Teammates and coaches are pushing Lonzo Ball to be more aggressive and attack the rim.
After starting the first two games of the Lakers’ recent road trip shooting a combined 1-for-11 and scoring a total of two points, Lonzo Ball was mired in yet another ugly shooting slump.
But this one seemed to be a little more jarring considering Ball did not score a point in 28 minutes in a loss at Orlando last Saturday.
So before the Lakers played the Cavaliers, Ball’s coaches and teammates — including LeBron James — had the same message for the point guard. The Lakers told Ball to play aggressively and not settle for 3-point shots.
« Take it to the basket, » Ball said of the advice he received at the team’s morning meeting and before the Lakers’ last game at Cleveland. « Shot hasn’t been falling so that’s what I tried to do and it worked out for me tonight. »
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While all the attention and spotlight was on James’ return to Cleveland, the Lakers saw something they were very thankful for just before Thanksgiving — the most aggressive Ball they’ve seen all season.
Ball had his best game of the season, knocking down 7 of 11 shots and finishing with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the Lakers’ win at Cleveland. The Lakers hope to see the same aggressive Ball on Friday, when Ball’s 2017 rookie classmate Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz visit Staples Center.
« It was huge, » Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma said. « We always talk about him being aggressive. He’s always so passive.
