Three months before he took over in New Orleans, Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy spoke about the dual way to best use Lonzo Ball.
In an appearance on the Lowe Post podcast, Van Gundy said that Ball could be optimized by quarterbacking an offense in transition and playing off the ball in the half court.
“I think there’s going to be more and more guys in the league like that where, in transition, they’re going to play one position, and in the half court, they’re going to have a whole other role,” Van Gundy said.
Ball got off to a slow start in Van Gundy’s system, but ever since he returned in mid-January after missing three games with knee soreness, he has played well. In his past 20 games, Ball is averaging 15.4 points on 44.8% shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 turnovers.
His 3-point shot, which was a bright spot last season after he made a mechanical overhaul, has come back around. After connecting on six 3-pointers Thursday, Ball is one of eight NBA players shooting 40% or better from distance on a minimum of 7.5 attempts.
The Pelicans have vaulted up to sixth in points scored per 100 possessions. Their offense has taken off with Zion Williamson as its engine and Ball in an important supporting role.
“The guy who hasn’t gotten credit — he’s gotten credit, but not near as much as he deserves — is Lonzo,” Van Gundy said. “He’s been outstanding. He had that injury. Missed some games. Was a little limited. Since we came off that West Coast road trip, he’s been outstanding. Shooting the ball well. Making good decisions. His defense has been good.”
The chemistry Williamson and Ball have developed popped during the Pelicans’ national TV game on Thursday. Four of Williamson’s eight assists went to Ball, while three of Ball’s six assists went to Williamson. Ball is effectively spacing the floor for the player who, right now, is the most dominant interior scorer in the entire league. Those two have understood how to improvise off of each other for a while.
“Me and Lonzo, our games complement each other’s so well,” Williamson said. “Like you said, there are times when me and Lonzo are just playing basketball out there, whether it’s him passing and chasing or me setting a screen. Him coming to set the screen for me. We complement each other so well.”
On Thursday, Ball made the Bucks pay twice for going under the screen in the pick and roll. He is shooting 36.9% on pull-up threes, which is up from 31.9% last season. The biggest blemish on his 20-point, eight-assist outing was his failure to pull the trigger on a 3-pointer from the right wing as time was winding down in regulation.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” Ball said. “We got the steal. I should’ve shot the ball. That’s really all it comes down to.”
Ball has been inconsistent in his season and a half in New Orleans, but he’s unquestionably become a better player. He has a chance to be a 40% 3-point shooter after knocking down threes at a 31.5% rate in two seasons with the Lakers. He’s cut down on his turnovers significantly since he returned to the lineup in January. He’s also making incremental progress attacking the basket. He has attempted 25 free throws in February, the most of any month in his career. His free-throw percentage has climbed to 75.7%.
With the March 25 trade deadline approaching, the Pelicans have a difficult decision to make: Move Ball and create more minutes for Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr., or hold onto him and prepare to pony up in restricted free agency this summer.
That calculus isn't easy. Ball is improving, and his connection with the Pelicans’ best player is undeniable.
“Z is a great player,” Ball said. “He makes my game easy, whether it’s in the pick and roll or getting out in transition and catching lobs. He can finish in a lot of different ways. My job is pretty much to get him the ball.”
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February 27, 2021 at 12:38AM
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Pelicans have difficult decision to make with Lonzo Ball ahead of NBA trade deadline - NOLA.com
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