The Lakers will need more than tanking to get Lonzo Ball

Today in The Herd, Colin noted the trend of teams like the Lakers and Suns tanking their seasons by playing lineups that are younger than many of the teams left in the Sweet 16.

Colin pointed out that the Lakers have around a 50% chance to land a Top 3 pick, but only a 19% chance of securing the #1 pick. If Ball balls out tonight against Kentucky and continues to separate himself as the clear-cut top pick, it’s all going to come down to dumb luck and a 20% prayer in the lottery.

“Lonzo wins tonight, takes over this game, he’s moving to number one. That means, Lakers, your chances go from 50% to 19 and you bring back this lousy team next year.”

In college, good coaching trumps everything

The Sweet 16 is proving again that elite coaching wins. The schools that are always around are led by some of the best coaches in the college game, Many of whom, like Mark Few, have built powerhouse programs in rural and isolated areas that don’t have any talent immediately around them.

Geno Auriemma has built the most dominant single sports program ever at a school that sits across from a dairy farm. Coaching and management matters, and in college sports, it trumps location.

“Chase good coaching, chase good management.”

LaVar Ball is following the same blueprint of other famous sports parents

LaVar Ball’s shoutfest with Stephen A. Smith yesterday was ratings grabbing television, but Colin thinks what Ball is doing isn’t that much different from the blueprint of other influential sports fathers in recent history, he just has an amplified microphone because of social media and a blogosphere that gladly runs with his latest outrageous claim because it gets tons of clicks.

The reality is that behind many elite athletes is a father who some consider overbearing, but the proof is in the pudding. Even Marv Marinovich, who is considered as the embodiment of a toxic, overbearing parent, got his kid to the prestigious position of USC quarterback. Earl Woods controlled every aspect of Tiger’s life until he was well into his 20’s.

“What LaVar Ball is doing, this is no outlier. He is following the blueprint.”

Guests:

Bruce Arena – U.S. Men’s National Soccer team coach joins the show ahead of the huge qualifying match against Honduras tonight; how he expects the team to play on short rest; if he’ll play Christian Pulisic tonight; and what he’ll tell his team before they take the pitch.

Aaron Torres – Fox Sports College Basketball writer is in-studio to discuss the Arizona end of game disaster; if Calipari needs to get a second title; why LaVar Ball Is the same person he’s always been; and how Coach Cal has transformed the perception of Kentucky.

Cris Carter – FS1 Host and Pro Football Hall of Famer is in-studio to talk about Coach Cal’s mindset going into the UCLA game tonight; his pick; why LaVar Ball doesn’t know anything about greatness; if Johnny Manziel going to New Orleans is a good idea; and why he would give Manziel another chance.

Glenn Davis – World Champion with the Boston Celtics is in studio to respond to rumors that Ray Allen isn’t invited to the championship reunion; why he thinks Chris Paul is on an island in the Clippers locker room; and why the Clippers don’t understand what it takes to win.