2017 NBA Draft

[BostonBob]

Not surprisingly the backtracking has begun.


from cbssports.com:

LaVar Ball, the father of former UCLA star Lonzo Ball, is back in the news again after controversial comments made on Thursday taking an apparent shot at the speed of white athletes, telling The Orange County Register, “You can’t win no championship with three white guys because the foot speed is too slow.â€

Given the opportunity to clarify his stance, he doubled down on CBS Sports Radio’s Tiki and Tierney and explained why he felt that way. He wasn’t shy about it, either. I mean, is he ever shy?

“I’m just stating a fact,†Ball said. “Here’s the thing. People keep thinking that I blame the white guys. No, no. Every time we lose, I only blame one person – and that’s my son. That’s my son. I don’t blame anybody (else). But I said prove me wrong that you can’t win nowadays with three white guys on the floor at the same time. I’m not saying I don’t like white people and white people can’t win or nothing like that. I’m just saying when you have more athleticism (on the floor), it’s kind of hard when you don’t have the foot speed. That’s just a realistic fact.â€

Ball said his comments weren’t “racial†in nature.

“It’s not racial,†Ball said. “I can’t be racial. Some people just take it the wrong way and that’s OK – because that’s how the media (is). They try to twist it around because it’s more interesting when (they) say ‘LaVar is racist.’ Like I said, I stated my opinion of what I thought. The foot speed is just too slow to catch up with all the athleticism on the court.â€


Full story here: http://www.cbssports.com/college-ba...nt-win-title-due-to-white-players-not-racial/

 

[Dominator13]

Lavar Ball should just learn to shut the hell up. Poor kid already has all the spotlights pointing towards him, now he has to deal with his dad's garbage on a daily basis.

 

[Asiantuntija]

Maybe there comes a day when "Ball" learns to shut his mouth, but i find it very unlikely to happen.

 

[Avs_19]

Have you guys heard of this Luka Doncic kid? He's very impressive. He plays for Real Madrid and will be eligible for the 2018 draft. I just recently started reading up on him and watching highlights because people have been hyping him up as the potential 1st overall pick next year.

 

[Ivan13]

Have you guys heard of this Luka Doncic kid? He's very impressive. He plays for Real Madrid and will be eligible for the 2018 draft. I just recently started reading up on him and watching highlights because people have been hyping him up as the potential 1st overall pick next year.

Great talent. Will be #1 contender for sure.

 

[BostonBob]

Have you guys heard of this Luka Doncic kid? He's very impressive. He plays for Real Madrid and will be eligible for the 2018 draft. I just recently started reading up on him and watching highlights because people have been hyping him up as the potential 1st overall pick next year.

Great talent. Will be #1 contender for sure.

Possible future Boston Celtic. Thank you Billy King.....thank you very much.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

I keep running the draft simulator, and boy could Philly hit the lottery this year. Say they get two top 5 picks, they can draft an elite SF and PG and be set for the next decade in terms of talent.

 

[Ivan13]

I keep running the draft simulator, and boy could Philly hit the lottery this year. Say they get two top 5 picks, they can draft an elite SF and PG and be set for the next decade in terms of talent.

Not sure why Philly needs SFs.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Not sure why Philly needs SFs.

They don't, but there are three elite SF prospects. Simmons is pretty versatile, the are a couple of lineup options they could work with. Markannen is another option.

 

[Jack Straw]

They don't, but there are three elite SF prospects. Simmons is pretty versatile, the are a couple of lineup options they could work with. Markannen is another option.

Brown intends to try Simmons at PG, I'm skeptical but if it works then they probably need a starting SF. Personally I think I'd prefer that they just get the one pick this year, then use the Lakers pick next year (when it is unprotected) to try and get Doncic.

 

[Voight]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...-armour-adidas-not-interested-deal-lonzo-ball

An endorsement deal with Nike, Under Armour or Adidas is not in the cards for Lonzo Ball.

Ball's father, LaVar, confirmed that the three shoe and apparel companies informed him they were not interested in completing a deal with his son. Sources with the three companies told ESPN.com that they indeed were moving on.

Never in the history of modern-day shoe endorsements have the big companies all stepped away from a potential top pick nearly two months before the NBA draft. But LaVar, who has been representing Lonzo in the deal, has offered something that has no precedent.

In his meetings with all three companies, LaVar insisted that they license his upstart Big Baller Brand from him, according to the companies. He also showed the companies a shoe prototype that he hoped would be Lonzo's first shoe.

Actually feel bad for Lonzo. His dad pretty much just screwed him out of multi millions because he wants his stupid brand to become something big. LaVar is the definition of living vicariously.

While a guy like Eric Lindros had his parents meddle in his professional affairs, they did a lot of good for him managing his money and making sure he did things right. LaVar is just hurting his son at this point.

 

[Asiantuntija]

Lauri Markkanen > Lonzo Ball

 

[Halladay]

Brown intends to try Simmons at PG, I'm skeptical but if it works then they probably need a starting SF. Personally I think I'd prefer that they just get the one pick this year, then use the Lakers pick next year (when it is unprotected) to try and get Doncic.

I believe that he will eventually guards 4 on defense and be a point forward on the other end. He nearly 7 foot now. He mismatch whetever he plays. Cant wait for Tuesday.

 

[Jack Straw]

I believe that he will eventually guards 4 on defense and be a point forward on the other end. He nearly 7 foot now. He mismatch whetever he plays. Cant wait for Tuesday.

I think he'll guard the 3 on defense and Saric will guard the 4, but basically yeah. Dare we hope that Philly will get lucky in another draft lottery?

 

[Avs_19]

I don't like how high some of these mocks have OG Anunoby going. He's still in that 12-16 range but I figured he'd be there for the Heat at #14 for sure coming off the ACL injury. His shot looks awkward at times but he's going to be a good two-way player.

 

[rangerssharks414]

The draft lottery is tomorrow night.

 

[Big Poppa Puck]

So everyone agrees that there's a 99.999999999999% chance the Lakers remain in the top 3 right? No chance the NBA allows them to lose their pick, especially with Magic running the show now. In fact I fully expect them to get #1.

 

[Jack Straw]

So everyone agrees that there's a 99.999999999999% chance the Lakers remain in the top 3 right? No chance the NBA allows them to lose their pick, especially with Magic running the show now. In fact I fully expect them to get #1.

Na-ah. We ARE getting their pick this year. Positive thoughts...

 

[Avs_19]

Heat have a 1.8% chance of jumping into the top three. I'm feeling confident.

 

[Cassano]

This is the year the Knicks win the lottery

 

[Avs_19]

This is the year the Knicks win the lottery

I wouldn't wish that upon a top prospect but Dolan+Phil+Lonzo+Lavar would be very entertaining.

 

[rangerssharks414]

I hardly follow the NBA anymore, but I'm rooting for Philly to win.

 

[Jack Straw]

I wouldn't wish that upon a top prospect but Dolan+Phil+Lonzo+Lavar would be very entertaining.

I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to say it.

 

[Avs_19]

Just hoping it's anyone but the Celtics.

 

[Del Preston]

Will the Nets ever pick in the 1st round again?