Lakers News: Lonzo Ball is set to return; who it helps, who it hurts

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 05: Lonzo Ball (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Lakers News /

Helps — Overall playoff chances

Do I think the Los Angeles Lakers have a good chance of making the playoffs? No, not really. But there is an avenue for the team to get to the eighth seed and this Lakers news only helps them get there. Despite some of the drawbacks, a returning Lonzo Ball will definitely make the Lakers better.

First, the positive effects that Ball is bringing back. The offense runs through him and the Lakers simply play with a much better pace, which in turn, helps their defensive efforts on the other side of the court. Ball is the general is dictating that army.

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Second, the negative effects that Ball negates. While he may not be as good of a scorer as Isaiah Thomas, Ball’s defense is undoubtedly better and more time with Ball on the court hopefully means less time for IT’s defense to be exposed.

Kyle Kuzma can return back to his early season form and, with the ball flowing through Ball instead of Thomas, guys like Brandon Ingram can get more touches. The Lakers have enough scorers on the team, they need a guy like Ball that can get them all in a rhythm with open looks.

With DeMarcus Cousins hurt the Pelicans’ chances are slimmer. The Clippers are in full rebuild mode and the Jazz are on an immense hot streak, winning 11 in a row, that could flame out any minute. It’s a long road to get past those teams and makeup eight games in the standings, but it isn’t impossible.

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Again, I do not think it is likely going to happen. However, all it takes is one small Lakers’ win streak and a losing streak by any of those teams and LA is right back in the picture. Even if they narrowly miss the postseason, that is a huge improvement from the past four years.

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