Los Angeles Lakers: How Lonzo Ball navigated screens as the ball-handler

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball as he drives against Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball as he drives against Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 08: A Los Angeles Lakers fan holds up a sign after Lonzo Ball scored
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 08: A Los Angeles Lakers fan holds up a sign after Lonzo Ball scored

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are definitely a few things that Ball will need to work on to become a more versatile player off of screens.

These include implementing more pick & rolls to his game, developing a mid-range jumper, becoming more assertive driving to the rim, and being more patient coming off screens so he does not lose his dribble or get caught in the air looking for a quick pass to a teammate.

However, most these concerns are fairly easy to fix as he plays more with the team and becomes more aware of what to do in various ball screen situations, which he was not often exposed to prior to joining the Los Angeles Lakers organization.

Therefore, as Ball continues to work at making quicker decisions during these types of situations it is possible that he may become an even more lethal passer as he refines his game in the half-court setting.

The most challenging aspect of this part of his game to work on will most likely be developing a respectable mid-range game, which he rarely if ever uses, most likely due to his shooting mechanics that generate a lot of power and lead to misses.

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Nonetheless, if Ball is able to learn how to read the defense better as the primary ball handler on screens, and find a way to consistently knock down a jumper from both inside and outside the arc, this will open up his game considerably and aid him in becoming an even better play-maker as well as scorer for the team.

* Statistical data courtesy of nba.com*