Every weekend, SI’s Chris Mannix will check in with his Bubble Bits, a quick hit on something remarkable from the NBA campus
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Lonzo Ball was frustrated. Twitter provided, as it so often does, an outlet. After a disappointing five-point performance in New Orleans’ loss to San Antonio – a loss that eliminated the Pelicans from the playoffs – Ball spotted a tweet from Bleacher Report on his unsatisfactory numbers.
Ball Answer: Make sure you place my shit next year too.
Ball’s bubble performance was disappointing, but the Pelicans should be happy with what they have in the 22-year-old guard. In his first season in New Orleans, Ball posted high careers in scoring (11.7 points) and three-point percentage (37%). His jump shot – tackled by Pelicans coaches before the start of the season – looked stronger as the year progressed. Ball connected 38.2% of his three-pointers in February and scored 51.2% of them in the first five games in March.
Ball chalked up his cravings as a rhythm issue. “That’s it,” Ball said. “I sleep in New Orleans every day.” That he was one of the reasons that New Orleans – a trendy choice to at least make the play-in series for the remake – is most packed with him.
“I feel like I’m letting the team down,” Ball said. ‘I make a big part of it. Normally if I play well, we win. We’re going home early, and I have to live with that. ”
Still: The Pelicans go into next season as a playoff favorite, with Ball leading the show. Sion Williamson will (hopefully) be injury-free, Brandon Ingram, an All-Star and a candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player, is a rising star, while Jrue Holiday and JJ Redick will return as veteran presidents in the backcourt.
Said Ball, “I think we showed if we are a healthy team, we can compete with everyone.”
The Pelicans also don’t seem to care too much about Ball.
“I’m not worried about ‘Zo,'” Alvin Gentry said. ‘I know he’s doing well. I know he will be OK. I know it’s frustrating for him. Everyone wanted to come down here and play well. It just did not work that way in some situations. I think the attempt was there. He’s disappointed, but I do not think that would be something I would worry about anywhere, because I think he will do well. “
After two tumultuous seasons in Los Angeles, Ball says he enjoyed his first season in New Orleans – and is ready for the next one.
“Overall, I think it was a positive experience,” Ball said. “I’m really looking forward to next year. I do not think the whole season should be put on the bubble. Look at the whole year. We’ve made a lot of growth … I’m proud of that. ”
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