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2017 NBA Draft: 5 top prospects with the most bust potential

By Vince Massara

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 /
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Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Lavar Ball embraces his son UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) after the game against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Lonzo Ball

Mock Draft: Pick 2 – Los Angeles Lakers

Lonzo Ball is the most polarizing figure in the upcoming NBA Draft. No prospect has been in the headlines more, although rarely at his own doing.

He has the playmaking ability of somebody who was born to play basketball. Juxtapose that with the fact that watching his shot is similar to seeing some who has never seen a basketball before.

Lonzo is billed as a transcending talent at the point guard position, but is he even a point guard?

Ball’s main attribute besides playmaking in college has been his three-point shooting. Ball’s range has been almost endless. However, with his funky style, his shooting may be an issue with better defenders.

It has also been shown that free-throw percentage is one of the better predictors for NBA shooting. Lonzo Ball is not a good free-throw shooter. His 67 percent from the charity stripe in college throws up questions about his ability to be an effective three-point shooter in the pros.

To go along with his possible questionable three-point shooting at NBA level, Lonzo is horrendous at getting to the rim for a point guard. In addition to his inability to create shots at the rim, Lonzo does not create mid-range shots for himself. According to Hoop-Math, only 7.6 percent of Ball’s attempts this season came as two-point jumpers.

Another question, is he athletic enough to guard the hyper-athletes at the point guard position in the NBA?

If he can’t defend the point or create his own shot, does that make him a two-guard with suspect three-point shooting in the NBA? Is that really worthy of a top-two pick?