DraftExpress – Syndication Server

DraftExpress ranks LaMelo Ball as clear statistical standout in 2020 NBA Draft

A recent piece by DraftExpress examined the top picks in the 2020 NBA Draft and showed why LaMelo Ball is the statistical outlier.

[jwplayer SS9pAzlP-z6KDnl0B]

As more and more numbers are dissected and players analyzed, LaMelo Ball may be separating himself from the rest of the pack in the 2020 NBA Draft. DraftExpress’ duo of Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz recently discussed the case for the No. 1 pick and why Ball could be seen as the runaway option.

Of the three players Mike mentioned as possible No. 1 overall picks, Ball is the clear standout in my statistical projections for NBA prospects — albeit with a caveat. The sample size for Ball (12 regular-season NBL games) is tiny. Still, at age 18, Ball performed as one of the best players in a league that has historically rated slightly better than high-level Division I competition.

Ball’s strong rates of defensive rebounds, assists and steals mark him as a promising prospect, though he still must improve his efficiency as a scorer after making just 25% of his frequent 3-point attempts in the NBL.

The statistical projections Givony is referencing were published in late June and had Ball with a projected WARP (Wins Above Replacement Player) of 4.8, well above Tyrese Haliburton in second.

All of the statistical projections come with the asterisk of Ball only played 12 games, but at the same time, little, if anything, he did in the NBL wouldn’t be replicable at another level. Those caveats would matter more if Ball shot exceedingly well in those 12 games or had an unsustainably high rate in some aspect of his game.

Quite the opposite is the case, though. His shot was likely on the low end of what could be expected of him in the NBA and his assist numbers don’t factor in the missed shots from teammates either, and there were plenty on the season.

Projections won’t be the lone thing to determine the order of October’s draft but they are a big feather in Ball’s cap.

DraftExpress: No consensus top prospect for 2020 NBA Draft

Despite recent reports, there reportedly still is no consensus top prospect between LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman.

The lack of a consensus top prospect atop the 2020 NBA Draft is unlike anything seen in recent draft classes. While some drafts have had questions about which player should be taken No. 1, rarely has there been as much uncertainty and so many questions among the top prospects like there is this season with LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards.

While some reports have indicated Wiseman may be separating himself from the pack, ESPN’s DraftExpress noted that there is still no unanimous top prospect.

“There remains no consensus top prospect in this draft, and the No. 1 pick will come down to how the lottery shakes out, with team needs coming into play more than usual at the top.”

Depending on who is asked for which team and in what position, different answers will be given as to what player is the atop draft boards. Ask scouts and they may say Ball. Ask a scout and they may say Ball. Survey front office executives and they may say Wiseman. Ask a different set of executives and they’ll say Ball.

As Mike Schmitz noted for DraftExpress, there will never be a consensus but instead a fit-based big board for each team. As the Warriors have made clear, Ball likely won’t be atop their draft board while the Pistons and Knicks could feel differently.

The pre-draft process, no matter how abbreviated it may be, will offer some clarity but it appears there likely will never be a consensus top prospect in this year’s draft.

LaMelo Ball drops to fourth in latest DraftExpress 2020 mock draft

In the lastest 2020 NBA mock draft from DraftExpress, LaMelo Ball slipped to the No. 4 pick and the New York Knicks.

After a consistent rise up the draft boards for the 2020 NBA Draft, LaMelo Ball took his first step back in DraftExpress’ latest mock draft. Monday’s latest mock draft posted on ESPN saw Ball drop to the No. 4 spot, though still staying with the New York Knicks.

Moving up over Ball was Isaac Okoro of Auburn as he was slotted to Atlanta with the No. 3 pick. James Wiseman remained the top selection to the Cleveland Cavaliers while Anthony Edwards went No. 2 to the Golden State Warriors.

Also interesting is that former Chino Hills teammate of the Ball brothers Onyeka Okongwu of USC was slotted to go No. 7 to the Detroit Pistons. The freshman big man has flown up draft boards as much as Ball has since last fall.

Ball peaked in the DraftExpress mock draft at No. 1 in early December after his strong start with the Illawarra Hawks. Since then, he’s slowly slipped back down draft boards but still remains one of the top five picks in the upcoming draft.

[lawrence-related id=20465,20457,20451]

LaMelo Ball moves to top spot of DraftExpress 2020 NBA Draft board

LaMelo Ball has continued to ascend the 2020 NBA Draft boards and DraftExpress placed him atop their latest big board.

After high praise during the first months of the season, DraftExpress unveiled its latest 2020 NBA Draft big board with LaMelo Ball atop for the first time. Ball has steadily risen from a late second-round pick last year to top pick this year.

DraftExpress’ current projection for Ball is as a franchise point guard. While Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz discussed who should be the top pick with a wide open competition that includes James Wiseman of Memphis and Anthony Edwards of Georgia, the consensus opinion is Ball, at least for now.

While delivering lengthy glowing reports in the past, DraftExpress offered a more brief version of his strengths in the latest big board.

– Has elite size for a point guard at 6-foot-7. Controls the game from his unique vantage point with impressive creativity, flair, poise and instincts operating off a live dribble. Gifted ball handler who plays at different speeds and can make every pass with either hand, especially operating out of pick-and-roll. Throws 90-foot outlets, makes magical touch passes.
– Has a chance to be an adequate defender eventually due to his combination of terrific size, quick feet and instincts, particularly when he’s playing with energy. Already has some impressive moments at times rotating for steals and contesting shots around the basket. Excellent rebounder for a guard.
– Won’t turn 19 until well after the draft. Will be one of the youngest players picked in the first round. Might still be growing. Frame should continue to evolve into his 20s.

Much of Ball’s positives focus on his potential due to his size and youth. He has a high IQ, the length to be a lead guard and the youth to still grow into his body as it continues to grow.

The negatives, meanwhile, deal with some of his inconsistencies on the offensive end.

– Has struggled to score efficiently throughout his career. Currently shooting 44% from 2-point range and 18% from 3. Shoots jumpers with unorthodox mechanics, including a two-handed release while kicking his legs out. The touch he shows on floaters and career 84% free throw percentage leaves room for optimism, but his inability to buy a basket at times this season has been discouraging.
– Lacks a degree of high-end explosiveness creating offense from a standstill and beating opponents off the dribble. Doesn’t have the strength to finish what he does create around the basket. Relies on a lot of tough floaters and other high degree of difficulty attempts inside the arc. Might not ever be a guy who goes and gets you a bucket in a pinch. Much more effective when he can move the defense and create for others.
– Indifferent defender for much of his career. Still reverts back to that frequently, especially off the ball, where he falls asleep regularly. Struggles to get over screens due to his lack of strength. Has been maligned at times for his work ethic and level of focus on and off the floor.

Ball will certainly have lots of questions about his game as he comes into the 2020 NBA Draft. But he’s also coming into his own in Australia with Illawarra and answering many of those questions as the season continues.

He’s closed the gap at the top of the NBA Draft and now could put some distance between himself and the rest of the field if he continues his strong play.

Report: NBA teams question LaMelo Ball’s work ethic, reluctant to hand keys to franchise over

While LaMelo Ball has found success carrying a franchise in the NBL this season, NBA teams are reportedly still holding reservations.

On the court, LaMelo Ball has proven that he is arguably the most talented prospect in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft. His talent has been on full display in recent weeks for Illawarra, capped off with his triple-double against the Taipans last week.

An area in which there are still many questions, though, comes off the court. While the attachment to his father, LaVar, will always hang over him, it’s not the only area scouts and general managers have hesitations. In a piece on Sunday in which DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz discussed which prospect should top the 2020 NBA Draft big board, Givony talked about NBA teams being uncertain about whether they can trust Ball to lead the franchise.

However, I believe that if the draft were held today, (Ball) probably would not be the No. 1 pick. Of course, that will heavily depend on the team that ends up winning the May lottery. But both Schmitz and I have just received a significant amount of blowback from NBA teams who say that they simply don’t trust Ball enough to hand him the keys to their franchise. They worry about what all the attention around him will do to their team culture, how strong his work ethic is and whether his father, LaVar, could become a distraction.

The idea that Ball wouldn’t be able to lead an NBA franchise feels rather unfounded. After a bit of a learning curve, Illawarra handed the keys to its franchise in the wake of Aaron Brooks’ season-ending Achilles injury.

The results have been wholly positive for the Hawks. Ball has helped revitalize the team and has powered the team to a pair of wins over Cairns. While the NBL certainly isn’t the NBA, it is a blueprint for how putting Ball in a position to succeed can lead to a bright future for a franchise.

[lawrence-related id=18199,18258,18153]