New York Knicks: Three Players To Draft And One To Avoid
By Eric Snyder
Avoid At All Costs
There’s no mistaking the talent. LaVar Ball can run his mouth. The fifteen minutes of fame Mr. Ball is receiving on the back of his son is both sad and revolting. With that said, Lonzo Ball is a talented guard who led his team to a successful year.
Can Ball translate college success into NBA stardom?
Not Worth The Trouble
America learned a lot about both De’Aaron Fox and Lonzo Ball in their Sweet 16 matchup. The week-long buildup of the battle culminated in Ball laying an egg on national television. Whoever ends up drafting Ball will not only have to deal with his unorthodox style, but with his father, too.
The New York Knicks already have an owner and team president who are public relations nightmares. New York doesn’t need another distraction.
Furthermore, this year’s draft is too stacked to take a chance on a player who hasn’t proven he can shine in meaningful games.
The Heart
Scouts have a season’s worth of tape to evaluate the basketball ability of Lonzo Ball. Yet, it only takes one game to show the true heart of a player. In that one game, Ball didn’t rise to the occasion and was overshadowed by a more talented guard.
Furthermore, this years draft is too stacked to take a chance on an awkward player who hasn’t proven he can play in meaningful games.
The Jump Shot
There have been NBA players with long careers who had strange releases on their jumpshot. Of course, Shawn Marion is the most famous example of a player who excelled with a strange release.
The fact is: there’s a reason there has only been one Shawn Marion. Lonzo Ball simply doesn’t have the athleticism to gain the space his quirky jump shot will need.
The Athlete
Statistically speaking, Lonzo Ball was one of the best players to be in college basketball the last few years. His size at point guard gave him the edge his shot needed and his length allowed him to be a stout rebounder.
However, Ball isn’t athletic enough to overcome or get around quality NBA defenders. The size and athleticism in the NBA will be difficult for Ball to overcome on a consistent basis.
It remains to be seen what becomes of this year’s NBA Draft. The Knicks find themselves at a crossroads on various levels.
Fan outrage and player outrage is growing in the midst of questionable behavior by both James Dolan and Phil Jackson.
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Hopefully, the player Phil Jackson drafts can give the New York Knicks some hope and can handle the mess he will walk into.