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Los Angeles Lakers: At least Lonzo Ball’s wrist works

By Jakarri Hamlin

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 3: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 3, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 3: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 3, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball is dealing with lower body injuries, but at least his shooting stroke can be improved upon.

The torn meniscus that Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball suffered could lead to an improved shooting stroke.

You all have heard the news. Lonzo Ball is having his torn meniscus surgically repaired. It’s tough news for Laker fans – mostly because Lonzo is our guy and partly because it ruined whatever leverage we had left in the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes.

Let’s not panic yet though. If the last five years as Laker fans have taught us anything, it is how to find the beauty in the bad. Lonzo may not break stride for the rest of the summer, but his bad wheel should give him plenty of time to find his god-forsaken jump shot, which he now needs more than ever.

The NBA has a long history of guys learning to shoot while sidelined with a lower-body injury.  Tyreke Evans and Ricky Rubio are recent examples.

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Our all-time favorite wounded warrior who found a jump shot is Derek Fisher, who shot 31 percent in the 1999-2000 season before suffering a broken foot and 40 percent after returning. That includes his infamous 15-for-20 hot streak during our four-game sweep over the San Antonio Spurs during the 2000-2001 Western Conference Finals.

It is fairly intuitive – nothing forces a basketball player to work on their long-range touch more than being incapable of anything else.

The Lakers roster has plenty of slashers. LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Ingram and Lance Stephenson are all capable of getting into the paint. All four of those guys also struggle to catch and shoot the basketball.

Next: Lonzo Ball 2018 Offseason To-Do List

Given the logjam at the guard position, a consistent jump shot may be Lonzo’s best ticket to consistent minutes. The injured knee is a huge blow to his first full NBA offseason, and it’s definitely a set back in Lonzo’s progression to stardom. But hey, look at the bright side, at least his right arm is still intact.

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