NYRaider

Almost every scouting publication acknowledged his defense / defensive potential with his ability to defend multiple positions... At UCLA he shot 67% FT and 41% 3FG on 5.2 attempts per game. At Chino Hills, he shot 80% FT and 36% 3FG on 6.2 attempts per game. LaMelo Ball shot like 15% from 3 in Lithuania, 28% from 3 at Spire, and 25% from 3 in the JBA... His shooting form is absolutely terrible (broken mechanics just like Lonzo) but Lonzo was a very good shooter at lower levels of competition. LaMelo struggles to shoot the ball in glorified pickup games against D1/D2 rejects. And LaMelo is huge but he's a below-average athlete, he's not very quick or explosive. He's like an Austin Rivers / Michael Carter-Williams hybrid. If he wasn't Lonzo's brother he would be getting zero hype.

Because people like hoop mixtape highlights. LaMelo in Spire/JBA/Lithuania/Australia has shot like 18% from 3 while being a volume scorer that plays matador defense and everyone claims he's an elite prospect. He's not even remotely close to the same level of prospect that Lonzo was coming out of UCLA.

Lonzo was an elite shooter/defender in HS/College. LaMelo can't shoot and doesn't play defense, like at all...

Because he was an elite help defender in college? And has the tools to be an elite defender in the league? Unless being the most athletic player in the league with elite instincts isn't what you want...

I remember when I made a similar comparison and got roasted. Hell, some even said Zion would be a bust on here.

Not really a hot take but Bojan Bogdonvic will be Utah's second-leading scorer this year. In limited preseason action, he has gotten a lot of looks in Snyder's offense that are reminiscent of how we used Hayward. He's going to get a ton of open looks and will be expected to carry a big load for our offense this year.

Duke has been 1 shot away from the Final 4 the last two seasons. Bad calls and good upperclassmen players making plays for elite programs kept us out. I'm not as excited for this year as I have been for previous years but I actually think we have a legitimate shot at a title. Last year's team lacked depth and shooting. We don't have a star this year but we'll be 10 deep and almost every guy in the rotation will be at least an average three-point shooter.

In the regular season he's averaging: 13 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists on 33% FG and 9% 3FG...

I'm starting to love Foster Moreau and Alec Ingold. I didn't really have expectations for either guy coming into the season but they've both played a key role in our last two wins. It's clear that our identity is going to be a smash-mouth, running football team. Ingold and Moreau are both very good blockers and have that nastiness you need in a smash-mouth offense. Mike Mayock is already paying dividends with pickups like these. It's not always about superstar players, having good role players that fit the system can also make a huge difference as we're seeing with these two guys.

We have a deep team this year, I really hope that Coach K finally uses his depth. The ideal rotation for me would be: G - Jones (30) | Goldwire (5) G - Moore (25) | Stanley (20) G - Baker (20) | O'Connell (15) F - Hurt (25) | White (15) F - Carey (25) | DeLaurier (20)

I believe the AP preseason top 25 should be released in the next week or two.

Whitehead looked a lot better in the middle and Morrow's speed made a huge difference on the outside. I know it was only one game but it was so nice to have LB's that can run.

I'm really excited about Duke's team this year. We don't have the star power of previous years but we should be one of the most balanced teams in the country this year. Tre Jones / Vernon Carey should both be in the running for ACC POY too.

College basketball season is around the corner! Let's keep the general discussion here.

Utah will finish as the #1 seed in the West.