Lonzo Ball has a chance to be the best point guard in the NBA and the first step is to win the Most Improved Player award for the New Orleans Pelicans.
The New Orleans Pelicans may have players win the Most Improved Player award in back-to-back seasons if Lonzo Ball has anything to say about it.
Brandon Ingram is the frontrunner for the award this season after evolving into one of the best scoring wings in the NBA and Lonzo Ball hopes to follow in his footsteps.
This won’t be an easy task, but there are several reasons why Lonzo Ball has a good chance to take huge strides next season and take down the award.
Lonzo Ball Will be Stronger
Lonzo is not wasting his time during the hiatus. He’s been hitting the gym and trying to pack on additional muscle for next season.
Though his form could definitely use some work, Lonzo Ball is working hard and will undoubtedly be bigger and stronger when the NBA finally returns.
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Lonzo Ball can already defend bigger players, but putting on additional strength will help turn him into one of the best defending guards in the league, as he will be able to take on more wings.
Extra strength will also help him battle through picks on defense and to jockey for better position on the glass.
Offensively Lonzo Ball can already bully smaller guards, but additional strength will make him better in the post and more capable of finishing at the rim, something he struggles with now.
Lonzo Ball Will be a Better Shooter
Lonzo Ball’s 3-point percentage improved from 30.5 on 5.7 attempts in his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans to 38.3 on 6.5 attempts per game this season, a huge leap that was helped by assistant coach Fred Vinson.
Lonzo had really come on from behind the arc in the last ten games before the suspension, hitting 42.9 percent from long-range, including a couple of games when he hit seven 3-pointers.
If Lonzo Ball could sustain this type of shooting over an entire season, he will be even more effective getting into the lane, as defenders will have to honor his range.
Lonzo’s scoring average could easily jump into the 18-20 points per game if he continues improving at this rate.