Lonzo Ball, the former second overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, has been a key player for the Los Angeles Lakers in recent years. Ball made his mark as a standout point guard with exceptional passing abilities and strong defensive skills.
However, despite his impressive abilities, there has been much discussion recently surrounding Ball’s struggles from beyond the three-point line. In this blog, we will examine the reasons why the Lakers have allowed Ball to stand out on the three-point line, and what this could mean for his future with the team.
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Background on Lonzo’s Shooting Ability
In his one year at UCLA, Lonzo Ball showed promise as a shooter, hitting 41% of his 3-point attempts. However, since joining the Lakers, his shooting numbers have been inconsistent, leading to criticism of his abilities from fans and analysts alike.
During his time with the Lakers, Lonzo’s 3-point percentage has hovered around 30%, much lower than his college numbers. Despite this dip in shooting efficiency, the Lakers and Lonzo have continued to work on improving his shot and finding ways to make it more consistent.
While Lonzo may not have lived up to his pre-draft reputation as a sharpshooter, he has shown flashes of brilliance from beyond the arc.
He has had several games where he has hit multiple 3-pointers in quick succession, showing that he has the potential to be a dangerous threat from long range.
Additionally, Lonzo’s playmaking abilities and defensive prowess have made him a valuable asset to the Lakers, even if his shooting hasn’t been as reliable as some would like.
The Lakers’ Style of Play
The Lakers are a team that values efficient scoring and winning at the highest level. Their offensive scheme is built around maximizing their star power, which includes players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
This means that they prioritize getting the ball to their best scorers in high-quality scoring opportunities. As a result, their offense often involves pick-and-roll and isolation plays that are designed to get these players into space and allow them to score with ease.
Lonzo Ball’s role in this offense is as a facilitator. He is expected to move the ball around the court and find open teammates, but he is not necessarily relied upon to score. This is because the Lakers have a number of players who are much better scorers and are more suited to take on that role.
However, this style of play can also limit Lonzo’s opportunities to score from beyond the 3-point line. With the ball primarily in the hands of their star players, Lonzo may not get as many open looks from beyond the arc as he would in a different system.
Additionally, the Lakers’ focus on high-quality scoring opportunities may also mean that Lonzo is not given as many opportunities to shoot from deep. This can make it difficult for him to develop his 3-point shooting and show that he can be a reliable threat from beyond the arc.
Reasons for Allowing Lonzo to Stand Beyond the 3-point Line
The assessment of Lonzo’s shooting form and mechanics has played a significant role in the decision to allow him to stand beyond the 3-point line.
Lonzo’s unique shooting motion and release point have been a topic of discussion since his college days, and the Lakers’ coaching staff has been closely monitoring his progress.
By allowing him to stand beyond the 3-point line, the coaching staff is hoping to create more space and reduce the pressure on his shot, which may result in improved accuracy.
The longer 3-point line can also benefit Lonzo’s shooting accuracy by giving him more time to set his feet and get his shot off. This can be especially helpful for a player like Lonzo, who has a somewhat slow release compared to other NBA players.
By standing beyond the 3-point line, he can give himself more time to get his shot off, which may lead to a higher percentage of makes.
Ultimately, the Lakers’ coaching staff believes that allowing Lonzo to stand beyond the 3-point line will be beneficial to his development as a player and help him reach his full potential as a shooter.
They believe that by creating more space and reducing pressure on his shot, they can help him build confidence and increase his accuracy from beyond the arc.
Evidence Supporting the Decision
When Lonzo Ball was allowed to stand beyond the 3-point line, his shooting performance saw an improvement. The longer distance from the basket allowed him to take full advantage of his shooting form and mechanics.
Since making the change, Lonzo’s shooting accuracy has increased significantly, and he has become a more consistent threat from beyond the arc.
One way to assess this change is by looking at Lonzo’s 3-point shooting statistics. In the season prior to this change, he shot a modest 30.5% from beyond the arc. However, since being allowed to stand further from the basket, his 3-point shooting percentage has risen to over 35%.
This improvement shows that the decision to allow Lonzo to stand beyond the 3-point line has paid off, as his shooting accuracy has increased as a result.
Additionally, by standing beyond the 3-point line, Lonzo has been able to take more contested shots, and this has helped him become a more versatile shooter.
He has also been able to create more space for himself, which has allowed him to get his shot off more easily. This has translated into better shot selection and a more efficient offensive game overall.
Overall, the evidence supports the decision to allow Lonzo to stand beyond the 3-point line. His improved shooting performance speaks to the benefits of this change, and it is clear that the Lakers’ coaching staff made the right decision in allowing him to do so.
Criticisms of the Decision
Critics of the Lakers’ decision to allow Lonzo Ball to stand beyond the 3-point line have raised concerns about the potential negative impact this could have on his shooting confidence and overall offensive game.
They argue that a longer 3-point line could disrupt Lonzo’s rhythm and lead to even more inconsistencies in his shooting. Some have also pointed out that allowing Lonzo to stand beyond the 3-point line could hurt the team’s spacing and offensive flow, as defenders will be able to close out on him more easily.
However, it’s important to note that these criticisms may not be entirely valid. The Lakers’ coaching staff has likely made this decision after conducting extensive analysis of Lonzo’s shooting form and mechanics, as well as considering how a longer 3-point line could benefit his accuracy.
Additionally, there is evidence to support the decision, as Lonzo has seen improvement in his shooting performance since standing beyond the 3-point line.
It’s also worth considering that basketball is a game of constant adjustments and evolution, and players are constantly trying to find new ways to improve their skills.
Allowing Lonzo to stand beyond the 3-point line may just be another step in his journey as a player, and it’s possible that this change could lead to even greater success for both him and the Lakers in the future.
Lonzo Ball’s Shooting Performance From Beyond the 3-point Line
| Year | 3P% from Beyond the Arc | 3PA from Beyond the Arc |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 37.3% | 5.3 per game |
| 2021 | 32.0% | 4.2 per game |
| 2020 | 29.5% | 3.7 per game |
This table compares Lonzo Ball’s three-point shooting percentage and attempts from beyond the arc in the past three seasons. It showcases the improvement in his shooting performance since being allowed to stand beyond the 3-point line.
How Did Lonzo’s Shooting Numbers Change After Standing Beyond the 3-point Line?
Since standing beyond the 3-point line, Lonzo’s shooting accuracy has improved, particularly from beyond the arc. This has been attributed to a combination of his refined mechanics and the extra space to shoot from, which has given him more time and room to get his shot off.
What Role Does Lonzo Play on the Lakers’ Team?
Lonzo is primarily a point guard for the Lakers and is responsible for running the team’s offense and facilitating the ball movement. He is also expected to contribute on the defensive end and provide an outside shooting threat.
Why Do Some People Criticize the Lakers’ Decision to Let Lonzo Stand Beyond the 3-point Line?
Some critics believe that allowing Lonzo to stand beyond the 3-point line will limit his ability to drive to the basket and create for his teammates. They also argue that he needs to improve his overall shooting accuracy before taking longer 3-pointers.
What Impact Has This Decision Had on Lonzo’s Career and the Lakers’ Success?
The decision to let Lonzo stand beyond the 3-point line has had a positive impact on his shooting performance and confidence. It has also given the Lakers another outside shooting threat, which has helped to spread the floor and create more scoring opportunities for the team. However, it is still too early to say what the long-term impact of this decision will be.
Conclusion
The Lakers’ decision to allow Lonzo Ball to stand beyond the 3-point line is based on a combination of his shooting form and mechanics, the team’s offensive scheme, and the coaching staff’s assessment of what is best for his growth as a player.
This decision has already shown positive results, with Lonzo improving his shooting accuracy and contributing to the team’s success.
While there has been criticism and skepticism surrounding this move, the evidence supports the Lakers’ decision and suggests that this change could have a lasting impact on Lonzo’s career and the team’s overall success.
Overall, the Lakers’ decision to allow Lonzo to stand beyond the 3-point line is a calculated move aimed at maximizing his potential and helping the team achieve its goals.
