The Lakers’ Lonzo Ball had a game to remember against the Cavs, finishing with 31 points and 12 assists. The performance marked his first career triple-double, proving that he is indeed making good on all of LeBron James’ faith in him. He also showed off an impressive no-look pass for part of the night’s highlight reel moments.
The “lonzo ball 3 point percentage 2021” is a performance that has been highly anticipated. Lonzo Ball was able to prove his worth in the game against LeBron James and validate his all-star potential with a dominant performance on his old home court.
When Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers picked Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall choice in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Chino Hills native was almost certainly envisioned as a homegrown star. Only, with LeBron James joining the Lakers a year later, the team couldn’t afford to wait for the brilliant point guard after his first two seasons in Los Angeles were marred by inconsistency. Ball was traded to the Lakers before the 2019-20 season, and he was replaced by Anthony Davis.
In the short term, the Davis deal paid out, as LA won their first championship since 2010. Ball, on the other hand, is maturing into the star-caliber player he seemed to be four years ago. With a spectacular performance at Staples Center on Monday night, the former UCLA product demonstrated his tremendous transformation to James and the Lakers.
On Monday, Lonzo Ball went on a clinic against the Lakers.
Ball’s shooting skill was once a source of criticism. He has, however, been one of the finest three-point shooters in the NBA this season.
Ball scored 27 points on 7-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc against the Lakers on Monday. He’s currently shooting 44.4 percent from three-point range on 7.1 tries per game, and he’s tied for sixth in the league in three-pointers made (44).
While LeBron James’ improved shooting technique and confidence were very certainly new to him as he sat in street clothes, the other aspects of Ball’s game almost certainly were not. The Bulls guard threw long outlet passes for easy transition points and fed perfectly-timed entry to Derrick Jones Jr. as soon as he established position in the post, racking up eight assists. Ball also added seven rebounds to his stat line.
The advanced statistics depict Ball’s whole game as well as the influence he makes on his squad. With Ball on the court, the Bulls outscored the Lakers by 25 points, and he ended with the game’s best net rating and box plus-minus.
Ball’s raw stats (12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists) may not seem to be impressive. His skill set and improvements from the perimeter, on the other hand, help the Bulls win. He’s a very different player from the Purple and Gold player.
Every season, the game progresses.
Every season of Lonzo Ball’s career has seen him increase his 3-point shooting.
30.5 for the 2017-18 season and 32.9 for the 2018-19 season 37.5 — 2019-20 season 37.8 — 2020-21 season 44.4 — 2021-22 season pic.twitter.com/pIiF2yx9dJ pic.twitter.com/pIiF2yx9dJ pic.twitter.com/pIiF2yx9dJ pic.twitter.com/pIiF
November 16, 2021 — StatMuse (@statmuse)
Some players rose to prominence faster than others. It didn’t take long for Luka Doncic and Trae Young to discover their potential. Lonzo Ball just needed more time to iron out the wrinkles in his game.
Ball’s progression as a perimeter shooter can be seen in his year-over-year improvement. His three-point percentage has increased by almost 14% from his rookie season. However, efficiency isn’t the only factor to consider.
The 24-year-old is steadily maximizing his output. Ball averaged 5.7 three-point attempts per game in his rookie season, but that figure dropped to 4.9 in his second season. However, once the Lakers moved Ball to the New Orleans Pelicans, the attempts increased again. Last season, he had a career-high 8.3 triples per game.
While the fact that Lonzo is shooting less threes on average, he is spending the majority of his time alongside scorers like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the latter of whom is still scoring at a high level despite playing through injury. Ball has the second-lowest usage rate of his career (17.5 percent).
Ball is making the most of his chances. He’s also shown that he can play with other superstars.
For DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, Ball is the ideal point guard.
On November 15, 2021, in Los Angeles, California, Lonzo Ball reacts after scoring a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center | Getty Images/Katelyn Mulcahy
During the preseason, LaVine and DeRozan expressed their admiration for Ball, praising his ability to see the court and get everyone engaged.
Ball’s unselfish approach is what propels the Bulls forward. He is always on the lookout for assists, particularly during transition. The oldest Ball sibling is also unafraid to clear out in the half-court, enabling DeRozan and LaVine to isolate.
This year, defenders must respect Ball, which is difficult when so much attention is focused on the other scorers. He can knock down jumpers off ball screens and practices catch-and-shoot opportunities on a regular basis, making it tough for opponents to take advantage of him. His ability as an on-ball defender who can generate deflections and steals also make a big impact for Chicago’s defense.
In many respects, LeBron James and the Lakers could benefit from this sweet-shooting, unselfish playmaker version of Ball. Instead, in Chicago, the former Los Angeles draftee is developing into an All-Star-caliber player.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
RELATED: Lonzo Ball Disclosed What It Was Like to Be Traded by the Lakers for Anthony Davis: ‘I understand that’s part of the job, but it was the first time I felt like someone didn’t care about me in any way.’
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