Lonzo Ball knows criticism is a ' reality' for him
WASHINGTON – Rookie point guard struggles with his shot in first 12 games of his NBA career is a dog bites man story. Happens all the time. Rookie point guard Lonzo Ball struggles in first 12 games of his NBA career is a man bites dog story.
Everyone wants to know what’s happening, mainly because of the outlandish comments made by his dad, LaVar, who, among other statements, said his son is better than Steph Curry and had rookie of the year “sewn up” before even playing a regularseason game.
Given the father’s propensity for hyperbole, reasonable people take the comments with a proper dose of perspective and understand it’s not Lonzo turning up the hype. Reasonable people understand it takes time for rookies to find their way in the NBA.
Still, the words of the father have increased the scrutiny of the son, and Lakers president Magic Johnson didn’t help by proclaiming Ball the new face of the franchise and saying the Lakers expect his jersey will hang in the rafters someday.
It has created unfair and unrealistic expectations, ensuring an already difficult transition from college to the NBA is even more difficult. His struggles are magnified with each missed shot – and hype and pressure outside of his control or doing – and the Lakers just have to live with it.
Following a 10- point, eight- assist, eight- rebound performance in which he shot 3- for- 12 from the field and 1for- 7 on three- pointers, Lakers coach Luke Walton acknowledged the intense criticism.
Asked by The Undefeated’s Mike Wise if Ball’s game is dissected as if he’s a10- year veteran, Walton replied, “Yeah, absolutely. He’s an incredible player, and he’s 20 years old. He almost had a triple- double. But anytime you turn on any sports talk show, all they talk about is his shot. He’s already playing for the Lakers so he’s got a lot more pressure on him than I think anyone has in a long time that’s come out from college.”
Ball’s awkward shot – it’s not, to be sure, as pure as Washington Wizard guard Bradley Beal’s – worked for him during his one season at UCLA. That shot is not productive in the NBA right now.
He is shooting 29.2% from the field ( 42- for- 144) and 22% on three- pointers ( 13- for- 59), and among players with at least 100 attempts this season, Ball is last in shooting percentage, true shooting percentage at 35% and effective field goal percentage at 33.7%.
Ball is used to the spotlight and said he’s not concerned about the criticism.
“I really don’t even care to be honest,” he said. “I know I’ve got to keep shooting, and just improve every game.”
The Lakers need to make sure Ball does not lose his confidence or let the frustration carry over onto the court. So far, it doesn’t look like it has.
It doesn’t help that the point guard spot is deep and loaded with All- NBA caliber players. One night after going against Kyrie Irving, Ball had to face John Wall.
Irving had complimentary and supportive words for Ball.
“He does a great job running that team, and when he started to get comfortable and the pace started to pick up, that’s where he starts to flourish – when it’s going up and down and he’s got to make quick decisions,” Irving told reporters. “Defensively he’s going to be challenged every single night. Those are signs that you know he wants to go out there and compete. That’s something you want to see out of a highly touted rookie such as Lonzo.”
While working with Ball on his shot, the Lakers are focused on what he does well. He’s also averaging 6.9 assists ( No. 9 in the league and No. 2 among rookies), 6.4 rebounds ( sixth among rookies) and 1.2 steals.
“I’m happy, I’m thrilled he’s on our team, and he’s going to start making those shots,” Walton said. “It’s just a matter of time. But he makes our team so much better even when that shot’s not going in. The way he can push the ball, theway he can make plays on the defensive end, the way he comes in and rebounds fromthe guard position is incredible.”
Wouldn’t it be great for Ball and the Lakers if he could develop without the hyper- criticism? Ball knows that’s not possible. “I live in reality,” he said. Added Walton: “Is it extra pressure? 100%. He’s a rookie that gets dissected by everybody. That is what it is. It’s probably not going to change. So, we just have to keep working with him, encouraging him to make plays and get better.”