2. Lonzo Ball looks good
My goodness, Lonzo Ball is getting better and better all the time. There are Lakers fans that have this guy traded out-of-town because he doesn’t shoot like Stephen Curry. Let me tell you something else Ball doesn’t do like Curry…lock down point guards.
The Spurs point guards shot a combined 4-of-19 from the field in the game. That is not good. On the offensive end Ball did what I have been saying since the preseason…
"This is an extremely important area of emphasis. Eventually, teams are going to pack it in the paint and demand Rondo (and eventually Ball) to consistently hit the jumper during the season. That’s the NBA folks. Whatever this positionless basketball the Lakers are selling will not work if everyone is not contributing on the offensive end. Good teams will isolate these guys and take advantage if they don’t look at the basket. The backcourt has to look for their offense and not look to LeBron James for everything."
No one is saying that these Lonzo Ball has to shoot like Curry, but he must able to at least shoot the ball to keep the teams honest.
Well it seems he was doing that last night…
👑 ⏭ #3Ball pic.twitter.com/IumLldUOoo
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 6, 2018
Lonzo Ball outscored the all of the point guards output scoring 14 points, with 9 assists and 4 rebounds. Plus he knocked down a trifecta of 3-pointers. He also provided spacing and opened the door for Josh Hart to get involved…
All three of these shots gave me CHILLS. Young Core is Cold Blooded. pic.twitter.com/jrPfkEePEF
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) December 6, 2018
Josh Hart was getting a raw deal being in foul trouble but he knocked down two 3-point shots that was important as well. Lonzo Ball has a lot to do with it.
The first highlight shows Ball constantly moving and cutting which provided a lane for Kuzma to make a pass to a wide open Josh Hart to knock down the 3 point shot. At this point in the game, the Spurs knew Ball was going to look for his shot. They had to honor him.
The second highlight shows Lonzo receive a pass from LeBron James and he knocks down the 3 point shot.
The last highlight shows LeBron backing his man down in the post drawing Patty Mills to double team. Mills is Lonzo Ball’s man. LeBron notices the double team and fires a pass to Lonzo who makes a quick pass to Josh Hart for his second 3 point shot in the final minutes.
He even started the Lakers comeback…
My fav play of the night right here - instant recognition and trigger from Lonzo, the epitome of mental speed. It’s this split-second difference that can be the difference between a Lebron and-1 and SA walling the paint in transition D. Small margins define the game. pic.twitter.com/w9jdI6Y2lK
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) December 6, 2018
Watch him rebound the ball and pass it in the air to LeBron James to start the fast break. LeBron quickly gets to the rack and draws the foul. This kid has instincts…Jason Kidd instincts