Which player would you have KEPT (i.e. not traded away for Anthony Davis)
Kyle Kuzma
21%
[ 26 ]
Brandon Ingram
25%
[ 31 ]
Lonzo Ball
52%
[ 64 ]
Total Votes : 121
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CandyCanes Retired Number
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35812 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 7:53 am Post subject: If given the choice, would you rather have kept Kuzma, Ingram, or Ball?
There may have been a thread about this at the time of the AD trade, but I'm curious... It seems that we had the choice between Ingram/Kuzma and Ball was non-negotiable. Factoring in talent/potential, short-term contributions, and the contract situations, which of these three would you have wanted to KEEP? _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Really tough to say.. Kuz improved this Summer and I'm not sure the other two did.
I'd go with Ball. I think he's at least getting stronger.. Probably 215 now, and could be used in so many ways on defense.. I'd actually be interested in him guarding PG13; we've seen Bradley give PG trouble and he's tiny.
And I guess I trust his shot to get to 35%
If the assumption is no player is injury prone, I would keep Lonzo Ball.
Ingram probably has the highest ceiling in terms of overall game and potentially eventually one of the top wings in the league.
Lonzo just has elite vision and defense and those elite skills give him the edge imo.
No disrespect to Kuz, he definitely endeared himself by reportedly being the hardest working and played the relationship game real well in addition to being on cheap contract. He just doesn’t have the skills of the other 2 imo which nothing wrong with that, he was a late 1st rounder.
We are trying to win now. Although my vote is close between Ball and Kuz, Ball just does not look dedicated enough to take the next leap on offense. He is too injury prone and his shooting specially his Ft is very suspect. Kuz other hand although not as promising looks like a hard worker and his skill set compliment this current team more.
if assuming who would be the best player for how this team is currently constructed, I'd go with BI as he would fill the biggest need as a long wing defender and shot creator off the bench. He'd basically play the Iggy role. _________________ (bleep) Kawhi
if assuming who would be the best player for how this team is currently constructed, I'd go with BI as he would fill the biggest need as a long wing defender and shot creator off the bench. He'd basically play the Iggy role.
IF you take Kuzma out, I think the problem moves to backup PF; I'm not sold that
LBJ wants to play that role even if he does occasionally. But, I agree that the BI
would make a lot of sense, as well.
The chips have already fallen, we'll see what happens this season but that SF
backup is a hole IMO. _________________ Lakers need to build a freaking team !
The difference between Kuzma and BI/Lonzo is that Kuzma is durable in terms of injuries, Lonzo and BI have been injury prone so far in there early career and if they keep getting injured the answer to this poll question is simple, you keep Kuzma because he plays more games.
Last edited by Inspector Gadget on Sat Sep 21, 2019 9:44 am; edited 1 time in total
BI then Zo then Kuz. BI and Zo provide perimeter D with length that our team lacks. There is a reason pelicans wanted Zo and BI. Hopefully Kuz really improved in real life as much as he claims he has on insta
Ball, assuming there was no longterm health problems with his legs, which is not a given.
Played a style that complimented Lebron and AD.
Was a defensive talent.
Was at a position, and role, that we are currently weaker in.
Could have started and been a key player.
With AD wanting to be a starting 4, there is no room for Ingram or Kuzma to be a starting player.
Ball could have been.
However my guess is Ball was never an option to be kept, as any deal would have started with Ball. He is a great 3rd or 4th option-best player on a ring level team player in the making.
A lot depends of course on the assumptions made about the poll. I picked Kuz. Ball has shooting problems, both 3 pt and FT's, in addition to his injury last season. BI had his ongoing illness issue along with his iso-centric nature on offense. Kuz has the least problem with sickness or on offense, but has defensive lapses. In the end, I'm fine with Kuz.
if assuming who would be the best player for how this team is currently constructed, I'd go with BI as he would fill the biggest need as a long wing defender and shot creator off the bench. He'd basically play the Iggy role.
IF you take Kuzma out, I think the problem moves to backup PF; I'm not sold that
LBJ wants to play that role even if he does occasionally. But, I agree that the BI
would make a lot of sense, as well.
The chips have already fallen, we'll see what happens this season but that SF
backup is a hole IMO.
Im sure he'd have no problem soaking up what few minutes would be left at PF after AD and Dudley take the lead there _________________ (bleep) Kawhi
Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 9315 Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 11:20 am Post subject:
I think it was Jeff Van Gundy who said in a broadcast that a player's potential to be great only matters if he shows up and plays.
For that reason alone, I cast my vote for Kuzma. _________________ I would rather have questions I cannot answer than answers I cannot question - Richard Feynman
Kuz. No question about it. With Zo the lakers are basically playing 4 guys on offense against 5 guys on defense. Plus he is injured too much. BI will never fill his body and his ceiling is Tayshaun Prince. Kuz has the drive and the edge to want to be better than what he actually is. Can’t teach that.
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144461 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 1:25 pm Post subject:
Lonzo, he would be a great second facilitator next to Lebron. Plus he rebounds better than Ingram and rebounds and defends better than Kuzma. And he is 3 years younger. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
I think it was Jeff Van Gundy who said in a broadcast that a player's potential to be great only matters if he shows up and plays.
For that reason alone, I cast my vote for Kuzma.
Ball has the biggest chance to be a Top-10/generational player . . . but not until he can hit open shots and convert FT.
Ingram just doesn't fit with LeBron.
Kuz plays well off LeBron and - if he gets back to even his rookie level from the arc (36.6%) - will be a killer. He has big holes in his game, but even if they're not fixed, what he brings (scoring/slashing/finishing) is still very valuable. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
My vote is for Kuz, but I'm shocked so many people picked Zo. Oh well, water under the bridge now. AD better sign a long-term contract or it won't be pretty for us at all.
I voted BI but could go Kuz as well. Lonzo I just don't trust. His health, his shot, his disappearing act. Further his great defense won't stay for long, especially if he keeps getting nicked. Ingram it is debatable if he fits with Lebron, but late last year you saw the talent. He could be special if he ever puts it together. Kuz is what he is. Solid player and a better fit with LBJ and will be lethal if they go with a closing lineup of LBJ, Kuz & AD down the stretch. I believe that they will play a normal center for the first three quarters and AD will slide down late in games.
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35812 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 3:51 pm Post subject:
Why is everyone voting for Ball? Ball is just Ricky Rubio with elite defense and injury issues. Absolute ceiling is prime Rondo. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
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