2. A pass first point guard fits well in Coach Walton’s system
We all know head coach Luke Walton’s version of an ideal offense has plenty of long, unselfish players who love whipping the ball to each other for easy baskets. Walton has emphasized ball movement in his offense which makes Ball a perfect fit at the point guard position. Ball led the country in assists in his freshman year and is best known for his ability to run an offense.
Ball will have some weapons to exploit on the break which is what he does best. The Lakers front office has already said they expect him to help guys like Julius Randle have a career year. Ball’s unselfishness should help just about every player increase their scoring production and efficiency.
Ball turned a below average UCLA team into one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the country. It’s easy to see Ball doing the same at the professional level. I can already see him setting the table for a cutting Randle or Larry Nance Jr. in transition and making the Lakers a lot more dangerous. Ball will elevate his teammates and the franchise to a higher level than we’ve seen in the past four years.
At UCLA Lonzo took the Bruins from 51st in offensive efficiency to third in his only season in Westwood. Ball has also made a name for himself by pushing the pace at break neck speeds. The Bruins were ranked 73rd in offensive tempo before Lonzo’s arrival; with him, they became 14th in the nation.
Ball’s fingerprints were all over UCLA’s offense and he made them faster and more efficient, which he’s looking to do for the Lakers.