College Basketball star Lonzo Ball has been the center of attention for what seems to be an age. Currently preparing for a heavyweight match-up against Kentucky, Ball appears focused on his next game. However, the NBA world is enthused with Ball’s future at the next level. One fan base that has become obsessed with the UCLA point guard is Laker nation. The connection between the Lakers and Ball does make sense; Ball, an L.A. native, is expected to go high in the upcoming NBA draft. The Lakers look set to tank their way to a top-3 pick for the third season in a row. Luke Walton, along with Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka, have their eyes set on protecting their picks.
Lonzo Ball to the Lakers Looking More Likely
Ball has the Talent to go No.1 Overall
This years draft class is stacked; Markelle Fultz, Jayson Tatum and Josh Jackson, just to name a few. Ball is a creator, a leader and has a great impact on a UCLA team lacking high end talent. Fultz failed to make an awful Washington team any better. Tatum has struggled with injuries and Jackson raises some question marks.
Ball is a perfect fit for the Lakers. From location to positional need, Ball brings everything to the table. Now that does include his outspoken father; we’ll get to that later. The Lakers have so far failed to find their leader, an aspect that has cost them dear in late-game situations. Ball has leadership qualities; the best player on a solid PAC-12 team, Ball is capable of making the players around him better. Averaging an impressive 14.7 points and 7.6 assists per game, Ball has an all-round game most point guards don’t have. Standing at 6’6”, Ball also grabs 6.1 rebounds per game.
This Ball kid is pretty darn good!!!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 20, 2017
The Lakers are Experimenting
The Lakers season is over. Some could say it’s been over since December 1st. With just 20 wins on the season, Walton’s Lakers have begun to experiment. One player subject to those experiments is D’Angelo Russell. The talented guard has been benched, moved around and challenged by Walton. Sundays game against Cleveland brought out something new in Russell; the ability to take over against a quality opponent.
The Lakers moved Russell to the shooting guard spot, playing Jordan Clarkson at the point. Russell had a career night, putting up 40 points and 6 assists. The Lakers would lose 125-120 on the night, with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving combining for 80 points. Now some have suggested that the Lakers may have shifted Russell to the two-guard to see if he can play the role. That may sound like nothing, but with the extremely talented Ball potentially in the mix, the Lakers could be preparing for a new face running the point.
LaVar Ball is a Non-Factor
Lavar Bell is setting up the family brand by labeling his son as the best player in the world and claiming he can take Michael Jordan one on one. These are just some of the things Ball has said or done. An ever present in the news, Ball speaks very highly of his three sons. LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball are still in high-school, so we don’t know for sure how good they will be. Both in fact are committed to UCLA, just like their older brother. LaVar may have used his sons to boost his own profile, but this was always going to happen, especially if the three Ball brothers are as good as advertised. Plus all this attention is a great way to grow the “Ball brand”.
To make a long story short, the Lakers should not put off drafting Ball because of his father. Ball’s talent is too great to pass on.
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