Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 reasons team’s hype is the real-deal

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: Zion Williamson #1, Lonzo Ball #2, Jrue Holiday #11 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait on September 30, 2019 at the Ocshner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 30: Zion Williamson #1, Lonzo Ball #2, Jrue Holiday #11 and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a portrait on September 30, 2019 at the Ocshner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
(Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images /

Lonzo Ball is ready to turn the corner for the New Orleans Pelicans

One of the key pieces of the massive trade package the New Orleans Pelicans received from the Lakers was the tremendous prospect of 21-year-old point guard Lonzo Ball.

While Ball hasn’t had the instant-impact effect in the NBA some had expected, Alvin Gentry’s high-tempo system might allow him to mature into a much more effective player.

So far, he’s had a pretty solid, yet undaunting career, averaging 10 points, 6.4 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in 99 total games.

No matter what, Ball needs to improve as a shooter. He’s just a career 43.7% shooter from the strip and that rate was 41.7% during the ’18-’19 season. Shooting a 46.1% effective field goal rate and 31.5% from three, he’s left a lot to be desired in the shooting department so far.

In the team’s Twitter videos from practice, Lonzo is doing all the right things. His shot looks very smooth and he’s stroking threes with ease.


Plus it seems like he’s done great things in transition with Zion Williamson.

Getting Ball to buy-in wasn’t even difficult. Around last year’s trade deadline, there were reports that if the Lakers wanted to flip Ball to New Orleans, he would strongly prefer to be rerouted. That doesn’t seem to be the case now that he’s with the organization.

Seemingly finding comfort with the New Orleans Pelicans early, Ball has two full years on his deal before he’ll even hit restricted free agency. He’ll have a good amount of time to show the city and team what he’s got in the tank.

Lonzo is ready to turn the corner; it might not happen right out of the gate, but his leap has the potential to change his narrative with positive play throughout the 2019-2020 season.

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