Thursday night marked only the second time Dwyane Wade and Lonzo Ball shared the floor together as the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers squared off inside American Airlines Arena. It gave the former 12-time All-Star a chance to see the 20-year-old rookie play up close and were matched up in some plays.

During a post-game interview, Wade admitted being a big fan of Ball. He discussed the criticism that the Lakers rookie has received, especially on his shooting form, but Wade doesn't see it as a problem because that's how Ball has been used to taking shots.

The 15-year NBA veteran also added, via Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet, that he thinks it is unfair for Ball to be thought of as Kobe Bryant's replacement, as he still has a long way to go in his career, which Wade hopes will pan out well for the young point guard.

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After his poor shooting to start the season, Ball has bounced back and is playing much better. He returned to action just last week following the 15 games he missed due to a knee injury. If he can continue his improved play, just like how he did in South Beach on Thursday, finishing with eight points, six rebounds, seven assists, and six steals, it will be a huge confidence booster for Ball.

Wade's comments are also a testament to how Ball has continued to work on his game, even with a lot of distractions outside the court. The future is definitely bright for him, and if he needs any guidance, it won't be a bad idea to ask the three-time champion for some advice.