During media day for the Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball talked about his jump shot.
One of the players that will be watched closely in his second season is Los Angeles Lakers point guard, Lonzo Ball.
As the No.2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ball certainly has a lot of pressure on him. As a rookie, Ball was able to play quite well, but injuries unfortunately cost him a lot of games. However, Ball showed glimpses of what he can do in the NBA, as he was able to record a triple-double early on in his rookie season.
While Ball does a lot of things well on the basketball court, one of the weaknesses for him in his rookie season was his jump shot. With a strange release, Ball took a lot of heat when his shots didn’t fall last season. While his form is certainly unorthodox, it was something that got him to the NBA.
This offseason, Ball has put on some size and strength in the weight room, and he credits that for what he feels is an improved jump shot. Recently, some thought that his shot has changed a bit. However, Ball doesn’t believe that it has. Here’s what he had to say about his jumper via Corey Hansford of LakersNation.com.
"“To me, it’s not really changed a lot,” he said at Lakers Media Day.“I think I just got a lot stronger so I don’t have to really fling the ball like I did last year. It’s moved a little more to the middle but it’s still on the left side.”"
For Ball, improving his shooting percentages should be his top priority. Last season, Ball shot 30 percent from the three-point line and under 50 percent from the free throw line. These are both numbers that Ball should really be able to improve upon next season.
Hopefully with the added size and strength Ball will be able to stay healthier next season. One of the reasons for the shooting struggles certainly could be attributed to Ball being in and out of the lineup with injuries. With the spotlight on the Lakers this coming season, Ball’s jump shot will certainly be a hot topic throughout the season.