has all the kids poisied to play college ball t UCLA and a couple (at least) will hit the NBA.
The Dad is very much of the no attention is bad attention school of thought. Says crazy things about being better than Jordan and such.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Pretty much your typical drive right, pulls up with the jumper if forced to go to his left. Good ballhander and a great passer. Has ridiculous range although I'm not a fan of his shooting motion. I think he'll have some struggles early on because his jumper is easy to defend and if you can force him to his left he's not going to beat you with a drive going to his left. But he can help out in other areas when his offense isn't going.

I question his ability to create his own shot at this point. But in the right offense he could be a great player.






YR

 

[Hoofbite]

That's interesting coz I've seen some report of him scoring 92 points in a single game and some labeling him a sharp shooter

His mechanics are unconventional so he'll likely always face criticism regardless of his production.

Like a QB with a "less than dream-worthy" throwing motion.

I don't really follow basketball but even I can see how awkward his form looks relative to his peers. I don't think it should matter that much just like I don't really think throwing motion should matter all that much. There is some benefit to having perfect form or a perfect throwing motion, but is that marginal gain in mechanics worth the lost production? Sure, a QB who throws sidearm may have more passes knocked down. What happens when his passes aren't swatted? Does he outproduce the guy with immaculate form? If so, what are people arguing about?

 

[Hawkeye0202]

This is what got my attention.........

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20970052/nba-lonzo-ball-viewer-guide-see-matchups-rookie-season
Got Beef? The guide to all of Lonzo Ball's must-see matchups
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  Adam ReisingerESPN.com

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Lonzo Ball's got beef.

Or, to be more accurate, much of the NBA has beef with Lonzo Ball, thanks largely to the bombastic claims of his father, LaVar. Heading into his rookie season, the Lakers point guard has attracted a bright spotlight while simultaneously putting a target on his back, with more than his fair share of individual matchups getting the kind of treatment that is usually reserved for long-standing rivalries built over years and decades.

Since it's hard to keep track of every outrageous statement LaVar Ball has made to ramp up the pressure on his eldest son, we've got you covered with a game-by-game look at what Lonzo will face as he navigates the NBA landscape in 2017-18.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Dad was a former college player and coaches AAU. He has all the kids poisied to play college ball t UCLA and a couple (at least) will hit the NBA.
The Dad is very much of the no attention is bad attention school of thought. Says crazy things about being better than Jordan and such.

I think Lonzo is going to be the only one that makes it as quality NBA starter. Li'Angelo is a G Leaguer/ Oversee's guy and I could see Lamelo flame out completely.

Lamelo has talent to be a lotto pick, but I dont think his head is going to be there and I dont think he will fix his flaws which could be crippling in the NBA.

 

[Vintage]

His offense consists of drives to the basket (which he converted at an elite clip) or 3 point shooting. Nothing, really, in between.

He's at his best in transition. He'll push the ball. An an excellent passer and has great court vision. Understand spacing.

He is going to need to develop his pick and roll play. It's rough.

 

[jterrell]

see last night... 9 rebounds as 1 but 1-6 shooting for 3 points.
gonna take time to get his shot adjusted to the NBA.

and his dad writing all those checks his son cant cash wasnt cool.
nba players getting extra motivation to defend him isnt gonna make the ride easier.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

His mechanics are unconventional so he'll likely always face criticism regardless of his production.

Like a QB with a "less than dream-worthy" throwing motion.

I don't really follow basketball but even I can see how awkward his form looks relative to his peers. I don't think it should matter that much just like I don't really think throwing motion should matter all that much. There is some benefit to having perfect form or a perfect throwing motion, but is that marginal gain in mechanics worth the lost production? Sure, a QB who throws sidearm may have more passes knocked down. What happens when his passes aren't swatted? Does he outproduce the guy with immaculate form? If so, what are people arguing about?

The issue isn't when he's open, it's when he has to create his own shot which is a key factor for players trying to become NBA stars. It's not as critical as it used to be because of the changes in the rules and offensive schematics. But, it's still a critical part of becoming a star versus a good team player.

He's got super range, but since he's a typical drive if he goes to his right and pull up jumper if he goes to his left, his mechanics are critical because with his mechanics it's easier for the defender to get a piece of the ball. And thus if the defender protects against him driving to the right he can make it difficult for him to score. This is what we saw out of the Kentucky game with Ball. The Kentucky defense was able to take away him going to his right and it really gave him problems.




YR

 

[jterrell]

The issue isn't when he's open, it's when he has to create his own shot which is a key factor for players trying to become NBA stars. It's not as critical as it used to be because of the changes in the rules and offensive schematics. But, it's still a critical part of becoming a star versus a good team player.

He's got super range, but since he's a typical drive if he goes to his right and pull up jumper if he goes to his left, his mechanics are critical because with his mechanics it's easier for the defender to get a piece of the ball. And thus if the defender protects against him driving to the right he can make it difficult for him to score. This is what we saw out of the Kentucky game with Ball. The Kentucky defense was able to take away him going to his right and it really gave him problems.




YR

Wide-open in the NBA is a blink. His form will matter because that hitch he has takes a split second longer to get off.
His height will help but as a ball dominant player he needs to study Jason Kidd and how he developed into a good spot up 3 point shooter.
I think that will come but it takes time and he needs to be on the floor with a very good scorer or 2.

Any defender post age 10 that doesn't take away the dominant hand hasn't been properly coached.
Any ball handler that can't go both ways off the dribble hasn't been properly trained.