Los Angeles Lakers: 5 takeaways from 2017 NBA Summer League

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up the court ahead of Spencer Dinwiddie #8 of the Brooklyn Nets during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 115-106. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

1. Seriously, Lonzo Ball is on top of the basketball world right now

In the weeks leading into the NBA Draft, many of the world’s top sports media outlets were dominated by the words and antics of LaVar Ball, father of future NBA player Lonzo Ball. Even on draft night, the headlines were more about the father than the son.

That changed drastically come the start of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, when Lonzo took the court for the first time as an NBA player. After a rocky first outing, Lonzo proceeded to put up a triple-double in two of the next three games. Prior to Lonzo, no player in the 13-year history of Las Vegas Summer League had put up a triple-double. Not one. Lonzo put up two in three games.

His crazy 70-foot passes were cracking SportsCenter, and what shoes he was wearing made national news. The stadiums in Vegas were packed to the brim with fans wanting to catch a glimpse of the new rookie phenom, many of them wearing purple and gold. Lonzo Ball has played exactly zero NBA games that count, and he is one of the most popular players out there.

Lonzo Ball took home the Summer League MVP trophy, his team won the championship, and he is finally out from his father’s shadow and basking in his own limelight. Whoever made the decision to rotate his shoes was a genius, as now shoe companies are fighting against each other for the hottest sneaker free agent out there.

There is still a regular season to play, one where the Lakers will lose a lot of games. Brandon Ingram is improved and Lonzo Ball is special, but there are a lot of weaknesses on this roster and a lot of growth still to happen. But what Ball can and has done is begin to change the culture, so that when stars do flock to the Lakers, this team will be ready to compete.

Next: Boston Celtics: 5 takeaways from NBA Summer League

For now, Lonzo Ball is able to enjoy the praise and accolades, and prepare himself for basketball at the highest level. While he still has a lot of work to do, it is clear that he not only belongs but he already stands apart. Ball had himself an excellent July; time will tell whether that excellence belongs in April, May and June.

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