While Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball has upped his shooting percentages over the course of the last few weeks, his inability to score consistently could prevent him from ever becoming a superstar, Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN writes.
For a number of reasons, ranging from the wonky left-eye-dominant shooting stroke to his instinctive pass-first mentality, Ball may never develop into the scorer that he’d likely need to be in order to have his jersey raised in the Staples Center, as Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson so kindly requested at his introduction press conference.
Arnovitz suggests that while there may be hurdles for Ball to become the next Stephen Curry, he could still have an instrumental impact on the Lakers by becoming their Draymond Green. His feel for the game and style could inspire the team to play the right way, in line with head coach Luke Walton‘s vision, even if he never becomes a dominant offensive weapon.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- It may be time to temper expectations for Marquese Chriss, Zach Lowe of ESPN writes. The second-year Suns forward hasn’t taken any significant strides in his sophomore season, is weak on defense and doesn’t have a reliable offensive identity.
- Backup big man Alex Len has taken a major step forward in 2017/18, carving out a role as a consistently productive reserve for the Suns. As Cody Cunningham of the team’s official site writes, Len leads the league in rebounds per game off of the bench, with 9.5 boards a piece in 25 contests. Suffice it to say, Greg Monroe and Tyson Chandler may be even more expendable than previously thought.
- If it’s a “long shot” for the Lakers to sign LeBron James next summer, as has been reported, the franchise would be wise to start targeting Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report writes.
Interesting note, his stats replicate Draymond Green’s.
The two could not be more different personality wise though. Draymond is a vocal leader, that will call out any and everyone who isn’t playing up to their capabilities. However, he’s also the first player that will comfort his teammates when they are struggling, or come to their defense when he believes they are being disrespected on or off the court!! Haven’t heard or seen any cases of this from Ball, positively or negatively…Except, for him walking away during that infamous skermish, earlier in the season…
I haven’t seen enough or read enough about Lonzo to know what kind of team leader he is or is not..He just clearly is not as out-going nor as vocal as Draymond…
Also, while their stats may be fairly similar, they get to those stats in a much different manner..Not to mention, Ball has to greatly improve his on-ball defense and help defense to even come close to Draymond’s level…as well as improving on his rebounding, his shots, etc…Plus, Dray’s blocks typically come from being the primary defender, Ball’s come from him providing later help, getting the swat from behind the shooter…Either way though, both are just as effective and help their team, but it’s just a case of how stats can be misleading when comparing player’s abilities and style of play…
Still, it’s Ball’s rookie year, and Draymond has had plenty of time to improve his all-around game..So making the comparison just is not fair to Ball, and it really is pretty disrespectful to the work Green has put in to get to the point he’s at today..
What is being said in the article, is NOT really comparing both players, man versus man, it is simply stating that both players can potentially effect the game in a wide variety of ways.
Although, for me, as of their skills RIGHT NOW, that’s where the comparisons should start and finish…E.O.S.
The players I wouldn’t mind comparing from both teams are Draymond versus either Nance or Randle…Then, Thompson versus Kuzma…Then, finally, Durant versus Ingram…
Interesting to see some of their styles of play and honest they compare thus far in their careers…
I think everyone is really missing the point. I doubt he’s directly comparing the 2 as leaders. More as stylistic. Ball will never be a great scorer or rebounder or defender. But unselfishness is contagious. Ball makes the Lakers better in a similar fashion that Green makes the Warriors better. Not comparing skill sets. But mindsets. Green is a guy who will do anything to win. And I think on the offensive side Ball will do anything to win as well.
Maybe it is talking about their unselfishness, but I take it as he is comparing how they can both effect and impact the game in a variety of ways to help their teams win, other than just scoring…
Cmon with the foolish talk. Ball is more like Curry and Thompson, and Magic J more than that. It was a good article except for the Green part. Do the Splashes not do what Kerr wants, and were they not at GS first? Green just made the scheme a contender by adding his tough intense complimentary attitudes with Splash-level skills. Luke “royal we” Walton can say “what we’re doing here” all he wants, but Ball is piece 1– the Curry. GS traded Monta Ellis and kept Curry and went logically from there.
Curry, KT & Ball: Pro-level-dad white-mom no-pressure scionic guards with time to get it right like bill murray in groundhog day. Magic learned a decent set shot in his late 20s, never not awkward- looking; Ball will figure something out.