Hoops

Time to call Lonzo a bust?

JohnJames your post is everything that's wrong with the NBA. Stats can only tell you so much.

Fact is twice this season already Walton has had to bench him for the entire 4th quarter because he was a liability. Far too often he's been exposed by opposition teams at both ends of the court, played far too passively and his decision-making questionable.

It's far far too early to label him a bust, but it's clear he wasn't deserving of the hype. He's got a lot of ground to make up just to be considered among the top rookies this year. Hell, he might not even be the best rookie on the Lakers team.

5/13 shooting, 1/4 3pt shooting. Dude can rebound well for a guard and has good vision, but neither of those is the issue. Smart move by Walton to keep him out there in the blowout and try build up his confidence anyway.

Take away the triple double and what do you have. Most have already labelled Fultz a bust but he's been injured. Imo all the hype and that it's the Lakers have saved lonzo, but he's been healthy and his shot is broken, just like everyone knew going into the draft. Fultzs shoulder is messed up and whilst there was rumour of trying a new shooting style, he's still better shooter.
So why has lonzo been able to survive, Walton has come out and said he's starter, but that's more to do with supporting him, and probably not pissing Magic off. Lavar took a major gamble in terms of endorsements and could have cost his son tens of millions. And now with the China robbery and his youngest who's probably the most arrogant and his tweet his high school has gone from first to worst, this saga that is the Ball family may be coming to end.

Whilst it is very early to call him a bust, unfortunately some of the limitations in his game are so ingrained and so significant that I don't see them ever been grown out of.

In short; I think some of the things that he can't do are not because he hasn't learned to do/adjusted to doing them at NBA level yet; but simply because he can't do them and probably won't ever be able to do them (i.e. mid-range pull-ups; contested 3's, shooting off right hand dribble etc.).

I think the shooting issues aside; his defence is also terrible.

He will meet his expectations as a ball-distributor; but with his lack of shooting/scoring and sub-par defence, the question is can you afford having a guy like that on the floor who can ultimately really hurt you in major areas of the game.

He's just a rookie. Unfortunately his dad is a grade A douche and has ruined things for him.

Michael Carter-Williams is looking like a better player comparison for Ball right now, IMO.

I think Jason Kidd is one of the usual player comparisons for Ball, right? In his rookie season, Kidd averaged 27% from three. Ball is at 23% currently.

He'll get there. He looks to be a natural talent with his read of the game.

Obviously far too early and I doubt he'd attract half the scrutiny without the family dramas, but I do wonder why he's jacking threes when his shot is that awkward.

Fultz and Okafor have hardly had brilliant moments so far.

It’s far too early. Probably a year or two too early. He definitely has things he needs to work on but he also has enough good attributes that he’s worth waiting for, just needs to learn how to play in the league.

Youngest NBA player to record a triple double, what a loser

Something about him really irks me but I certainly won't call him a bust.

He is not an aggressive basketballer yet and seems too chilled on the court, I still think his ceiling is high but he won't reach it until he shows some mongrel and plays with more of a chip on his shoulder.

Isn't it great seeing Lakers struggling a bit?

I don't think he will play for team USA but I think he will make a few all-star games and will have a poor man's John Stockton/Jason Kidd type career.

If anyone is disappointed to have a Stockton/Kidd type that isn't as dynamic as the selfish point guards that are commonplace then I'm sorry to hear that.

Maybe if his Dad goes to jail for masquerading as someone important then he can play with that chip...

Because Trump cares so much about basketball...

The guy would never be good enough to play for the USA.

I'm thinking Trump made a deal, let little brother go and in a couple of years Lonzo can join Chinese league and take over from Marbury and maybe naturalise there, he ain't gonna play for U.S.

Same thing happens every year.

A few turn out to be superstars, 5-6 turn out ok, some linger around the league and some become non existent.

Lonzo will end up an ok player, a backup pg.

I overheard an opposing NBL coach at the launch talking that Cairns have been contacted by Brandon Jennings agent and asked if they would want him. Min wage offered with trimmings of house car etc. Wonder if he would seriously consider this?