Lonzo Ball tallies first NBA assist, scores first basket in Summer League

Lonzo Ball made his much-anticipated NBA debut Friday night, and he impressed immediately.

NBA Summer League is becoming a big event, with ESPN fully on-board airing games. But Friday night’s first game in Las Vegas carried extra hoopla, as it was the NBA debut of Lonzo Ball for the Los Angels Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers. Due to his father’s outspoken bravado, Ball is entering the next level with outsized expectations.

Some notable names are at the Thomas and Mack Center on UNLV’s campus, and the seats are filled with Lakers fans wearing purple and gold. Lonzo Ball is obviously the star attraction, at the possible dawn of a new “Showtime” era in Los Angeles.

Right off the bat, on the game’s first possession, Ball showed the passing skills and overall feel for the game that are considered his greatest strengths coming out of UCLA.

https://twitter.com/FanSided/status/883506893720698883

Brandon Ingram, also known as the only untouchable player on the Lakers’ roster according to Magic Johnson back in May, was on the receiving end of that alley-oop from Ball. The second-year man has been one of the stars of Friday night’s game, with 18 points as of this writing as the third quarter winds down.

Ball’s unorthodox shooting form will be a concern until further notice, but he can absolutely score in other, more subtle ways when the opportunity arises. In the second quarter on Friday night, he showed that ability too with his first NBA basket.

Next: 5 best trades Danny Ainge ALMOST made

Results in Summer League play, with a mix of notable young players and guys just trying to earn an opportunity somewhere next season, have to be taken with a grain of salt. But Ball has not disappointed in his NBA debut, with a positive affect on his teammates, and the key will be emerging from the game fully healthy.