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Last night was a great night for Golden State as the Warriors clinched the second pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. For those Warriors fans disappointed they didn’t win the lottery, just remember that the Dubs had about a 72% chance of not getting the first OR second pick in the draft, so they should be thankful for being so lucky.
With the order of lottery selections in place, simulation projects can now begin to focus on the exact needs of the team and what insiders hear regarding interest or lack of interest. of an organization for certain prospects.
The most polarizing prospect of all, LaMelo Ball, would have been anywhere from the first overall pick to later in the top ten. So should the Warriors hope that Minnesota jumps on it, allowing them to hang it second?
The talent is real and evident. Ball is a 6-foot-7 guard who’s amazing in space and pushes the break fast. He’s a formidable passer and can create for his teammates by scrambling the defense by penetrating and finding the open man. He’s also adept at meeting the ball at his highest point for rebounds, which can be a great asset for a team coming from the guard post. His cap could be higher than any other prospect out there. But then come the question marks.
Ball shot a paltry 37.5 percent from the field as he played professionally in Australia last season, with a meager 25 percent from depth. Ball is happy to settle for a long-range shot, shooting almost seven 3s per game, so converting those shots with such low efficiency is blatant.
“I see his talent,” Hall of Fame inductee Chris Mullin said on the Runnin ‘Plays podcast, “most important to me will be his work ethic, because to improve your shoot, there is only ‘only one way to do it is to take the time. ”
[RUNNIN’ PLAYS PODCAST: Listen to the latest episode]
Like any young raw prospect, Ball, who turns 19 this week, will need to prove to teams that he can be the fierce off-court professional expected of NBA players. He needs to prove to teams that he can also put in a lot of effort on the pitch, especially on the defensive side of the pitch.
To reach his cap, Ball will have to use his enormous height from the guard position, to become a long, athletic defender who can potentially cover the opponent’s leader all the way to the small forward. He has yet to show this important aspect of his game.
The Warriors need players who can help them win right now, as their roster is designed to try to win the title. If the team intends to stick with their pick and pick a number two player in the draft, it’s more likely than not that player will leave the bench as the starting unit for 2020-21 is pretty solidified.
According to Mullin, getting off the bench isn’t a simple task though, saying, “Whoever they get, they can hook up, [but] I think it’s about who Steve and Bob really trust when you talk about the bench. What you want is someone you know what you’re going to get from them. “
[RELATED: Dinwiddie suggests Warriors could ship No. 2 pick to 76ers]
This is where the problem lies. Two of the most crucial needs for the Warriors if they are serious about filling a roster that can make it into the Finals, are reliable and consistent defenders to accompany shooters off the bench, two things Ball has yet to prove. The potential exists, maybe even to become a future All-Star, but how long are the Warriors willing to wait for that potential to materialize?
If they try to win now, then it would be difficult to draft Ball and use a major asset as the second overall pick on someone who isn’t ready right away. If he falls on them, perhaps the Warriors can hope that his dynamic playability can help short enough to overcome inefficiencies in his game. But what if he isn’t all. just not ready yet?
Oh yeah, and then there’s his dad …
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