Rookie Ball creates buzz with Lakers
Lonzo Ball seems to be just what the Lakers needed.
Yes, it’s o nly su m mer league, but Los Angeles is mired in a playoff drought and in much need of some excitement. Enter the No. 2 pick in the draft.
Ball has created a buzz around the Los Angeles fran- chise — on and off the court.
He has averaged 16.3 points, 9.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in six summer league games in Las Vegas. The California native with Showtime-like flair has two triple-doubles and four double-digit assist games while leading the team to Monday night’s championship game. He will miss the final con- test with a mild calf strain.
His absence Monday is almost throwaway line in the final chapter of Ball’s summer league story.
The 19-year-old made more headlines wearing differ- ent brands of sneakers each game.
“All press is good press, technically,” Finish Line content manager and creative strategist Brandon Edler said. “Just the fact that we continue to talk about their every single move is amaz- ing for their brand . ...
“Maybe his dad is just on a completely different level and he’s sitting there thinking, maybe this isn’t a great way to sell the shoe, but we’ve got everybody talking about us and every time somebody’s talking about us, that’s great for Big Baller Brand.”
After wearing his own ZO2 shoes in his first two games , which sell for $495, Ball wore the Nike Kobe AD and a James Harden signature Adidas in the following games. It was Under Armour’s turn Saturday when Ball played in a pair from Stephen Curry’s signature line. Jordan Brand got in the mix Sunday when Ball wore the Jordan 31 low.
Ball and his boisterous father, LaVar, just might be marketing geniuses with how they’ve kept his sneaker choice as headline news despite turning down lucrative offers from the major brands.
The sneaker rotation is clearly a deliberate plan and LaVar continues to tell peo- ple he’s asking for a $3 billion deal with one of the major companies.
Many have criticized the hype machine and multiple summer league players have said they wouldn’t wear the ZO2. But those same players were supportive, even envi- ous, of the concept of having their own independent fashion and sneaker line.
The Ball method is cer- tainly unconventional. Rarely does someone promote their own brand by featuring prod- ucts from other companies. But Lonzo said that’s part of the Big Baller Brand — having the independence to do what one wants.
The circus atmosphere off the court somewhat overshadows what Ball has done on the court.
Ball has impressed with is play-making skills.
It all makes the 6-foot-6 Ball seem like an ideal fit for LA.
He grew up in the suburb of Chino Hills and the City of Angels is used to big point guards with next level pass- ing ability. Fellow rookie Kyle Kuzma has averaged 20.5 points per game in large part due to Ball’s pinpoint passes.
Lakers president of basketball operations Magic John- son immediately laid out his expectations after drafting Ball — for the rookie’s number to hang from the Staples Center rafters.
The former UCLA star is making the architect of Showtime and owner of five championship rings look like a soothsayer.
“Passing translates, I don’t care what level you’re on,” Johnson told Lakers.com. “Lakers fans are thirsty. ... This team will be exciting and it starts with that point guard position.”
Three Kane County pitchers combined to allow just four hits as the Cougars defeated the Dayton Dragons 2-1 Monday afternoon in Geneva, Ill. The Cougars won two of three in the series, taking both wins by identical 2-1 scores, as the Dragons finished their six-game road trip with a record of 2-4.
The Dragons took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jose Siri tripled to center field and scored on Hector Vargas’ sacrifice fly. But Kane County responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning and closed out the scoring for the day.
Siri, named Monday as the Midwest League Batter of the Week for July 10-16, again led the Dragons, going 2 for 4 with a triple, a run and a stolen base.
He extended his hitting streak to 24 straight games, matching the longest of the current decade. Four other Midwest League players have had 24-game hitting streaks since 2010, but no player has reached 25. The league record is 35, set in 1977.
Tony Santillan (5-6) allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in five innings to take the loss. Dragons relievers Dauri Moreta, Lucas Benenati, Aaron Fossas and Jesse Adams combined to work the final three innings without allowing a hit or a run.
The Dragons had a chance in the ninth after Taylor Trammell walked to start the inning. Bruce Yari then lined a hard shot directly at the first baseman, who made the catch at the base and easily doubled off Trammell. John Sansone then lined a double to left field before Michael Beltre grounded out to end the game.