Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players who have to step up with Rajon Rondo injured
1. Lonzo Ball
The biggest beneficiary of the Rajon Rondo injury, and subsequently the most pressure to step up, falls upon second-year point guard, Lonzo Ball.
Ball has yet to put things fully together this season. After missing almost all of the summer and training camp because of knee surgery, Ball looks to still be working his way into shape. All that missed time hurts in the chemistry department as well, as he was unable to work with an learn the intricacies of his new teammates. As a result, it has been an up-and-down season thus far for Ball.
With a ball dominant player such as LeBron James joining the team, Ball has had to adjust his game. His shooting numbers have improved across the board despite a severe dip in November, but his other stats have taken a hit.
There are times he is very engaged, but other times he looks like he is simply going through the motions. Could the inconsistent role play a part? Possibly, but that is no longer an excuse, at least for the next month or so.
With Rondo sidelined, Ball is the unquestioned starting point guard. He should be closing games out as well unless Walton finds a different combination on a given night that is clicking. A consistent role could be something Ball benefits from.
The three games Rondo missed earlier in the season were arguably Ball’s three best games of the season. In those games, he averaged 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game. That is immensely better than the 7.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals her is averaging per game on the season.
With Rondo sidelined, the time is now for Ball to pick things up. The Lakers need him to step up and become their unquestioned leader at the point guard position.
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Having James in the lineup should take pressure off of him and allow him to thrive as a secondary playmaker. Even if his offense isn’t clicking, Ball can at least be a true difference maker defensively, something Rondo was not doing this season.