Checking in on the hero that the Los Angeles Lakers need, Lonzo Ball
Through two games at the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball hasn’t disappointed. He’s shown flashes of what he could be at the Summer League level. The only hope for the franchise is that he continues to develop and grow off of his experience at the league’s epicenter for summertime basketball.
The eldest Ball son came into Summer League having to impress from the start. Mainly, because his boisterous and opportunistic father, LaVar, has been hyping him up as the next big icon. And well, Lonzo struggled in his first game against the Clippers – he finished with five points, five assists and four rebounds, to go along with 2-for-15 shooting and 1-of-11 from the three-point line.
His first game was a blunder, but again, it’s Summer League. Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations for the Lakers, seen the struggles of his No. 2 pick coming.
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"[via ESPN]“I expected what happened last night,” Johnson told ESPN’s broadcast crew. “This crowd was here to see him play. First time putting on a Laker uniform, and he just didn’t play well. Point blank.”"
Ball’s struggle against the Clippers wasn’t the end of the world. The only question that surfaced was if he’d be able to recover? Just a day later, in front of the Vegas Summer League’s first sellout crowd, Ball was tasked with immediate redemption against the Celtics. Against the men in green, Ball impressed. He recorded an 11-11-11 triple-double – a rarity in Summer League – and showed the flashes many had seen in him.
Ball’s vision with limited finishers in the Summer League is a skill to marvel at. Mainly against the Celtics, he showed his ability to create for others and put them in a position to succeed. Passing and court vision is always a skill which translates to the NBA level, and Ball is showcasing his ability to be a maestro with the proverbial rock.
The Jason Kidd comparisons became evident. Ball impacted both games by accelerating up the court on a mission off of a made or missed basket, speeding up the tempo of the game. His eight defensive rebounds played a huge part in him becoming a break starter.
Ball’s only glaring weakness is his defense – a rookie struggling there, what a surprise? His opposition had a field day penetrating to the basket against him in both games. Mainly against the pick-and-roll Ball struggled, as seen against the Clippers. Throughout the season Ball will learn ways on how to defend basketball’s sweetest play.
Despite the defense, Ball’s confidence is something marvel at. Coming off a not-so-great game, his first shot against the Celtics was a three-pointer. Taking and making shots is clearly not a problem for Ball and neither is passing. Both pros at the NBA level.
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Sadly, Ball (sore groin) missed a very much anticipated matchup against Kings rookie guard De’Aaron Fox. Ball and Fox go back to high school – yeah, over two years ago – where they’ve competed against each other, and led some to believe Fox is the better guard and both can be leading into the direction of a rivalry. That’s a longtime from now, but an intriguing storyline nonetheless to follow as their careers blossom.