Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons why trading Lonzo Ball was the right move

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands for the National Anthem prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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4. He’s soft/not aggressive enough

Lonzo Ball is a point guard, which means he pretty much controls the destiny of his team, at least offensively. When you play that position, your team will go as you go, especially when it comes to tempo and being organized in their set offense.

Therefore, it’s a problem that Ball is not assertive enough.

He has the ability to push the ball upcourt with great torque and pace. When he does so, it’s almost startling, like you didn’t know he had that kind of foot speed.

However, most of the time he didn’t push the ball upcourt nearly as fast as he could’ve. It almost seemed like he was settling for playing more of a halfcourt game, or looking for a slow-paced early offense possession instead of forcing the issue and trying to beat the other team’s defense downcourt.

As we know, today’s NBA is based upon pace and space. Coaches constantly preach “playing with pace” during timeouts. We’re talking about a league in which 20 teams averaged at least 110 points per game this past season – that’s a full two-thirds of the association.

That makes a point guard who’s pace is more akin to walking it upcourt than pushing it upcourt a la Magic Johnson a huge issue.

Assertiveness is also important when you’re a point guard because you’re supposed to be something of a leader.

Ball may someday get there, but right now he doesn’t have that in his personality. He seems nonchalant, which is unsettling for a player who has been hyped as much as he has been.

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