The Los Angeles Lakers selected Lonzo Ball second overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. How will he impact the team on the court?
Los Angeles Lakers first round draft pick Lonzo Ball has been a winner at every level. As a senior at Chino Hills High School, he led the Huskies to an undefeated 35-0 record while averaging a triple double. Ball would later commit to playing basketball for UCLA, a school with a rich basketball history that struggled the previous year finishing with a 15-17 record.
As a freshman at UCLA, Ball helped restore the program to its former glory posting a record of 31-5 on route to a birth in the NCAA tournament. While the Bruins were eliminated in the Sweet 16 by the Kentucky Wildcats you cannot deny that Ball played a massive part in turning around a struggling program.
Fast-forward to present day and Ball is tasked with restoring yet another storied program to its former glory. Based on his impressive track record it’s no wonder Ball was coined as the “new face of the Lakers” by Magic Johnson in his introductory press conference. Here are three ways Lonzo Ball will transform the Los Angeles Lakers.
Unselfishness
Identity is often what separates the good teams from average teams. Last year, the Lakers struggled to share the ball ranking 26th in assists per game. That figures to change next season with Ball at the helm as he looks to ingrain his unselfish style onto the rest of his teammates.
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Ball was an absolute maestro at UCLA helping transform their offense into a well-oiled machine. The Bruins were second in the nation in points per game and first in the nation in assists per game; Ball averaged 7.6 per game to lead the NCAA.
The team that led the NBA in assists per game this past season was none other than the NBA championship Golden State Warriors. With Coach Luke Walton looking to recreate some Golden State magic with the Lakers, Ball’s unselfishness is just what the doctor ordered.
Shooting Ability
Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Ball’s game is his three-point shooting ability. Many analysts are quick to point out his unorthodox shot but fail to mention the accuracy it achieved.
During his freshman season at UCLA, Ball drained 41.2% of his threes many of which he took from well beyond the college three-point line. I’ve not seen a player drain deep shots with such regularity since a guy named Stephen Curry.
Last year the Lakers struggled from three-point land ranking as the 22nd worst three-point shooting team in the league. Look for Ball to make the Lakers a much more consistent outside shooting team.
Leadership and Free Agency
Ball might not be very vocal but his unselfishness makes teammates want to play for him. While many players today are thinking of how they can get themselves involved, Ball is constantly thinking of how he can get his teammates involved.
Big time scorers like Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle will thrive alongside Ball because of how much easier he makes the game for them. They will run even harder on the fast break knowing that Ball will always put them in a position to score.
Next: Full 2017 NBA Draft First Round Grades
If by chance the Lakers decide not to trade for a star this off-season Ball will no doubt grab the attention of free agents next summer. Players like Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins may look at Ball as someone who could help extend their careers well into their thirties. Ball is a special player who has won at every level and that doesn’t figure to change anytime soon.