New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball does not deserve hate after defensive mistake

Lonzo Ball made what is potentially his worst mistake on an NBA court in the New Orleans Pelicans’ overtime loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.

With the Pelicans up three in the final moments of regulation, Knicks guard Derrick Rose drove to the rim for a lay-up. Ball was guarding Reggie Bullock—a 40 percent three-point shooter—in the corner, but inexplicably scuttled over to Rose and conceded the three.

Swish. Tie game. Overtime.

The Pelicans proceeded to lose to the Knicks in overtime at Madison Square Garden, further dashing New Orleans’ hopes of qualifying for the play-in tournament and then having a chance at making the playoffs. It was a terrible loss, especially because the Pelicans had fought back after a sleepy first half and gained a considerable lead only to once again blow it.

It often feels like the Pelicans need to be up double digits to start the fourth quarter in order to have a real chance at winning a game. The team’s late game management generally ranges from bad to downright awful. I have lost count of how many times the Pels have given up a sizable lead or failed to deliver into the clutch.

That brings us to Ball, who will undoubtedly have replayed that defensive sequence time and time again as he lost precious hours of sleep. It was a huge error and one that he deserves criticism for—not spiteful vitriol.

The commentary on Ball has turned again over the last few days, as is often the case. He is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA, ostensibly because he is also one of the most well-known. After two bad games in a row, the conversation around the former UCLA guard has shifted to him not being worth renewing, him being useless, him being passive, so on, and so forth.

Everything around Ball is always black or white, whereas nothing is ever like that. Not in basketball and not in real life. There are shades of grey that are either conveniently forgotten or just overlooked in the heat of the moment whenever Ball does… well, anything.

He made a mistake that played in a part in the Pelicans’ loss, sure. But I would even argue that it’s harsh to pinpoint that mistake entirely on him. As Eric Bledsoe pointed out post-game, he was meant to foul Derrick Rose. As Stan Van Gundy said in his press conference after the loss, “high school guys would’ve done what they’re supposed to do.” That “they’re” refers to the entire team.

So while Ball should have known to just stay in the corner on Bullock, the sudden barrage of hateful comments is unwarranted. At the same time, though, it’s not unexpected.

This article doesn’t just apply to Ball, but he is the most recent example of the recency bias that dominates the NBA and just sports and probably society as a whole. Anything that happened more than one news cycle ago is, like I said, conveniently forgotten or just overlooked.

Ball remains the Pelicans’ best outside shooter. He is still the best facilitator on the roster and the most skilled passer. He organizes the team in a way that no one else is able to do. When Ball has been out of action, his absence has been felt.

The Pelicans’ point guard is only one example of many. How long will it take for the tides to turn on Zion Williamson? How durable will the next storm of insults rain on Brandon Ingram for when he misses down the stretch of a close game?

These hot takes, attributable to myriad reasons but maybe ultimately boiling down to a society that has become increasingly accustomed to instant gratification, don’t do anyone any favors.

Should this change? Yes. Will it? No.