New York Knicks: Positives and Negatives of Drafting LaMelo Ball

Negatives

Shooting

It’s completely valid to question Ball’s ceiling as a shooter. His awkward form is concerning and his 25% mark from three is just as frightening. While his passable free-throw shooting (72%) shows that he isn’t completely hopeless, it’s going to take some work for the young point guard to become a threat from outside.

One can hope that he follows in his brother’s footsteps. Lonzo Ball had similar struggles with his shooting form early on his career, failing to hit even 46% of his free throws in his rookie year. He worked hard and has gradually improved, now shooting 38% on threes while taking just under 7 per game.

Family Ties

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While it may not be entirely fair to LaMelo, it’s important to remember his father Lavar, and the impact that he can have on an organization. The Ball family patriarch often made headlines when Lonzo played for the Lakers, frequently calling out former head coach Luke Walton.

He might have learned his lesson, but nobody knows for sure. New York is a large market, and Lavar might want to bask in the spotlight a bit more if his youngest son ends up in the orange and blue.

The New York Knicks desperately need a point guard who can read defenses quickly and get the ball to other young players like RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. Drafting LaMelo Ball would be controversial to some, but it’s definitely a risk worth taking.

What do you think? Is LaMelo Ball worth the risk if the Knicks are in a position to take him? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter at @EmpireWritesBck!