Los Angeles Lakers: The pros and cons of drafting Lonzo Ball
By Jason Oliver
Con No. 2: Ball can create shots for others but struggles to create his own
Ball’s shooting numbers are nothing to scoff at, but how he’s accumulating those numbers have some people questioning shot creation.
The Ringer‘s Kevin O’Connor is particularly unconvinced by Ball’s ability to create his own shot, telling Chris Ryan, Joe House, and Bill Simmons on the Bill Simmons Podcast:
"“My concern, and this is kind of where I have my hangup with him, is I don’t think he can’t create his shot off the dribble with those weird mechanics. As he stops his dribble he adjusts the ball in his hands and he doesn’t go straight up in his shot. And that’s what separates the Steve Nashes and the Stephen Currys of the world”"
His lack of shot creation won’t be so much of a concern for the Lakers and coach Walton if he’s creating shots for others.
D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram can already create shots themselves with another creator in Ball an unlikely luxury.
A shooting coach could teach him a new stroke, but why change a winning formula?
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With Ball, the Lakers might have to give up shot creation in return for his long-range shooting and “otherworldly” passing.