Lonzo Ball sounded like he is ready to run the New Orleans Pelicans back into the NBA Playoffs.
Lonzo Ball said he will let his game do the talking, but he “thinks this can be one of the best defensive teams in the league.” He “knows the strengths of his game” and will enjoy playing in Gentry’s up-tempo New Orleans Pelicans system.
Ball wanted to push the pace in Los Angeles. However, even when he was quick across half court, he usually had to wait and defer to Lebron. Ball will get to play as quick as he likes, in the style he grew up playing. Griffin expects it will bring out the “the best of his abilities.”
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Lonzo will be given permission to push the pace on offense. Griffin stressed though, Ball will “have to have the ability to defend at that same rate.”
Griffin went on to proclaim that with Ball at the point, the New Orleans Pelicans can be “Special good” on defense. Griffin said determining games should be easy with such a stout defense. “First team to 95” will win, he said.
Ball may prefer a fast pace on the court, but is usually more laid back off the court. Ball’s two years as a Laker were anything but laid back. Magic Johnson and Lebron James brought too much unnecessary scrutiny on the younger players.
Ball will appreciate not being in the most critical basketball market west of New York City.
"”I think it was tough being a young guy, especially in LA. We had a big responsibility there, but just growing up, being in the league 2 years you learn how to block it out. […] It comes down to playing basketball. That’s your job. Anything else is just extra.”"
He noted, “I know the media is not like it was in L.A, but the fans are great” in New Orleans. Ball’s new teammates will appreciate his defensive efforts, according to Josh Hart.
"“There was a clip last year from when we played Orlando, Zo literally guarded every player on that possession, all five guys.[described some of Lonzo’s switching], you don’t see that on the box score, but you don’t see how hard he plays on the defensive end and how hard he plays in general. You have to really watch and appreciate the game to see that.”"
Lonzo said he got a text from Jrue after the trade. Ball is tight with the family after playing with Aaron Holiday at UCLA. His rebab schedule has been tight as well, but he nearing a return to full health. Ball sounded optimist he can be ready for training camp.
How about Lonzo Ball switching onto 4 players in a single possession?
— Joey Ramirez (@JoeyARamirez) November 18, 2018
Doesn't stop attacking until he rips it away from Vucevic, leads the break and drops it off to LeBron for the bucket. pic.twitter.com/02JEOTXJOt
Lonzo said he got a text from Jrue after the trade. Ball is tight with the family after playing with Aaron Holiday at UCLA. His rebab schedule has been tight as well, but he nearing a return to full health. Ball sounded optimist he can be ready for training camp.
Lonzo Ball said he is excited to be “getting back to playing the style I’ve been playing my whole life. I’m very comfortable in that high, up-tempo offense that Coach Gentry has, and I’m excited to be running that to the best of my abilities.”
“Another week or two” and he expects to be back to playing. Griffin expects Ball will ”is a truly special defensive guard. He’s also a special rebounding guard, and that’s going to enable us to start our break and play to our strengths in a way that he perhaps wasn’t able to play to before.”
Lonzo Ball may have found the low-key setting to make his big move into the limelight.