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It's not just the landscape that changed for LeBron James when he packed his bags and headed for Los Angeles this summer; it was also the list around him. The king spent his term in Cleveland largely surrounded by shooters in the center of the center, assuming virtually all of the Cavaliers' gambling duties after Operation Kyrie Irving. It's almost 180 with the Lakers.
The additions of Los Angeles free agencies were starred by Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson, two solid playmakers with no shots. The Lakers dropped five Brook Lopez in favor of JaVale McGee, further limiting their options beyond the bow. The reverse composition of the line raised the eyebrows, but after watching James run out of fuel in the 2018 final, the addition of the Game Leader's Charge pieces had to preserve James' body all the way through. the season.
The Lakers' shooting limits also extend to their young core, including Lonzo Ball. The former No. 2 overall choice shot 36% on the field and 30.5% beyond the arc in 2017-18, armed with an unorthodox shooting move subject to bricks. And although his jumper was not what impressed the scouts recruited in the draft after his first year at UCLA, his rookie problems worried for his form next to James. Could Ball shape his game around LeBron, or would he soon be dropped to a new location out of the spotlight at Staples Center?
James did not express any concern about this when he joined the Lakers. In fact, James gave Ball his blessing and a boost of confidence. LeBron said Ball was "destined for greatness" in September and that he had spent a good part of the first season encouraging Ball to be more aggressive.
"Sometimes [Ball] do not realize how great he is, "James told reporters as a result of Los Angeles's victory over Utah on Friday. What he has on the ground, when Zo realizes how good he is on the floor, makes him a very dynamic player and it makes us even better. "
James uses a hyperbole, but his argument is still valid. Although Ball is not James' iconic companion, he's already well connected with James and could evolve into a second reliable option in the years to come.
The numbers of Ball have not left the match-sheet with Los Angeles. He averaged just 8.2 points per game and 4.8 assists, eighth in the scoring team. Yet it is the space between the scores that characterizes Ball. There is no more complete player than Ball apart from James on the Los Angeles roster. His skills are marked by the vision of the elite field, and Ball does not hesitate to throw the ground ball in transition or to make an extra pass in the half-court. Ball is the king of hockey assistance. The second-year professional is also the strongest Los Angeles knives and a lob threat for the top echelons at each end, both throwing the ball at James to a depth of 20 feet and sprinting to the bottom of the door back. The pair has already made its share of the tariff of strong points. Rave reviews regarding Ball's information on basketball entering the project have not been overestimated. He sees the court as few others.
Ball seems to have addressed his rider during the summer. It has converted a respectable 35.1% of the three in this season, a brand that should be sustainable. Ball's triples feel more rhythmic this season, launched without hesitation. You could see things turn when the teams dared Ball shoot last year. It is dispelled in 2018-19.
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Metrics save the impact perceived by Ball. Ball, whose two best trios (Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma, followed by Ball, James and Josh Hart), is comprised of five of the top-ranked Lakers rankings. Ball is also one of the two most qualified teams in the attack: Ball (20 minutes minimum) and James, Ball, McGee, Ingram and Kuzma are among the best. This quintet should see heavy minutes together along the stretch and in the playoffs.
Ball would probably have played a leading role if he had a harder time starting the season. He turned 21 in October and will not be free until July 2021, showing brilliant lightning throughout his rookie season. The commercial scenarios were preparing even before the beginning of the year, with aficionados of commercial machines working on hypothetical agreements to send Damian Lillard or Kemba Walker to Los Angeles. With Ingram almost untouchable, Ball was considered expendable, especially if James's patience faltered so soon.
Los Angeles will not interfere with its young core for the moment. The Lakers overcame a morning storm and sat at 11 am-8am after Thanksgiving weekend, winning three straight wins before a sleepy loss to the Magic. Los Angeles is in the first half of the league, both offensive and defensive. James seems downright cheerful most nights, a welcome sign after the worry of October and early November.
There will be no cleaning house in Los Angeles as there was Cleveland during last season's trade deadline. The Lakers will tinker with their lineup in the coming months, but the kids are here to stay. Expect Ball to continue growing alongside James as the schedule turns to 2019 and is a successful sidekick – albeit unlikely – before the playoffs.
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