The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Top 5 Back Court Targets Philadelphia 76ers 2017 NBA Draft

By Bret Stuter

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Philadelphia 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Philadelphia 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) passes the ball against Arizona State Sun Devils guard Kodi Justice (44) and guard Tra Holder (0) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) passes the ball against Arizona State Sun Devils guard Kodi Justice (44) and guard Tra Holder (0) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

* Bleacher Report Profile
* Sports Illustrated Profile
* CBSSports Profile
* Sixer Sense Profile
* ESPN Profile
* School Writeup
* Twitter Account

There will always a challenge when trying to assess the quality of the NBA draft picks, because their performance is relative to the competition and the team around him.  But the characteristics of Lonzo Ball take most of the guesswork out of this.

Ball can score in the paint or from the perimeter, can dish out the ball. He can pull down the rebounds, and at 6-foot-5, he has the size to play with the ball or off-the-ball.  The part I love most is this “simulation video” where the author places Lonzo Ball on the court with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.  Yes, its video simulation. But even in make believe, it’s worth watching.

The Philadelphia 76ers will have Embiid, Simmons, Saric, McConnell, Covington, Stauskas, TLC, and the players coming to them from the NBA Draft. That will be a rugged lineup. Ball will not be tasked with doing it all.  In fact, the game will come to him on this roster.

And that’s perfectly suited for Lonzo Ball. He’s unique, as he is still working on a conventional shot. Unconventional for a right-handed player, the freshman point guard raises the ball above his head in a sidewinding style by way of the left side of his face.  It works, but it drives scouts crazy.

Fortunately, the Philadelphia 76ers have worked with unique players, and also worked on their shots.  Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are two that come to mind. So far, the Philadelphia 76ers have been rather pleased with the results.