Lonzo Ball is about to embark on his third NBA season and the first under the New Orleans Pelicans, but during Friday night's preseason game against the Utah Jazz, the 21-year-old pulled off a feat that may seem pedestrian to most players but a notable achievement by his standards.
Lonzo Ball was 5-of-5 from the line tonight.
The last time he did that in a competitive game? He was playing at Chino Hills as a senior.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 12, 2019
Ball made all five of his free throw attempts which is indeed the most he's had in a competitive basketball game since making four out of seven attempts almost two years ago against the Houston Rockets, and not since his senior high school days. The former Los Angeles Laker wasn't always known for his shooting but given his propensity to get into the paint, it's still a huge surprise to see his career-high in the charity stripe to be that low.
The 6-foot-6 point guard has been trying to work on his jumper all summer with assistant coach Fred Vinson and even head coach Alvin Gentry was encouraging him to shoot as many but with confidence just to get it going. The accuracy of his free throws may be the start of an improved perimeter game which has been the main impediment to the oversized guard's career which is mostly highlighted by his proficiency on the playmaking and defensive end.
It's all the more reason for Ball to work on shooting given that he is expected to play without the ball in his hands more with Jrue Holiday around and perhaps even Zion Williamson possibly being implemented as a point forward. But things are definitely looking up for Ball as he enters year three.
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