Ball's team-first approach to the game is admired by LeBron

LeBron James showed a lot of love to Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball following their first meeting on Thursday.

Ball had 13 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in a spirited 121-112 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was good enough to catch the eye of James, who was very complimentary in the postgame scrum.

"It’s always team, he passes the ball, pushes the ball up the floor, someone that you want to play with," James said of Ball, according to Serena Winters of Lakers Nation.

"This is a team game, everyone gets so caught up in this individual thing, the team game gets so overlooked. He’s a really good player."

Coming into the game, James praised Ball for showing great maturity during a heavily scrutinized rookie season. LeBron then singled out Ball after Thursday's game to have a clandestine conversation with the 20-year-old.

"I didn't tell him anything," James said with a smile. "I didn't tell him anything. It's not for everybody. There's enough noise out there already with 'Zo and it's not for me to discuss. He has a bright future."

The meeting between James and Ball naturally stoked fervent rumors about the Cavaliers superstar potentially signing with the Lakers next summer. But as LeBron said, he doesn't doesn't hear any of the noise.