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Los Angeles Lakers: How bad has Lonzo Ball been this season?

By Nicholas Gonzalez

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 100-93. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 13: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 100-93. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Checking in on Lonzo Ball and his impact on the Los Angeles Lakers 

Before I dive in, I will say this. Lonzo Ball is a rookie, yes, but we’ve also played almost a quarter of an NBA season so far. So while yes it is a small sample size in the grand scheme, it is still an adequate amount of time to make judgements.

Obviously, no player can be a bust this early in his career, and I’m not saying Lonzo is or will be; my objective point of view in this column will be from what we have seen so far. Which is all I can do, because I can’t see in the future.

In 15 games so far through his rookie campaign, Lonzo Ball has only made the voices of his critics louder, and quieted his supporters. The scouting report on him coming out of college has been pretty spot on through the first few weeks of his NBA career. 

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In those 15 games, Ball has been one of the most up-and-down rookies receiving big playing time. Ball is averaging nine points, seven assists and seven rebounds. While that isn’t awful at face value, considering that Ball is averring 33 minutes per game and is practically the face of the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s not great.

To not average double-digits in any category, not even assists, which is his bread and butter, is a bit concerning. His other metrics have also been lackluster.

Ball is shooting 30 percent from the field overall, 23 percent from 3-point range and just 50 percent from the charity stripe. He’s also averaging three turnovers per contest, and has one the leagues worst true shooting percentages.

In a point guard’s league, that is thriving off the position at the moment, those numbers aren’t particularly great. 

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When he’s on the court, the Lakers have a -5.5 net rating. In other words, the Lakers are technically better with him off the court. In fairness, that stat could often be misleading. But by 5.5 points? Maybe not by that much.

His defense has also been less than special.

The fact of the matter is, even if his dad’s mouth has something to do with it, Lonzo Ball has been pretty bad. Whether he was the No. 2, No. 1 or the last pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, playing 30-plus minutes per night and having these types of performances isn’t good for anyone. It’s that simple. 

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For the sake of his career, life and the whole nine, I hope Lonzo Ball gets better and succeeds in this league. Right now however, he has not been very good.

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