Los Angeles Lakers No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball failed to live up to the hype in his first taste of NBA action.
Ball was held to three points, nine rebounds, and four assists on 1-of-6 shooting Thursday. He was a minus-14 in 29 minutes and found himself embarrassed by Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley on several occasions.
The tone was set early when Beverley tracked Ball across the length of the court before running him over and standing over him. It was evident Beverley, an All-Defense caliber player, was intent on intimidating Ball.
The mind games worked. Beverley guarded Ball for 29 possessions and held him to 0-of-2 shooting and just three assist opportunities, according to ESPN Stats and Info. Ball's lone bucket came on a switch, and otherwise looked passive.
Beverley even taunted Ball after the game was over as Beverley was heard screaming, "Weak a-- m-----f------ bring him out on the court with me and I will tear his a-- up," to Ball in the locker rooms, reports ESPN's Marc Spears.
