When you’re the number two pick in the NBA draft, there is going to be a great deal of pressure on you. When the team that drafted you happens to be the Los Angeles Lakers and your father is LaVar Ball? Good luck.
The spotlight must be intense but right now Lonzo Ball is making it look easy.
It’s officially time to throw out the ‘bust’ label – he never was.
Over the last nine games, Lonzo is averaging 11 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds on 45 per cent shooting from the field and 44 per cent from three. It’s not a stretch to think down the line Lonzo could average a triple double. He’s been not so far off the whole season.
Sure, he’s not the best rookie in his class, but has any one else been thrust into a harder role? Ben Simmons had a year to get used to the NBA life and has an All Star mate in Joel Embiid. Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell both have better supporting cast and are not asked to set up their team’s offence. De’Aaron Fox and Josh Jackson have not been consistent starters.
Lastly, an argument can be made Lonzo Ball is the best on defence.
In the social media age, we analyse every shot, game, and interview. We never gave Lonzo a fair shake and now that the noise has died down, we’re seeing what he’s capable of.
The Big Baller Brand is looking good again and LaVar can thank his son Lonzo Ball for that.
Lonzo Bust
Guest
Lonzo is a bust and Big Bust Brand is trash.
mike martinez
Guest
Very Good Interpretation of Lonzo Ball. Unless he gets more aggressive Offensively and takes (and makes) a few more shots other teams will have to respect him more. He likes to pass the ball first which isn't a bad thing but when you are a NBA Player you MUST hit wide open shots! He need to work on free throws too! Let's see what he does in his second year coming up, can he repeat as the Las Vegas NBA Summer League MVP? Will his outside shot improve? And his free throws? It is a proven fact that with him on the floor the Lakers are a improved team statistically, but its the W's that count. I do remember someone saying that if he was surrounded by better NBA Players (that can shoot) then it would make his game better, we'll have to see what moves the Lakers do to acquire Lebron James, Paul George, and or a host of other players like K. Leonard, D. Lillard. let's all relax and see what Lonzo does in his second year in the NBA hopefully with more help!
express34texas
Guest
Pitty, he's a rookie and only 20. His numbers are 10, 7, 7, 2, and 1; that's very impressive for the PG position. His shot is bad, no doubt, but if he's already averaging 10ppg, then I bet he'll a mid-teen scorer shortly. And shooting is the easiest skill to work on. I suspect he'll be much better next season. He's already top 10 in the league in apg. He's great size at 6-6 for a PG, he's only going to get better.
Pitty
Guest
Has shown some improvement but a pure let down, not even the best rookie on his own team forget the league,, he's all hype no substance kinda like his shoes he wears,, his numbers are at best average and has the lowest FG% and FT% of all rookies how is he not a bust??
Jerry
Guest
Oh yeah, Nash wasn't an immediate success by any means. I was comparing Ball to mid career Nash, no question he's far more complete than Nash was at a similar stage.
express34texas
Guest
You might be right about Ball's scoring, but I suspect he'll eventually average at least 15ppg yearly. Ball is averaging 10.5, 7, and 7; plus almost 2 spg and almost 1 bpg. He's still only 20yo. Nash's first double digit scoring season was his 5th year in the league at age 26. Ball is lightyears ahead of where Nash was. We'll have to wait and see how much he improves over his career.
BA Sports
Guest
He has improved since his dad left the locker room and the country - That can't be lost on anyone.... Be interesting to see what happens when Daddy's home...
Xavier Paula
Roar Rookie
Definitely agree the shot is the only concern and he needs a threat of a mid range game. Once that is sorted out I don't see why he wouldn't make a coupe of all star teams if his team is winning.
Paul
Guest
He's doing well on assists and rebounds, needs to up the scoring though compared to the other good rookies. More Klay than Steph, Kyrie or Russ. Steph: 17.5 - 5.9 - 4.5 Kyrie: 18.5 - 5.4 - 3.7 Russ: 15.3 - 5.3 - 4.9 Klay: 12.5 - 2.0 - 2.4 Ball: 10.4 - 7.1 - 7.1
Aaron Callaghan
Roar Rookie
I'm huge on Ball, very high upside. Wayyyy to early to tell, don't let a mid-season up tick on a horrendous team fool you into thinking he's out the other side and trending upwards, there is always, invariably a regression to the mean - What Lonzo Ball's mean is - Is not yet known. In his favour he shot 40+% from three in college, perhaps there is some evidence there. His defence is real, he's long, reasonably athletic without being a freak. Jury is still out however I'm big on Lonzo.
Jerry
Guest
He's not a bust, but unless he can become a much more consistent scorer, he's never gonna be a superstar either. He could be an important piece of a contender, even an All Star but I'd say he's a Rondo type of player rather than a Steve Nash (to use two examples of PG's who weren't primary scoring options). That's nothing to sniff at of course and if it weren't for his father's OTT comments and persona, no one would view that as any sort of failure.
i miss the force
Guest
still too early to say