Lonzo Ball bounced back in a big way Saturday in his second NBA Summer League game, posting an impressive triple-double.
Showing off the passing skills that impressed Magic Johnson enough to draft him No. 2 overall this year, he put up 11 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. It was a vast improvement over the awful debut Ball had on Friday night in which he went 2-of-15 from the floor, including 1-of-11 from behind the three-point line.
Lonzo slams it home and notches his first triple-double as a Laker #LakersSummer (📺: @SpectrumSN & ESPN) pic.twitter.com/hO7oimRNfY
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 9, 2017
Despite Ball’s terrific all-around game, the Los Angeles Lakers lost by five to the Boston Celtics. Afterwards, that’s the only thing Ball cared to discuss as he firmly tamped down the notion that his game was anything to celebrate.
“Until we win, I’m not gonna be happy,” he said, per Joey Ramirez of NBA.com.
Lakers fans must be thrilled to hear this. Ball’s comment shows he gets the big picture. Despite all the glitz and glamour associated with him leading up to the draft, thanks in large part to his father, LaVar Ball, Lonzo appears to have the mindset needed for success at the next level.
Despite the loss, Lakers Summer League coach Jud Buechler was excited about the impact the young point guard had on his team.
“His fingerprints are all over the stat sheet and what we’re doing out there,” Buechler told Ramirez, adding: “It was a big comeback game for him. I was really happy for him. You could just tell at times he was more comfortable.”
Once Ball’s shot starts to fall — he went just 5-of-13, including 1-of-5 on threes Saturday — he’s going to be quite an impressive young player. Especially if he maintains a humble, realistic outlook on what it takes to consistently improve and win in the NBA.