With the Los Angeles Lakers set to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2017 NBA preseason opener, all the attention is on Lonzo Ball and for good reason. After averaging a near triple-double at the Las Vegas Summer League, basketball fans have been patiently waiting to watch him play against the league's best players.
As training camp is in progress, Ball continues to impress head coach Luke Walton and teammates. After leading his team to an undefeated 6-0 record in scrimmage, Walton had the ultimate compliment for the face of the franchise according to Lakers:
Luke Walton on Lonzo Ball at camp: "He instantly builds chemistry with whatever team he's playing on."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 29, 2017
While it was only Summer League, Ball's pass-first mentality was contagious and his ability to create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates will translate over well to his rookie season. As today's point guards are mostly dominating with their scoring, Ball is a throwback player who has been compared to President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd.
Along with Brandon Ingram, Ball's ability to showcase his All-Star potential will be a determining factor for the franchise's future. If they can make the Lakers competitive again for the 2017-18 NBA season, free agents will start considering Los Angeles as a potential destination in the near future.