The Lonzo Ball Experience and Experiment

It has been an eventful half-decade or so for the Los Angeles Lakers, and not all for the better: the Achilles’ tear and eventual retirement of Kobe Bryant, the failed Dwight Howard and Steve Nash experiments, disappointing draft picks and free agents (who were usually overpaid and/or past their prime), and turmoil in the Buss family. Drastic changes had to be made in the front office, with the firing of Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss, and the arrival of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, as president and GM, respectively, as well as Jim’s sister Jeanie taking over as owner. Finally, there was some good off-season news, with the addition of LeBron James as a free-agent, almost universally regarded as the best player in the NBA, and easily one of the best players of all time. LeBron follows in a long lineage of major player signings and/or trades in Lakers history, joining Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, and Kobe (originally drafted by the Charlotte Hornets). Sandwiched between all of that drama and turnover has been the arrival of Lonzo Ball, and the Ball family, who were deemed as something of the NBA’s equivalent to the Kardashians. Lonzo Ball has boundless potential and has shown flashes of greatness. The Chino Hills native and basketball prodigy has been an intriguing storyline for his hometown Lakers, both good and bad.

The Good

Lonzo Ball had a second consecutive good game against the Thunder, including a clutch dagger in OT.

First, let's start off with the good: Lonzo Ball has decent athleticism and has shown explosiveness and leaping ability at times. He can accelerate to the rim once he gets a full of steam. He has an innate ability to find the open man, whether on the run or in the paint. His rebounding and defense are also above-average for his position. He is a walking triple-double threat any time he is on the court. Ball has posted some impressive defensive numbers and performances against elite point guards such as Russell Westbrook, Mike Conley, Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, and Goran Dragic. He even played good defense when switched on Blake Griffin in a win versus the Detroit Pistons. He has built impressive consecutive games in important victories against Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder. On Tuesday, Ball had one of his most complete games against the Bulls, with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals (8-17 FG, 3-7 3-PT). He showcased a runner, floater, and got in a rhythm from three-point range. Against the Thunder on Thursday, he followed up with another stat-stuffer of 18 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal (7-17 FG, 4-10 3-PT). He also got in a nice rhythm at times from deep, and in OT, he scored five key points, including a 3-pointer from well beyond the line. Ball actually has proven himself to be a clutch three-point shooter this season for the Lakers.

The Bad

Los Angeles Lakers v Dallas Mavericks

Now to the bad. Consistency is a big question. Lonzo Ball has had games where he has looked like the second coming of Jason Kidd. However, he has also had games when he has looked more like the second coming of Michael Carter-Williams. His shooting percentages from the field and 3-pt range have picked up from his rookie season, but his free-throw shooting has dipped to an even more atrocious level (from 45% to under 42%). His shooting form with jumpers has been a much-debated topic, but when he is at the line, his form seems rushed, without much arc or confidence. His free throws have been a source of much frustration for Lakers fans; during a game against the Thunder at Staples, fans loudly voiced their displeasure with this free throw struggles.

Lakers fans booed Lonzo Ball at home as the free-throw woes continued. https://t.co/Hj1WzlunOCpic.twitter.com/BNoIktZF66

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) January 3, 2019

His points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals have all declined from his rookie season. The presence of LeBron James has obviously been a factor, as well as the additions of veteran ballhandlers Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson. Brandon Ingram also has had extensive stints as a backup point guard. Ball has a tendency of settling from three and when it is not falling his confidence tends to suffer, and consequently, his game suffers.

Potential

To be clear, Lonzo Ball is far from the most disappointing player in the 2017 draft. Markelle Fultz has been an injury-riddled, colossal disappointment and enigma as the number 1 pick for the Philadelphia 76ers. Josh Jackson, Jonathan Isaac, Frank Ntilikina, Zach Collins were all picked in the top 10 and all have had less-than-stellar beginnings to their careers. But for Ball, he has arguably not lived up to the billing as the number 2 pick. He has not lived up to the hype bestowed upon him by the media, Magic Johnson, and certainly, and most obviously, his father.

However, he is still only 21 years old in his second season. There are rookies from the last draft and this year’s upcoming draft that will be older than him. He still has a lot of time and potential. LaVar Ball has largely been quiet (for him, at least) this season, so Lonzo has not had to deal with the distraction of being bombarded by media about those extracurricular things. Additionally, veteran center Tyson Chandler recently said that Ball has become more of a vocal leader. If Lonzo can continue how he has played the last few games on a consistent basis, that can go a long way in helping the Lakers make the playoffs in a West where there is no margin for error, as well as justifying their drafting of him.