Lakers rumors: 3 things Lonzo Ball needs to do in order to be rookie of the year

The Lakers will have to make the playoffs because of him

There is one lofty goal that has been set for Lonzo Ball that goes beyond just himself. On draft night, his father LaVar Ball — who has been known for bizarre claims about himself and his son — promised that Los Angeles would be back in the playoffs.

Not in a couple years or after more development, but in Ball’s first season.

This isn’t the kid’s fault exactly, but he hasn’t spoken against anything his father has said about him. What this means is that he believes in it and uses it to drive himself.

https://twitter.com/theScore/status/879022881681940481

There’s nothing wrong with using that as motivation, as much as people like to bash on his father. However, if that doesn’t work out the way that fans want it to, expect the Ball family to hear it from them first.

In order for that to happen, the Lakers will need the bottom of the Western Conference to get messy. Teams like Denver, Portland, and even New Orleans have to be good, but not good enough in the end for Los Angeles to sneak through.

Nothing stands out that makes anyone think they’ll blow the doors off next season. But then again, they did start last year 10-10 and found a way to dismantle the mighty Warriors in their first meeting.

But if they don’t make the playoffs with Ball as their point guard, it was all talk and all for nothing.