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Los Angeles Lakers: How the young talent fits with LeBron James

By Jacob Doole

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 09: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls a play during the second half of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 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 – JANUARY 09: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls a play during the second half of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 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) /

Lonzo Ball

At first glance, Lonzo Ball isn’t a good fit next to LeBron James. He’s a young, pass-first point guard who struggled shooting the ball in his rookie season.

James will undoubtedly be the primary ball-handler for the Lakers, and will fill his usual role as the de-facto point guard. Doesn’t that make Ball somewhat redundant?

Well, maybe not. Ball isn’t your typical high-assist point guard- while most such players need the ball in their hands, Lonzo typically tries to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Last season, he averaged just 3.82 seconds per touch, per NBA.com. For comparison’s sake, in Cleveland’s 2015-16 championship season, Kyrie Irving had the ball for 4.99 seconds every touch despite playing alongside James.

In that sense, Ball is the perfect point guard to play with LeBron – he’s not worried about pounding the rock or running the offense, he just makes the best play as quickly as possible.

While his shooting is a concern, he did show signs of progress last season. As pointed out by The Ringer‘s Kevin O’Connor, Ball shot 37.7 percent on catch-and-shoot 3’s from December 7 on.

That’s not great, but it’s certainly better than his season numbers, and the public perception, would suggest. At the very least, Ball is a semi-threat that the defense needs to respect when catching and firing.

And, unlike other streaky outside shooters (looking at you, Westbrook), Ball is an active off-ball player. He makes cuts and moves off the ball, and is big enough to set screens for others. Luke Walton could draw up some great plays with both James and Ball on the floor, passing and screening for others.

Defensively, Ball was well ahead of the curve in his rookie year. While defensive stats can be deeply flawed, he ranked inside the top 15 in the league in defensive box plus-minus (per Basketball Reference).

Ignoring the numbers, he passes the eye test as a defender. He’s athletic enough to stay in front of quicker guards, and is big enough to switch onto forwards when forced.

Add to all of that his strong rebounding, basketball IQ and his expected improvements in season two, and Ball is an intriguing prospect to play alongside LeBron.

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