Ball don't lie (a poll on Lonzo Ball's impact).

[EricaLubarsky]

Ignoring the train wreck that is Lonzo Balls dad, what do you think he'll do in the NBA. Vote now and discuss below.

[Underdog]

Can you ignore his dad though? Seems like keeping poisonous personalities around can derail a career before it even gets off the ground... I think he definitely has the makings of a star, but he also has the most non-talent-related bust potential out of anyone in the top ten.

[MavzMan]

The kid has amazing talent and he already makes his team better. He may not have the scoring and dominance of someone like Lebron, but he really is on the same path as Magic Johnson .... if you take out his dad.

The really sad part is that the media will continue to flock around his dad just for insane quotes and he'll just keep on doing it. Specially since he's got 2 younger kids to build up as well, right?

[rmacomic]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Can you ignore his dad though? Seems like keeping poisonous personalities around can derail a career before it even gets off the ground... I think he definitely has the makings of a star, but he also has the most non-talent-related bust potential out of anyone in the top ten.

Cough * Odom * Cough

[rimrocker]

Probably at least one all-star appearance but later in his career.
The problem for Lonzo will be the more success he has, the more vocal his dad will be and will draw even more media attention.
Almost a no-win situation for Lonzo....kinda feel for the kid.

[BPo001]

Might be tough for him to make an all star game 1. Because it's basically a popularity contest and I can see his dad's big mouth making a lot of fans not want to vote for him and 2. The sure talent of guards in the league that he would have to beat out. I think he will be good not great. Starter material, but not good enough to carry a team on his own. I'll admit I haven't watched him all that much though.

[dirt_dobber]

worst shooting mechanics I ever seen of a college player.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by rmacomic

Cough * Odom * Cough

That's exactly who I was thinking of when I typed that... Dude won 6th Man of the Year right before his career imploded (sucks that it happened right after Dallas landed him).

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by dirt_dobber

worst shooting mechanics I ever seen of a college player.

His shot is low and slow. He's going to need a lot of space to get a shot off at the next level, which really worries me and if he can' shoot, his defender can take a step back meaning he'll have a hard time penetrating, too which may mean that he will have difficulty creating offense.

[Melonhead]

Will get pushed around in the NBA. That shot wont fall either. But he has great vision and flash. I expect to see him on many transition fast break highlights. Maybe an allstar appearance. But its very close

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Will get pushed around in the NBA. That shot wont fall either. But he has great vision and flash. I expect to see him on many transition fast break highlights.

Ricky Rubio 2.0?

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Ricky Rubio 2.0?

I don't feel like that's a great comparison because he can shoot. The question mark is whether he will have time to get his shot off. Plus Rubio is a solid defender. Something Ball isn't known for.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by BPo001

I don't feel like that's a great comparison because he can shoot. The question mark is whether he will have time to get his shot off. Plus Rubio is a solid defender. Something Ball isn't known for.

I was thinking more the "great vision and flash" and "transition fast break highlights" parts -- obviously defense is a huge difference between the two.

[sefant77]

Maybe a slightly better Rubio. less defense, better shooting. But i dont trust that he can translate his shot so easily into the NBA.

[MavzMan]

I don't see him being a big time scorer. Magic wasn't really known for his scoring even though he still as 20 ppg player. I can see Ball with his length being a good defender, but his passing will really help the team more.

However, the All-Star appearances being a popularity contest is a very valid argument. His Dad is seriously going to hurt him there.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I think Ball can add weight to his frame which will help long term. His shooting mechanics are simply terrible and taller players will easily block that low slung shooting form.

Borderline star.

[BigDog63]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

The kid has amazing talent and he already makes his team better. He may not have the scoring and dominance of someone like Lebron, but he really is on the same path as Magic Johnson .... if you take out his dad.

A legitimate argument can be made that Magic Johnson was the greatest basketball player ever, and played all five positions, so no, Ball is not on at all on the same path as Magic. It is this type of hyperbole that will only hinder his progress....people are setting expectations he cannot possibly match.

I don't see him even being on the same path as Jason Kidd...he doesn't rebound like Kidd did.

Currently, I'd put him on the same path as Ricky Rubio. Which looked great at that same point...but fizzled once he came into the league. Another comparison might be Rajon Rondo, although I think Ball is a better shooter than that (because it's hard not to be).

[EricaLubarsky]

.

[DirkFTW]

Red guard grabbed hold of one Ball, but thankfully didn't squeeze too hard before letting go. Anything prolonged or painful could have had a massive impact on the other Ball's functionality.