I watched 2 pelican games so far (lonzo was really solid in those 2) and was all for trading for this guy until I read this

There's a reason these two lottery picks did not get extended contracts.

The clock is ticking for Lonzo Ball. The Pelicans guard is now in his fourth season, and it’s still unclear what role makes sense for him in the NBA. His defense and basketball IQ will keep him in the league for a long time, but his streaky jumper and inability to threaten defenses make it hard to fit him in to most starting lineups.

Sound Familiar

New Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has taken the ball away from Lonzo and given it to Brandon Ingram, who has taken another meaningful step forward this season.

The limitations in the rest of his game suggest Ball will always be haunted by his streaky jumper. One of the oldest rules of thumb is that a player whose jumper is off should get to the rim or the free throw line just to see a shot go through the net.

But Lonzo doesn’t do either consistently.

There are way too many possessions when he dribbles the ball aimlessly at the 3-point line without putting any pressure on the defense:

There's highlights in the article showing this

I hear the Knicks are very interested, but IMO his value is not much higher than Frank and DSJ.

Even in NBA 2k game, the Pels let him walk when he was a RFA, despite having a 85 rating..lol

knicks1248 wrote:https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/1/20/22240439/lonzo-ball-pelicans-time-running-out

I watched 2 pelican games so far (lonzo was really solid in those 2) and was all for trading for this guy until I read this

There's a reason these two lottery picks did not get extended contracts.

The clock is ticking for Lonzo Ball. The Pelicans guard is now in his fourth season, and it’s still unclear what role makes sense for him in the NBA. His defense and basketball IQ will keep him in the league for a long time, but his streaky jumper and inability to threaten defenses make it hard to fit him in to most starting lineups.

Sound Familiar

New Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has taken the ball away from Lonzo and given it to Brandon Ingram, who has taken another meaningful step forward this season.

The limitations in the rest of his game suggest Ball will always be haunted by his streaky jumper. One of the oldest rules of thumb is that a player whose jumper is off should get to the rim or the free throw line just to see a shot go through the net.

But Lonzo doesn’t do either consistently.

There are way too many possessions when he dribbles the ball aimlessly at the 3-point line without putting any pressure on the defense:

There's highlights in the article showing this

I hear the Knicks are very interested, but IMO his value is not much higher than Frank and DSJ.

Even in NBA 2k game, the Pels let him walk when he was a RFA, despite having a 85 rating..lol

Better?

In what way? Not having been your whipping boy for 4 years?

Seems to me that Frankie is a superior shooter who simply doesn't shoot enough. And a damned fine FT shooter.

Ball might be the better, off-the-bench PG but Frankie is a far more versatile swingman across 3-4 positions.

Jason Kidd, Rajon Rondo - both pgs that excelled without lethal outside shots.

Ball shot .375% from 3 last year - this year is very different and his # is very low- .282%.

Maybe we can swap problems? DSjr for Ball? Or Frank or both, frankly- neither are contributing or likely part of our long term team.

Uptown wrote:

fwk00 wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/1/20/22240439/lonzo-ball-pelicans-time-running-out

I watched 2 pelican games so far (lonzo was really solid in those 2) and was all for trading for this guy until I read this

There's a reason these two lottery picks did not get extended contracts.

The clock is ticking for Lonzo Ball. The Pelicans guard is now in his fourth season, and it’s still unclear what role makes sense for him in the NBA. His defense and basketball IQ will keep him in the league for a long time, but his streaky jumper and inability to threaten defenses make it hard to fit him in to most starting lineups.

Sound Familiar

New Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has taken the ball away from Lonzo and given it to Brandon Ingram, who has taken another meaningful step forward this season.

The limitations in the rest of his game suggest Ball will always be haunted by his streaky jumper. One of the oldest rules of thumb is that a player whose jumper is off should get to the rim or the free throw line just to see a shot go through the net.

But Lonzo doesn’t do either consistently.

There are way too many possessions when he dribbles the ball aimlessly at the 3-point line without putting any pressure on the defense:

There's highlights in the article showing this

I hear the Knicks are very interested, but IMO his value is not much higher than Frank and DSJ.

Even in NBA 2k game, the Pels let him walk when he was a RFA, despite having a 85 rating..lol

Better?

In what way? Not having been your whipping boy for 4 years?

Seems to me that Frankie is a superior shooter who simply doesn't shoot enough. And a damned fine FT shooter.

Ball might be the better, off-the-bench PG but Frankie is a far more versatile swingman across 3-4 positions.

Other than free throws, Ball shoots a better % than Frank from the field and from 3, so I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that Frank is a better shooter other than the fact that you like Frank more than Ball.

I like Frank, but his other issue is the lack of availability....

That goes without saying...

I don't know how he can say he's a versatile swing man and he's 12th on the depth chart after 4 yrs in the league.

My point is that Ball doesn't bring enough of what we're missing in a pg (Leadership, perimeter shooting and penetration) for us to trade for him.

They certainly are not going to trade Ball for DSJ, Frank or Jared unless a 1st round pick is attached.

Elfrid vs Lonzo is a recurring topic on Reddit:
2021 https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/l1kcjg/lonzo_ball_vs_elfrid_payton_comparison/

2019 https://www.reddit.com/r/suns/comments/amcqji/what_is_the_difference_between_lonzo_ball_and/

Funny how in 2019 folks were like HOW DARE YOU - Lonzo's the next Magic Johnson!)... and now he's compared to journeyman Elfrid Payton.
In 2021, the discussion has broken down to: "let's trade your ****ty backup PG for ours".

In my book, I continue to monitor the career arc Dejounte Murray on the Spurs (pick 29 of the 2016 draft); he's the posterboy for consistent coaching and player development. Similar frame and length as Lonzo/Frank (6'6/6'7, near 7' wingspan), but wasn't supposed to be nearly as talented. In spite of losing 1 year of development to a torn ACL, he continues to outpace both of them in terms of year to year growth. (Ball and Frank in many ways seem to be going backwards)

Frank hasn't shown with any consistency that he'll be more Andre Roberson on OKC - a defensive specialist and little else. The main hint of progress is that he increased his FT% to 86% last season (33% FT in 4 games this year!)

And Lonzo hasn't shown he'll be much more than Elfrid Payton - who hasn't been able to get a long term deal since his rookie contract. Good for occasional triple doubles, but his shooting (from anywhere, from the FT line) can't be counted on. (At this point, Elfrid at least is a consistent 45% FG shooter for his career (largely because he doesn't launch a lot of 3's).