Philadelphia 76ers: At least the Sixers didn't draft Lonzo Ball

As Lavar Ball publicly criticizes the Lakers organization with regularity, Philly fans can be thankful that the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t draft Lonzo Ball.

For those keeping track at home, the Markelle Fultz saga just keeps getting weirder and weirder for the Philadelphia 76ers.

After Doris Burke recalled a conversation with Brett Brown where the coach described the Fultz’s problems as being “all in his head” on national television two weeks ago, a conversation that Brown vehemently disputed, it seemed like a long shot that we’d see the former Washington Huskie back on the court in this season for the Sixers..

That assumption was only further confirmed by Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo himself mere days late. In a scheduled press event, Colangelo highlighted the fluidity of Fultz’s immediate future, lamenting that “There’s always a chance that he’s going to be out there soon, and there’s a chance that he’s not going to play this year“.

So when Phillyvoice.com released an incredibly detailed account on all things Fultz, it left many with more questions than answers.

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Though I won’t bore you with the details, as the article is honestly is worth a full read, some interesting pieces of insight from the piece included Fultz’s use of a personal trainer that routinely clashes with the organization, a jump shot that needs to be completely rebuilt from the ground up, and the now infamous use of a VR helmet to help Fultz “visualize the game”.

Simply put, things are kind of a mess in South Philly, but honestly, it could be worse.

Need proof? Well, look no further than the Los Angeles Lakers and their current situation with second overall pick Lonzo Ball.

Much like Fultz, many viewed Ball as a marquee talent in the 2017 NBA Draft, with some declaring that the Chino Hills native was worthy of the top overall selection, and when you look at his college tape, it’s hard to argue with that sentament.

While Ball has always had a strange shot, something he’s reportedly going to work on this offseason, he made a name for himself at UCLA as an elite passer, a willing rebounder, and a reliable college scorer. Though obviously a ball dominant guard, many assumed that Ball could eventually develop into a solid combo guard, as his 6-foot-6 frame could allow him to adequately defend either backcourt position.

And so far, Ball has played fairly well as a pro when healthy.

Though the second overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft has missed the last 13 games due to a persistent knee injury, when actually on the court, he’s done some promising things. I mean sure, his shot is still a mess, as highlighted by his atrocious 30.3 three-point percentage, but he’s averaging over 10 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, and looks like he really could develop into the second coming of Jason Kidd.

But all of that potential is dependent on Ball’s ability to eventually get out from under his father’s shadow.

For anyone who’s even casually followed basketball or pop culture over the last year the name Lavar Ball will certainly elicit a charged response. Whether you love the shoe slinging father of three, or vehemently hate his near constant chatter, you can’t deny that the man loves to talk, and knows how to get heard. But is that a good thing for Lonzo?

Sure, he seemingly willed his son into a Lakers uniform, but Ball’s near-constant criticism of the Lakers organization, of Lonzo’s usage, and of Luke Walton‘s coaching has crafted hundreds, if not thousands of headlines across written media, both in print and online, but his most recent statement may be his most flagrant yet.

While in Lithuania with his younger sons, LiAngelo and LeMelo, the elder Ball laid out his master plan to have the three players on the same team in two seasons, and it’s…interesting.

If the Lakers, his dream team, don’t want to sign Gelo and Melo in two seasons when the youngest becomes draft eligible to pair with Lonzo in a Big Baller backcourt, then Lavar will have his eldest son leave in free agency, and move on to a team that’s willing to sign all three Balls.

Now this plan obviously has it’s flaws, as Lonzo will technically still be under contract in two seasons, but Lavar’s willingness to effectively threaten his son’s current team is a pretty remarkable feat and something that thankfully isn’t the 76ers problem.

I mean sure, adding 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists a game would be nice for a playoff-bound team, but other than an occasional shady tweet, Fultz has been incredibly professional on the bench for the 76ers. While he could have taken the easy way out, and expressed his grievances over his lack of playing time, the former Huskie has instead kept his head down and continued to work on his game, a move that will no doubt pay dividends one day.

Now, with some pundits have gone so far as to argue that the Lakers should seriously consider trading Lonzo to alleviate themselves of the Lavar, in a move that would be both unprecedented and incredibly controversial, it’s becoming abundantly clear that the Lakers rebuild may be going on for a little while longer. Much like the 76ers, the Lakers haven’t been a relevant playoff team for some time, having finished the last three seasons with the number two pick in the NBA Draft, but unlike Brett Brown’s squad, there doesn’t seem to be much of a process in LA.

With the team having traded away D’Angelo Russell, the number two pick in the 2015 NBA Draft to the Nets during the 2017 Draft for the rights to Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez, and shipped Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to the Cavaliers for a late first round pick, Channing Frye and Isaiah Thomas‘ expiring contract, the Lakers appear to be a team desperately searching for an identity. Where the 76ers have given their young core time to progress, and only recently added viable veteran scorers to pad out their playoff run, like J.J. Redick, Trevor Booker, and Marco Belinelli, the Lakers have now once again shipped out some young talent to free up cap space to potentially make another run at LeBron James, a player who spurned them in 2014.

While Ball may eventually free himself from his father’s shadow and firmly establish himself as a legitimate NBA All-Star, he will likely be forever linked to his father’s actions. With the younger Balls playing professionally in Lithuania, the Big Baller Brand is going international, and as long as people are clicking, stories will continue to be written about whatever Lavar has to say on any given day, and thankfully that’s not the 76ers concern.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers: Is Markelle Fultz the next Victor Oladipo?

Though Fultz’s total lack of playing time has been frustrating, especially as players like Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum continue to shine, at least the team doesn’t have to see endless Sports Center headlines about their internal dysfunction. For better or for worse, the 76ers have built a strong, almost familial culture in South Philly that’s almost an incubator for young talent. With players like T.J. McConnell, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons growing in leaps and bounds under Brown’s tutelage, Fultz is in the best position to succeed as a pro, and it would be a shame for that development to be clouded by the Lavar Ball circus.

Philadelphia 76ers: At least the Sixers didn’t draft Lonzo Ball

By Matty Breisch | Feb 15, 2018

As Lavar Ball publicly criticizes the Lakers organization with regularity, Philly fans can be thankful that the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t draft Lonzo Ball.

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