Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball can handle being the ‘face’ of the franchise

Last Thursday, Lonzo Ball was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers No.2 overall and was immediately deemed the savior of the franchise but the expectations don’t faze him.

Lonzo Ball is a man of few words but that didn’t stop Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka from talking him up to the media during his introductory press conference. Johnson called Ball  “the new face of the Los Angeles Lakers” and went on to say that Ball “Will lead us back to where we want to get to.”

Pelinka doubled down on Johnson’s comments by comparing his passing ability to a couple of NFL greats.

"“The way he passes the ball, you look at quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers that just have a gift,” Pelinka said. “There’s clearly a gift with what he’s been blessed with. We knew on a basketball standpoint there were no questions.”"

This is mighty praise coming from Pelinka and a world of pressure for a 19-year-old kid. But despite all the talk, Lonzo was as calm and cool as ever in his presser. He looked as if he was completely unfazed by all the pressure L.A. has already put on him.

But in all honesty, the pressure the Lakers just heaped on to Lonzo is probably nothing compared to the pressure his father, LaVar Ball, has put on him his entire life. After all, LaVar infamously claimed his son is already better than two-time league MVP and NBA champion Stephen Curry. And while that exclamation is a stretch, it’s pressure that Lonzo has already gotten used.

Because Lonzo has a boisterous father that writes checks Lonzo will have to cash, he’s prepared for the spotlight that is the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s exactly what he’s been preparing for his entire life. So in that respect, LaVar Ball has actually gotten Lonzo ready for the stage he is on now.

Next: 3 Goals for Lonzo Ball in his rookie season

Lonzo hasn’t flinched at the idea of being “the man” before playing a single NBA game. When asked about expectations in his press conference, he all but shrugged them off.

"“It’s fun to me, I know it’s going to be fun here so I’m not really worried about all that”"

So does Lonzo have a lot of pressure on his shoulders, yes. But from the look and sound of it, the pressure is a normal part of his everyday life that he can handle.