Ranking the Los Angeles Lakers Top 5 assets in an Anthony Davis trade
By Nolan Jensen
#3) Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball was playing the best basketball of his career the game of his injury against the Rockets in Houston— I say that wholeheartedly. In that game, Ball compiled 11 assists, one block, one steal and a +/- of +15 in the 22 minutes he saw just before injuring his ankle in the third quarter. He commanded the field, his impact on that game was vital to the double-digit lead the Lakers had accumulated. The Lakers were up 15 when he exited with injury, they ultimately lost by 4 in overtime.
I understand that’s just one game, and his overall game should not be measured by just 22 minutes of work. So let’s take a look at the previous six games he played prior to the injury. In that span of time, Ball averaged 13.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on 36 percent from distance and 40 percent from the field.
Rather than being tentative, he was more aggressive, putting up double-digits in shot attempts in five of those six games—an aspect of his game that was often criticized by fans and analysts alike. With a more assertive approach to his offense, his game was rounding to the billing he had in college. His combination of passing, defense, and basketball I.Q was on full display just before the injury transpired.
He’s still in the developmental stage of his career, his shot needs work, not just from a consistency standpoint but also mechanically as well. However, it’s not like he’s the first NBA player to enter the league with a poor jump shot, many before him had “broken” jumpers (Kidd, Leonard, Butler, Brook Lopez, etc.) but worked on it as their career progressed and became respectable in that regard.
What he lacks in shooting ability, he more than makes up elsewhere with his aforementioned attributes. Adding him to the Pelicans roster hypothetically does have its benefits, it would allow Jrue Holiday to play shooting guard, a position he prefers. And Lonzo leading a fast-break with Zion Williamson out in transition? Yes, please. Who knows, maybe Lavar Ball falls in love with the Big Easy as well.