Lonzo Ball has become my favorite player from the moment he stepped into the NBA, I loved his game at UCLA as he carried them to the Final Four and was selected second overall by the best point guard of all-time Magic Johnson. Magic still stands by drafting Lonzo Ball and I have always admired unselfish players who care about getting their teammates involved like John Stockton,Steve Nash,Magic Johnson,Jason Kidd, and even Rajon Rondo who is currently in the NBA
. Those to me were all pass first point guards and that is what I see Lonzo Ball being in his career. Due to him being drafted second overall and him displaying 3 point range in college the NBA masses expected him to become a 3 point sniper by his second season which ended up not being the case.
I’ve seen Lonzo Ball score 29 points in his rookie season and I also saw tally a triple double alongside LeBron James which in my opinion was quite impressive. With LeBron James coming over last season the expectations for Lonzo Ball to accelerate his development rose very fast and I stand by his comments of the Lakers going far in the playoffs last season had he not got injured. Lonzo Ball is a 6’6 guard who can push the pace and is super quick, he might never become Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard as a perimeter shooter but to think he won’t shoot at least 36 percent from 3 point range in his career is just absurd. I look at Lonzo Ball and I look at myself, Dad by his side his whole life but Dad was holding on too much and was not letting you be your own man and that is where Lonzo Ball stands in his life right now.
The kid is not even 23 yet and at least got the experience of playing with the greatest player of all-time in LeBron James and excelled at it. The reason I believe Lonzo Ball will succeed in New Orleans and possibly win a title over the next 4-5 years is because he is around a group of young players and a mix of veterans where no one is selfish. JJ Redick and Jrue Holiday have both been premier perimeter shooters throughout their careers and excel at what Lonzo Ball must improve on which is moving off the ball and coming off screens and firing away from 3. Really that is all Lonzo is missing, he is already above average as a passer and is really good at getting the ball to cutters on fast-breaks and half court.
To conclude Zion Williamson who was just drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans has all eyes on him as fans await to see if he is much more than just a dunker and guy who can lay the ball up at the rim. He scored 29 points and went 12-13 from the field yet they are still finding cracks on his performance the same way they have done with Lonzo Ball over the past 2 years.I am not saying Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball will carry the Pelicans to a championship this coming season, maybe it’s possible within the next few years if both Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram stay healthy and blossom into All-Stars alongside Zion Williamson who will be the Pelicans’ franchise player going forward. I predict Lonzo Ball will be a 3-4 time All-Star in his career and average 17 ppg 7 rpg and 9 apg this coming season and be a Most Improved Player candidate this coming season. I also predict the Pelicans will be the 8th seed in the Western Conference and scare their first round opponent.
D-NBA 