Pelicans: How does Lonzo Ball stack up vs. other “3rd-best” players?

New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball vs. Middleton and Kyrie

Khris Middleton

Middleton is not a name that most casual fans even know, but he has evolved into one of the best wings in the game as a teammate to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday.

You could argue that Middleton is the 2nd-best player on this team, but I gave the edge to Holiday because I like him and he’s the better all-around defender.

Middleton can get it done from all three levels, which is what really separates him from Lonzo Ball, who does most of his scoring from behind the 3-point line.

If Lonzo can add the mid-range game and get to the line more often, as Middleton has, he can get to his level as a scorer, but right now, he’s not there.

I actually like this comparison for Lonzo, as he has the size to be an impact defender and guy who can get his own shot, as Middleton does.

Middleton went from mostly a catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter to an all-around scorer who an get his own shot, which is what Lonzo Ball needs to do.

Kyrie Irving

The fact that Kyrie Irving is the 3rd-best player on Brooklyn shows just how good the Nets are, and he is probably the best “3-best” player in the NBA.

When he is rolling, Irving can still be the best player on the floor against anyone, is averaging nearly 27 points per game and can get it done from all over the floor.

Lonzo is never going to be this type of scorer, as few are, but he is already a monumentally better defender than Irving ever was or ever will be.

These two are not very similar as players and the only reason Kyrie is thought of as a “3rd-best” option is because he is on a super team.

Lonzo Ball has to improve before he can be considered in the top tier of “3rd-best” players in the NBA, but he has shown enough to make me think he can get there, especially if he adds some more weapons to his offensive bag and keeps imrproving on defense.