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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players ranked in ESPN’s top-100

By Kenneth Teape

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 15: Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, and Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the Markelle Fultz workout at Toyota Sports Center on June 15, 2017 in El Segundo, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 15: Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, and Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the Markelle Fultz workout at Toyota Sports Center on June 15, 2017 in El Segundo, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
GREENBURGH, NY – AUGUST 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally altered) Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /

Lonzo Ball

Now, these lists and rankings are meant to be taken with a grain of salt. They are meant to cause debate and rile up a reaction from fans. That is exactly what they accomplished with Lonzo Ball. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft makes his debut on the list at No. 63.

A lot of the problem with Ball’s ranking was who was right behind him. Despite not appearing in a regular season game yet, Ball is ranked one spot ahead of perennial All-Star, Carmelo Anthony. That drew quite a reaction from fans and players alike. It is quite a lofty ranking, but one Ball has a chance not only to live up to but blow by.

Ball is extremely talented. He is a special player with the Ball in his hands. The first glimpse we saw of him in the NBA was at the Las Vegas Summer League, where he took home MVP honors. The expectations are sky high, as Ball has already been deemed the face of the Lakers by Magic Johnson.

Here is what ESPN’s Stats & Info had to say about Ball.

"Ball is the highest-ranked rookie and it comes on the heels of an MVP summer league performance in Las Vegas. While it’s dangerous to put too much stock in a handful of offseason games, it’s impossible to cast aside his infectious play as simply noise. Ball averaged more assists and rebounds in summer league than Stephen Curry, John Wall, Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook did as rookies, while his 9.3 assists per game were a Las Vegas Summer League record."

The talent is there, now he just has to put it together on the court. The first time he slips up, you will be sure to hear about it. Every rookie has their struggles, but Ball will be a lot of fun to watch. If the Summer League is any indication, he will draw a big crowd no matter where he plays.

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