If Philadelphia 76ers Land Second In NBA Draft, Is PG Lonzo Ball The Pick?

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (right) poses with NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum after the 76ers receive the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (right) poses with NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum after the 76ers receive the first pick in the 2016 NBA draft during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Four Reasons NOT To Select Lonzo Ball At Two

Lonzo Ball is not a unanimous pick at two in the 2017 NBA Draft.  And similar to the top three reasons to select him, there are four good reasons not to choose him.

REASON ONE: Ugly Shot Mechanics

Lonzo Ball’s shot is unorthodox. In fact, it’s an ugly shot which seems to have no business going in. But it often does.

It comes down to a matter of faith as to whether that shot translates into the NBA. For my part, I am skeptical.

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  • It’s a slow shot that crosses the right hand to the left side of his body.  I believe NBA defenses will eat that shot alive.REASON TWO: UCLA Roster was stacked with talent.

    Loaded Team

    Unlike a Markelle Fultz struggling as a great talent on a poorly constructed and schemed team, UCLA was loaded with talent for Lonzo Ball. The UCLA Bruins had six players scoring in double digits.  The team boasted three other players with a three-point shot at or better than that of Lonzo Ball.

    In short, is Lonzo Ball simply a player getting the benefit of a loaded roster?  Would a T.J. McConnell appear equally gifted if he dished out to those shooters?  The team average accuracy for field goals was 52.2 percent.  That accuracy not only drives up assists, but tends to help in any number of ways.

    It’s tough to claim a player is one of the best entering the NBA, when he sits third or fourth on his team stats sheet.