I’ve never really understood the Lonzo Ball thing. The fact that anybody took his kooky dad seriously before the NBA Draft will go down as the single dumbest sports storyline of my lifetime. I’m on record for saying Lonzo was the guy who had the biggest chance to bust from that 2017 NBA Draft. As we sit here today, I’m not sure I was right. I’m also not sure I was wrong. Is Lonzo Ball good at basketball? Does anybody actually know the answer to that question?
If you polled 10 random people to give you a description of Lonzo Ball, you would probably get 10 different answers. It’s hard to say what he actually is or will turn into. What’s his comp? Name another player that’s like him? It’s one of the oddest things transpiring in the league. In the offseason, I joked that he spent more VC on his tattoos than his actual game. That seems to be shifting the other way finally.
New Orleans ranks 3rd in the NBA in pace. First, since Zion Williamson returned to the lineup. A lot of that has to do with Lonzo Ball getting up and down the court so fast. He’s also the one guy that advances the ball past half court a lot with a pass others don’t really make. Does that mean something?
What about the part where he’s shooting 57.8 percent from the free throw line. It’s hard to keep him in the game late when teams are trying to foul. It’s hard to be valuable if you can’t be on the court or be counted on to make a clutch free throw. Does that mean something?
What about the part where Lonzo is shooting 37.1 percent from 3 and 28.3 percent from 3-10 feet from the basket. How the hell does that make any sense? Lonzo has actually cleaned up his shot but he can’t finish in the paint or around the basket. How many players fit that description? Elite point guards make the easy ones.
What about the part where Lonzo Ball is 6-foot-6, is a willing defender, willing passer, and better than average rebounder for his position. Doesn’t that matter? 6.1 rebounds and 7 assists per game works for me from the point guard spot. New Orleans is also marginally better with Ball on the floor in terms of plus – minus.
So is Lonzo Ball a good basketball player? I don’t have a damn clue. You’re lying if you have a strong opinion either way. Ball is in his 3rd NBA season which means he becomes extension eligible in the offseason. Good luck hammering out an extension that seems fair for the player and or team. Crazy LaVar probably thinks Lonzo should get the max and won’t sign for less. The truth of the matter is we need more time to figure out exactly what Lonzo Ball is. That’s the Pelicans problem to worry about.
