Los Angeles Lakers: Is it time to start fretting about Lonzo Ball?

(Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)

At this juncture, it is getting easier to see why folks are losing faith in Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball.

Los Angeles Lakers floor general Lonzo Ball has been performing at an okay level for his team this season. However, that is probably the absolute kindest thing that could be said about the Lakers’ second-year talent.

In his first 18 appearances this year, Ball has averaged 8.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Numbers like that do not really stand out and they are all below his rookie year statistics.

It is understandable to some degree because Ball was sharing the point guard duties with the recently injured Rajon Rondo. That being said, the former UCLA Bruin is going be getting some extra minutes over the next few weeks.

However, what has been concerning has been just the bounce in his step. This is nothing new given that it was brought up many a time last season.

But let’s be honest for a moment, folks. There are instances where Lonzo Ball does not look too interested in playing basketball.

Certainly, Ball has the ability to create some exciting sequences for the Lakers. For example, when Lonzo’s length allows him to grab a rebound, he has been known to push the pace and produce fast break opportunities for the ball club.

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Without a doubt, the abovementioned hypothetical speaks to areas where Ball holds a staggering amount of value. The young man’s court vision is off the charts and he plays surprisingly good defense at times. His instincts defensively have also led to a lot of steals during his first two campaigns.

However, there are a couple of keywords in that prior paragraph that are important to address. When “at times” is alluded to, it depicts Ball in a nutshell. He oftentimes performs at a very sporadic, inconsistent level.

It is easy to resort to phrases such as: “Well, he’s still young. Give him time.” There is some fairness in that statement because Ball has not played a full NBA season yet. Injuries limited him to just 52 games as a newbie.

Nevertheless, it is reasonable to expect the full effort on every possession. Frankly (maybe it’s only me), the Southern California native does not bring that asset to the table, which is eye-opening.

It is an issue that is more pronounced than the lack of scoring. And, to be real, that problem should not be taken lightly, either.

Let’s take a look at games 15 and 16 alone. Ball scored a grand total of two points for the Lakers. That is simply unacceptable on the biggest stage.

Sure, it is a small sample size to mull over. In spite of that, his seasonal numbers do not suggest anything that is of much solace. In his first 18 games, he has only been in double digits in points eight times. That is not too encouraging.

If a silver lining wants to be located, his shooting percentages have improved a little. He is making 40.1 percent of his shots so far, which is just over a five percent bump above last year’s mark. His 3-point percentage is up 4.6 percent from his rookie mark as well.

Even supposing that it is not a drastic improvement. It may seem premature, but it might be time to concede that Ball may never be much of a scorer.

This is not the worst news in the world because he is a fine passer and defender when he wants to be.

However, it is once again crucial to focus on the “wants to be” element. Lonzo Ball simply does not look locked in on every possession for the Lakers. There are times it looks like he would rather be in his hotel room than on the court.

When you represent the Los Angeles Lakers out of all the teams in the world, that is inexcusable. The Lakers are a franchise that demands excellence. If any proof of that is needed, just take a quick gander at what hangs in the Staples Center rafters.

One of the only reasons I still give him some grace is due to how much his dad has marketed him. Especially leading up to last summer’s draft, LaVar Ball would not keep his mouth shut in terms of how great his son was going to be.

On that note, Lonzo Ball entered the league with a ton of weight on his shoulders. The expectations to be amazing were very much so there.

Needless to say, Zo has not lived up to the hype yet. He has definitely shown flashes of what he can do. The downside is that it is usually not sustained for all too long.

At this juncture, I do not believe it is time to give up on Ball. He has more weapons in his arsenal than he tends to get credit for.

In spite of that, I will be paying attention to Ball over the next few weeks with Rondo out. The Lakers are shorthanded and need the 6-foot-6 guard to amplify his game.

This a perfect stretch for him to start showing the Lakers why they took a gamble on him in 2017. This is his chance to prove he belongs. Let’s hope the dime-dropper can answer the call because the Lakers need it to occur.