Few people have had more firsthand experience analyzing the NBA Draft than Jay Bilas. One of the main figures present at the draft on a yearly basis, Bilas has seen thousands upon thousands of draft prospects pass through. There are few people who should be considered more an expert on analyzing prospects than Bilas.
Because his words carry so much weight, his recent comments on LaMelo Ball and the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft should be particularly noteworthy. Bilas joined Complex’s Load Management podcast to talk about a host of things, including whether he considers Ball to be the top prospect in the draft. And while Bilas didn’t question Ball’s talent, potential off-court concerns that don’t involve LaVar Ball have raised some flags.
“Talent-wise, yes. He’s as talented as anybody in this draft. I think he and Anthony Edwards are the two most talented players and James Wiseman is not that far behind. The concern I have is socially, honestly. He didn’t even finish high school in a ‘normal’ way. He’s had kind of a Kardashian upbringing in the game.
Is he going to assimilate into the sort of NBA way of doing things? Is that going to be easy? What’s his social adjustment going to be like? Is he going to function at a high level socially where he wasn’t able to be socialized in college? Maybe he’ll be better having played pro ball. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be better. But I have to be convinced that he’s on the right side of that question. But he’s talented enough to be taken No. 1. I don’t think he will be but he’s talented enough.”
Of all the concerns raised about Ball in the weeks and months so far leading up to the NBA Draft, Bilas raises an entirely new one. Ball’s on-court flaws have been discussed ad nauseam and his off-court issues have always centered on his father.
Bilas’ point is an interesting one even if also unconventional. Ball’s path has been unconventional in its own right after leaving Chino Hills early. And while he may not have adjusted socially as his peers, he’s spent the better part of his basketball-playing career playing with professionals. So, while his social upbringing has been far from ordinary, it’s also been one surrounded by fellow professionals.
But it’ll be these types of questions that’ll be asked by teams of Ball in the predraft process. If teams can find the answers they’re looking for, it could lead to him being the top pick based on his talent.
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