NBA
Ball Or Fall: Lonzo Ball The Laker Under The Most Pressure This Season
After a successful offseason in which the Los Angeles Lakers acquired 14 time All-Star and three time NBA champion LeBron James, the Lakers look poised to end their six year playoff drought. With James and their young core featuring Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Lonzo Ball, this team will be exciting to watch. Ingram hasn’t even scratched the surface of his ceiling and has the build to potentially become an All-Star in this league. Kuzma also had a very impressive rookie year, averaging 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.
Many would say that Ball had an underwhelming rookie year. He averaged 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists while shooting 36% from the field overall. He shot 30.5% from the three point line and was dismal from the free throw line. He shot 45.1% from there. These shooting percentages show why Ball is under pressure.
The shooting percentages are not what Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka had in mind. They traded D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in order for Ball to become the new franchise point guard of the future. Ball shot 41% from three at UCLA, which has many including myself optimistic that his shots will begin to fall.
Who Has Applied Pressure On Lonzo Ball?
Playing for a franchise as prestigious as the Lakers comes with intense pressure. Having to play with James and have fans with high expectations is an even heavier burden. Ball is a tremendous playmaker similar to James, who has the ability to make his teammates better.
He also makes the best plays when the ball is in his hands. Having a teammate who is just as ball dominate as himself will be a new challenge for Ball. However, there is a strong possibility that he will be able to make highlight plays for James and vice versa.
The Lakers signed veteran point guard Rajon Rondo this offseason to a one year, $9 million deal. That signing means that the starting point guard position is an open competition. Ball’s father and CEO of Big Baller Brand, Lavar Ball, has also made some outlandish claims about his son.
“It’s already a done deal. I got the trophy already,” in regards to his son and his odds of winning Rookie of the Year is just a small sample of his outlandish claims. He has also not taken note that James is on the Lakers saying the team is his son’s. The pressure Ball’s father will put on his son’s shoulders will continue to follow him his entire career. The predictions and expectations from his father do not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
How Will Lonzo Ball React To This Season’s Pressure?
Expectations for the Lakers in the LeBron James era are quite high, and for Ball that is no different. With constant trade rumors all offseason, this could very well be his last season with the Lakers if he does not improve. Many (including myself) believe that playing with James will take his game to new heights. Last season, Ball was not in many open catch and shoot situations and had to create his own shot. It’s not easy for him to do due to his unorthodox jump shot form. With James’ ability to drive and draw double teams and kick out to wide open shooters, he will have much better looks. He’ll be given opportunities to increase his field goal percentage from inside the three point line and beyond.
Ball will also be able to be in isolation situations where he can drive inside and draw fouls or finish at the rim playing alongside James. Also, with Ball and James both having the ability to make accurate deep outlet passes, they have the ability to create one of the deadliest transition offenses in the league. The offensive schemes that head coach Luke Walton will be able to implement with the two of them are endless. This season will be a big one for Ball and the expectations are high. It is now his time to prove to the world why he is a key piece for the Lakers.
