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Ball seems like ideal Lakers fit
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LONZO Ball seems to be just what the Lakers needed.
Yes, it’s only summer 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 franchise — 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 missed the final contest with a mild calf strain but the Lakers still beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-98.
His absence on Monday is almost the throwaway line in the final chapter of Ball’s summer league story.
The 19-year-old Ball made more headlines wearing different 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 amazing for their brand.’”
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 people he’s asking for a huge deal with one of the major companies.
The circus atmosphere off the court somewhat overshadows what Ball has done on the court.
Ball has been impressive with his play-making skills.
It all makes the 6-foot-6 Ball seem like an ideal for La La Land.
He grew up in the suburb of Chino Hills and the City of Angels is used to big point guards with next level passing ability. Fellow rookie Kyle Kuzma has averaged 20.5 points per game in large part due to Ball’s pinpoint passes.
Magic Johnson, the Lakers president of basketball operations, immediately laid out his expectations after drafting Ball — for the rookie’s number to hang from the Staples Center rafters. And 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.”
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