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NBA Draft 2017: Lakers take Lonzo Ball at No. 2

By Chazz Scogna

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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After weeks of the Los Angeles Lakers exploring all of their options with the No. 2 overall pick, they eventually went who we all thought: Lonzo Ball.

At what point do we start asking LaVar Ball for the Powerball numbers? About a month ago, the eldest Ball said the plan for his son Lonzo was to always play for the Lakers. Well, he called it.

The Lakers took Lonzo Ball No. 2 overall and while his father has done all the talking, we are now one step closer to see if Lonzo can back it up. For the Lakers front office, Magic Johnson’s legacy as team president will always be tied to the flashy Ball family. Johnson even traded 2015 No. 2 pick D’Angelo Russell to free up a spot for Ball.

Throughout the draft process, Ball has become the most interesting prospect — his outspoken father part of the reason — because of the quirks to his game. For one, he’s a good fit in the pace-and-space era. He can hit spot up 3s from anywhere, including the vaunted Stephen Curry range. He’s a monster in transition, able to push the ball and always find the open man. In fact, his passing ability has been so highly regarded, some have even said he could be the best passer in the league at some point. His ability to make plays in the pick-and-roll will translate easily in the NBA, where it is run almost every play. And in coach Luke Walton’s offense, which pulls some concepts from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s system, Ball will fit right in.

But, while Ball is a good fit with the Lakers, there are some concerns. As has been noted ad nauseum, his shooting motion — a right-handed shot that begins at his left hip — will be a concern until it’s seen whether he can get it off against NBA defenders. Worse, because of his shot, he’s constantly trying to dribble to his left so he’s able to cleanly get it off. Any time a player struggles to be a threat driving on his dominant hand is a concern. More, Ball has a slender frame, so he may struggle against stronger guards, but he’s only 19, so his larger frame will come with age.

Then there’s the concern with his competitive spirit, a critique that spawned after UCLA’s loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. De’AAron Fox, the opposing point guard, dropped 39 points, compared to Ball’s 10. Where Fox looked energetic and aggressive, Ball came off as passive.

Next: FanSided 2017 NBA Draft Tracker

Regardless of the outcome, with Ball’s drafting at No. 2, we are now one step closer to see if the Lakers found their next transcendent superstar.

Check out Lake Show Life for more Los Angeles Lakers NBA Draft analysis.

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