The Lonzo Ball Experience and Experiment

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.