Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans could learn a few things from LaMelo.
The New Orleans Pelicans have started the season 4-5, after three frustrating losses in a row. Lonzo Ball has not shot well this season but it’s really the lack of bench play that has led to this start.
But Lonzo is still part of it, as he has been inconsistent, especially in the losses. It’s way too early to say that “bubble” Lonzo Ball has returned but it’s fair to start asking some questions about his long-term fit with the team considering he is in the final year of his contract and expecting a big raise.
Lonzo’s play has gotten more attention since he was outplayed by his brother LaMelo Ball in a recent, ugly loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
LaMelo already looks like a budding superstar after becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
He’s been everything the New Orleans Pelicans hoped Lonzo would be. Lonzo Ball can definitely still get to another level and I fully believe that he will, but there are some things he could learn from his younger brother.
New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball should play more like LaMelo
Play cocky
Lonzo Ball appeared to have lost his trademark swagger sometime in the bubble last season and I am not sure he’s gotten it back.
Watching LaMelo play a loose, fun style of basketball with a big smile on his face made me wonder why we haven’t seen more of that from Lonzo, who looks miserable out there half the time.
Part of it can be put on the fact that he is being asked to adjust to a new style of play, playing off the ball more while the Pels run the offense through Brandon Ingram.
But guess what? If you play with superstars you had better learn how to play off the ball. Also, Lonzo is still getting plenty of touches, in fact, only Zion and B.I. have had more.
Lonzo needs to be happy with this role, play with some confidence and get back to having fun. He doesn’t have to be a ball-dominant point guard to do that. He should keep trying to run when he can, throw alley-oops and make the spectacular plays that we all know he is capable of.
Some of this is coaching and style, yes, but some of it is attitude.
Be aggressive at the rim
Pels’ fans have been screaming this forever but watching LaMelo Ball take it to the rack without fear really drove home how passive Lonzo has been.
He’s being asked to play more off the ball, but that doesn’t mean he has to be just a spot-up 3-point shooter, especially when he has the handles and skill to get to the rim.
Lonzo has been more aggressive in the mid-range, but he needs to keep his dribble and get into the lane more and try to score when he does.
LaMelo might get blocked a few times but he takes it to the rim with the intention to finish first and pass second, which is what Lonzo needs to start doing. Lonzo needs to be making more plays like this:
He has the size to be a weapon in the paint and needs to start using it.
Get to the line and make them
Part of the reason the Pelicans have a hard time closing out games is that their point guard is afraid to take free throws.
Lonzo Ball is shooting just 1.1 of them a game and hitting only 60 percent. These are not acceptable numbers for a starting point guard in the NBA.
LaMelo is already getting to the line 2.3 times per game and doing it in eight fewer minutes. Not only that, but he is hitting 72 percent of them, which isn’t great, but a whole lot better than Lonzo, who is a Shaq-like (actually far worse than Shaq) 49.3 percent for his career.
Lonzo Ball can and should be the third piece of the New Orleans Pelicans’ core but he has to start playing like it by playing more like his rookie brother.