LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 07: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes against Kendall Marshall #17 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. 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)
NBABy Matt Clapp on

After being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in last month’s draft, Lonzo Ball made his highly-anticipated NBA Summer League debut on Friday night in Las Vegas.

The game started off tremendously for Ball, as he threw a gorgeous alley-oop pass to Brandon Ingram on the Lakers’ first possession.

However, things didn’t go so well from there for the UCLA product. Ball scored just five points on extremely inefficient shooting: 2-of-15 from the field and 1-of-11 on three-pointers (and he didn’t get to the free throw line).

He also had five assists, four rebounds, two steals, one block, and three turnovers in 33 minutes of play. Highlights — well, mainly lowlights — of his night:

https://youtu.be/YJi_Y-NXreU?t=52s

https://youtu.be/Hop074pj7sw

https://youtu.be/KXVIFF9HE6w

https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/883517747677732867

Now, it’s hard to take much away from a 19-year-old’s first professional game, but not exactly an encouraging start. And especially given how skeptical many evaluators have been of Ball’s ability to shoot at the next level.

After the game, LaVar Ball said that it was his son’s “worst game ever,” but added that Lonzo has already “changed the culture” of the Lakers.

LaVar also guaranteed that the Lakers would make the playoffs and that Lonzo would win Rookie of the Year (calling it a “done deal”), because of course he did:

Lonzo will look for more success on Saturday night in Vegas, when the Lakers play the Celtics on ESPN (8:30 PM ET).

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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1 thought on “Lonzo Ball’s NBA Summer League debut did not go well”

  1. “Ball’s..Debut Did Not Go Well.” The comebacker: Lonzo stunk up the Joint.

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