Hype or Bust: Early grades on the 2017 NBA Draft class (Week 1-3)
The hype around the 2017-18 NBA season was unreal. All the talks surrounding the start of the season were about whether the rookies would live up to expectations and would Kristaps Porzingis be able to bring what the Knicks haven't seen happen in a long long time? Will Kyrie settle into the Celtic's squad and lead to Eastern Conference glory? Have the Lakers bet on the right rookie by drafting in Ball? Will Kyle Kuzma be one of best late draft picks in a long time?
There is so much to cover, but we can cover only so much in this edition so let's focus on the exciting and deep class of the 2017 Draft. As of now, one month is under wraps are done and here's an early analysis as to who has been true to the hype and whose bubble has been burst:
Lonzo Ball - Los Angeles Lakers
The hype was real. Everyone had huge expectations from the #2 pick for the LA Lakers. His father, LaVar Ball was never far from telling everyone how good Lonzo is, even stating that he was better than the legendary Steve Nash. But has he lived up to his expectations?
The answer probably so far is a firm NO. Apart from averaging just 9.7 points per game and shooting just over 30% from the field, Ball is also shooting just 25.0% from beyond the arc. But it's too early to call him a dud. His natural ball movement and vision is the best we have seen in a while and surprisingly, he is averaging at least 6.6 rebounds per game. Still, he hasn't really shown up to what everyone expected from him.
BUST: 4/10