Lakers Highlights: Lonzo Ball Catches Fire, Nearly Records Triple-Double Against Pistons
Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports


Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has received heaps of criticism for his struggles to hit a jump shot at various points this year. But the first-year floor general was at his best as the Lakers almost defeated the Detroit Pistons in the finale of their last multi-game road trip of the season.

Ball was spewing flames in the Motor City, scoring 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting that came on a combination of dunks, pull-ups and mid-range heat checks. He made his first six shots before missing late in the third quarter.

Additionally, Ball knocked down his only 3-point attempt. And it wasn’t just Ball’s shot that was working. As has been his wont this season, Ball fired quick-hitting outlet passes and found teammates in the halfcourt to rack up 11 assists while falling just short of a triple-double with eight rebounds.

The entire game showed just how effective Ball can be when he’s at his best, and why the team has staked so much on their belief in his potential.

Ball’s night is worth noting not because it’s necessarily foreshadowing that performances like this will become the norm for him, but because of just how unguardable he looks when his shot is falling at even an average rate.

Ball showcased improved decision-making skills and shot selection at times against the Pistons as well as all of his other normal passing, rebounding and defensive gifts, but his shot is the bow that ties his gifts together. Without it, he’s incapable of reaching his full potential.

With it? Ball looks to be on track to live up to, or even exceeed, his draft status in no time.

There is still a long way to go before finalizing those types of declarations one way or the other, and Ball has to put in work on his shooting this summer, but games like his effort against Detroit show that concenrn over his future is still massively premature at this point.

You May Also Like

Lakers Video: Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart And Fellow Rookies Participate In Practice

The Los Angeles Lakers emerged from the 2017 NBA Draft with All-Star center Brook Lopez and four draft picks ready to make an impact…

Lakers Video: Fan Chugs Beer Out Of Prosthetic Leg While Another Makes First Half Court Shot Since Jan. 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers fans inside the Crypto.com Arena Monday night left extremely disappointed after the team blew a 17-point…

PHOTO: Pau Gasol Posts Picture Of Him And Kendall Marshall From 2003

Newcomer Kendall Marshall has made quite an impression during his short time…

Lakers Video: Lonzo Ball Performs ‘Bad And Boujee’ While Taking On LaVar Ball On ‘Lip Sync Battle’

Lonzo Ball won’t return to the court with Los Angeles Lakers until after the All-Star break as he recovers from a sprained…