Through 29 games of the 2017-18 NBA season, Lonzo Ball is averaging 9.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. While most of the conversation has been about his poor shooting percentages, he is slowly improving, especially in the last five games — 43.6 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from the three-point line.
As Ball has often been compared to Jason Kidd, one NBA general manager believes he is a ‘bigger' Ricky Rubio according to Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN:
“He's a bigger Ricky Rubio,” one general manager says. “People like the Jason Kidd comp because Kidd couldn't shoot coming in, but Kidd exerted his will on the game physically, and he could control the game in the half court. Ball hasn't shown he can do that, even though he clearly knows what defenses are trying to do.
“I just don't see how he'll move the needle in terms of wins and losses unless you can get out on the break 50 times a game.”
With Ball still going through his rookie season, many are trying to label him like this anonymous general manager. Although the Los Angeles Lakers are currently 11-18 as they face the Golden State Warriors, Ball has shown flashes of what he can become.
For Ball, he will need to continue to focus on giving the Lakers the best chances of winning games and tune out the noise. As he is playing the most difficult position in the league, there will be plenty of highs and lows for the remainder of the season.
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