The Ball era is here. The Los Angeles Lakers selected Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick in the NBA draft. The former point guard for UCLA averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals while shooting 41.2 percent from three and 55.1 percent from the field.
Although there were a lot of smoke screens on whether the Lakers would take Ball with their second pick, at the end of the day Ball’s potential impressed the Lakers’ front office and head coach Luke Walton.
Luke Walton: "We want to get the ball moving and push the pace, and that's what Ball's a genius at."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 23, 2017
Ball was masterful in the open floor at UCLA. His vision, speed and control create the perfect formula to push the ball and play fast.
The Lakers see Ball as a game changer.
Just talked to Luke Walton, who said Lakers took Lonzo b/c he "changes the game." We'll have more on our draft show at 6 on @SpectrumSN
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) June 23, 2017
Ball becomes the first player the new front office of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka selected. They have a lot of confidence in him. There is no doubt that they are gleeful with excitement that the Lakers have great and talented player.
