EL SEGUNDO >> As the Lakers’ brass dined with Lonzo Ball at an Italian restaurant in Venice on Tuesday evening, the former UCLA guard heard enough to suggest they do not feel concerned with the hoopla surrounding his outspoken father, LaVar.
“They said they love him,” Ball said. “That’s about it.”
After the Lakers watched Ball for a 75-minute individual workout Wednesday at the team’s practice facility, the former UCLA guard believed he highlighted a few distinguishable qualities that make him most suited for the Lakers’ No. 2 draft pick.
“They have a lot of good players. I think they need a leader and point guard,” said Ball, which naturally suggests the Lakers would shift D’Angelo Russell to shooting guard if he remains on the roster. “I think I can bring that to the team.”
Plenty of NBA talent evaluators believe Ball can bring many things to any NBA team. He became the Pac-12 player of the year during his lone season at UCLA after leading the Bruins with 14.6 points on 55.1 percent shooting, 7.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Though Ball has an unorthodox shot, he has no plans to change it since it has remained effective.
With Ball leading the nation in assists (274), the former Chino Hills standout said he has modeled his game after Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson, whom Ball dubbed “the best point guard to ever play.”
“He’s a big point guard and I’m a big point guard,” Ball said of his 6-foot-6, 190-pound frame. “He likes to push it. I like to push it.”
Yet, questions persist about whether Ball’s father, LaVar, would become an distraction. He has remained outspoken in interviews both about harmless topics (his ability to beat Michael Jordan one-on-one), self-promotion (his $495 Big Baller Brand shoes) and potentially damaging ones (criticizing his son’s UCLA teammates for losing to Kentucky in the Sweet 16). Last week, UCLA guard Bryce Alford believed Lonzo Ball “gets a rep he doesn’t deserve” because of his father’s outspokenness.
Hence, Ball’s on-court potential and attention surrounding his dad attracted a large group of media members usually reserved for when the Lakers practiced during the NBA playoffs.
“Everybody has an opinion. I know who I am,” Lonzo Ball said. “People who know me know who I am. That’s all that matters.”
Johnson and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka downplayed how much his father’s public persona could dissuade them from selecting Ball. LaVar Ball was not present for his son’s dinner or his workout. Nonetheless, LaVar Ball has shared his hope for the Lakers to draft his son.
“My dad loved (Johnson) and loved the way the Lakers play,” Lonzo Ball said. “I pattern my game after that.”
Ball said he never went to Lakers games as a child because his father thought the seats at the Forum and Staples Center were too small for his liking. But ever since he was 6 years old, Ball credited his father for molding his game.
“My dad asked me what position I want to play. I said point guard,” Ball said. “He said since I’m point guard, I have to get the ball up. I’ve been passionate since then.”
Moments earlier, Lonzo Ball said it does not matter about any potential pressure or criticism he will inherit as a lottery pick.
“They said that about me in high school,” Ball said. “They said that about me in college. I don’t think it will affect me.”
That explains Lonzo Ball’s mindset when he completed an individual workout that he said put a heavy emphasis on shooting drills.
“I don’t get nervous. I play basketball,” Ball said. “I’m from here. I know about all the championships and trophies. I’m not really in awe. I’m just grateful to be here.”
Hence, Ball remained honest about his hopes to wear a Lakers uniform. “I want to stay home,” he said.
With Ball’s preference in donning purple and gold, Boston Celtics executive Danny Ainge recently said Ball’s representatives declined to work out for the Celtics, who are expected to select Washington guard Markelle Fultz. Though Ball said he believed he has the most talent in this year’s draft, he deferred to his agent on whether he would work out for any other teams.
For now, Ball plans to have lunch with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Jesse Buss and D-Fenders president Joey Buss. Ball had called his meeting with Johnson, Pelinka and Lakers coach Luke Walton a “good dinner.”
“They seem like great guys. I’m grateful I got to meet them,” Lonzo Ball said. “It was a lot of fun sitting down and talking with them. I don’t look at them as coaches. I look at them as friends. It was a lot of fun.”
Meanwhile, Ball tried to leave his own positive first impression.
“I’m calm and mellow, on the court and off the court,” Ball said. “All I want to do is win.”
Because of that, Ball said he became receptive to the Lakers’ advice. He said that Johnson, Pelinka and Walton offered “positive feedback, a lot of tips and helpful hints.”
Ball does not plan to change his unorthodox shooting stroke unless his shot stops falling. He predicted he will adapt well at running pick-and-roll plays despite not doing that much at UCLA. He believed he “can read a defense pretty well” and guard players at the point guard, shooting guard and small forward positions. He reported he adjusted well to the conditioning portion of his workout.
Meanwhile, Ball said the Lakers expressed their belief on what he can become as a player.
“They need a leader. They need a point guard. I feel like I can fill that void,” Ball said. “I’m young. They’re young. I see they like to run. I love to run. I think I can complement them very well.”
Still, it is not a foregone conclusion the Lakers will select him. They plan to watch Kansas shooting guard Josh Jackson work out in Sacramento on Thursday. They also have a workout planned sometime next week for Kentucky guard De’Aaron Fox.
Nonetheless, Ball’s words, tone and body language suggested he is ready to handle the pressure on leading the Lakers.
“It definitely makes it a little bit harder,” Ball said of the hype. “But any player will have attention on them at all times. I’m used to it by now.”
