Los Angeles Lakers want Lonzo Ball to keep shooting despite slump
Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton wants Lonzo Ball to keep on shooting and the rookie is more than willing to do it despite his recent slump.
Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball is currently on a shooting slump.
The six-foot-six point guard out of UCLA has been shooting terribly over his last eight games. And in that span, he averaged 26.2 percent from the field and was just shooting only 18.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Ball’s dismal shooting performance was even more emphasized in the Lakers 128-125 loss to the Pelicans on Thursday wherein he shot 2-of-15 from the field and made only one of his 12 three-point attempts including the last three late in the fourth quarter of the game.
But despite his shooting woes, Lakers head coach Luke Walton reiterated he wants his prized rookie to keep on shooting the ball in an interview with Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sportsnet.
"“I want him taking it. I want a point guard that’s got the courage to step up and take those, even after missing a few,” Walton was quoted as saying by Lakers Nation’s Matthew Moreno."
Walton said that Ball didn’t force his shots and he believes that the rookie is capable of delivering in big moments, recounting Ball’s big shots against the Spurs to tow the Lakers to a victory three weeks ago.
"“None of those were forced, they were open threes in rhythm,” Walton related.“We believe in what he’s going to do for us and our future. He’s shown at times this year what he’s going to be. We saw it at the end of the San Antonio game, he won that game by hitting three straight threes. He’s very capable of doing it. He’s not a selfish player, but I’m happy he continued to show the courage it takes to succeed in this league. In most cases, when it’s winning time, he elevates his game.”"
Ball, on his part, concurred with Walton. He said he likes the looks he’s getting and would keep on shooting the ball, albeit he admitted being frustrated as his not connecting his shots, yet.
"“I would shoot the same and just hope I make them,” he said.“Like I’ve said, the shots I’m getting, I like them and have been hitting them my whole life. I’m a little frustrated they’re not going in, though. I knew they (Pelicans) were going to leave me open. I just told Luke to give me the ball and I was going to shoot it. Unfortunately, I didn’t make them,” Ball added."
Ball has actually stepped up his shooting percentage when he returned from a sprained knee injury. In his first five games since being sidelined for six weeks, the former UCLA Bruin shot 56.1 percent from the field and an even better 63.9 percent from the three-point area before his shooting woes started.
While he has clearly struggled on his shooting, Ball still continues to help the Lakers and make an impact on the other aspects of the game. In the same span he was shooting horribly from the field, the rookie has been splendidly showing his all-around game, averaging 6.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks.
Against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, Ball nearly totaled a triple-double, but his shooting woes from deep continued. In the win, Lonzo went 1-for-6 from 3-point range and 5-for-13 overall. In addition to the struggles from the field, Ball also went 1-for-4 from the free throw line.
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Ball will have his next chance to snap his shooting slump on Monday night against the Detroit Pistons, as the Lakers’ road trip continues. Hopefully, Ball will be able to find some success once again with his shot, as the team could use him to break out of this slump.