LA'S HEIR BALL
Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball traveled to New York one time before this weekend, for the NBA draft. One element stood out.
“People are very strong and passionate out here,” Ball said about the attitudes of the typical New Yorker who will argue to the death over intricate philosophical points; like who stunk more, the Washington Generals or the 2014-15 Knicks?
Ball wants to experience playing in front of that fervor in the Garden. He gets his chance Tuesday when the Lakers play the third leg of a four-game trip against the Knicks. Ball explained what thrills him about this specific arena.
“All the great players that go there usually play good and if they don’t, you’re going to hear about it,” Ball said after Lakers practice Monday at Baruch College. “Definitely Carmelo [Anthony] when he played in there. LeBron [James] had some great games in there. And it goes all the way back to [Michael] Jordan.”
Legend says there were guys named Willis and Clyde and Pearl who had some nice games there, too.
“Every kid dreams about playing there. There’s a lot of history there,” Ball said.
Ball has been as hyped as almost any athlete in memory, much of it through the insatiable marketing /promoting of his father, LaVar Ball, who has parlayed his son’s talents and skills into the Big Baller brand of athletic gear. Ball appeared at a pop-up sales event Sunday on West 14th Street before a huge throng.
“I didn’t count them but there were a lot of people. I got out of the car and said, ‘Wow, it’s cold out here.’ I wouldn’t stand out there in that cold but they definitely did it,” said Ball, averaging 8.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the 10-15 Lakers. “I mean everybody was calling my dad a legend. That was about the funniest. Just yelling out the brand saying ‘LaVar is my hero.’ ”
LaVar has garnered more at- tention than your average parent, assuming that parent doesn’t have children named Ivanka, Barron, Tiffany, Eric and Donald Jr. While most of America compares LaVar to fingernails on a blackboard, some insist he’s no problem.
“He’s been nothing but supportive. He’s a great guy and he’s great to have around at games. A good basketball mind,” Lakers center Brook Lopez said. “People assume there are problems with the team, but it couldn’t be farther from the case. We’re in a great situation and obviously we’re happy with Zo as our point guard.” Must be that fake news stuff. Playing in the Garden won’t be the only big first time event for Ball. After facing the Knicks, the Lakers go to Cleveland, home of one LeBron James.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun. ... It’s at the Garden and all the history there and then LeBron, the best player in the world. It’s going to be two challenges and I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Ball said.
“Those are big opportunities, challenges, however you want to look at them but honestly every time we play someone, it’s exciting to see how he’s gonna go about it,” said Lakers coach Luke Walton, who spoke about the excitement of playing in the Garden, especially for the first time.
“There’s just an energy in that building. The history, the games, the Knicks being the organization they are. For whatever reason, probably different for each person but any time you go in there and play, it’s just a special feeling,” said Walton, who said he may address the emotional impact of the venue with Ball — probably Tuesday — or he may just let the rookie discover stuff on his own.
Ball already has endured a roller-coaster season. He is learning on the fly, playing the hardest NBA position to master. He is still learning teammates and foes.
“It’s starting to click now. We see that we play a lot better when we play with a lot of pace,” Ball said. “The more you play in the league, the better you should get. I’m doing that. Started off, things were moving kind of fast and now everything is kind of slowing down.”