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Lonzo Mania: How he could realistically change the Lakers culture

By Rashawn Wong

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Lonzo BallLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on October 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Lonzo BallLOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on October 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are in prime position this year to really make some noise in the Western Conference, and it all begins with Lonzo Ball

Just days before the 2017 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by newly minted president of basketball operations Magic Johnson, would trade D’Angelo Russell, whom they picked second overall in the first round of the 2015 draft, to the Brooklyn Nets.

This shocked the basketball world because a majority of fans believed that Russell was one of the main components for LA’s future.

Flash forward to date and another second overall draft pick later, former UCLA Bruin Lonzo Ball is now the face of LA.

Ball declared for the draft after spending just one season with the Bruins, where he averaged 14.6 points and 7.6 assists. He led UCLA to the Sweet 16 in the 2017 NCAA college basketball tournament before coming up short against De’Aaron Fox and the Kentucky Wildcats. Although Ball found slight success on the court in college, that doesn’t automatically mean that will translate to the league.

What Ball will attempt to bring from the college game to the NBA is his 3-point shooting ability. At UCLA, he shot a respectable 41.2 percent from beyond-the-arc, which is important to maintain, especially in today’s NBA. The sport continues to drift from what we are accustomed to, which is post-game or tons of inside-out action. The defending champion Golden State Warriors continue to shatter expectations of how the game should be played, scoring daunting amount of points from three-pointers, so teams are constantly adjusting.

One thing that Ball does have that will translate nicely to the league is his star prowess. Playing in LA comes with a certain level of stardom that the everyday player often cannot handle, but thankfully that shouldn’t be an issue for Lonzo.

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During his campaign with UCLA, Lavar Ball (Lonzo’s father) would make TV appearances across multiple networks talking about his son. Whether you love or hate Lavar, he was smart for putting his son in the lime-light prior to even being drafted.

The Los Angeles Lakers have not had a winning season since 2012-13, when they were swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs. They have been feeling the grind of being stuck in rebuild mode, since losing a hall of fame talent in Kobe Bryant. Although it has been a few years now, with the acquisition of Lonzo the Lakers were able to solidify their core of young solid players.

If summer league was a preview of what Lonzo will be able to do in the league, then the ceiling is high. Every game was sold out, with fans coming to Vegas from all over the world just to get a glimpse of Lonzo and the new look Lakers. He was named the Las Vegas summer league MVP, averaging 16.3 points and 9.3 assists. However, moving forward the Lakers will need more from Ball than just 38.2 percent – making just 10 of his 42 attempts – from behind the arc.

There were moments that Ball was outshined by fellow teammate Kyle Kuzma, who was drafted 27th overall by the Lakers. But, if Ball can manage the floor the way everyone is anticipating, this will allow for other players to really flourish. The Lakers have a decent mix of veteran talent with Luol Deng (32) and Brook Lopez (29), but one can only expect so much out of a roster that has an average age of 25.

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The Los Angeles Lakers won’t win a championship this year and they may not even make the playoffs, but with Lonzo in the picture they in a good position for years to come. Fans are excited about the future and that is important piece when attempting to revitalize a franchise.

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