The Lonzo Ball Era has officially arrived in Los Angeles – well, Las Vegas technically – and the potential impact the No. 2 overall pick will have on the franchise can already be felt world-wide.
Sure the Lakers lost to the Clippers (in what Lavar Ball calls his son’s ‘worst game ever‘) but the rookie’s vision was on full display right from the onset of the first quarter.
Just over ten seconds into his NBA debut, Ball connected with Lakers 2016 first-round pick Brandon Ingram for a casual alley-oop.
Already the prospect of seeing Ball and the new-look Showtime squad has pushed the organization into new territory (or at least familiar territory that they haven’t seen in some time).
After years of Post-Prime-Kobe and consistent asset collection, the team has brought in a new executive staff, committed to a highly regarded young coach and laid out a framework for a roster that could remain in Los Angeles for years.
The result?
History. Sort of. As Ohm Youngmisuk detailed for ESPN – and we broke down here – the Las Vegas Summer League sold out their venue for Saturday’s entire session and had done so by noon today. That’s a first, Youngmisuk reports, reminding readers that the Thomas & Mack Center’s venue seats over 15,000 people.
The question, of course, is whether the franchise will live up to the hype or not. While there are several legitimate reasons to be genuinely optimistic about the future of the franchise, there was no shortage of hype this time last year either, when the team presented Ingram, D’Angelo Russell and then-new head coach Luke Walton as the pillars of the team’s future. Ball, then, hadn’t even yet suited up for a single Bruins game at that point.
We ask you, Lakers fans and haters alike, will this go down as the beginning of the next great Showtime dynasty? Are we finally seeing the core building blocks of the organization’s next great run? Or, for the pessimistic among us, will we simply be having an entirely different conversation this time next year?
tommy Bryant was active like no other. lonzo shot just wasn’t falling, he had good looks. moved the ball well grabbed some boards. But that defense was atrocious. But definitely showed flashes throughout the game on what he brings
Bryant was active and played with a lot of energy. Seeing some tapes of his pre-draft workouts, I thought he should have been a clear-cut 1st rounder, and tonight backed that up. He should battle for Zubac for the backup Center next year. Based on what was shown tonight, he should have the lead over Zubac.
The Lakers have two building blocks in Ball and Ingram. They should go and get KCP to be the shooting guard for one year, see how he does and then consider extending him.
KCP has to agree to the 1-year deal. He should be able to get a more lucrative multi-year deal from someone else.
He can probably get a multi year deal from someone but after a step back in performance offseason on and off the court, a one year deal for $17 million, a prove it contract, would benefit both. I believe the Lakers want to give some one with experience a one year deal at the guard spot to help Lonzo. If KCP can for once be consistent he’ll have opportunities in LA
The Hawks, Nets, and the Knicks are the teams to watch. If Washington doesn’t match the Porter offer, I think Brooklyn is out of the potential running for KCP. And whichever team gets Hardaway (between Atlanta and NY), I think the other would take a run at KCP.
Hardaway Jr is savage, he would bring the heart and grit to the Knicks.
Offer sheets signed by restricted free agents must be at least two years long.
KCP isn’t restricted anymore the Pistons pulled his QO and renounced him.
Let’s just wait and see before we start calling this team a dynasty in the making or a bust. Lonzo’s performance did worry me, but at the very worst, I think he’ll be a really good passer, decent rebounder, and potentially decent defender because of his length. The 1-11 outing from three (even if its early to pass judgment) does have to worry some. You like to see that he won’t get afraid to shoot if his shot is off, but his shot had some question marks even if it was successful in college and his outing today does little to quiet any critics.
They have the young core but need a star to actually compete. Once they get George things should get better
They don’t need George.
My takes on our future.
Lonzo doesn’t seem like a number one or two option guy. He’s a good #3 option and can hopefully be a consistent catch and shooter.
Shouldn’t have traded D-Lo. Great passer, battled injuries that messed up his flow last year, and is a better scorer than Lonzo and Ingram.
Ingram-I love this kid. He’s going to be real special and showed a lot tonight. Still don’t think he can be a number one option going forward but a good number two option for sure. He really needs to be our star two way player.
Randle-He really needs to work on defense and passing. He plays out of control at times and is sometimes lazy. Not too keen of paying him over 20 mill next summer.
Clarkson-6th man at best right now. Hasn’t improved his game at all and am disappointed in him.
This current core, we most likely won’t be a top 3 team in the west in the future.
As for free agency, Lebron and George aren’t enough with the young core to beat the Warriors. Lebron will be 34 or 35, George will be in his prime. I would love to bring George and have him be the #1 option. In 3-4 years, they would be contenders maybe. Zubac development is a key too, can he develop into a guy to protect the rim and stretch the floor a bit?
Side note-since lakers have Brook Lopez bird rights, cousins is a free agent next year, maybe lakers try to do a sign and trade of Brook Lopez for Cousins as I think that would work under the cap since their salaries would be close to each other.
You talk as if George is Larry Bird, George is a fantastic ballplayer but he would ruin Ingram’s development into a superstar.
Quit please okc fanboy. You desperately want George to stay but he’s gonna leave count on it.
When Westbrook takes him to a WCF against the Warriors, PG won’t go anywhere.
Unless they both go to LA lol. And you can play a small ball lineup of Westbrook-Ball-Ingram-George or George-Ingram. George won’t hinder his development.
Bruh why would Russ want to play with Ball,George, and Ingram
And not be in the spotlight. That does not ring to me Russ leaving to another team to team up with other stars, its just not in his DNA.
He would be a star in LA which I can imagine is much better than being one in OKC. Get rid of Ball and if he doesn’t like George bring Lebron to LA with him.
Ball and Randall to Knick for Porzingis.
We’re keeping zo but Randle and Clarkson for porzingis
Couldn’t agree more
It’s early, lets see how Ball does in actually NBA games before we judge him.
They have the pieces in place. Adding George for the max doesn’t convince me they’re a contender. I just don’t feel George is “the guy” on a championship squad. That being said if they can fit George in and it doesn’t affect their ability to keep ball, Ingram and still add good depth pieces around them for the next 7 years then I see a future of top 3 western conference finishes and deep playoff runs.
You can see this in one really bad summer game?
No matter what Lonzo does for the Lakers, they’ll still be called the Lakers. It never made any sense to keep that name when they moved out there.
Ingram took the game over but not a fan of the deferring, legends don’t defer when it’s time to shine. I’m fine with Ball deferring but not Ingram, and no George is not coming to the Lakers leading them over the Warriors so let’s cut that out please. Magic said he wanted to have a team with fire-power so I’m assuming he’s swinging for Klay Thompson whenever he becomes a free agent.
Paul George on the Lakers makes no sense at all considering all the young players and Ingram playing the same position. The only way it works is if you bring in Westbrook and George next year. Then you would have to seriously consider trading Ball, Ingram and a couple other young guys like Randle (S&T), Nance, Zubac, etc. for another star like Anthony Davis. After New Orleans struggles again next season he is may want to leave. The Lakers could offer a great package next summer depending on how the young guys play this year. A team with those three guys could compete with the Warriors. If something outrages like that isn’t available they need to stay away from signing any of the free agents next year. 1 or 2 are going to help. Especially when the top 2 free agents play the same position as Ball and Ingram.
Rebuild the right way if you can’t pull some Laker magic out of the hat. The team really does have a young, interesting core of players with some serious potential to be very good in the next 2-4 seasons.
Paul George can play SG. A position the Lakers are clearly lacking in right now.
He can, but they’re better off sticking Ingram at the 2 as he starts to muscle up. As it stands now, George has the size (height and muscle/weight) to guard most, if not all, 3s…Ingram still needs to put on some more muscle/weight before I’d consider moving George to the 2.
The way I see it, the Lakers are playing for the Summer 2019 and if they miss, the look forward to the Summer of Klay in 2020. The problem I see is the Lakers best options to sign next summer play the PG and SF positions, which happen to occupied by Ball and Ingram. I’m curious how this plays out for the Lakers.
The problem is the one year deals the
FO makes. Tired of hearing them say wait till next year! We had our chances
(Hill waiters) Hey we could’ve got nick
Young if our FO gave him a 2 year deal.
With Russell and young gone we just lost
30 to 35 PPG Another losing season
Without #1 draft pick. Bummer
They were a last place team with those guys on our team last year. What is going to change that makes them a contender next year with those same guys? Something has to change.
Ball choked bad last night ya one game but man 5 points 2 assists and 3 turnovers and that’s against subpar players wait till he goes up against big name players this kids going to be a bust witch blows his dad is the problem not Lonzo he’s just gotta lose that attitude that he’s the best in the world
Don’t know if he’ll figure it out as the season progresses, but he sure looked lost last night. He most definitely wasn’t the best first year player on the floor.
I’m excited about the future. I think Ingram will take a big step in the right direction this season, Ball will have some bad games and some good as do most rookies but this team has some young talent besides Ingram and Ball. Bryant is good player, Zubac, Nance and I like Hart a lot too. I do like Randle but something tells me he isn’t in their future plans especially if they are trying to sign Lebron and George. You give these young guys a year and then put them with some star players like Lebron and or Paul George and I think this team will be pretty damn good.
Lonzo needs to chuck up less bricks. If he can make that goofy shot from nba 3 then they have a shot at being a middling western conference team. I don’t see anything that screams special from the squad. All i noticed is Ingram spent his entire rookie salary on tattoos lol.
Next years lineup of Ball KCP George Ingram Lopez and not to mention a decent bench. The only difficult choice would be where to play Ingram and George, and which one plays the 3 and who plays the 4.
Doesn’t matter, the NBA is rapidly turning into a position less league. Nowadays your either a ball handler, a wing or a big and all of them are chucking up threes.
Either way the Lakers are unfortunately finishing up their rebuilding process and will regain their dominance
Bring in Westbrook and George next year and showtime is back. Lebron??
I would take the Celtics Roster over the Lakers “Dynasty ” for the next five years. I like Brown and Tatum over Ball and Ingram. Brown has shown a lot more growth than Ingram on both ends, Center Horford over Zubac Forward/ SG Hayward , Brown , Tatum, Smart , Morris and Crowder. Solid group and deep PG Isaiah vs. Ball I would lean toward Ball on potential but it remains to be seen. Isaiah top scorer in 4th quarter in NBA this year, fantastic scorer and brings enthusiasm every game. I think Ball should be better in 3-5 years but it is no guarantee. And I didn’t even mention deep bench Rozier , Yabusele ( he is going to be fun to watch a poor mans Barkley and our Center overseas Big Z . Give me the Celts for next ten years and all our top picks maybe the Lakers next year , even if Lakers get George who I love. Now if the Lakers get Westbrook that changes things. Westbrook is a top 3 or 4 player in league and George top 10 now that is scary. Watch OKC this year if they can add a piece or 2 they can compete wiTh Warriors.