Los Angeles Lakers: Three bold predictions for Lonzo Ball next season

By Jason Reed | Aug 4, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts to strip the ball from Ed Davis #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of a game at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. More efficient scoring from Lonzo Ball

Scoring certainly is not Lonzo Ball’s strong suit as the rookie thrived much more at running the offense, controlling the tempo and being a good distributor on the offensive end. However, in today’s NBA, a good point guard has to a least be efficient in scoring the basketball to transition into a great point guard.

In season two, we are going to see much more efficient scoring from Ball due to the tools that are around him. When the season is over, his points per game numbers may not take a big leap. However, the rate at which he scores the points will be much more appealing.

Ball is naturally going to take fewer shots with LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram all acting as the three primary scorers. However, since Ball has those three great scorers alongside him, the defensive focus is going to be elsewhere and allow him to really get into a rhythm.

Ball and LeBron are likely going to split the workload when it comes to taking the ball up the court and running the offense. When LeBron is taking the ball up the court, it opens the door for Ball to be a lethal off-ball scorer off of picks and cuts to the basket.

Ball can shoot the three-ball, he was decent at in college. The transition to the NBA simply slowed that shot down and it should be back to normal in year two.

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