Lonzo Ball is clairvoyant — at least in the open court. The Pelicans’ point guard understands what he’s going to do with the basketball before it’s even in his hands. And he is audacious enough to try to fit passes into any window, even ones that might only be propped open for milliseconds.
“It’s crazy,” Zion Williamson said. “Right before the game, I looked at Lonzo and said, ‘I’m just letting you know I’m running. If you throw it, I’m going to catch it.’ He took that literally. He started bombing them.”
In Friday’s blowout win over the Cavaliers, Ball had 12 assists, including five in the first four minutes of the game. He also had six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. He dominated even though he shot 1 of 6 from the field and scored five points.
The Pelicans looked like they were trying to break land speed records on their way to racking up 23 fast-break points. Ball made sure all of that chaos was controlled. The 22-year-old expertly dictated the tempo of the game while serving up buckets on a silver platter. It was the type of performance Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry envisioned since the trade in June that brought Ball, along with former Lakers Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart, to New Orleans.
“I’ve been a fan of Zo since he came in the league,” Gentry said.
Gentry was confident that Ball would thrive as the conductor of his fast-paced offense. Ball initially struggled, but over the last 2 ½ months, he has proved his head coach correct.
The Pelicans have gone 20-11 since losing 13 games in a row. Ball has played in all 31 of those games. During that stretch, he is averaging 12.6 points, 7 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 38.4% from 3 on 6.5 attempts per game. Since Dec. 18, he is averaging the second-most passes (73.5) and sixth-most touches (91.2) per game league-wide, according to NBA.com tracking data.
“I have options in every situation,” Ball said. “Half court. Fast break. Post ups. A lot of different guys can do a lot of different things.”
Indeed, Ball has a small army to feed. Brandon Ingram has developed into one of the league’s most lethal three-level scorers. Jrue Holiday has hovered around 20 points per game for the past three seasons. Then there’s Williamson, who on Friday became the first teenager ever to score 20 points or more in 10 straight games.
Ball and the No. 1 overall pick have had chemistry from jump street. Both love to get out in transition. Defenses that let Williamson get behind them on the fast break are doomed. Ball loves delivering lasers that bypass everyone but his intended target.
“I think playing in a system like we’ve got is going to enhance his game and give him an opportunity to be who he is,” Gentry said. “Yeah, he has some turnovers in those situations. But he has some great plays. It’s something we have to live with.”
The Pelicans are second in assist percentage since Williamson returned to the lineup Jan. 22. They haven’t missed a beat while integrating a crucial piece midway through the season. It helps that Williamson isn’t a ball stopper. He does a lot of his best work in transition and on put backs. But Ball’s ability to spread the basketball around has also been crucial.
“That’s the great part about Lonzo," Williamson said. "He shows his IQ for the game. For him to come in every game with the threats that we have and facilitate the offense the way he does, you’ve got to respect it.”
The Grizzlies' hold on the eighth seed is down to two games. The Pelicans, who have won six of their past eight games, are playing their best basketball of the season and have a cushy schedule in front of them. If they can stay healthy, there is a real chance they can make the playoffs in the same season they endured their worst losing streak in franchise history.
“I think it’s only going to get better going from here,” Ball said. “We just got our team back. Hopefully, we can make this playoff push.”
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February 29, 2020 at 10:32PM
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With Lonzo Ball orchestrating, Pelicans are playing the way Alvin Gentry wants - NOLA.com
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