Los Angeles Lakers: How LA is missing Lonzo Ball
He may not have gaudy numbers this season, but there’s no question that the Los Angeles Lakers miss Lonzo Ball – on both ends of the floor
The second half of the NBA season is underway which means for a lot of teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s crunch time. The playoff races are tightening and the chances for showtime to inch their way into a playoff picture is slowly starting to fade.
Although only trailing three games from that highly coveted 8th seed, the Lakers will look back with regret on the two most recent losses they suffered to the struggling Grizzlies and Anthony Davis-less Pelicans.
LeBron has supposedly activated “Playoff Mode”, but still isn’t showing many signs of ramping up the intensity. Some say it’s age, injury, or just flat out fatigue, so it’s safe to say that in order for this team to find a spot in the Western Conference Playoff picture, they need a spark sooner rather than later.
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Enter a healthy Lonzo Ball.
The NBA sophomore is still recovering from a nagging ankle injury and has been relatively solid this year. Over the course of his 47 games played, he’s averaged 10 points a night while putting up just over five assists and five rebounds. Not exactly the type of numbers that his Pop’s, Lavar promised, but I’m not as concerned with Ball carrying the offensive load.
Defensively, Zo is averaging a buck and a half in the steal column, which puts him at 20th in the league in steals per contest. However, steals aren’t the only defensive contribution the former UCLA Bruin brings to Staples Center.
In fact, the Lakers are an entirely different team on defense when Ball is missing from play, and it’s not for the better.
Over the stretch of Ball’s injury, the Lakers have given up a league-worst 121 points per night and allow a barrage of scoring from beyond the arc allowing just over 37 percent from 3. Insert Ball however, and the difference is night and day. 111 points given up by a much more sound Los Angeles defense as well as only allowing 35 percent of opponent’s 3-pointers to fall.
With Lonzo’s length and overall defensive prowess on the court, the Lakers turn into a threat from all aspects. This includes the ability to run the fast-break anytime the 21-year-old gets his hands on the ball whether it comes from a steal or rebound. He not only has the ability to take over a game without even having the rock but can make those around him better in a heartbeat (that includes LeBron James).
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The team’s doctors have not informed head coach Luke Walton of a timetable for the young point guard’s return, but if I’m the Lakers, having Ball back sooner rather than later would be vital for the team’s playoff chances this season.