Lakers have won their last 3 games without Lonzo Ball.

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Draymond Green: 11.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.6 APG.
Lonzo Ball: 10.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 7.1 APG.

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

http://lonzowire.usatoday.com/2018/01/2 ... ma-awards/

LaVar Ball’s appearance at Friday’s 2018 M.A.M.A awards—Lithuania’s answer to the Grammys—in Kaunas was full of surprises, but none bigger than a ground-breaking announcement from Lonzo Ball. As the Los Angeles Lakers rookie revealed in a pre-recorded message that also featured him speaking some Lithuanian, he will perform at his first rap concert this summer in the Eastern European country where LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball have become curiosities (if not outright basketball stars) for Prienu Vytautas.

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

and Lonzo's a better defender !

The kid is soft, I hope he raps better than he heals. My guy Fox is quietly getting more minutes and looking good.

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Yep and so is Dennis Smith Jr.

He has been playing 35 minutes per game since day 1. Even his vaunted passing ability was overhyped. His assists are mostly based on hit aheads. He isn't really finding people like that. Passes it to the wing and if a guy makes the shot he gets the assist.

He doesn't wreak havoc in the paint at all and its mostly because he doesn't like contact. You never see him break people down and get in the lane. He is extremely comfortable with hanging around the perimeter.

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yup that's how it works

Yeah but if that is the crux of all he does then it isn't really much. That isn't really elite. It is actually middle school level.

Continue to hold out hope that he is something special however.

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Fox has the worst roster in the league hands down..he's finding ways to score and motivate those bums. Ball isn't even a top 6 rookie this year. Might not be top 10 by seasons end.

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Ball had a built in advantage from day 1. He had the hype machine behind him as well as the benefit of being positioned as his team's best player. He was guaranteed to play 30+ minutes per game whether he was effective or not. None of the top guys could say that.

They traded Russell in order to clear the deck for him. He is flopping big time. All people have at this stage is hope. That is all they can sell.

Josh Jackson also appears to be coming on strong now.

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Rookie update:

Fox is looking very good, Lonzo is soft as hell, Kuzma has cooled off significantly. Tatum continues consistently producing.

My power rankings right now.
1. Simmons
2. Mitchell
3. Tatum
4. Fox
5. Kuzma


Honorable mention : Lauri, Smith jr.

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Any top 5 right now that does not have Markk is bad.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

And Josh Jackson is starting to turn it on too. 16 and About 6 per game over the last 6 while playing under 30 minutes in each game. 1 clunker in there or he'd be at 20 per game.

They are starting him now and he looks like he has found the switch.

Tatum had 29 last night 19 before that. More aggressive with Irving out.

Mitchell is the #1 option in Utah. Rare for a rookie found in the first round to have that tag.

He is scoring big and looking like he will challenge Simmons for ROY.

I still like Tatum as a player more but he is on a much better team and plays in a structured setting. His numbers won't be as great given that.

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He could be there by season end, It's a strong rookie class.

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Who u got top 5?

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Simmons
Mitchell
Tatum
Lauri
Kuzma

Dennis Smith 6
Josh Jackson 7
Fox 8

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Simmons
Mitchell
Tatum
Smith Jr
Markkanen

Kuzma
Ball
Fox
Jackson
John Collins

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Going to be a daddy after knocking up his HS girlfriend.

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Bargain

Lonzo back tonight! On a minutes restriction and already ruled out for tomorrow's back to back, but after not seeing Lonzo for 6 weeks I'll take anything I can get. Hope he's not too rusty.

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His injury cost me $50. He needs to toughen up.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

You were going to lose that one anyway.

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Zero chance but we’ll never know so pointless to argue.

Luckily it’s looking like I’ll still come up $50 on our bets overall. I’ll take that.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

You are going to lose that one too.

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Very unlikely.

Harden and LBJ are no doubters. Then you have Giannis, Durant, Westbrook. Anthony Davis had a monster night and will likely continue to climb in the race with Cousins out. Steph missed 9 more games than Kyrie so far so you got lucky there but he’s still having a better season and likely to finish ahead of him.

Good luck.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

You are naming guys that are battling for 8th seeds as MVP candidates? Kyrie Irving has them in contention for a No. 1 seed even though they have been witbout his No. 2 all year. This is really an easy win for me when you think about it.

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I love that you think that.

I didn’t even name anyone from the actual 1 seed. DeRozan’s case is as good as Kyrie’s.

Btw, a guy on a 6th seed won mvp last year.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Derozan's supporting cast is better than Irving's. Kyrie Irving has had Boston at or near the top of the standings for the entire season. He is easily in the top 5 MVP race.

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The lakers are better when Ball is out.

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