Lonzo Ball bounces back with triple double in second Summer League game

It will certainly be something to watch closely when the Lakers and Ball go through their first notable adversity in the upcoming season.

Lonzo Ball got off the bus wearing a black Big Baller t-shirt, red shorts and black Big Baller ZO2 shoes – yes, the ones with the $495 price tag – and did two television interviews before he even changed into his Laker uniform. Some of Ball’s best passes don’t result in an assist. And each time he did, the Lakers-centric crowd cheered – often louder for the pass than for the finish. “One thing I’ve noticed is that it’s a lot like practices when I played for Coach (Fred) Hoiberg (for two seasons at Iowa State)”.

Ingram was a one-man offense who finished with 26 points, three assists and three steals.

Defensively, Ball was a factor in a help role.

Ball entered the game in need of a bounce-back, and conscious of it. With his first triple double underneath his belt, Ball’s done just that. While he was much better overall, he continued to struggle from beyond the 3-point line.

“It’s got nothing to do with him”, LaVar Ball said. Once, he was caught leaning the wrong way, allowing a straight-line drive to the basket. At the end of the game, are you willing to take the big shots? The lack of shooters in this Lakers’ lineup led to too many clogged lanes on drives.

Offensively, Ball’s issue is the exact inverse.

It obviously didn’t hurt Ball’s draft stock. “But this was a hell of an atmosphere for his first game”.

Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson recently revealed that Ball admitted to him that his media antics are all created to bring his ball playing sons – led by NBA No. 2 draft pick Lonzo – and his company, Big Baller Brand, publicity.

While he remains thin, Ingram’s shoulders are noticeably broader compared to his rookie debut in summer league a year ago. And while he was happy with the looks he was getting, he simply couldn’t hit in a game where he missed 10 of his 11 3-point attempts.

Many times a great player from college has come to the National Basketball Association and just flopped. Early in the game, he was a liability on pick and rolls. Because of his unorthodox shooting form, he will have an issue shooting the pull-up going to his right. He is going to take his bumps and bruises, but he will be fine. “That [should] be the worst game I have all week”.