Lonzo won't alter jump shot in 'biggest summer' of his life
Coming off an up and down rookie campaign, Lonzo Ball knows the next several months will be crucial for his development. So do Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka, who made sure to let Ball know exactly what's at stake between now and the start of Year 2.
The gist?
"Basically, it's just the biggest summer of my life," Ball said - without a hint of apprehension - at the Lakers' season-ending media availability.
Ball averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals as a rookie, leveraging his 6-foot-6 frame and preternatural passing ability to bully opposing guards in spite of his well-noted mechanical hitches.
Slow-motion look at Lonzo Ball's shooting mechanics. Unorthodox but gets great rotation, has excellent touch. pic.twitter.com/zarBsfdMoG
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) October 3, 2017
Though Ball's shooting numbers were often ghastly - he shot 36 percent from the field overall, 30.5 percent on 3-pointers, and 45.1 percent on free-throws in 2017-18 - don't expect a full-scale rebuild of his funky cross-body heaves. Instead, Ball's goal is to fine-tune his accuracy through repetition.
"Just shoot it with confidence for one and for two just keep putting the work in," Ball said of his offseason approach to improving his shot. "Don't change your form or nothing. I have been shooting like that my whole life, (the Lakers) said they are fine with it."
"Just make sure I am getting the reps up. Just perfect it pretty much," he added. "If you want to be a good shooter, you got to shoot and start making them and that will translate to the game."
Other than improving the efficacy of his shooting, Ball's focus is on getting his body to a place where he can withstand the 82-game grind of the seemingly never-ending regular season. He played just 52 games as a rookie while working through shoulder and knee ailments.
That physical aspect of his game will come through hard work, Ball hopes. In any case, the support system around him will continue to keep him focused on the task at hand, monumental though it may be.
"I think it's exciting," said Ball. "I'm only 20 years old. For someone like Magic and Rob to tell me that - pretty much telling me they believe in me - if I put the work in, I'm going to see success on the other side. I've got to listen to them, and take care of what I can take care of."