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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Biggest lowlights from the 2017-18 season

By Andrew Stevens III

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 17: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 17, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 17: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 17, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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No. 5: Lonzo Ball‘s opening night

It all started with the first game of the season. The basketball world was anxiously anticipating the long-awaited debut of the No. 2 overall draft pick from the 2017 NBA Draft, Lonzo Ball.

After an absurd amount of hype was placed onto Lonzo Ball’s shoulders by his father Lavar Ball, the stage was set for him to introduce himself to the world as the proclaimed, face of the Los Angeles Lakers.

There was just one problem. Lonzo Ball’s NBA debut couldn’t have come against a worse opponent. Lonzo’s NBA regular season debut came against arguably the best on-ball defender in the league in Patrick Beverley.

This is the same Patrick Beverley who, in 2013, was responsible for a hit on Russell Westbrook that left Westbrook with a torn Meniscus and ultimately caused him to miss the rest of the postseason. This is a guy who has fought hard to get to the league and has made a name for himself by prioritizing defense and getting under the skin of his opponents.

Even though most people were only interested in the story surrounding Lonzo Ball, this was also a chance for the Los Angeles Clippers to find their identity without their franchise point guard Chris Paul. However, about halfway through the 1st quarter, it was clear that the story had changed. It became, how much does Patrick Beverley want to punish Lonzo Ball.

Beverley played tight defense on Ball, hounding him the moment he stepped in bounds. Throughout the game, Lonzo seemed unbothered by Beverley’s antics. That changed on one possession where Ball shoved Beverley in order to receive the inbounds pass only to be met with a convincing shove to the ground by Beverley. Many people believed this was Lonzo Ball’s welcome to the NBA moment.

Lonzo scored only six points on 1-for-6 shooting from the field. For the most part, the Lakers played out of sync for the majority of the game. It wasn’t the best start to the season for the Lakers or Lonzo Ball and I’m sure this was a game that Lonzo Ball would like to forget completely.

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